Gary North

Feb. 15, 2011

The Kodak Zi8 is the only pocket camcorder today with a jack for an external microphone. You need an external mic for good sound. Use a lapel mic.

The Kodak Zi8 shoots in high definition. The images are crystal clear. It's in the $100 range.

It has a defect. Older video editing software cannot handle its MOV files. Sony Movie Studio Platinum 10 does. You can buy it for under $100.

You can use the unit to upload directly to YouTube with no editing, but that will not give you the best effect.

With all the equipment, you might spend $200. But you will have the best pocket camcorder on the market. You will learn editing with a powerful piece of software. You can make great Christmas presents for grandparents: a family DVD on what everyone did over the year.

Buy the set-up for making videos on home school teaching. Then use the equipment for a new, creative, and fun hobby: low-cost, high-definition video production.

You might eve get a small side business out of it. The master on starting a small business with DVDs is Bill Myers: www.bmyers.com.

The master here