Advice need on Audio and Video Recording For Interviews

[jamesww]

Hi tech gurus, I've a couple of little project in mind for the summer and autumn, one is recording stories of UK veterans from the 'Little Wars' during the retreat from empire, after WW2; I have a couple of interviewees lined up.  The 2nd is to interview people in the countryside about the changes they've seen in the rural economy in the last 30 years. Neither of the projects are for money and I'll receive no funding.

I had intended to do these as audio only, if I came up with any interesting oral histories, they might be good enough one day to donate to a suitable archive.  But given the prevalence of youtube and online video, I've decided I should record them that way.

What I need to know is what's the right equipment to use, obviously you get small digital cameras with video modes etc, but to my ear, those generaly produce rather inferior soundtracks. So my priority is to find something thats portable that produced good quality audio, I'm guessing a add-on external mic and/or a tie-clip microphone for the interviewee might be the way to go ?

The video side is a secondary concern, as this isn't intended for broadcast in any form, at best I'm aiming for something that looks 'nice' on the higher levels of youtube quality. I wouldn't want the video camera to do any other work, so no need for a huge range of zoom or specialist modes. Lighting doesn't look like an option, I certainly don't want to be carrying around a couple of blonds. It's basically going to record video outdoors in a rural setting on a tripod or at fixed position in someone's home.

Any advice guy and gals, my budget for this is rather, and I mean rather limited.   

[jamesww]

Apols for bumping, but I'm hoping Katmai and any other filmic type peps will see this.

[jamesww]

bump. 

[The Brain]

Good luck. Can't help you myself.

[jamesww]

bump, still needing some advice . 

[The Brain]

Languish only cares about military history if it's simulated on computers with awful maps.

[alfred russel]

Sounds like a good project, but I don't have the knowledge to help. Maybe PM brazen or katmai?

[katmai]

Sorry this thread was started while i was on road with BBC documentary crew so missed it till bumped today.

What do you have access to for recording?
How limited is limited for budget wise?

[Warspite]

Katmai will know more but I suggest you invest in decent lighting and also a lapel mic.

[jamesww]

Sorry this thread was started while i was on road with BBC documentary crew so missed it till bumped today.

What do you have access to for recording?
How limited is limited for budget wise?

Katmai, thanks for replying.
Sounds like a fun and interesting road trip.

I only have access to an old camcorder, and a couple of average digital camera, so bascially nothing.

Budget wise very limited, probably whatever I can get away with putting on a credit card. 

I guess what I'm aiming for is similar quality to what one sees on some 'activist' websites.
The equipment has to be portable because I'm going to carrying it around the countryside on a bike !
So no lights.

My experience with video/filming is very limited; years ago I used to work for a video company and can vaguely recall you had to set up the Ikagami's continually, and umatic and betamax ruled !

[LaCroix]

?

[jamesww]

bump. 

[katmai]

Gah, sorry mongers will reply later today in depth.

[katmai]

Once again monger sorry was distracted by internet drama. Re read your opening post and trying to find best options for your budget

[jamesww]

Once again monger sorry was distracted by internet drama. Re read your opening post and trying to find best options for your budget

Excellent, any advice is much appreciated; beers in it if you ever get over to Blighty/The Smoke.