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Learn how to record videos at home

How to record videos at home is one of the main doubts of those who are thinking about creating online courses and want to develop good material without having to hire help.

So we’ve put together some tips in this handy guide that will help you record quality videos at home.

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How to record videos at home with professional quality 

Learning how to record videos at home is a good start for those who are starting in the e-Learning market. 

Online courses that include videos are preferred by the public and therefore are more valued and sell easier.

How to create videos for online courses

For those who never went far beyond recording videos on their cell phones to post on social networks, the production of videos with professional presentation can seem complicated. But with today’s technology, we can say that this is not true. 

If a few years ago it was necessary to invest in expensive cameras to have a good result, nowadays most smartphones have built-in cameras capable of recording in high quality and resolution.

In addition, there are several free software on the internet that assist in editing the material and inserting additional resources to make the result even better.

You can produce videos in which you appear explaining the content, which is great to help you create a connection with the student, as well as tutorial videos, using programs that allow you to record your computer screen.

Record video tutorials: tips for getting the best result

All of this helps to make your online course interesting and effective with minimal investment.

Following some basic tips, it is possible to record videos at home with equipment you already own, such as a computer and smartphone. 

Meet the best free screen recorders

10 practical tips to record videos at home 

Check out 10 tips to achieve a good result saving and without having to leave the house.

1. Film with your computer / smartphone

Most people have a cell phone and a computer, or at least have a friend who has one of these devices to borrow. 

If you choose your smartphone, remember that the rear camera has better quality, has a higher resolution and offers more features in the app

2. Film with your phone horizontally or laptop vertically

When recording videos at home with equipment positioned in this way, you will create a widescreen video, so no one will even notice that you shot with your own equipment in the comfort of your home.

If using a laptop, make sure you are shooting with the camera at a 90° angle. If it is tilted it can distort the image a little.

3. Use a tripod or elevate your computer

You will want the camera lens to be well stabilized and at the height of your face, as this creates a better angle and favors your image. 

If using a smartphone, buy a small tripod. If it’s a computer, improvise and place it on a pile of books and whatever else is needed to reach the ideal height.

4. Never record with zoom

When you want to get a close view of something, it is tempting to press the zoom button on your camera. But, most devices only offer digital zoom, which can degrade the quality of your image.

So, to get a greater focus on your face or other element you want to present, instead of zooming, get closer to the camera. 

5. Film at 24 frames per second

Using this setting to record videos at home ensures smooth image flow.

A lower definition can leave the image with a slightly lower quality and, even if few people realize it, there is no reason to compromise the quality of your material for a simple matter of configuration.

6. Use one device to record video and another to record audio

This makes things a little more complicated than using the microphone on the device you are already using, but it makes a big difference in the audio quality of your video. 

Place a cell phone / computer in front of you to record the image and position another smartphone (if you have a microphone, better) closer to your face to capture a clearer sound. Later, in the editing process, you will be able to combine audio and image.

Tips for speaking well on video

7. Clap your hands to mark the beginning of a new scene

What? Why? To replace the famous clapperboard? That’s right! Hit your hands hard before starting a new scene. This will create a noise that will appear as a peak volume when editing. 

The loud sound generated will act as a reference for you to be able to synchronize the images from one camera with the audio captured by the other, when editing the material.

8. Use a sheet in the background

To record professional looking home videos, creating a backdrop with a neutral background is a good idea in most cases.

Just lay out a white or black sheet so that it covers the entire background of the scene that appears in the video. Tip: black works better than white, especially if you use bright lights.

9. Use soft objects to avoid the echo

Noise that can compromise the quality of your video, the echo is generated when recording the sound in large rooms, empty spaces or even because you removed furniture to create a studio. 

A simple solution is to use pillows, rugs, and anything else that absorbs this unwanted noise. 

10. Enjoy natural light

The best solution to record videos at home without spending on lighting equipment? Shoot near a window and enjoy natural light. 

If you think you need more light, use light fixtures and whatever else you have at home that can provide support. The important thing is to ensure that your face is well lit and without shadows.

Now, related to the recording location, there are some more tips that can contribute to the quality of your video.

Record videos at home: how to set up a home recording studio

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Having your own studio to record videos at home offers two main advantages:

  • Low cost and high return
  • Semi-permanence

For those who create online courses, recording videos is a path of no return and, even if you only start with equipment you already own, don’t be surprised if you decide to invest in a tripod, microphone and so on in a short time.

Once you start buying more professional equipment, you can consider using part of your work area or some space in your home as a permanent studio or one easy to put together when you need it.

That’s the beauty of these DIY studios. You have the option of leaving everything installed or simply taking it apart until you want to use it again.

Interested in the idea? We have organized a list of the main equipment for recording videos at home that will make a difference in the quality of your video and, consequently, can bring greater return on your investment.

Microphone

It is true that hanging a smartphone from the ceiling using a fishing line is a good way to improvise a microphone. But even better is to use a real microphone and take your video quality to the next level. 

There are several brands of microphones and voice recorders that you can use. Features and values ​​vary from model to model, so we recommend that you do a good research of what best suits your needs before purchasing one. 

4 Great Voice Recorders for your Business

Clip-on Lamp

To make the studio lighting, we keep our tip that using natural light is always the best choice. However, if you live in a place that gets low light, a lamp is a great option. 

It is possible to find lamps to buy anywhere for a very affordable price, but give preference to those that have a clip system and can be attached to table corners and other types of support.

Remember that you will need the light to be positioned at a 45 ° angle to the object / person being filmed.

To complement and improve the result, place another light source in the background to get rid of the shadows.

TIP: If you bought lamps especially for lighting your studio, it is not necessary to open the windows. Rather than helping, in this case natural light can hinder the effect you have created with the strategically placed lamps. 

Camera

Buying a camera is the obvious next step to record videos at home with the best possible quality.

As well as microphones, there are many camera options that you can purchase, such as those from Canon or Nikon. 

Do your research and find the one with the best cost benefit for your goals. When you buy the camera, don’t miss the chance to buy the corresponding tripod.

These are the main equipment to raise the level of your video production and create quality content for your online course.

If you decide that you want to invest in even better equipment, the next items we recommend are the following:

  • Professional background: the famous green screen opens up a new world of possibilities for you to record videos at home.
  • Sound panels: to ensure greater clarity of the sound, buying and installing some sound panels to muffle noise is a good option.
  • Even better cameras: the most expensive investment, but the one with the highest return.

Video editing

Serious editing requires knowledge and practice, but a little basic editing can help make your videos more professional.

With the help of some free editing softwares, you can remove unwanted parts from your video clips. In addition, these tools allow you to merge multiple clips and photos, add soundtrack, video filters and create mini-movies that are worth sharing.

Stopping the beginning and end of a clip generally enhances the result, as well as share a longer clip into several shorters.This is especially true for something you want to share online.

Basic Video Editing Techniques

Host video lessons on Coursify.me

You now know what you need to create videos compelling, professional-looking.

Ready-made material, get feedback from some friends, make the necessary improvements and when everything is perfect, upload it to video platforms or go straight to your online school at Coursify.me.

How to Choose the Right Video Hosting Platform

ELearning platform (LMS), Coursify.me has all the necessary features for you to integrate and import content from video hosting platforms such as Vimeo and YouTube.

Whats is a Learning Management System (LMS)

Instructors can embed their hosted videos in any of these channels on their page on Coursify.me, leaving their lessons even better and more complete.

Visit our website and take advantage of all the features of our platform to make tutorial videos and create quality online courses.