What is in The Bag

Had couple of folks ask for some specific info about gear, so here's a look inside my backpack. I'm a big believer in "go kits" from training with FEMA and amateur radio work. I keep this packed for quick deployment for blogging/digital media. I keep another bag with gear for public information officer/sports info director work (pens, papers, office supplies, reporter gear) for the same reason, along with bags off radio equipment and a 72 hour kit. OK, enough nerd-ology.

Anyway, here's the breakdown:


GoPro Hero is a solid state point of view camera which can record HD quality (720p) video, but also take still photos, time lapse photos and burst (3-5 in a row) photos.  It records to an SD card, and it's native format is tricky.  I think the reality is the GoPro is a still camera that can pile up 30 to 60 frames per second, thus the MJPEG native format (motion JPEG).

The Canon Vixia HFS10 is the video camera of choice, a true HD video recorder that also captures 8 megapixel stills.  It trades no viewfinder for pretty decent glass for a prosumer camera.  It too records to SD card - sensing a trend? - but has USB 2.0, component and HDMI output as well.  It takes a 1/4 audio input, perfect for using a real mic or multbox.

This unit is no longer sold, it is now the S12 at the same price but slightly better specs.  The downside - it is fragile.  I had one slip from my hand, bounced down my leg and hit a marble floor and slide.  I was worried but figured it wasn't a straight drop and bounce.  Not so - shattered the CCD chip and the LCD screen.  Buy the warranty.

That said, it doubles as our production camera for replays at the net in volleyball and our talent camera for almost all productions (short lens).  So for the price, we get both an ENG unit and a small HD production camera.

The Dell laptop is a Inspiron 1440 that has a high-end dual core with 16x9 screen.  It was picked for light weight, speed to handle Adobe Production Suite and - you guessed it - a front side SD card slot for importing files.

In the padded near the GoPro is our Sprint Overdrive device, a 3G/4G portable WiFi spot that can handle up to five devices and pump data - based on cell network - as much as 10meg.  Perfect on the move or in data poor environments, like your hotel room where this device likely has better speed and does not cost $14.95 a day.

Among the key adapters, a short cable LogiTech USB mouse.  Why no Bluetooth? One less transmitter to drain the battery and with the short cord, just portable but less likely to "disappear." A real mouse is vital for speed on CoverItLive/Tweet Deck events, and for any photo/video editing.

Notice the 1/4 inch to BNC male cable - useful for both the pro hand microphone or plugging into a mult-box.  Speaking of mics, this one happens to be an EV D67, but there are lots of options available.  One must is your own mic flag - sport the brand.  We get ours from a company in New England, but there are plenty of options out there.  Spend some money here, you don't want to go with the cheaper ones - they will break and fade.

I got a publication credit out of QST Magazine (the ham radio journal for all you non-amateur radio types) for creating short jumpers out of left over computer AC cords; but today those have become common and more important cheap.  I like carrying this one because it will give you two heavy duty plug-ins.

One thing missing from the photo is my short tripod and my monopod.  Nothing enhances video like a nice steady hand, and none of us have those with small cameras.  I've found a nice travel monopod for under $70 with a detachable head plate, and got one for each of the four Flip cameras we deploy through the media relations office. 

Where is your Flip Cam? I don't carry one.  Why? Because I'm using the iPhone 4.  It gives me better quality video and a 5 megapixel camera, plus on-board editing with iMovie.

To borrow a line from Alton Brown, there are no unitaskers in my kitchen. The Flip is a good solution, but it does one thing.  Notice all cameras can perform in dual roles and share a common storage medium.  Why no Mac book? Last time I checked, almost all the web site video was still Flash and that means a PC with Adobe products.

BTW - there are lots of nice, low cost video solutions.  Pinnacle was mentioned, but I bet for not much more you can get Adobe Premier through your university's academic discounts.  For our Mac friends, Final Cut comes in a light academic edition for small projects.  I bought that for my son, who learned Final Cut in high school, for less than $100.  My new Adobe CS5 was $500, but cost that out against the CS Design Pro you will likely not be updating as much in the future.

Keep the power cords and mouse in one side pouch, the mic and audio cables in the other.  Nestle the cameras inside padded cases (remember the drop?) and put the laptop in the neoprene sleeve - off for another event coverage.

I'll post the photo later.