Being into photography (just as a hobby… blooming expensive one I’ve found!) I’d suggest a GoPro Hero 3. You can get all sorts of cases to put them in so totally protected during use. The Hero 3 has been around for a long time now so you can pick them up second hand cheaply. They can also take an external mic, so you can position it for best sound. I’d also invest in a couple of tripods, one full size and one mini tripod. Again, these can be picked up cheap as chips and make a massive difference to the finished video.
Lighting wise, a halogen spotlight should be sufficient even for under the car shots.
Software wise, there are tons of free video suites out there, but to be honest a lot are over complicated. I did a video last night and have various bought video software, but actually downloaded Windows Movie Maker 6 (which is what we had on old windows vista). Windows 7 had the later version of this and it was pants! I’ll try and find the link for where I got it mate. For stitching clips together, it really is the best as it’s so easy to use, plus there are decent transitions etc and you can add text/voice over to it. Ideal I’d say.
The cheap Chinese knocks of GoPros are fine, and come with a bazillion different attachments and setups (telescopic selfie sticks, chest rigs, headsets etc). The kits usually a waterproof external case, which can have the door swapped for one that permits sound. Probably worth getting one with a remote.
There are loads of different brands, but most are made by the same factory.
Given your past responses to polite requests for advice here on various topics one is tempted to quote (verbatim) some of them back to you:
“Please do a bit research before stating what you have written.”
“That homework I always do myself and would consider it basic good manners to do that prior to asking for advice. There are others that expect others to do that work for them.”
However, in response to your request, IMO any basic video camera should suffice. Also, given the quality of smartphones these days you might even get away with using one of those. They seem to have good microphones too although if you have the equipment and software you can easily add a commentary later which also gives you greater flexibility for editing. If you record the commentary as you go along it reduces your editing options. Also, if you make a mistake with the commentary you would have to record the whole section again which might not be possible if, say, you have just sprayed underseal everywhere. With respect to lighting, a halogen light might be OK but can lead to very stark contrast between light and shadow. You might want to consider making a diffuser to put in front of it which will give you a softer, more uniform spread of light. A piece of thin paper or fine mesh might suffice (be careful about excessive heat from the halogen bulb though. You can buy photographic lights (some fairly cheaper on the internet) which come with the diffuser.
I’m afraid when it comes to editing I’m very much a Mac person so can’t advise on software for Windows, although I see someone else has posted suggestions.
It’s not my place to say this, but Eddie has already decided against this, so sarcasm and helpful replies are not needed. I extend his thanks to those that tried to be helpful, but in his absence it’s time to shut this down.
Given your past responses to polite requests for advice here on various topics one is tempted to quote (verbatim) some of them back to you:
“Please do a bit research before stating what you have written.”
“That homework I always do myself and would consider it basic good manners to do that prior to asking for advice. There are others that expect others to do that work for them.”
[/quote]
PeteG,
I have no regret what so ever for making these and other remarks as the poster were impolite in that they were wanting info without doing their own research. I do not expect everyone to have the level of expertise as some here have but if they not done a bit of self-help before posting, I will reply like that.
Again, when punters come on and complain about the cost from local garages of doing work on their car. I ask them to advise that rate a local garage should be charging and ask them to show how that rate should be made up. To date these “moaning minie’s” have never responded with a makeup of a what a reasonable rate should be.
Further you may notice, I have been thanked over 500 times on this forum, therefore not in the least worried and many of my “How To” posts have been linked in forums both in Europe and across the Pond.
Thanks, in this case for your helpful reply on “how to’s”.
I can assure you that I intend to go on as I have as in the past and as always, you have the option to set the forum to ignore my posts. If my posts to those who do not do a bit of homework in your opinion are considers to be out of order.
You may also notice a number of helpful posters on this forum have also started at long last to also give such free loaders shorter shift than in the past. Including one in particular helpful poster who used to hold the same view as your good self about some of my posts, funny how opinions change after a while.