ScreenFlow is great at capturing what’s going on on-screen. But what if you want to add a video of your talking head, or stream in other video for your screencasts? What kind of camera should you use to capture your video?
The easiest answer, which many of you undoubtedly know, is the built in webcam or iSight camera on your Mac. But for those looking for a second input or an external webcam, what should you look for?
In general, ScreenFlow works with most standard definition cameras that have a live video firewire or USB output. ScreenFlow does not currently support HDV devices, however most HDV cameras have a DV mode which does work with ScreenFlow.
There’s been a lot of discussion about webcams and camcorders in the past year on our Forum. I’ve compiled links to some of the most relevant posts here:
- Best web cams to use with ScreenFlow
- Kodak Zi8 and ScreenFlow
- aGent v5 webcam
- Camera recommendations for live video input
- Best cameras for streaming input
If you use an external camera: What do you use, and why do you like it? Please post your comments here and we’ll compile the answers as a resource for new ScreenFlow users.
I use a couple of 1080p Samsung Camcorders, as well as Sony. Great in flow with Screenflow.
A clapper board is essential if you lift your video from one source and the audio from another. They are rarely in sync. Afterwards, just detach the audio and sync.
And how about if you just clap your hands really loud a few times so you can see the sound spike in the audio timeline?
That works perfectly. However, what I’ve discovered is that when you have the clapper board you rarely forget, when you use your hands you always forget…
Cheap ones: http://www.clapperboard.net/
Thanks. Good idea. I forgot all about that.
I use a canon HV20 in DV mode via my firewire 400 port on my Macs. I use it when I need to get a shot of me using a whiteboard etc.
I use a Panasonic TZ7 🙂 !
I’m using the new IPEVO Point2View usb cam… works great and has a wider angle lens. Auto focus and Zoom controls. Excellent!
Hi, Michael:
Thank you for choosing IPEVO ! 🙂
I just purchased the P2V, directly recorded with professional lighting…etc, but quality was poor when received directly into ScreenFlow. How do you make your P2V give you good results? Do you record with separate capture software (if so what) and then import into ScreenFlow? I also purchased a new Canon HV40, all excited about importing into ScreenFlow; but just discovered this is virtually impossible from what I am reading.
I am a bit depressed. I need both ScreenFlow for screencasts and high quality video for vodcast final product.
Okay, you baited me Lynn 😉
I put together a quick video on how to incorporate multiple camera’s and how to sync the audio over here:
http://www.macscreencasting.com/using-multiple-cameras-in-your-screencasts
I’m not hooking up any Firewire or additional USB cameras. I’m using an external Kodak Zi8. I like having multiple cameras and ScreenFlow makes it easy to pull it off.
Excellent video, Scott. Thank you so much for sharing that.
I encourage everyone to click over and watch Scott’s video. He has a couple of great tricks and tips in there.
Lynn
I’m trying to use a Canon Vixia HF R800. I have the USB plugged in but it doesn’t seem like ScreenFlow is seeing it because the only option I have to record video from is my built in web cam. HELPPPPP