You tube channel equipment/software - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: cowasaki
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 03, 2020, 05:13:04 pm
content: I'm looking at starting a YouTube channel. It will be aimed at building and repairing valve amplifiers and building lab equipment relating to that area plus 3D printing, circuit design etc....I don't want to waste my money going down the wrong road regarding equipment. I'm looking at a DSLR camera with 4K video recording BUT what after that?I would like a camera for my trinocular Amscope - I bought one from Amscope themselves but sent it back as it was horrifically bad. I was thinking about one with a video output and then sending that to a video digitiser on the computer.A video digitiser...How do people get a multimeter output into the computer? I have several Bluetooth multimeters, a Keithley 2100 and an EEVBLOG 121GWIntro graphics, are there places that people go to get some professional looking graphics?Incidental music, any ideas re licence free music?Is an onboard sound card good enough for digitizing a decent microphone Shure SM57/58 (guitar amps love these)I have Adobe cloud so have access to all the decent video software which I've not actually used yet!Oh I just thought I would give you a tour of a few of my recent amps/valve effect units.

author: SpecialK
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 05, 2020, 01:15:13 am
content: 1 - I believe Louis Rossman and Jessa Jones use HDMI microscope cameras. The unbranded 1080p 60fps one I have at work would probably work well.2 - IDK3 - Paul Daniels writes programming for these. I think B&K precision, plus just made one for the cheap Vici bechtop meter4 - IDK5 - Youtube has a library, so that's probably the easiest thing to do.6 - I would think so7 - I'm not sure what tools Youtube provides, but I suspect they have a suite to get people startedAs for valves, I'm interested! I started college in 1990 and vacuum tubes were relegated to the dustbin of history by then. I didn't realize they lead a secret life in live music. I'd like to give one a listen in a hi-fi set-up.

author: NiHaoMike
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 05, 2020, 01:29:14 am
content: For low cost HDMI capture, one of those new USB HDMI capture adapters or a LKV373A will do for 1080p.For capturing audio from a guitar amp, look up "speaker level to line level converter". Or make your own for a project - most likely you can base it off a design for a high voltage differential probe, but much simpler since it only needs 20kHz of bandwidth.

author: wilfred
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 05, 2020, 03:35:31 am
content: Have a look at Mr Carlsons Lab where he does valve gear. You probably already knew that.He doesn't do 4K video. And I just can't see it as necessary. Why not do a test run with your phone camera and get some lights. I watch lots of YT channels where the camera seems to be the least important aspect.Do you find 4K content important? For a valve amp on a bench I just cannot see it as a dealbreaker for your potential viewers. Big Clive uses a phone and he has a significant following.Good Luck.

author: eti
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 05, 2020, 03:53:45 am
content: Don't obsess over equipment. Upload some videos, refine your style as you see fit, THEN buy gear if and when you actually need it. If you change your mind about this, you're gonna be lumbered with a whole lot of expensive kit and you'll maybe lose money selling it.Focus on the passion, never mind the equipment. I'd watch superbly narrated and we'll thought out videos in 360p/480p or less, if they were well composed.Take care. Don't get a gearhead obsession.

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 05, 2020, 04:51:02 am
content: Seems like Big Clive mentioned at some point that he uses a cheap tablet as a camera. The equipment is very much secondary to the content. Especially for technical stuff, you don't need a high end camera, the value is in the information you present. Even the cheap equipment now can produce very good results.

author: cowasaki
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 05, 2020, 05:57:05 am
content: Quote from: NiHaoMike on October 05, 2020, 01:29:14 amThanks. I already include a line level output on my amps as an option. The sound of the amps affected dramatically by the speaker and the line out doesn't include the speaker so I need to mic them.

author: cowasaki
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 05, 2020, 05:59:49 am
content: Thanks. A lot to think about. I didn't want to change what people said by including my thoughts but having done some research beforehand I may get a Canon DSLR camera with video. Even if I don't carry on I will get a lot of use from the camera.

author: Ed.Kloonk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 05, 2020, 09:57:35 am
content: Quote from: eti on October 05, 2020, 03:53:45 amHold the camera still or use a tripod and try not to use a potato as a microphone.It's all I ask as a viewer, and yet...Good luck, btw!

author: sokoloff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 05, 2020, 12:49:25 pm
content: Spend time, money, and attention on your own microphone! (as Ed mentions)I've heard (and as a viewer can easily believe) that people would rather watch 1080p video with excellent audio than 4K video with good audio.

author: cowasaki
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 05, 2020, 02:03:05 pm
content: Ok. I have a Manfroto camera arm and a Manfrotto tripod. I'm probably getting a mirrorless Canon 4K camera ANYWAY so will use that. I'm probably getting a Shure SM57 for the guitar amps.....I was probably going to get a wireless mic for me so that's something I'm open to suggestions on and I plan on getting something decent.Video and title editing I'm open to suggestions on.I would like to be able to bring in an image from the camera and another from the scope with multiple multimeters if at all possible. I know that I can video grab the entire screen at 4K so basically just need something to put the camera and scope on the screen. I was hoping someone would have a suggestion for the Amscope. If I can get it on the screen and use the previously mentioned software for the multimeters then I only have to add a video input for the Canon. Then some LED lighting.

author: asmi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 05, 2020, 02:48:35 pm
content: I agree with above statement about the audio. Everyone seems to be obsessed with visuals, but to me the audio is the most important one as I often "watch" videos by basically listening to them while doing something else on another monitor. So if a video has crappy visuals, I can live with that and just listen to it, but if audio is bad - that is an instant stop. So I'd suggest to focus on getting great audio - no obnoxious eardrum-popping loud music in the into/outro (hate these with passion!!!), minimal background noise. But also focus on what you say - write a script in advance, don't think even for a second that you can just "wing it". Remember that most EE-type of people watch videos because of the substance, not presentation. And good luck!

author: cowasaki
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 05, 2020, 04:30:30 pm
content: I understand about audio. I will be getting decent mics for the amp and myself. I am getting an SM57 for the amps and possibly the same or a lapel mic for me.It will be scripted for the most part. Obviously when doing repairs etc I will just have reminders. I’ve seen a cheap way of doing an autocueWell I’ve found out that my third scope comes with a nifty utility which sticks one or both waveforms on the windows screen so that’s sorted.I have just spent ages on Paul Daniels web site and either I’m missing something blindingly obvious or he doesn’t want to sell the multimeter software. I can’t find anything showing it. I did a google search and found a GitHub repository with a multimeter display for the BK390 but don’t have one.So can anyone point me in the direction of a universal or general multimeter display program.

author: SpecialK
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 05, 2020, 09:03:27 pm
content: Quote from: cowasaki on October 05, 2020, 04:30:30 pmSorry about that. It's the only superimposed multimeter I've seen on Youtube. Rossmann refers to it as Paul Daniels excellent software.Maybe this eevblog thread would be usefull:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/program-that-can-log-from-many-multimeters/msg2981004/#msg2981004

author: Mr. Scram
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 05, 2020, 09:09:00 pm
content: Content, delivery and style are vastly more relevant than gear. Picking interesting subjects, bringing them in a concise manner and being entertaining is the hard part, as finding your style. Don't get distracted by buying and then fiddling with too much gear and options. Find out what you need as you go along.

author: cowasaki
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 05, 2020, 09:49:08 pm
content: [ Specified attachment is not available ]I KNOW that the content is MOST important etc......I have a lot of videos already planned and have an extensive lab. I have most of the kit I need such as an external high quality sound card, a Manfrotto arm, a Manfrotto tripod, mic stand, some lighting and I am buying a decent Canon mirrorless DSLR 4K camera ANYWAY.As I sell/repair/mod/upgrade valve amps I am buying one of the best mics for that anyway which is a Shure SM57/58. So I can get the sound in.The only purchases specifically FOR the channel will be:more lighting (which will be handy anyway)software for streaming etcmaybe the video encoder.mic for meThere are also several items I am buying because I want them and they will be useful even if I give up on the idea of the channel:Video camera for the Amscope.Video encoderStreaming softwareI have been hoping for some useful gems of information off people that have done similar such as decent but affordable cameras for the Amscope, video encoders, software etc. Also if someone pointed out a better camera in the same price range I might be interested in getting that instead.The videos I am doing are related to building lab equipment for repairing/building valve amplifiers, using the equipment to repair/build amplifiers, building valve amplifiers and repairing them. I can do a lot of the stuff I want using JUST the camera and mic BUT when I am repairing a valve amp it would be nice to window the video to show the scope, maybe 2 multimeters, the amp and schematic (maybe not all at once but often three at once).So the windowing........I plan to use software that came with my video card to record one of my monitors directly. I can then place the main video onto THAT screen with smaller windows for the scope/multimeter/schematic etc as required.I have the scope software sorted. My spare spare scope is a UNI-T UTD4102C which is actually a fairly decent but 10 year old scope. It does have a USB and software to display the scope's screen on the computer! So that sorts the scope outputI have numerous multimeters including a Keithley 2100, EEVblog 121GW, 2x Philips PM2525 and 2x OWEN B41+T multimeters so was looking at a way of displaying them on screen. The Owens have bluetooth and display to my iPad but didn't display to Windows...... Until now, they have released software now to display them both on the screen.So now I have most of the stuff. I'm also told the Keithley will be able to display it's value on the screen too.

author: NiHaoMike
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 05, 2020, 10:06:16 pm
content: Quote from: cowasaki on October 05, 2020, 09:49:08 pmJust use OBS Studio and the encoder built into your GPU, even Intel GPUs will work for the basics.QuoteCheck if any of them support an open source PC app like Sigrok.

author: cowasaki
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 05, 2020, 10:09:23 pm
content: Quote from: NiHaoMike on October 05, 2020, 10:06:16 pmThanks. The video encoder is to take the video output of the camera and encode it onto the computer. I will have a look at OBS studioEDIT: Oh it's FREE!!!!!

author: nightfire
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 06, 2020, 01:28:33 am
content: Also for video editing- when you need something simpler than Premiere Pro, there are also some quite nice programs like Openshot or Kdenlive...

author: NiHaoMike
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 06, 2020, 02:35:36 am
content: Quote from: cowasaki on October 05, 2020, 10:09:23 pmFor 1080p, the LKV373A has one built in.

author: eti
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 06, 2020, 03:30:10 am
content: Quote from: nightfire on October 06, 2020, 01:28:33 amOh boy, here we go, a "free software" plugThe software may be free, but life is short and time costs, even if not in the monetary sense. These programs are clunky and convoluted - you need a degree to understand the psychology behind the people who "designed" them!Far better a use of time to pay for a tool which is widely used by actual video editors (and not Linux proponents), and just get the video edited.Heard this same story a billion times over, and have first hand experience of these programs, and they're just a tail chasing exercise of ultimate frustration.

author: NiHaoMike
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 06, 2020, 04:38:48 am
content: A free editor is plenty for someone just starting out. Something like Avidemux works great if all you need is something to cut and splice clips and its very lightweight design runs very well on lower end hardware. Then there are somewhat more advanced editors like Cinelerra.The best part about free editors is that they're free to try. Maybe you'll find one that does what you need and is easy enough to use.

author: rsjsouza
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 06, 2020, 07:20:30 pm
content: I have started on this with a camcorder (Canon HF-M301) and a small Sony tripod. I didn't have a microphone and used the camera's.Over time I found out the built-in microphone was insufficient and got a Polaroid Dual Stereo XY microphone for my birthday - the camcorder has a microphone input. This worked much better but still got too much 60Hz noise and the head turning got the best of my voice, which prompted me to get an Audio Technica ATR3350 lapel microphone, which greatly helped the voice clarity.I also quickly found the small tripod was not up to the task, thus I got a very nice tall tripod that someone at work was selling very cheap and in "like new" condition.In terms of video, I don't have the $$$ to move further in the food chain, thus the old Canon still does the grunt work. Given it has very poor low light performance, I am fortunate to have four tube LED lights (equivalent to 40W fluorescent lamps each) about 2m above my head, as well as a very nice desk light with dual 40W LED and 25W round fluoro lamps.As optional equipment, over the years I got as a gift a Panasonic HDC-HS250 (3-CCD) but unfortunately it does not have microphone jack. I use it for external shots as it has a nice 5.1 all around built-in microphone. I also got for very cheap a Canon HF R11 used as a secondary camera.To me the lavalier microphone, the tripod and the "camcorder" form factor are the great helpers - one of the aspects of a camcorder is that I can flip the viewfinder to adjust the framing and other details (remaining bat/card time, white balance, auto-focus, etc.)As for editors, I started with the Pinnacle Studio 18 (I was a heavy user of it since version 7) but its idiosyncracies made me look elsewhere; I even bought version 21 two years ago but a Humble Bundle sale for Magix Vegas 14 for US$25.00 was too good to pass up. This software too has its annoyances but they are less obtrusive than the Pinnacle, but a couple of months ago I got another Humble Bundle sale for Magix Video Pro X. This time the transition is not as clear, as I see myself doing some things on the Vegas (multi-camera or complex image editing) as I can't still figure out the new one. I am pretty sure it is a matter of time.

author: cowasaki
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 06, 2020, 08:25:44 pm
content: Update. I found my long lost Canon 500D which I swapped with someone so that I could use it for testing a product I had been developing (Photo trigger). I thought it was knackered but it turned out that the charger was faulty. After a bit of tinkering the charger is now working and all three batteries charge. The camera will output 1080P and I ordered a cheap USB3 HD video digitising dongle and a mini to normal HDMI cable.So I can use that to practice for the moment. Software wise it looks like I will use Adobe Premier from Cloud.I am going to get a better camera but I think that the next thing to do will be to sort out the lighting.

author: aneevuser
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 06, 2020, 10:20:55 pm
content: Quote from: cowasaki on October 06, 2020, 08:25:44 pmYou may want to take a look at Davinci Resolve for the editing. It is free, very capable (pro standard, I believe, though I'm no pro). Comes wiith a steep learning curve though, but maybe all the alternatives do too?https://www.blackmagicdesign.com/uk/products/davinciresolve/As others have suggested, OBS Studio is fine for screen recording.

author: cowasaki
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 10, 2020, 08:40:31 am
content: Just found the free EEVblog software - that sorts the multimeter. What an absolute faff it was though. I had to uninstall iCloud so I could delete it's monumental 3/4 of my SSD before I could then upgrade Windows 10 so that it the Windows App Store would work just so that I could install it. Why not just supply the EXE installer.......Oh well. Just what I needed.

author: wilfred
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 10, 2020, 10:47:02 pm
content: Quote from: cowasaki on October 10, 2020, 08:40:31 amIt's open-source software so it shouldn't be necessary to install it from the Windows App Store. It's probably on Github somewhere that seems to be where most open source goes these days.

author: Tony_G
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 10, 2020, 11:55:28 pm
content: I think this is the GitHub location -https://github.com/EEVblog/EEVblog-121GWThis also appears to be the nightly build location on GitLab -https://gitlab.com/Sepps/app-121gwBoth could use a readme markdown but you should be able to build them with VS 2019 Community Edition - When you open the SLN file VS should prompt you to install any missing components.BTW It is a UWP app (which I suspect is because David picked the Xamarin tooling to do Android & Mac versions) so Windows 10 is a requirement.TonyG