Equipment Needed to Set Up a Simple Video Studio
By Internet Video Gal in Video Equipment, Video Production Tips
Imagine the possibilities!
Are you struggling to compete in a competitive niche like cooking? Set up a simple TV studio in your kitchen for less than five grand and you can dazzle your fans with shows that put you in league with Emeril!
Set up your own QVC Network! Look at QVC with the mind of a TV producer and what do you see? A couple of people sitting on a simple set, holding up products, and chit-chatting non-stop. How easy is that?
Reasonably easy.
Much of the equipment needed to set up a studio is the exact same needed for field production, especially the camera. If you want to do both studio and field work but don’t want to buy two sets of equipment, you don’t have to. Everything can be the same. You’ll just have to get used to putting your studio together and tearing it apart again. Think of all the great exercise!
Typically, a TV studio has at least three cameras and some way to switch between the cameras live as the show is happening. Of course if all you have is one camera, that won’t stop you from producing great videos.
Using multiple cameras and a video switcher to edit your show on the fly saves hours and hours of editing. The technique was originally invented in Hollywood when TV came along as a cheaper and faster way to produce shows. Studio production techniques are MUCH faster and cheaper than field production techniques. A video switcher is a device that lets you edit the show while it is happening.
A TV studio is usually divided into at least two rooms. The studio where the lights, camera, and action take place, next to a control room where the director and technicians are. The audio and video switchers are both in the control room along with lots of monitors.
If you are a lower budget operation, the biggest concern you should have is locating in a quiet place where you have as much room as possible. You need to have control over the lighting and sound.
Usually, a video studio will have lights mounted on a heavy metal ceiling grid. But that is not necessary. You can just use portables Portable lights on stands take up more room than those mounted on the ceiling but your shot will still look OK and that’s all that matters.
TIP!
If you don’t have a video switcher of some kind, and still want a studio show look, run multiple cameras simultaneously and record the show in its entirety from each of the cameras. You could have different priority audio going to each camera. Then, synch up all the video during editing, mix the audio and choose the best shot. If you do this correctly, it’s actually very fast, not at all time-consuming like the old cut and splice method or the analogue methods used for editing years ago but now obsolete.
The director or technical director operates the video switcher, going from shot to shot when appropriate. The director also adds graphics when appropriate. All video sources are plugged into the video switcher and are under control of the director. A large operation will have separate components and operators for graphics, pre-recorded tapes and other sources of video such as satellites. A small operation can get by with one director and all the cameras locked down on tripods.
Today, powerful computers can take the place of all the video and audio switchers and graphics components, which makes it even easier to set up a portable studio. You can do it either way.
Here’s a list of the video production equipment you need to set up a fully functional yet simple TV studio:
- Multiple Cameras
- Tripod for each camera
- A video switcher that can handle every single video source you have (or computer system)
- Multiple microphones
- An audio switcher that can handle every audio source you have (or computer system)
- Graphics generator
- Multiple TV Monitors, minimum of one per video source
- Video tape/DVD decks
- CD/audio tape players
- Cables and connectors to piece it all together
- Lights
- Set furniture- usually something homey. Avoid detailed patterns. Go for solid colors that blend.
Making your videos in a studio will save tons of time. Switching a show live saves hours and hours of editing time. There are many practical reasons for setting up a studio if you are serious about video production.
If you want even more detailed information on the equipment you need to set up a functional video studio, see this post.
Thanks for reading Video Production tips
Lorraine Grula
Internet Video Gal
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36 Comment(s)
By Jeff on | Reply
Can Final Cut act as a live video switcher?
By Jeff on | Reply
Can Final Cut Pro act as a live switcher?
By admin on | Reply
Hi Jeff.
I have used final cut as a component of a studio doing live shows. In our case, we used it for graphics, not as a live video switcher.
Although final cut can do a lot, I can’t see using it as a live SWITCHER. It’s not meant to function in the same way. I do not think you could input multiple video cameras live into final cut.
You can get real cheap simple switcher for your cameras and other video generators. Then a computer with final cut can be inputted into the switcher as one of your video sources.
Thanks for visiting my blog, I hope that answer helps you.
Lorraine Grula
By deepak dobhal on | Reply
plz send me the details of all equipments/accessories required to set up a professional video and audio studio with there expected cost…. plz i am not getting it anywere…plz
By admin on | Reply
Hi Deepak,
I have several articles here on video production tips that give better detail about setting up studios, but for a simple video production studio you need:
Multiple Cameras
Multiple Microphones
Video switcher (can be a computer)
Audio switcher (can be same computer)
Multiple monitors
Lots of cables
Cost depends on what you buy. On the web, B and H Photo is a great place to research video equipment. They have EVERYTHING.
Good luck.
Thanks for visiting!
Lorraine Grula
By vania on | Reply
please could you ket me know the kind of light i would need for a video studio that is approximately 15×15 ft big? wpuld also need recommendation for mics….. It would be great if the light/ equipment specifications are specific….
By Internet Video Gal on | Reply
Hi Vania
Is this studio going to be a permanent set up or something that you need to be mobile? Specifically what you buy will depend on that and many other factors.
For a 15 x 15 studio, you would probably want at least 3 lights. Make sure to buy diffusion equipment with them, such as soft boxes or umbrellas. Soft boxes give a more diffused light and are more expensive than umbrellas.
Go to B&H photo and look at their light kits. You can buy a kit with all the lights and accessories you would need. You do not have to buy them one by one. Lowell is a really good brand, but then again, I’ve never known of a “bad” brand of lights.
As for microphones, you probably want Sony lavalier mics. They start at about $150. Sony lavalier mics are really good for the price. Those would be wired microphones. Wireless are much more expensive and are usually not needed in a studio. Buy one microphone for each person that will be speaking.
By Julia on | Reply
I am looking to re-vamp our current small studio. I use a very dated Trinity computer-based video switcher. Is there anything like it on the market today? Thanks!
By Lorraine Grula on | Reply
Hi Julia
I just looked on the B&H photo website and they had 84 pages of results for video switcher. Each page had about 10 pieces of equipment so roughly that is 840 video switchers to choose from.
The computer based ones of today are great because they have the capacity to replace the need for a graphics generator and audio switcher. they are very versatile and make remote video production much easier.
Lorraine Grulas last blog post..Online Video Marketing: What is Good Enough?
By Julia on | Reply
Thanks, Lorraine!
By Fatima on | Reply
Hi, thanks for everything you metioned above regarding equipment. Can you please give me a rough idea as to what i’ll need to look out for staff wise? Thanks
By Lorraine Grula on | Reply
Hi Fatima.
In a typical, well staffed TV studio, you have the following positions:
Camera operator for each camera
Floor manager to supervise and instruct the camera operators
Director to run video switcher and supervise the floor manager.
Audio engineer to place all the mics and run the audio board.
Lighting director
Graphics person to run the graphics generator.
Video tape operator to run the machines used for videotape inserts.
Needless to say, that is a lot of people and may not be practical for a small operation. If the shows you are doing are simple, you can get by with far fewer people. I have actually run a small studio entirely by myself. I ran the video switcher during the show and set up everything before the show myself. Cameras can be locked down in a standard shot. Mics can be preset.
By “simple show,” I am referring to something like a talk show with one host and one guest and no one moves out of their chair. For something that simple, having all those crew members would be overkill. But if you are recording a rock band with an audience and the musicians are dancing around all over the place, you would need most of those other positions.
I hope this helps!
Thanks for visiting video production tips
Lorraine
By Bill on | Reply
We have designed a studios in our new office building (30′ x 20′ – including control room). The cost of insatllation seems high…around $200K. Is that normal? Do you have any recommendations for installation experts in the San Diego CA area? What are your thoughts on the following equip.
1) Newtik, TriCaster Broadcast;
2) Reflecmedia
3) Sony, PMW-EX1 XDCAMEX SxS Pro HD Camorder
4) Viewcast, Niagara Go Stream portable encoding system
5) Telex BTR-300 RTS-VHF Wireless Intercom Base Station
5) Sony PMW-EX30XDCM EX Recording Deck
6) Adobe, CS4 Master Edition
Any recommedations where to find good pricing?
Would looking for “used” equipment be worthwhile, and if so, any suggestions where??
Many thanks for your thoughts!!
Bill
By Internet Video Gal on | Reply
Hi Bill.
$200,000 is indeed high. I assume that cost includes all the equipment. Are you buying everything from one company and having them install it too?
When I worked for the school system (it was a rich county) we outfitted nice TV studios in our schools for about $70,000 to $100,000. These were VERY nice studios that easily would be appropriate for most corporate video settings. They were not much if you compared them to what NBC or CBS has, but you know, all things are relative!
B&H Photo is one of the best places to research and buy equipment. They carry EVERYTHING.
I am sorry but I do not know anyone in San Diego.
Used equipment can be a great thing, but like with used cars, you can run into trouble too. If the person doing the buying knows a lot about equipment it can help you save LOTS of money.
If you want to come down off that $200,000 price, I know you could do so if you went for less expensive equipment. Do you REALLY need HD cameras? What are your videos going to be used for?
Video equipment can be terribly expensive and no doubt you could get yourself a multimillion dollar studio if you had that much money. BUT, if you do not want to go as high as $200,000 you do not have to.
If you want more information, and if you want me to research all the equipment you listed and recommend alternatives, use the contact us to send me an email. Or, you can just write videoproductiontips@gmail.com.
Good luck!
Lorraine
By Keenan on | Reply
I am trying to put together a list of items and potential costs needed for a 9-month news broadcast for a small university’s journalism program. My main question is about having a virtual set vs. the standard news desk. What sorts of cost differences are there? Additionally, what sorts of equipment would the virtual set require? The plan is to have some sort of green screen regardless of set type. Any thoughts? Thanks.
By Internet Video Gal on | Reply
Hi Keenan.
Thanks for visiting video production tips!
You do not say what your budget is, but I bet it is tight. You can get all kinds of virtual sets that look spectacular that do not cost too much. Since you are going to have green screen anyway, seems to me that might be easiest and give you the most variety.
What a “real” set costs depends on what you put in it. Back when I taught video production in a high school, we were able to get an old news set from one of the local TV stations that was building a new set, so it was a free donation. It looked awesome and the students thought sitting behind a news desk they had seen on TV a million times was quite cool.
If you built a real set, you would probably not be able to afford one that is professionally built. Hiring professionals to do it would cost a FORTUNE. One of the TV stations I worked for had a set that had cost over a million bucks. They WAY over spent in my opinion.
On the other hand, I’ve seen simple sets with nothing but stuff from Goodwill that looked reasonably good and only cost a few hundred total.
How much room do you have? That might be a consideration too.
To do a virtual set, all you need is the green screen background and the image of the set. I’ve seen real desks added to those sometimes but not always. The virtual sets can really be spectacular.
Hope this helps!
Lorraine Grula
By Jener on | Reply
Hello Lorraine!
Thanks for all the tips. You do a lot of writing…that’s very kind of you to share your knowledge with us.
Well, I am very new to all this… and I have this project of making a simple studio but that works good as a start. Your post was perfect because I was looking at what I need to set up a simple studio and didnt think it was going to be so hard to find the answer online…but as a matter of fact it was. So thanks to you I’m done looking.
I will do some research for the list you put up, but I was wondering at an avarage price I should be aiming at. Since there are so many options and I am new to it all, it becomes hard deciding on what to get. My budget will come from donations… but I am looking at 15-20K. Is it possible to get something with this much?
Can you tell me how to find the computer based video switcher?
I will be doing something on my own… one-man studio….like you said you’ve done before…the only difference is the knowledge that I dont have… hehe
Thanks!
By Lorraine Grula on | Reply
Hi Jener.
So glad to hear from you and so glad video production tips could help you!
You can get a decent video production studio for 15-20K, but you will need to watch your budget.
Decide exactly which pieces of equipment you will need for your studio. Do you want 2 cameras or 3? Then you can start dividing your money up realistically. Then you can look for stuff in that price range.
If you get wired mics instead of wireless that will save money. You can get great cameras for 2,000 or even 1,000. A couple of simple lights will do.
I always turn to B&H photo for video equipment. They carry everything. You could probably even get a sales rep to help you make decisions.
Let me know if you need any further help.
Thanks
Lorraine
Lorraine Grulas last blog post..Easy Video Camcorder Panasonic HDC-HS100
By Jener on | Reply
Hello Lorraine,
Thanks for the reply.
Do you have any experience with “channel storm live channel pro”? Would you recommend any other?
I have B&H up already.
Thanks
By Internet Video Gal on | Reply
Hi Jener.
I have heard great things about channel storm live channel pro but have never personally used it. It sounds excellent. Good luck setting up your studio.
Lorraine
By Nkiru on | Reply
Hello Lorraine,
I’m so happy to have come across this site. Talk about GREAT INFORMATION! You are the best, to take time out and write out detailed information as much as you have above. THANK YOU!
Well here is the deal, as many above, I am working on setting up a simple video production studio-or so i think! I would like to offer video & photo shoot servces. I also want to use this to record talk shows. So my perception is, I need a studio(photo & video shoots), control room, editing room. I have compiled the list of equpemnts and matched them to the ones listed above.
I want to get your input on makes & models that are at a good price range. Including still cameras, in addition to any advice you can offer.
THANKS!!!
By Internet Video Gal on | Reply
Hi Nkiru
Thanks for your nice note. I am so glad you find my site helpful. This single post probably attracts more visitors and comments than just about any other.
I wish we could go equipment shopping together. I’d love to help you pick out all your stuff. I always recommend B&H Photo because they carry everything and their prices are very good too.
What is your budget? That determines so much. Without knowing your budget it is hard to make specific recommendations. Do you by any chance of access to any studios near you that you could visit? Are there any schools that offer video production? If so, maybe you could go by there, see what they have and talk to them about how well it all works together. Back when I worked as a high school TV production teacher, it took about 80 grand to outfit an entire studio from scratch. We had cameras that were about $12,000 each. I reviewed an incredible new camera from Panasonic the other day, the AG-HPX300. Here is a link. It may be more than what you need, but it sure was an incredible camera.
http://videoproductiontips.com/lighting/panasonic-ag-hpx300-video-camera/
I always recommend Mac computers and Final Cut. For the heavy-duty task of video editing, Macs do a better job and are more stable. I am convinced of that beyond a shadow of a doubt.
Reading between the lines on your comment, one suggestion that pops into my head is that you should have plenty of backgrounds. Backgrounds need to be easy to move. This means they need to either be on wheels or they need to be movable curtains. (Or roll-up-able like a window shade) You can even make cool-looking props and backgrounds out of cheap stuff like styrofoam. It is amazing what can look good on camera!
Virtual sets can also really add to the creative possibilities without taking up any room at all. Using virtual sets requires green screen. Even if you do not use virtual sets, green screen is very versatile. So make sure to have one area of your studio devoted to green screen. It helps to paint the floor green in addition to having a green cloth. Painting the floor is easier than having to lay cloth out on the floor, plus people will trip over the cloth, still some studios use cloth because you can move it. Can’t move paint!
I hope this info helps you.
Thanks. Good luck!
Lorraine
By Nkiru on | Reply
Hi Loraine!!!
Thanks for your prompt response! Once again, YOU ROCK!
I would visit a studio on monday and get some insight on what equipments hey have. That way, I would have more detailed questions for you.
Thanks again,
Nkiru
By Akinola Alfred on | Reply
Hey Loraine, great job. Kudos.
I am looking at setting up a video editing & sound production studio, (post production actually). What is your take on this as per equipment. I will really appreciate a detailed list of hardware and softwares to start with.
Note: My budget is just 15 grand.
Many Thanks.
By Akinola Alfred on | Reply
Hey Loraine, great job. Kudos.
I am looking at setting up a video editing & sound production studio, (post production actually). What is your take on this as per equipment. I will really appreciate a detailed list of hardware and softwares to start with.
Note: My budget is just 15 grand.
Many Thanks.
By Internet Video Gal on | Reply
Hi Akinoloa.
For video editing, my money is on a mac pro with Final Cut. If you are going to do a lot of video editing, get the biggest, baddest, most-of-everything Mac Pro you can afford. Get multiple hard drives, at least two internal hard drives and however many externals you need for your work load.
Mac operating systems or more stable. No two ways about that IMHO. Mac pros are huge and powerful, which is what you need. Big league video editing takes power unless you want to crash all the time. Also, get a big monitor, or even two monitors if you can afford it. Detailed Video editing takes a lot of screen space to see what you are doing.
Sound production alone is not my forte so I want to stick with video editing. I will say that one cable that is essential is one with an XLR on one end and a USB2 on the other end. This way you can record audio tracks directly into final cut. That will save you a step. Obviously if you are mixing professional sound production with video editing you need to directly transfer lots of audio, so this cable will be your best friend.
Get a REALLY GOOD battery back-up power supply system with PLENTY of capacity. A huge computer like what I am talking about draws lots more power than a standard PC. Talk about apples and oranges! If your APC back up does not support enough wattage it does you no good.
I hope this helps you.
Lorraine
By GeeGee on Feb 3, 2010 | Reply
I will taping (4) 1 1/2 hour lectures. The presenters want them on DVD’S. preferebly (2) lectures per DVD. I have 2 questions. #(1) should I burn a 3 hour DVD or a 1 1/2 DVD. #(2) I am recording on a JVC GR-JVL720 mini DV, should I record directly to my computer or an external drive and what type of microphone should I use to capture the audio while recording. Is there something I should attach to the camera or computer.
By Internet Video Gal on Feb 3, 2010 | Reply
Hi GeeGee.
That is 6 hours worth of lecture. Whew! The amount you can get onto one disc depends on the file sizes. The files size will depends on which format you choose and what kind of resolution quality you select. You will lose resolution quality if you go down in file size. Whether you want to make that trade-off to get more on a disc is up to you.
The usual process is to can record it on the actual mini dv tape and then capture that footage later in your computer. It always helps to have an external hard drive because that gives you much more storage room but you do not have to. You might be able to simultaneously record it on your hard drive if your camera will output as you record but most cameras will not do both at once. Plus, you usually have to output your video when the camera is in VCR mode, not camera mode. It can not be in both at once.
To pick out a microphone, look first to see what kind of microphone jack your camera has. Any microphone that will fit into that plug will work. It will either be a small mini jack or an xlr input. The microphone should be close to the speaker’s mouth.
I hope this helps you.
Thanks
Lorraine
By Steve Kiefer on Feb 16, 2010 | Reply
My website is not published yet but I have secured the domain name. I CAN’T FIND ANYWHERE where someone can simply explain to me what equipment I need to set up live streaming video to go out over the web. Everyone talks about it but I have yet to see any kind of package or skematic on how to do it or what equipment to buy. I want to start out about mid-way and not at the bottom. My timeline is immediate. HELP! Steve
By Internet Video Gal on Feb 16, 2010 | Reply
Hi Steve.
The easiest, cheapest way to set up a live streaming video is to get a webcam and an account at ustream.com
ustream has various ways in which you can utilize their service. The most common way is to stream something live on their site, then embed it on other sites. But you can also use them to stream it live on any other site you have.
A webcam will keep it simple and for most needs would probably be sufficient. You might need more, depending on what you are actually trying to accomplish.
Here is a post and video about the many benefits of webcams:
http://videoproductiontips.com/featured-video/benefits-of-webcams/
Here is a post about ustream:
http://videoproductiontips.com/video-production-tips/internet-video-for-free/
I hope this helps you. email me if you need to.
Thanks
Lorraine
By Yinka on Feb 16, 2010 | Reply
Hi, you are doing a wonderful job,God gives you more grace to your elbow!
I need you to give me a simple budget for video production studio as for a beginner, and if panasonic MD10000 can do the job, moreso the list of complete equipment for the studio.
Thanks a lots!
By Internet Video Gal on Feb 16, 2010 | Reply
Hi Yinka.
Thanks for the compliment!
I looked up the Panasonic MD 10000 video camera and it would indeed do a good job. Did you notice it is on the PAL standard? I do not know where you are from, but the PAL standard is euopean, not USA. If you leave where they use PAL and not NTSC, then this camera would be great. This post contains a liost of all the equipment you need. Please copy off the list that is already in this post.
Thanks
Lorraine
By Anonymous on Mar 2, 2010 | Reply
To Jeff: if you want live switcher application, try boinxTv. It does what you need. Make sure you have a Mac with a high end graphics card. (i.e. Macbook pro, iMac and Mac pro).
By Internet Video Gal on Mar 2, 2010 | Reply
Hi Anonymous
Great to meet you!
Thanks a million for the great tip. boinxTv is absolutely incredible and I need to post more information about it. It is amazing to me how software can replace so much equipment. First it was editing. One program can now do what it used to take a room full of equipment to do! Now with software like boinxtv you don’t need half of what I talk about in this article.
Software and technical advancements make video production more accessible to the average Jane and that of course is a wondrous thing IMHO!
Thanks for adding to the discussion.
Lorraine Grula
By Ige on Mar 8, 2010 | Reply
I am so happy i came accross this site. You are really doing a great job, thanks. Pls i can someone give me a rough minimum estimate cost of setting up a tv station. Thanks
By Internet Video Gal on Mar 8, 2010 | Reply
Hi Ige.
The minimum cost for setting up a video studio is going down all the time because everything keeps getting consolidated into the computer and different software packages are replacing some of the equipment needed so that makes it much less expensive. Today you can set up an entire studio for less than five grand.