Video Inspections

[Dominic J. Maricic]

I taught video editing for quite a few years. Quite a few video cameras have a place where you can plug in an external light.

[Larry D. Kage]

Originally Posted by dmaricic

I taught video editing for quite a few years. Quite a few video cameras have a place where you can plug in an external light.

What kind of plug is it and how does one determine how much light is needed?

Thanks...

[Dominic J. Maricic]

I had a GL2 and used a light similar to this: http://cgi.ebay.com/300-W-Video-Ligh...26112005r14698

Some video cameras and even photo cameras have a flash 'shoe' where this slides into. How bright you need depends on the use. We used them to film some night scenes so the 300W was great. You could probably get away with a 50W or better yet a 100W since they are directional and you're using them in a crawl space or attic. It also depends on what type of light you're dragging down with you. I've seen some pretty bright lights guys take up that you probably wouldn't need to bring anything with you.

[Frank M. Carrio, CMI]

Originally Posted by bgromicko

Has anyone ever taken video of their inspections? It's so easy.

I used to take video on every inspection. I recorded a short 5 minute video of the inspection of the roof system. Before excusing myself for 30 minutes to compile the report summary at the conclusion of the inspection, I'd slip in the camera chip, move the video over to my notebook, and play the video.

The client and agent jaws dropped.

Video on inspections - today - is like digital pictures at inspections 10 years ago. Get into it. Try it.

I started videotaping in 1985.
At that time I was using a real "video" that used the old VCR tapes.

I would videotape the entire inspection, and go back to my office to review the video and to write up the report.
Naturally this was extremely time-consuming and I was put in 16 to 18 hour days!


Now.... I am still putting in 16 to 18 hour days but instead of using the video camera .......... I just take 150 to 200 digital photographs and write my report off of the photos.

[Michael R. Boyett]

Originally Posted by dmaricic

Good point, I didn't even think about that. I guess you could just use it for the client testimonials.

When uploading a video to YouTube you have the option of making it Public or Private (viewable by up to 25 invitees). Granted, I think the "invitee" has to do something special like subscribe to the feed or respond in some manner before viewing the video therefore that method may be cumbersome.

[Larry D. Kage]

Originally Posted by dmaricic

I had a GL2 and used a light similar to this: http://cgi.ebay.com/300-W-Video-Ligh...26112005r14698

Some video cameras and even photo cameras have a flash 'shoe' where this slides into. How bright you need depends on the use. We used them to film some night scenes so the 300W was great. You could probably get away with a 50W or better yet a 100W since they are directional and you're using them in a crawl space or attic. It also depends on what type of light you're dragging down with you. I've seen some pretty bright lights guys take up that you probably wouldn't need to bring anything with you.

Thanks, Dominic.

[jvogan]

This might help the lighting issues with the video camera. I use these in my "other" line of work. They work very well. From their website:

The New Generation of Digital Video technology being utilized in the Digital Video Flashlight is so small and advanced that the entire digital video and audio recording system is integrated into a high quality, water resistant machined aluminum law enforcement style flashlight. The size, shape and weight is the same as traditional flashlights

[Dominic J. Maricic]

Now that's just cool Do you have a link to their site to see the specs?

[kpierce]

Originally Posted by dmaricic

Now that's just cool Do you have a link to their site to see the specs?

http://speedgard.com/digitalincar-flashlight.htm

[Dominic J. Maricic]

That's pretty cool!

[Ben J. Gromicko]

Originally Posted by gluck

Ben, for interior shots, what did you use for lighting? There are lots of small SD card cameras out there but they all seem to need additional lighting for indoor video.

Just a flashlight. InterNACHI mag light.

[W. Michael Chris]

OK, can someone help me out on this video recordings ... what is the recommendation on type of video recording device to use, are you using a digital video camera? or the flip cameras? ... minimum format, size, type, quality, etc.? ... what software is needed? ... if you don't want to use youtube, how would you place on webpage for clients use only? ... how big will the files be (depends on format I'm sure)? ... I would guess you would only be able to link video within your report to website.
Thanks in advance for your help and assistance.

[Dominic J. Maricic]

Like Mike reminded me , you can upload to YouTube you just have to make it a private video and only allow permissions to certain people.

File size will depend on the format. If you were to upload an mpg or wmv file without resizing it you could be looking at a hundred megs per 4-5 minutes easily, if not more. YouTube compresses these down quite a bit, makes the download as they play (which saves waiting time) and more. You would easily max out your website hosting space and bandwidth if you uploaded lots of videos (versus YouTube where the videos are on their servers). Of course you could always just burn them to a CD and hand or mail the videos to your client as well.