What equipment do we need to set up our community media hub?

This is our most frequently asked question. Since 2004 we have tailored and tested various gear, while working with over 3000 participants in communities across Australia. We have created a basic community media kit [camera, sound tripod, case and computer equipment] you might find useful, please contact us if you have any enquires.

Of course, to start with, it is great to use any media equipment you can get your hands on, such as digital stills cameras, home video cameras, etc. But be careful about spending too much to jerry-rig older gear if you want to produce broadcast quality films. There are some essential things to watch out for, including; find a consumer camera that has a headphone jack and a mic jack (it is essential to monitor your sound and you want the best audio you can get) and use a computer that can handle video editing as well as all the peripheral media software used by professionals (you don’t want your skill levels to be restricted by your equipment).

Since 2004 we haven’t had a single major technical problem, while working in desert, dust and tropical conditions, training with novices and experts, in small to large groups, where the gear just has to keep up with the pace. We won’t allow our productions to fall over due to equipment failure, and community video production is no different to professional productions, it involves hard work and commitment, so investing in good equipment is worth it.

For around AU$ 5,000, you can set up your media hub. There are Federal and State government community grants you may be able to apply for to purchase this media kit, please contact us for details.

We recommend once you decide to invest in media gear it is worth doing some research, the best advice comes from other community groups who are successfully making quality media.

Below is a list of the equipment we have recommended to our community partners. We have asked AVCentral in South Australia, a national Apple Australia and professional media equipment retailer, to provide discounted equipment bundles.

Please contact here for further information.

[Please note that prices and  specs are subject to change, updated 23/11/09]

Bundle 1 – Entry Level Kit -  AU$ 4436 ex GST – Education
AU$ 4627 ex GST – Non-Education

Apple iMac 21.5” 3.06GHz/4GB RAM/500GB/SuperDrive
Apple Final Cut Express 4 – Education Institution
Sony HDV HDRHC9 Mini DV High Definition HandyCam
Sony Info Lithium H Series Battery Small – NPFH50
Sennheiser MKE400 on camera mic w/ 3.5mm mini jack
Sennheiser HD201 sound monitoring headphones
Hama L Shaped Mount for Mic and camera stabilizer
Rode light weight 3 metre Boom Pole for Mic
Rode 3 metre mic extension cable
Cabac 2 metre Firewire cable—Camera to iMac
Giottos HD124 Lightweight Tripod
Pelican 1550 hard camera case—water & dust proof, foam interior
Sony Premium series 60 minute digital tapes x 10

[Make sure you test pack your case before purchase, to see if it all camera gear fits, it pays to buy the padded inserts rather than plug foam, sturdier - we needed upgrade all our cases...]

Optional Apple Care 3 year extended warranty for iMac $244 ex GST

Bundle 2 – Intermediate Kit - AU$ 4616 ex GST – Education [as of 23/11/09]
AU$ 5566 ex GST – Non-Education [as of 23/11/09]

Apple iMac 21.5” 3.06GHz/4GB RAM/500GB/SuperDrive
Apple Final Cut Studio 3
Sony HDV HDRHC9 Mini DV High Definition HandyCam
Sony Info Lithium H Series Battery Medium – NPFH70
Sennheiser MKE400 on camera mic w/ 3.5mm mini jack
Sennheiser HD201 sound monitoring headphones
Hama L Shaped Mount for Mic and camera stabilizer
Rode light weight 3 metre Boom Pole for Mic
Rode 3 metre mic extension cable
Cabac 2 metre Firewire cable—Camera to iMac
Giottos HD124 Lightweight Tripod
Pelican 1550 hard camera case—water & dust proof, foam interior
Sony Premium series 60 minute digital tapes x 10

For serious filmmaking work we recommend to go for a Sony A1 HDV camera or higher, such as the fabulous HDV Z1 [that is the camera we use for professional work and training - our last ABC series was shot on 2 Z1's]

Optional Apple Care 3 year extended warranty for iMac $244 ex GST

Bundle 3 – Professional Kit AU$ 7532 ex GST – Education [as of 23/11/09]
AU$ 8596 ex GST – Non-Education [as of 23/11/09]

Apple iMac 27” 3.06GHz/4GB RAM/1000GB/SuperDrive
Apple Final Cut Studio
Sony UWP-V1 Wireless mic kit inc belt pack transmitter, on camera receiver, lapel mic & clip
Sony HDV HVRA1P Pro Mini DV High Definition HandyCam
Sony Info Lithium H Series Battery Medium – NPFM71D
Hama L Shaped Mount for Mic and camera stabilizer
Sennheiser HD212PRO sound monitoring headphones
Cabac 2 metre Firewire cable—Camera to iMac
Manfrotto 501HDV Lightweight Fluid Head Tripod
Pelican 1600 hard camera case—water & dust proof, foam interior
Sony Premium series 60 minute digital tapes x 10

Optional Apple Care 3 year extended warranty for iMac $244 ex GST