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Video camera suggestions?

February 05, 2016 03:51PM
Can anyone please recommend an inexpensive hidden camera for video shops? I have an expensive android phone, but it does not work well enough. Thanks !
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More About Video Mystery Shopping
February 05, 2016 04:24PM
Ronnie,
There are no inexpensive video cameras that are acceptable for most video shop assignments. Please do a search on "video" for the last year and read, read, read.

A good set up with PV-500 and acceptable camera will run about $600, I think. Beware of online "specials." Most do not meet industry standards for resolution and sound quality.

Have you had any video training using equipment loaned by the video MSCs?

Based in MD, near DC
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel

Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.
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February 05, 2016 05:09PM
Something I learned when shopping around Amazon for a back up unit, often it is for one component. So while $300 might look good, if it is just for the DVR portion you will still need to purchase the button camera, etc. Make sure you are comparing apples to apples.

A phone is not a realistic tool for 99.9% of video shops. Targets have to be kept in the frame for the duration of the shop. Go hang out with a friend and video them while the two of you sit across from a table then walk around the house like they are giving you a tour. Do it for at least 30 minutes and see how awkward it is to hold the phone at the proper angle. Not to mention it leaves you with one hand which looks really strange if they are giving you paperwork to look over.

Equal rights for others does not mean fewer rights for you. It's not pie.
"I prefer someone who burns the flag and then wraps themselves up in the Constitution over someone who burns the Constitution and then wraps themselves up in the flag." -Molly Ivins
Never try to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of your time and it really annoys the pig.
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February 05, 2016 05:16PM
Thanks... I have tried years ago, and I felt like I was forcing them to talk to my " boobs" because it was almost impossible to keep them in the frame constantly. I had a few failures so I just gave up. Now it seems the only good paying jobs are videos. I am also down in Southwest Florida where the "snowbirds" get a jump on me till the season ends. Anybody else down here that wants to share ideas.. or anybody need another adult "companion" ?
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February 05, 2016 05:17PM
Thanks... I have tried years ago, and it was almost impossible to keep them in the frame constantly. I had a few failures so I just gave up. Now it seems the only good paying jobs are videos. I am also down in Southwest Florida where the "snowbirds" get a jump on me till the season ends. Anybody else down here that wants to share ideas.. or anybody need another adult "companion" ?
Reply
February 05, 2016 05:45PM
Ronnie,
Did you get training and a customized shirt to fit your body? It is not one-size-fits-all, as you learned, but many MSCs send out shirts that assume that it is. You will need to customize your own shirt.

Also, lots of Florida video shoppers manage to make good money, in spite of the snow birds. In fact, there must be a shortage there because several of us Northerners have to make winter routes to Florida in order for schedulers there to get their shops done!

For more details, please see my answer to a similar thread today.

Based in MD, near DC
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel

Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.
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February 05, 2016 05:49PM
Let me know the next time u r down here !
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February 05, 2016 05:50PM
I even tried hiding a camera in a hat.... !
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February 05, 2016 05:58PM
Ronnie,
Sounds like you need some video training. Most videos require a body-mounted camera so that you can keep the target in the frame when you turn your head!

Based in MD, near DC
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel

Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.
Reply
February 05, 2016 06:01PM
A hat would be terrible. A body mounted camera allows you to keep your body square to the target while turning your head to look at what is being presented.

Saying it was almost impossible to keep them in frame is not good. The standard is usually 80% minimum with one company expecting almost 100%. Keep in mind, this is to be done while they are moving around. My one and only shop excluded because of framing was actually where almost the entire interaction took place with me seated across a desk. Should have been easy right? The target actually kept wheeling back and forth to do other things. She was doing it so quickly I just couldn't move fast enough while seated in the chair.

Equal rights for others does not mean fewer rights for you. It's not pie.
"I prefer someone who burns the flag and then wraps themselves up in the Constitution over someone who burns the Constitution and then wraps themselves up in the flag." -Molly Ivins
Never try to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of your time and it really annoys the pig.
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