EP 27 - Audio and Video Solutions for Social Media Live Stream Video

The Law Enforcement Social Media Podcast: A Podcast for #LESM Professionals

In this episode of The Law Enforcement Social Media Podcast, we introduced our followers to some of the equipment we use for our podcast and our Blab show, "Cops on Blab." We also shared the equipment we use out in the field when we're in our patrol vehicles.

Knowing we would have questions after the show, I've created this article to identify the products we spoke about. We've used all of the items listed here, unless otherwise noted.

Please keep in mind there might be other products out there which do a better job or have more features than the equipment listed here. I'm not claiming to be an expert on microphones or lights, but I know what matters most to law enforcement officers doing social media, and that's:

• Will it stand up to the harsh environment we work in?
• Is it reasonably priced
• Does it get the job done?

Knowing police officers, this is what they want to hear. Cops don't like B.S. - they get enough of it from the tweekers on the street!

Day-to-Day Operations

Here's what I use every day, whether I'm on duty or not:

• Mophie Juice Pack case for extra battery power
• Cigarette lighter plug with spare USB slot for charging accessories like bluetooth headsets
• Scosche MagicMount for my desk, patrol unit and personal vehicle

Live Stream Video In The Field

When making videos or streaming video from the field, I recommend the following equipment:

• iOgrapher 6 plus case
• iOgrapher 2x 37mm Lens
• Apature AL-H198c LED Video Light
• Rode VideoMic Pro AND
• iRig Mic Lav
• Rode SC4 TRS to TRRS Adapter
• Silk 504 QFII Tripod

I currently use the Rode VideoMic Pro mentioned above and an Audio Technica ATR3350 lavalier microphone. However, here's why I recommend the iRig Mic Lav mentioned in the above list; When interviewing people, you can actually connect an additional lavalier microphone to the iRig, thus allowing your interviewee and yourself to have microphones right near your mouths. You can't do this with the Audio Technica mic. Depending on the environment or noise conditions, sometimes the Rode VideoMic Pro might not be able to get "over" the additional sounds.

I don't use the tripod as much as when I first purchased it. I find that placing my iPhone in the iOgrapher case with the light and mic allows me to get recording quicker and easier.

If I could do it over again: After learning a few things, I would use my iPad-Mini in an iPad-Mini iOgrapher case, to which all the accessories above work with.

Live Stream Video / Podcasting In The Studio

When I make public service announcements or Blab's from the "studio," here is the equipment I am using with my Apple Macbook Pro:

• Audio Technica ATR-2100 USB microphone, or
• Audio Technica ATR3350 lavalier microphone
• DragonPad Pop Filter Studio Windscreen
• Wild-us Professional Microphone Stand
• Shure SE215 Sound Isolating Earphones (tan or clear version)
• RPS Studio Quick-Folding Softbox Kit with 5400°K Cool Fluorescent Lights
• Savage Collapsible Background Kit, OR
• PhotoTools Background Support Kit
• Black king size bed sheet
• 10 x 10 Chroma Green Screen

If I could do it over again: Since I purchased some of these things prior to Blab coming around and while we were only doing recordings for the podcast, here's what I would change; I wouldn't buy the ATR-2100 USB microphone or the windscreen, since I prefer using the lavalier microphone, and the big mic just gets in the way on the video.

Favorite Apps

Here's the list of apps I mentioned in the show:

• ProCamera for still photos
• FiLMiC Pro for video
• Animoto video maker
• Teleprompt+3 teleprompter
• TouchCast

The Donation Drive

For any of our Blab followers who donate to the Megan Meier Foundation, you will be eligible to receive a gift from one of our three sponsors; iOgrapher, Scosche and Bombing Brain Interactive. The determination of who wins will be based on the highest donor using the LawEnforcement.Social link on the front of theMeganMeierFoundation.org website between November 25, 2015 at 8:00 pm P/T and December 2, 2015 at 11:59 pm P/T.

In order to be considered to receive one of the iOgrapher packages mentioned by David Basulto, your donation must be a minimum of $100 to the Megan Meier Foundation. To be considered to win the Boom Bottle offered by Scosche, you must donate a minimum of $75 to the Megan Meier Foundation.