Hello Deborah,
I personally think that anyone even remotely interested in video for the web (and beyond) needs to check out this Flip Video camcorder:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000ONFQ2K/
$120 gets you a device about the size of an iPod that can take 60 minutes worth of video. It stores the video digitally, has a USB connector to the files it to a computer for editing, and is easy to use - I think there are 6 buttons total.
Video quality is good in good lighting, though the sound quality could be better. But it's a great way to get started with video, and because it's so small, handy, and easy to use (and CHEAP), it can nicely complement more sophisticated setups. I own one personally, and we have two here at The Food Project.
On the audio side, a compact flash recorder and a mic is a great way to go nowadays. I own and like the M-Audio MicroTrack: http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/MicroTrack2496-main.html
It' a recorder that can accept both 1/8" and XLR/professional microphones (with an adapter), and it stores audio on any compact flash card in either MP3 or WAV format. Nowadays it's around $300 street. You can find other flash recorders for a little cheaper, but I like the ease-of-use and uncluttered layout of the MicroTrack.
A small mic is included with the unit. For more flexibility, you can buy a Shure SM58 and a XLRF - to - TRS cable for just $120 more:
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/SM58/ http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/BPBQXF5/
The unit includes the USB cable needed to transfer audio to your computer. Once there, you can use the free Audacity to edit your recordings:
http://audacity.sourceforge.net/
Hope this helps, and good luck!
Ramsey
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Ramsey Tantawi
IT Manager
The Food Project
P.O. Box 705/10 Lewis St.
Lincoln, MA 01773
Phone: 781-259-8621 x25
Fax: 781-259-9659
rtantawi%40thefoodproject.org">rtantawi
thefoodproject.org
http://www.thefoodproject.org
.
