Sections of this Document:
Backdrops
Option 1 White or Black Backdrop | Option 2 Greenscreen Backdrop |
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The addition of a white or black background can help you hide distracting kids, dogs, and parts of your home office from view. | Using a greenscreen backdrop provides a cleaner/sharper cutout around your head when using a virtual background in Zoom. However the greenscreen is not required if you want to look like you're teaching from the beach. If you're doing more advanced teaching workflows Zoom, your tech support contact may tell you to purchase a greenscreen. |
White/Black backdrop EMART 5ft x 6.5ft Photo Video Studio 2-in-1 Collapsible Background Panel, Full Cotton Photography Background with Carrying Case (Black/White) alternate if out of stock: ePhotoInc 5' x 7' Twist Flex ChromaKey Background Black White Collapsible Reflector Photo Backdrop Background T57BW | Green/Blue backdrop EMART 5ft x 6.5ft Photo Video Studio 2-in-1 Collapsible Background Panel, Full Cotton Photography Background with Carrying Case (Green/Blue) https://www.amazon.com/EMART-Collapsible-Background-Photography-Case%EF%BC%88Green/dp/B07S684QZX/ alternate if out of stock: Neewer Chromakey Green Chromakey Blue Collapsible Backdrop Collapsible Reversible Background 5'x7' Chroma-Key Blue/Green https://www.amazon.com/Neewer-Collapsible-Reversible-Chromakey-Background/dp/B00E89Q5OY/ |
Stand for hanging backdrop CowboyStudio Photo Studio Background & Reflector Clip and Light Stand Kit, Reflector not included $31 alternate if out of stock: Neewer 6 feet/190 Centimeters Photo Studio Photography Light Stand with Heavy-Duty Metal Clamp Holder for Reflectors $46 | Stand for hanging backdrop CowboyStudio Photo Studio Background & Reflector Clip and Light Stand Kit, Reflector not included $31 alternate if out of stock: Neewer 6 feet/190 Centimeters Photo Studio Photography Light Stand with Heavy-Duty Metal Clamp Holder for Reflectors $46 |
Lights
Option 1 Dimmable Ringlight on a Floor Stand | Option 2 Small Dimmable light on a desk clamp arm | Option 3 Dimmable LED Panel on Floor Stand or Desktop Stand | Option 4 Dimmable Fill Light | Option 5 Dimmable Fill Light |
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This large ringlight provides smooth shadow-less light when mounted near your camera. | This small light which clamps to your desk will not be as shadow-less as the larger ringlight but is great for tight spaces such as when your computer desk is against a wall. It includes a 2nd arm which can be used to mount an external webcam or cell phone if desired. | This soft LED panel measures 6.5 x 4.5 x 1.4" and can be placed on a floor stand or a desktop stand. | Small dimmable LED light. Measures 1.6x.1.6x 1.7" Use as a fill light to minimize shadows. | Small dimmable bi-color LED light measures about the size of a credit card. |
Dimmable Ringlight with Stand
alternate if out of stock: 18" Ringlight | Small Dimmable Light on a desk clamp arm Ring Light Webcam Mount,Webcam Light Stand for Logitech C922x,C930e,C920,C922,C930,C925e,C615,Brio 4K - Acetaken | Dimmable Bi-Color Soft LED Panel Nanlite LumiPad 11 Bi-Color Soft LED Panel $49 Stand Options for this LightOption 1Desktop Stand - $24 (Stand+Adapter) Studio Essentials Tabletop Light Stand (18") Tabletop stand - Min. Height 10.25" Max Height 18" $12 Adapter needed: Manfrotto 014-14 Rapid Adapter - 5/8" Stud to 1/4-20" Thread. https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/546494-REG/Manfrotto_014_14_014_14_Rapid_Adapter.html $12 Option 2Floor Stand - $20 Impact Light Stand, Black (6') Floor stand - Min. Height 26.3" Max Height 6' https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/262758-REG/Impact_LS_6B_Light_Stand_Black.html/specs | Dimmable Daylight-Balanced Portable LED Light Lume Cube 2.0 Daylight-Balanced Portable LED Light $90 Small enough to placed about anywhere but can also be mounted on a standDesktop Stand + Adapter - $24 Studio Essentials Tabletop Light Stand (18") Tabletop stand - Min. Height 10.25" Max Height 18" $12 Adapter needed: Manfrotto 014-14 Rapid Adapter - 5/8" Stud to 1/4-20" Thread. https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/546494-REG/Manfrotto_014_14_014_14_Rapid_Adapter.html $12 | Ultra-compact Dimmable Bi-Color USB chargeable Light Lume Cube Panel Mini https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1566633-REG/lume_cube_lc_panelmini1_panel_mini.html/overview $60 |
Optional: If you don't have room for the light stand which comes with the above light, this clamp arm will allow you to mount the ringlight from a bookcase, monitor arm, or your desk Purchase both items: Magic Arm Clamp | ||||
Optional: Consider if you'll need an extension cord or power strip 12' Power Strip AmazonBasics 8-Outlet Power Strip Surge Protector | 4,500 Joule, 12-Foot Cord | Optional: Consider if you'll need an extension cord or power strip 12' Power Strip AmazonBasics 8-Outlet Power Strip Surge Protector | 4,500 Joule, 12-Foot Cord | Optional: Consider if you'll need an extension cord or power strip 12' Power Strip AmazonBasics 8-Outlet Power Strip Surge Protector | 4,500 Joule, 12-Foot Cord | ||
Optional: Consider purchasing or making a sand bag to secure your light stand, especially if you have kids or pets in the house who might trip on the stand. Sandbag Impact Filled Saddle Sandbag (5 lb, Black) https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1161027-REG/impact_sbf_b_5_saddle_sandbag_5lb.html $17 | Optional: Consider purchasing or making a sand bag to secure your light stands, especially if you have kids or pets in the house who might trip on the stand. Sandbag Impact Filled Saddle Sandbag (5 lb, Black) https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1161027-REG/impact_sbf_b_5_saddle_sandbag_5lb.html $17 |
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USB Microphones
Option 1 USB Headset Mic | Option 2 USB Boom Mic w/ Earbuds | Option 3 USB Desk Mic w/ Earbuds | Option 4 USB Wired Lav w/ Earbuds | Option 5 Wireless Lav | Option 6 Bluetooth Wireless Earbuds/Microphone |
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Best $0-$25 | Best $325 | Ok $110 | OK $35 | Not Recommended $60 | Not Recommended $20 |
It looks dorky, but a headset works better than all the other options and is not expensive. Since you're wearing headphones, there's no echo or feedback and you can hear everyone in your call well. Since the microphone is only a few inches from your mouth, your voice will always be intelligible. It has a simple USB cable so you don't have to fight with Bluetooth wireless settings on your computer and there's no batteries to charge/change. | This microphone will provide better intelligibility than your laptop microphone and is directional which can help cut background noise if you have a noisy recording environment. Using a boom stand, you can fly the mic above your head so no microphone is visible in your camera shot. Though expensive, this is the best looking, best sounding solution. It has a simple USB cable so you don't have to fight with Bluetooth wireless settings on your computer and there's no batteries to charge/change. Be sure to get the earbuds listed below to go with the mic to eliminate echo & feedback. | This microphone will provide better audio than your laptop microphone since it is farther away from the noisy fans in the laptop. The mic is low/short enough that it can hide below your camera shot. It has a simple USB cable so you don't have to fight with Bluetooth wireless settings on your computer and there's no batteries to charge/change. Be sure to get the earbuds listed below to go with the mic to eliminate echo & feedback. | This microphone will provide good audio assuming you clip it relatively high on your shirt. Options 1, 2, and 3 will provide better sound quality though. Since the device has a simple USB cable, you don't have to fight with Bluetooth wireless settings on your computer and you don't have to remember the charge/change batteries. Be sure to get the earbuds listed below to go with the mic to eliminate echo & feedback. | If you must have a wireless mic to allow you to walk around, this solution will work and is inexpensive. However, it is not recommended due to the extra complication and points of failure (batteries, wireless interference, etc). Additionally, there is more chance of echo and feedback when using the speakers in your computer rather than headphones or earbuds. | Not recommended due to the extra complexity of configuring Bluetooth earbuds & microphones compared to wired USB microphones. It is especially frustrating when trying to start a call on your computer with these but they have bonded instead to your phone. Be sure to remember to keep them charged! |
Logitech USB Headset H390 with Noise Cancelling Mic https://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Headset-H390-Noise-Cancelling/dp/B000UXZQ42/ $25 Moody College Technology Services has lots of these available for loan. Please contact Tech Services at comm-help@austin.utexas.edu to request one. | Rode VideoMic NTG On-Camera Shotgun Microphone https://www.amazon.com/Rode-VideoMic-Camera-Shotgun-Microphone/dp/B081S9BCHF/ $250 Required Cables: Cable Matters USB to USB Extension Cable (USB 3.0 Extension Cable) in Black 10 Feet for Oculus Rift, HTC Vive, Playstation VR Headset and More and AmazonBasics 3.5mm Male to Female Stereo Audio Extension Adapter Cable - 12 Feet | Shure MV5 Digital Condenser Microphone (Gray) + USB & Lightning Cable https://www.amazon.com/Shure-MV5-Condenser-Microphone-Lightning/dp/B010W6W9EQ/ | USB Lavalier Lapel Microphone,Fifine Clip-on Cardioid Condenser Computer mic Plug and Play USB Microphone with Sound Card for PC and Mac-K053 | Wireless Microphones for Computer,FIFINE USB Wireless Microphone System for PC and Mac,Headset UHF Wireless System with USB Receiver,Transmitter,Headset and Clip Lavalier Lapel Mic-K031B https://www.amazon.com/Wireless-Microphones-FIFINE-Microphone-Transmitter/dp/B074C125TN/ | Otium Bluetooth Headphones, Best Wireless Earbuds IPX7 Waterproof Sports Earphones w/Mic HD Stereo Sweatproof in-Ear Earbuds Gym Running Workout 8 Hour Battery Noise Cancelling Headsets https://www.amazon.com/Headphones-Otium-Waterproof-Sweatproof-Cancelling/dp/B018APC4LE/ |
Earbuds, Vogek Tangle-Free Flat Cord Ergonomic in-Ear Headphones with Dynamic Crystal Clear Sound, Earphones with 3.5mm Jack, S/M/L Eartips Compatible with Samsung, Android Phone and More-Black | Earbuds, Vogek Tangle-Free Flat Cord Ergonomic in-Ear Headphones with Dynamic Crystal Clear Sound, Earphones with 3.5mm Jack, S/M/L Eartips Compatible with Samsung, Android Phone and More-Black | Earbuds, Vogek Tangle-Free Flat Cord Ergonomic in-Ear Headphones with Dynamic Crystal Clear Sound, Earphones with 3.5mm Jack, S/M/L Eartips Compatible with Samsung, Android Phone and More-Black | |||
Choose One Stand: Floor Stand AmazonBasics Tripod Boom Microphone Stand and On-Stage MA-100 3/8" Male to 5/8" Female Mic Screw Adapter or Desk Stand Gator Frameworks Short Weighted Base Microphone Stand with Soft Grip Twist Clutch, Boom arm, and both 3/8" and 5/8" Mounts; Base Dimensions - 4.5" X 8" (GFW-MIC-0821) https://www.amazon.com/Gator-Frameworks-Weighted-Microphone-Dimensions/dp/B00BPELU68/ |
Document Cameras
Note document cameras are in exceptionally high demand due to COVID-19 and are sometimes hard to find in stock.
Option 1 | Option 2 |
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INSWAN INS-1 Tiny 8MP USB Document Camera with Auto-Focus and LED Supplemental Light, Excellent for Distance Education and Web Conferencing https://www.amazon.com/INSWAN-Document-Camera-Auto-Focus-Supplemental/dp/B07PQJZK66/ $125 | IPEVO V4K Ultra High Definition 8MP USB Document Camera — Mac OS, Windows, Chromebook Compatible for Live Demo, Web Conferencing, Distance Learning, Remote Teaching |
Webcams
Note webcams are in exceptionally high demand due to COVID-19 and are sometimes hard to find in stock.
Option 1 | |
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We recommend Logitech webcams. Ideally, try to spend less than $75 on such a product. https://www.amazon.com/s?k=usb+logitech+webcam | |