DESK SETUP TOUR - Hardware and Gear I use for video production
504Since a lot of you guys liked my last video about my workflow, I though I'd show you the hardware I use to make these videos. I briefly touched on that, but I'd like to give my opinion on each little piece I us !
Computer: Acer Aspire V Nitro : (newer model): https://www.amazon.com/Acer-Aspire-Tracking-GeForce-VN7-793G-709A/dp/B01N6VFLLZ/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1546547225&sr=1-3&keywords=acer+aspire+V+nitro+17
Monitor: seems discontinued, equivalent model: https://www.amazon.com/AOC-Designed-1920x1080-Certified-Refurbished/dp/B07LCS39V7/ref=sr_1_22?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1546547352&sr=1-22&keywords=AOC+24+inch&refinements=p_89%3AAOC%2Cp_n_size_browse-bin%3A3547806011
Mouse: https://www.amazon.fr/Bluetooth-MacBook-Microsoft-Surface-iPhone/dp/B07BT3T3SZ/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1546546626&sr=8-3&keywords=wppower+mouse
Microphone: Blue Yeti: https://www.amazon.com/Blue-Yeti-USB-Microphone-Silver/dp/B002VA464S/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1546546663&sr=8-3&keywords=blue+yeti+silver
Lamp: Ikea: https://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/40385642/
Chair: https://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/40385642/
Tripod: Amazon Basics: https://www.amazon.com/AmazonBasics-60-Inch-Lightweight-Tripod-Bag/dp/B005KP473Q/ref=sr_1_1?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1546546592&sr=8-1&keywords=amazon+basics+tripod
First is the computer. I use an Acer Aspire V Nitro. It's the 17'' model, and it comes with a 1080p screen that is actually pretty good, a quad core i5 7300HQ, 8gb of RAM, and a GTX 1050Ti. Definitely not top of the line, but it's good enough for my needs, for now ! I upgraded the regular spinning hard drive to a 128Gb SSD, and added a 256Gb M.2 SSD as well to make some space for a few games. It runs elementary OS 5.0 Juno, as well as a few other distros I keep for reviews and updates. The keyboard is backlit and very nice to type on, but the trackpad is, as in most PC, lackluster.
Now, to get some more screen real estate, I have an AOC 24'' display. It's only 1080P, 60hz, but it works perfectly, and has nice color accuracy. I usually open Kdenlive on it, or whatever I need to record, while the laptop's screen displays OBS, or the script to my video, or a firefox when I need to look up some info.
Since the trackpad is only OK on the Aspire V Nitro, I got a simple, cheap Bluetooth mouse. It's sold on Amazon by WPPower, and while it's nothing fancy, it glides well on my desk, has multiple DPI settings, and works either with a usb dongle, or with regular bluetooth. It also has a rechargeable battery, which is a must for me.
Now since I'm in front of the external monitor and not the laptop most of the time, I added a keyboard to the mix. This purchase, I do regret. I loved the look of the Microsoft Modern Keyboard, with flat keys, good tactile feedback, and nice minimalist aluminium design. I should have done my homework before buying, since, while its supposed to be a bluetooth keyboard, it only works when plugged in on Linux: Microsoft uses some kind of trick to only make it work on Windows computers. I tried to find some solution online, but I couldn't, so I'll probably swap it out when I find a good keyboard that looks about the same.
Now, onto the recording gear: this is very simple: I use the Blue Yeti microphone, which is one of the most recommended microphones for podcasts, youtube videos and such. It works perfectly on Linux, just good old usb plug and play, and records beautiful sound. Gain can also be adjusted, and it has a dedicated mute button. I also love how it looks, with its brushed aluminium look, its goes perfectly with the monitor's stand, the keyboard, and the mouse.
For lighting, I use a regular old Ikea lamp. It's LED, very bright, and has a USB port to charge stuff, as well as a wireless charging pad for my phone, which is perfect. The bulb isn't replaceable, though, so this is kind of a wasteful object, but I've had it for a year, and it hasn't died yet, so there's that.
Now for video recording, I use.. my phone. My Samsung Galaxy S8 is no beast, but its camera is good, and with a bit of color grading, and enough light, it can actually capture decent video. I couple it with a great Amazon Basics stand I got this christmas, to record the "talking heads" parts of the videos. If I'm to keep doing some videos with this format, though, I'll probably swap it at some point for a DSLR with much better low light performance, and depth of field.
The desk is actually an outdoors table, and it even has a hole to stick a big sun Umbrella in it. It is not that wide, but very long, and I love the raw wood look. The height is adujstable, so I could even recycle it into a standing desk if I wanted.
The chair is a cheap designer knock off I got from Amazon for around 30 euros. I love how it looks, and it seems sturdy enough, so I'll probably replace all my other chairs with this exact model.
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