The trendy phone has swapped its corded coil and rotary dial for classy media manufacturing expertise, enabling anybody to run a YouTube channel these days.
Importing a video to YouTube is easy, however making anybody watch or care about that video (not to mention your channel) has extra challenges.
The plain one is that your content material must be targeted, helpful, or fascinating. However even good visible content material may be hamstrung by two important technical facets: audio and lighting.
Most smartphones nonetheless have limitations on this entrance. So, if you happen to’re severe about video manufacturing, you are able to do worse than to spice up your setup with some exterior gear. The iVlogger-PRO from MOVO is designed precisely with that in thoughts.
So, at round $130, is it value it?
Earlier than we dive in, a fast heads up that we acquired this unit freed from cost for overview functions. We additionally use affiliate hyperlinks, which assist help all of our free content material. Relaxation straightforward, although, that this by no means prevents us from giving our sincere opinions!
Now, on with that overview…
MOVO iVlogger-PRO
A primary look on the iVlogger-PRO reveals a smartphone mounted on a tripod with a lightweight and microphone hooked up. There you go, audio and lighting points solved in a single stroke. Good luck together with your subsequent video!
After all, it will be a brief and unsatisfactory overview if there wasn’t extra to say concerning the package. And happily, there may be. Let’s dig into the parts a bit deeper.
The Movo VXR10 Shotgun Microphone
Beginning with the audio, then, the VXR10 is a useful little finger-sized shotgun mic.
Shotgun mics are constructed to hone in on no matter sound supply you level them in direction of. Additionally they sometimes do a great job of rejecting all of the undesirable sounds round them.
As you’ll be able to think about, this is useful when recording movies in busy or noisy environments. A shotgun mic can assist file your voice crisply and clearly, with out having to movie the insides of your nostrils.
The VXR10 has a Cardioid polar sample. Polar patterns decide the place a microphone focuses on to “hear” sound. Many shotgun mics have a Supercardioid or Hypercardioid polar sample, making them ultra-directional. With its extra typical Cardioid sample, although, the VXR10 appears to depend on its bodily tube-like design to attain this.
As a standalone purchase, the VXR10 prices about $40, so about 30% of the entire value of the iVlogger-PRO.
The mic may also be secured in its personal shock mount (included) to assist minimise undesirable noise from motion on or across the rig. I discovered this very inflexible and difficult to pop the mic in. I don’t fancy attempting to get it out once more in a rush.
After all, a very powerful consider any mic is its sound high quality. I’m undoubtedly impressed by it; it’s a giant step up from any default smartphone mic I’ve heard.
With that mentioned, it’s extraordinarily delicate to plosives. MOVO consists of two windscreens (foam and furry) within the field, however even with these, you’ll be able to nonetheless pop it if you happen to get a wee bit too shut, so remember.
One other potential problem is clipping or peaking. This isn’t essentially the mic’s fault, however extra to do with lack of default acquire controls on most smartphones.
If you happen to’re too shut and too loud (or typically even simply too loud), the audio can distort, and there’s no strategy to actively monitor as you file with out the help of further gear or apps.
Rechargeable RGB LED Mild
I can ramble all day about mics, however I received’t outstay my welcome on lighting. Particularly as I’ve simply by accident appeared straight into it and I’m struggling to see my keyboard.
The LED gentle is rechargeable by way of the supplied USB-A to USB-C cable. It’s adjustable from 9000K to 2500K (Kelvin), which means the sunshine can range from a really cool (blue-toned) color temperature to a heat (yellow/orange-toned) color temperature.
The sunshine may also be adjusted from 0 levels to 359, which, I’m fairly assured, has to do with controlling the path of the lighting. Here’s me toggling through the settings.
I have to admit, I struggled a bit with the sunshine throughout my testing. To be honest to MOVO, this in all probability has extra to do with my very own lack of know-how and expertise with lighting, mixed with my distinctive ranges of color blindness.
I do know (no less than I believe I do) that video lighting isn’t supposed to be your sole lighting supply, and definitely to not act as a “torch”, however all of MOVO’s promotional images for the iVlogger-PRO had been taken beneath a flawless sunny sky. I’m not criticising; I’m simply envious.
Bringing It All Collectively
The MOVO iVlogger-PRO comes with a wide range of connectors and adapters:
- A 3.5mm TRS cable for DSLRs, video cameras, and digital recorders.
- A 3.5mm TRRS cable for smartphones, tablets, and computer systems.
- A 3.5mm TRS to USB-C cable for Android telephones.
- A 3.5mm TRS to Lightning adapter for iPhones.
- A USB-A to USB-C cable for charging the LED gentle.
And identical to Benny in Whole Recall, attempting to function a smartphone, mic, and lightweight suddenly will make you want you had three arms. Nicely, “prepare for a shock” as a result of there are many mounting choices contained in the field.
There’s a tripod with an extension pole and handgrip choices. The rotating ball head lets you modify and level your package in any path, and there are even a few wee spirit ranges on the cellphone mount to cater to your OCD.
Atop the cellphone mount, there’s a shoe mount extender to safe your gentle and mic, all able to file. I’ll see you on the occasion, Vlogger!
Bluetooth Distant Management
One other function value briefly mentioning is the Bluetooth distant management. You’ll be able to pair this as much as your cellphone (by way of Bluetooth, would you consider!?) and hit file while you’re prepared and in place. No, no extra Whole Recall references, sorry. Simply plain previous information.
Journey Case
Now that I consider it, we might reference Whole Recall once more. Keep in mind that scene the place Quaid is working about with a suitcase that seems to include a video of himself telling him that he’s really another person?
Nicely, the MOVO iVlogger-PRO journey case is nothing like that, however it is a superb, strong, and well-made piece of substances baggage. There are a whole lot of components, items, and cables on this package, however you’ll by no means wrestle to organise or transport them.
Abstract: MOVO iVlogger-PRO Assessment
With the caveat that the iVlogger-PRO is exterior the scope of my typical audio-focused evaluations, this appears to be a useful and high quality field of tips.
I’m impressed by the mic’s sound high quality, although you do should be cautious of plosives or peaking. The shock mount is a problem, and I don’t fancy attempting to take away the mic from it except I completely must.
The sunshine appears respectable, however I’d be a fraud if I attempted to supply any professional possibility on this entrance. I struggled to discover a setting I used to be really assured was “proper”, however that’s seemingly a mix of lack of expertise and being hopelessly colourblind.
The tripod, growth arm, and handles supply an nearly infinite array of setup choices, so whether or not you’re dealing with the digicam, filming an occasion, or demonstrating one thing together with your arms, you’ll by no means be positionally caught.
The element components all appear strong and well-made, and the carry case ensures you received’t lose something, even if you happen to file on the go.
Would shopping for comparable package individually prevent any cash? It’s attainable, however certainly to not any vital degree. And something you probably did save, you’ve in all probability given again in time and comfort, too.
So, if you happen to’re pondering of including a video aspect to your podcast and wish to use your cellphone, the MOVO iVlogger-PRO is certainly value your consideration. Godspeed, and should your ‘like bell’ be properly smashed.
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