How to Record Remote Video (Equipment, Tools, and Best Practices)

Video is a uniquely powerful tool. It can help you connect with your audience in ways that text- and image-based content just can’t match.

But there's a qualifier here—the footage needs to be fit for purpose. If it isn't, it may be doing more harm than good.

That can lead to problems when you need to record videos remotely. Whether you’re working with a team that’s distributed across the globe or trying to collect employee testimonials, getting great-looking footage can be a challenge.

Don't worry, though. Camily is here to help! In this article, we'll be sharing our top tips for recording high-quality video, even when you're not in the same room as your subjects.

Why Is Remote Video Recording Useful?

The need for remote video recording is growing quickly—especially as more and more companies make the leap to flexible or fully remote work.

The benefit is pretty simple. If you have the ability to record high-quality video remotely, then location is no longer a barrier to getting the footage you need. No need to find studio space, rent professional recording equipment, or worry about transportation.

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Plus, there are some types of content that are just easier to create remotely, including:

• testimonials
• training videos
• interviews
• webinars
• tutorials

Of course, there are challenges that come with recording video remotely. The most obvious is the potential for technical issues—lag, dropped connections, and poor audio and video quality. 

But with the right set of tools and a bit of know-how, you can overcome those challenges.

What You'll Need to Get Started with Remote Video Recording

To make this guide easier to follow, we've broken in down into two sections:

• Hardware:  What physical pieces of equipment you'll need to get started
• Software: The programs and applications you'll use to record and edit your footage

Let's start with the hardware.

Remote Video Recording Hardware

Equipment plays a big role in the quality of your video footage. And while you don’t need to break the bank to get great results, there are a few key pieces of equipment that are worth investing in.

Camera

The first—and arguably most important—piece of equipment you’ll need is a camera. This can be a webcam, the camera on your smartphone, or even a dedicated video camera.

• Webcams: If you’re just getting started with remote video recording, a webcam is a great, easy-to-use option—just plug them in and hit record. There's a huge range of webcams on the market. The NexiGo N60 ($39.99) is a great budget option, but if you want to shoot in 4K, we recommend the Dell UltraSharp ($199).
• Phone Cameras: For most business purposes, a higher-end smartphone’s camera will do the trick. For example, all iPhones from the 6S onwards have had the ability to shoot video in 4K. And despite the flack, there are tons of great Android phone cameras, too. Just keep in mind that a tripod may be necessary.
• Video Cameras: This is the most expensive (and complicated) option. It does deliver the best looking video, though—it's not even close. That said, most businesses won't need to go this route.

As a quick note, you'll notice that we didn't mention built-in laptop cameras here. That's because it's an almost universal fact that laptop cameras are bad—the quality is poor, and the fixed position can be frustrating.

If you're relying on video as a part of your business or marketing strategies, you'll want to avoid using a built-in camera.

Microphone

The next most important piece of equipment is a microphone.

There are an absolute ton of different microphone options you could go with. The one you choose will depend on what you need to record and what your recording setup is.

Just as with cameras, most phones have a microphone that is more than adequate for business purposes. If you're using a webcam, there's a good chance it has a decent microphone built-in, too.

And if not, there are plenty of external options to choose from. We recommend the RØDE NT-USB Mini ($99). It's plug-and-play with both Mac and PC, sounds great, and is easy to use.

Lighting

Lighting is often overlooked, but can have a huge impact on the quality of your footage. Poor lighting can make even the most expensive camera footage look terrible.

The best option is natural light. You can use artificial light—it's just a bit more difficult to get it right. If you don't want to worry about complicated setups, diffused lighting is the way to go.

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Diffused lighting creates a soft, flattering glow that doesn't rely too heavily on the position of the actual light source. The Razer Ring Light ($79.99) is a great, budget-friendly option that will give you great results.

Remote Video Recording Software

In addition to the right equipment, you'll also need the right tools and software—specifically, recording software and editing software.

Recording Software

While it's tempting to screen-record your remote video, this is a big mistake. The quality will be poor, and the process is more complicated than it needs to be.

Instead, we recommend using dedicated remote video recording software. This will allow you to record your footage without any hiccups, and will give you a lot more control over the final product.

There are tons of products on the market, each with different use cases:

Camily: For Quick Video Recording

Camily is the best app for quickly recording customer and employee testimonials remotely. The process is simple: you send a magic link, they record their video, and then you receive the high-quality footage.

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Camily's fully white label video capture pages come complete with space for guiding questions, tips for recording, and even a consent form—everything you need to make the recording process seamless.

This is a great option if you're looking for an all-in-one video testimonial solution that handles every stage of the process.

Riverside: For Podcasts and Interviews

Riverside is a great option for recording podcasts and interviews remotely. It gives you the ability to record in HD, and has features like dynamic equalization and noise reduction that will make your audio sound great.

And if you're recording an interview, Riverside makes it easy to record each person's audio separately—so you can edit the conversation however you want.

Loom: For Screen Recordings and Walkthroughs

Loom is a screen recording tool that makes it easy to record your screen and share the footage with others. This is a great option if you need to do a remote walkthrough or demonstration.

Plus, Loom allows you to add your webcam footage to the recording, so you can provide context and commentary as you go.

Editing Software

After you've recorded your footage, you'll need to edit it. Editing is a whole topic unto itself, but we'll just give you a quick overview of the basics here.

Usually, the recording software you use will have built-in editing features that will work for most businesses. For example, Camily makes it easy to edit and adjust footage with a suite of tools designed specifically for marketers. You can add:

• branding
• overlays
• subtitles
• music
• and so much more!

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If you need additional editing features than those offered by your video recording software, you can always export your footage and upload it to a more robust editing program, such as:

• Adobe Premiere Pro ($20.99/month): A comprehensive video editing program that's great for businesses with more advanced needs.
• Final Cut Pro ($299): A professional-grade video editing program that's beloved by filmmakers and YouTubers alike.
• Veed ($0-$59/month): A lightweight, online video editor that's perfect for beginners and intermediates.

Remote Video Recording Best Practices

To finish things off, we thought we'd share a few best practices for recording remote video. These tips will help you get the best possible results:

1. Keep the Camera Steady

If you're using a video camera or your smartphone to record remote video, you may need a tripod to keep the footage steady. Tripods come in all shapes and sizes, and there's no one-size-fits-all solution. The type of tripod you need will depend on your camera, your budget, and your recording environment. 

2. Think About Framing

Framing is important if you want your remote videos to come across as professional. You'll need to think about things like composition, lighting, and background noise.

There aren't any rules here—just best practices:

• Leave a bit of headroom in the frame.
• Make sure your environment matches the tone or topic of the video.
• Try to minimize visual clutter in the shot.

3. Organize Your Thoughts Beforehand

It's always best to organize your thoughts ahead of time. This can be done mentally, visually, or through writing—the important thing is that you know the gist of what you want to say before you hit record.

4. Get Comfortable in Front of the Camera

The more comfortable you are in front of the camera, the better your videos will be. So, don't worry if your first, second, or even third takes somewhat awkward. The more you do it, the more natural it will become.

Simplify Video Testimonial Collection with Camily

Camily is the easiest way to collect video testimonials and feedback from customers and employees. Just write a few prompts, share the link, and watch the videos come rolling in.

Plus, Camily makes it easy to embed beautiful video grids on your website, so you can show off your best customer reviews in style. Sign up for a free today to see how Camily can help your business.