An array of new equipment is available for student checkout, thanks to investments by the UW student technology fee, the Communication Leadership Program, and the Department of Communication. In addition to recently debuting a state-of-the-art recording studio, the Department is hosting multiple trainings and professional development workshops. This is a chance for Communication students to explore new multimedia applications in addition to topics reviewed in COM 294.
For those students looking to dazzle their peers and prospective employers with their Adobe Creative Suite skills, the Department will host a series of hands-on workshops throughout the year. Participants will walk away from these sessions with a thorough understanding of the fundamentals of Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Premiere. Spring quarter will bring a new set of workshops on some of the VR and 360 cameras. Check out the Professional Developments page for additional information and an update sessions schedule.
The Department also continues to provide training for the new recording studio. Do you want to learn how to create polished video interviews? Have you been waiting for the chance to record professional podcasts and voiceovers? Sign up today to take your production skills to the next level! You can also sign up for training on the new Canon Mark IV cameras here. Student can also stop by during open lab hours in CMU 304.
New equipment currently available for checkout includes:
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
This long-awaited DSLR camera from Canon includes exciting upgrades previously featured on Rebel cameras: faster shutter speeds, touch screen response, increased frame rate, and live view auto-focusing
Canon Rebel T6i Camera
This is the latest in a long line of prosumer-grade DSLRs. As a pared-down version of higher end Canon cameras, it retains the ability to use high-end lenses, and is comfortably smaller and lighter
Blackmagic URSA Mini
Blackmagic cameras are very high-end cinema cameras that can shoot 4K video at increased framerates, as well as in videoRAW format for uncompressed editing
24mm Prime Lens Kit
One of two great additions to our lens accessories inventory, this 24mm prime lens can attach to either of our new Canon cameras to provide f-stops as large as 1.4
50mm Prime Lens Kit
Similar to the aforementioned 24mm model, this 50mm prime lens can attach to either of our new Canon cameras to provide f-stops as large as 1.2
LED Lighting Kits
These new lighting kits greatly expand our capacity for LED lights. Although no smaller than our heavy, hard-cased Lowell lights, they are easier to use, need little diffusion and do not get nearly as piping-hot
Manfrotto Monopod
Very similar to our current selection of monopods, the IT team has added a slightly beefier model to our existing inventory to aide sports and video journalists in tight quarters
Manfrotto Tripod
These tripods are a slightly newer update to the Manfrotto 190XDBs, which students often reserve immediately. They feature new snap tightening instead of twist knobs, which is an improvement on speed
Smartphone Recording Kit
This kit includes two sizes of tripod adapters that grip onto smartphones, a small tabletop tripod, and cables that allow you to either use two microphones as inputs into your phone (stereo mini only), or convert one normal microphone into a smartphone microphone
Sony Studio Headphones
These Sony headphones provide studio-level frequency response. The speaker diameter gives power to bass frequencies. These are good for mixing audio where earbuds would otherwise fail you
Sennheiser MKE 600 Shotgun Microphone
The IT Team is expanding its fleet of Sennheiser shotgun microphones. This model comes in a soft bag with a boom pole for cinema-style sound capture
Zoom H2n Digital Recorder
The more nimble sibling of the popular Zoom H4n recorder, this kit comes in a smaller case with simplified controls. This microphone/recorder 2-in-1 is a great solution for a controlled interview, and accepts a stereo mini input from the microphone of your choice.
Oculus Rift VR Headset
We’ve added a slew of options for both viewing and producing immersive spherical video. One device is the much-heralded Oculus Rift, which offers both immersive 3D CGI or platforms for viewing spherical video.
HTC Vive VR Headset
Following on the heels of the Oculus, we also have the HTC Vive, which boasts a similar experience to the Oculus Rift.
Samsung Gear VR Headset
Our lightest VR viewer, this Samsung device is designed to use your phone to create 3D experiences. Note, this device is only currently compatible with the Samsung Galaxy S7, S7 edge, Note5, S6 edge+, S6, and S6 edge.
Samsung Spherical Camera
This handy all-in-one spherical camera has two wide-angle cameras inside a ball that can be mounted on a tabletop tripod (included) or on any standard-size screw mount.
GoPro Hero 360 Camera
The most robust of our 360 video equipment, this 6-camera cube records incredibly high definition video for spectacular immersive cinema.
Forewarning: Shooting 360 video takes up a lot of space! You may want to buy an extra hard drive to store all your footage.
GoPro Hero Cameras
Best utilized for rugged, outdoor filming, these cameras can attach to a person or other equipment for recording or timelapse photography. They even come with a waterproof case.
Canon Camcorders
For projects that do not require fancy lenses or lights, a Canon camcorder is a great option for recording long form talks or ceremonies, even when you cannot position yourself very close; most of these camcorders boast a generous zoom and can plug in to the wall for hours of recording
Microphones
Wireless, lavalieres, condensers, shotguns, studio, desktop, USB, XLR, stereo mini… our inventory includes nearly any kind of microphone you will need; just do not forget your batteries.
Digital Audio Recorders
Feel free to explore our fleet of trusty audio recorders by Zoom, Tascam, and Edirol.