Worth investing in quality webcam, microphone, lighting setup this cycle?

[Shunsui]

Still speculation at this point but I want to have my finances set straight entering summer. Should I put aside some money to invest in online interview equipment like webcam, microphone, lighting, background?

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[Super_Med]

Do you have a laptop with at least a 720p camera? If so, I don't think it's really worth it to buy anything extra for interviews. If anything, a ring light for <$20 on Amazon would be a nice investment.

 

[lanadelgay124]

It's worth investing in a tripod ring-light (~$30 on amazon), but anything else seems excessive to me. A clean space and blank wall is really all that's necessary for background.

 

[pazzer2]

I think its worth investing. Having your self look the best on camera is a good investment. A 1080p camera is about $75, along with two adjustable LED lights ($15 each) and a good quality external microphone is worth it. You might also consider a green screen to avoid the distortion. I found a green screen that attaches to the back of the chair. Small things sometimes matter

 

[pazzer2]

Note: If you want to get a green screen, make sure you get a non-widescreen webcam. Preferably one with optical zoom that you can adjust. I found one on amazon with a focal length of 5-50 mm. This lets me zoom in on myself without having the entire room visible. Some of the standard webcams by logitech, etc do not have an optical zoom. This is important otherwise you basically have to get a green screen that covers the entire room.

 

[BRTC200]

This past cycle, I used a clip-on LED light to illuminate my face, and a Logitech C920 for both camera and microphone needs. For a backdrop, I hung up curtains on a PVC pipe frame. I absolutely believe a better visual appearance can help your reception. If we worry about looking spiffy in the way we dress, manicure, shave, and such, why not also worry about the way your appearance is captured this virtual cycle?

 

[Shunsui]

Okay so if finances aren't too big of an issue, investing some money into nicer equipment is a positive but not necessary by any means. And going full-on streamer mode with neon lights and a microphone on a swivel is overkill. Looks like I have some research to do! Thanks everyone