Minimum Equipment For A Youtube Channel

[Cowardly Toaster]

Can someone who is tech savvy tell me the minimum equipment I would need for a YouTube channel I want to start (I already have an iphone, laptop, and an older digital camera circa 2010)?

As usual apologies if this has been discussed before but the search doesn't work

[Cromacster]

You can search the site through google.

site:https://forum.mrmoneymustache.com youtube

Not much shows up in terms of equipment needed.

You'll want a good enough camera, the iphone and camera you have might be good enough.  Depending on what you are doing a good external microphone would probably be a better investment.  A high quality camera probably isn't as necessary starting out and alot more expensive.  Decent mics can be had for $50-$100

And if you plan on recording outside for the love of god get a dead cat or mic cover!

[solon]

Here's a little tutorial:

https://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/forum-information-faqs/how-to-search-the-forum/

[ketchup]

As already mentioned, I'd definitely go with a decent microphone as your first step.  Many people overlook that and bad audio quality can ruin your day pretty quickly.  Most cameras (iPhone cameras included) these days are good "enough" to get started, but you'll probably want something more after you get going (probably a mirrorless or DSLR).

[prognastat]

The answer is it depends on the content you are wanting to make.

If your content is simply you talking to the camera or making very basic short video clips. You could get away with as little as a smartphone with a camera that supports 1080p recording.

One consistent piece of advice I've seen is that you should prioritize audio. People are more forgiving about about subpar video than they are of subpar audio.

Another thing that is helpful is having some kind of hardware for getting stable video content, tripods etc.

If you are doing some kind of video game related content chances are good video capture software is important.

[Khaetra]

Audio is number one.  Like others, I can overlook 'okay' video but if the sound is garbled or I can't hear you then you've lost me as a viewer.  What kind of video channel are you going for?  Video games?  Vlogging?  Other?  Give us a description of what you plan to do so we can point you in the right direction as far as gear goes.

[yachi]

I've thought about this too.  I would be considering a  read-a-book channel.  Any thoughts?

[prognastat]

I've thought about this too.  I would be considering a  read-a-book channel.  Any thoughts?

Would you be actually reading books or more of like a review/analysis of books?

If it is the former I suspect you could get into copyright trouble depending on the amount of the book you are reading. I would assume you could get away with excerpts, but if you read a full chapter you might be running in to copyright issues.

[Cowardly Toaster]

Yep yep, good points about the audio!