If you’re serious about shooting video…we trust you’re familiar with using a tripod. It provides the rock solid stability that sets you apart from the hand held amateurs…unless you’re after that “Blair Witch” effect.

Tripods are normally easy to use…but certain key moves…like panning from side to side…can present special challenges. Getting a consistent speed and smoothness in your pan can be difficult…especially if it lasts for more than a few seconds.

That’s why you might want to consider as motorized tripod head. It attaches directly to the tripod just like a camera…and your camera attaches to the device as it would to the tripod. Then, you can control the smoothness and speed of your pan…or tilt… with precision. No more herky jerky movements or uneven speeds. And best of all, these devices are usually battery operated..and relatively inexpensive.

Achieving a slow smooth pan can be especially important when shooting Internet video…which often gets messy when the entire scene is changing too rapidly. A motorized tripod head gives you complete control, and can do away with the frustration and wasted time you may experience without one.

We’ve all seen what using a green screen looks like when we watch the weather forecast on tv. In reality, we don’t see the green screen at all. What we do see is the information that appears on the screen when the green is electronically edited out. A green screen provides a consistent background color that can be electronically filtered out so something else can be super-imposed…whether it’s a weather map, a buffalo stampede, or a snowstorm.

The good news is…you don’t need a fancy studio to use a green screen. In fact, you can buy portable models in various sizes that work quite well. They’re great for setting up behind someone you’re interviewing…especially if you’re showing just the head and shoulders. In post production, you can insert your background color of choice…or include graphics…a name tag…or other information on the screen.

Screens of this type also come in blue. Just remember to make sure the person appearing on camera isn’t wearing clothing of the same color…or you’ll end up with some special effects you weren’t looking for!

Those new pocket-size camcorders are great…but there are subtle differences you need to be aware of before you buy.

For starters…take a close look at how the video is stored. Some cameras, like the Flip, use a fixed amount of internal storage. Once it’s full…you have to download the contents to your computer to make room for more. Other cameras, like Kodak’s Zi8, use removable memory cards you can swap out if necessary. Both options offer sizable amounts of storage. It all depends on how you plan to use the camera.

Batteries can be another issue. Cameras with internal rechargeable batteries can leave you high and dry if they run out of juice. Your only option is to plug in and recharge. Cameras with removable alkalines let you pop in a fresh set anytime they’re needed…as long as you remember to bring them along!

If you’re going to be interviewing people, do everyone a favor and use an external mic. Many models don’t offer this feature. The Kodak Zi8 does…and new models continuously coming out may provide other options as well.

Also, check for a tripod attachment on the bottom of the camera. You may not need it right away…but when you do…there’s no substitute.

All pocket camcorders are not created equal. Checking out the important stuff before you buy is time well spent.