Fundamental Equipment for Channel Foundations

Essential YouTube Equipment For Starting Your Channel - What Do You Really Need?

Richard Bennett

Oct 26, 2023• Proven solutions

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Check out our most updated guide on this topic: YouTube Equipment Starter Guide For Beginners .

The first thing to make sure of before starting a YouTube channel is having all that you need to record and upload high-quality videos regularly. That doesn’t mean you have to take out a loan and spend thousands to purchase a brand new camera and all other gadgets that professional filmmakers use.

The smartest way to get started is to go through a list of necessary equipment for YouTube and check whether or not you already own some of it. Once your channel starts growing, you can then start thinking about whether you want to invest in upgraded equipment. Here is a quick overview of all items that you need to start entertaining your online audience and gaining subscribers to your YouTube channel:

• Your YouTube Camera
• Microphones and Audio
• Lighting Gear for YouTube
• Tripods and Camera Stands
• Smartphone Camera Gear

YouTube Cameras

The short version: Use whatever you already have, even if it’s your phone or webcam. It’s nice to have sharp, fine-tuned, 4K footage, but viewers will forgive lower visual quality if your content is good.

The long version: You will need a camera, but there are a lot of different devices you can use including DSLRs, point and shoots, webcams, and your smartphone.

Your choice of camera will have a tremendous impact on the visual quality of your content and might drive your decisions regarding other pieces of equipment. However, you shouldn’t feel obliged to work with a top-notch camera from day one, especially since cheaper options can produce great results if used the right way.

On one end of the spectrum, you have basic smartphone cameras and web cameras, which are easy to come by and simple to operate. These days, high-end phones come equipped with quite powerful cameras that are more than sufficient for the needs of the average YouTuber. Better webcams can also do the job, although high-performance webcam models can get pretty expensive too. It is probably wise to resist the urge to start broadcasting with the built-in camera in your laptop and at least get a webcam or use your phone, but your computer’s camera is still always an option. Not having a better camera should never stop you from making YouTube videos.

If you already have a DSLR camera then it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with it. You have far more freedom to adjust the settings and achieve a professional look for your videos with a DSLR, but that does mean it’ll take some time to become an expert at using it. Ultra-high resolution is not required for YouTube, but it certainly won’t hurt to have additional sharpness and more detail in the scene. If you’re shopping for a DSLR, look for one with a flip screen that allows you to quickly check what your viewers see.

YouTube Microphone and Audio

The short version: Audio quality is extremely important. If you can buy either a new camera or an external microphone, but not both, it might be better to go for the microphone. Click here for advice on upping your audio quality without an external microphone.

The long version: Sound capturing is every bit as important for your success as your video feed. In fact, poor audio can be even more damaging to your subscriber count than grainy video, since people won’t spend their time listening to something they have to put effort into understanding.

Again, most YouTube video makers have a limited budget at their disposal, so professional microphones are mostly off the table. However, investing in a directional microphone (‘shotgun mic’) that can pick up your voice clearly and without background noise is certainly a smart move. Such microphones can be pointed towards you while you speak, and since most YouTubers sit still while doing their shows there won’t be too much need for in-session adjustments.

If you’re not ready to invest in a shotgun mic, you can also find very inexpensive (often under $20) LAV mics. These small microphones can be pinned to your shirt, which allows them to record very clear dialogue because they’re so close to your mouth.

Lights for YouTube

The short version: You need as much light as you can get. Lighting kits can be affordable on Amazon, but you can also achieve a great look using daylight/windows and ‘daylight’ lightbulbs.

The long version: If you’ve ever tried to make a video indoors, you already know that it’s necessary to have additional light. Often just filming with the normal lights in a room will cause your footage to look dark and grainy, and possibly be tinted orange. To overcome these problems you need to increase the amount of light you have available.

Sometimes, it is enough to film near windows and/or bring more household lamps into your filming area. For any household lamps or lighting fixtures you use, make sure to put in white or ‘daylight’ lightbulbs instead of using the orange/tungsten bulbs that you might have for everyday use (this is how you avoid tinting things orange).

If you have the budget available to get some lighting equipment, you can find softbox lights or LED panel lights available fairly inexpensively online. Softbox lights are great because they provide even, diffused, light.

Another useful piece of lighting equipment to have is a reflector. A reflector is usually a piece of white, silver, or gold fabric stretched over a frame. You can use it to bounce light from one light source back towards yourself (this is a great way to fill shadows cast by your main light). Reflectors tend to be inexpensive, but you can also use white cardboard or tinfoil in place of purchasing a reflector.

Tripods and Camera Stands

The short version: You need something to hold your camera. If you mostly film in your own home that can be a desk or a stack of books, but if you make a lot of videos while you’re on the go you probably need a tripod or gimbal. Heavier cameras need heavier tripods.

The long version: While handheld cameras can deliver solid results for vloggers and casual streamers, viewers do expect reasonably stable footage. For many types of videos, the camera needs to be completely still and flatly positioned on a horizontal plane. Tripods and camera stands can cost very little, so it’s a good idea to look into getting some kind of stabilizer.

When you are choosing a tripod, pay attention to how much it weighs. If the camera that needs to be mounted on it is very heavy (like some DSLR models), you want to ensure that the structure itself weighs enough not to be easily tipped over. Too thin tripods can put your camera at risk, and that’s the last thing you want. Smaller cameras such as GoPros are more flexible in this regard and can be placed on a wider range of tripods.

Even if you are using a phone or a webcam to record YouTube videos, you should consider mounting the device on a stable stand. It is possible to find mini tripods ideal for smartphones for as little as $10. These tripods are small enough to carry in your pocket, so you will be prepared to start making a video no matter where your adventures take you. If you are using a web camera, you should attach it to the stand so that it won’t move accidentally after you touch the surface it is placed on.

Smartphone Camera Gear

The short version: There’s a lot of gear out there designed with smartphone photos and videos in mind, including clip-on lenses, tripod mounts, phone-mounted LED lights, and inexpensive microphones that plug into the audio jack.

The long version: Recording your videos with a mobile phone can be a good decision. It all depends on the phone you have and the range of add-ons and apps that you complement it with. Almost every high-end model released in the past five years can shoot videos in 1080p or higher. Some can even produce 4K footage. If you perfect your smartphone filming technique, your YouTube videos could look as if they were made with pro equipment.

On the flip side, smartphone cameras typically perform poorly in low light. It is possible to download an app that lets you play around with settings to overcome this, but a phone-mounted LED light is probably a better solution. An external microphone might also be a necessity, but there are some good (inexpensive) options that can simply be plugged in through the headphone jack.

Another common downside of smartphone cameras is that most of them use digital zoom, which is vastly inferior to optical zoom. If you intend to shoot anything that’s further away than a few feet, you need a clip-on lens that goes on top of the built-in camera. This inexpensive device will give you a lot of freedom to work in space, and allow you to make spectacular shots even without high-end YouTube equipment.

Equipment with Easy-to-Use Video Editor

Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Richard Bennett

Visionary Video Download Engine - Capture & Save Anywhere

Top 12 Video Grabber Online to Download Any Video You Like

Liza Brown

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

Watching videos online can cause interruptions and can take a lot of time loading after every few minutes. The best way to avoid all these problems from occurring while you are watching your favorite video or movie is to download them to your device for a smooth and interruption-free experience. There are multiple platforms and websites available on the internet that promise you high-quality downloaded videos. But only a few of them provide the original video quality. It is difficult to find a perfect Video Grabber that can help you download videos from your preferred website because most video grabbers have access to limited websites. That’s why it is important to have a video grabber platform that can help you in downloading all kinds of videos, from all websites and in all formats. In this article, we will list down the 12 best video grabbers that you can use to download your favorite videos for a smooth and spectacular experience.

You might be interested in:

• Top Android YouTube Video Downloader

Note: We resolutely oppose all forms of copyright-infringing downloads. This tutorial is only for downloading YouTube videos/audio materials from your own channel.

1. iTube Go

Platform: Windows , macOS , Android

Price: $29.9

iTube Go is a fabulous Video Grabber available for Windows, macOS, and Android devices that will help you download videos from more than 1000 websites in several different formats. iTube Go supports all the famous videos sharing platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, and more. This platform allows its users to convert the videos in formats like MP4, MP3, and other widely used formats. It also finds and downloads the matched subtitles of videos that you download.

Features

• Finds the most suitable subtitles of videos your download
• Wide range of video quality options to choose from
• Download videos in Bulk
• Convert videos into audio
• Cut Youtube videos

2. 4K video Downloader

Platform: Windows , macOS

Price: Free - $45

4K video downloader is an ideal video grabber to download high-quality videos from Youtube. It allows you to choose from different video qualities according to your requirement. You can also download the entire playlist of Youtube with a single click. It also allows you to convert the videos into an audio format such as MP3, OGG, and M4A. Apart from simple videos, if you want to download 3D or 360 videos, a 4K video downloader can help you achieve that goal.

Features

• Fast video converting and downloading speed
• One-click video downloading feature
• Supports 360 videos
• Download the entire playlist in one click

3. By Click Downloader

Platform: Windows

Price: Free - $4.99

By Click Downloader is a video grabber platform that allows you to download videos from more than 40 websites. It supports all the famous video-sharing platforms such as Youtube, Facebook, Instagram, Vimeo, Dailymotion, and more. While downloading a video from any website, you can choose the preferred video quality you want. It also allows you to download multiple videos at the same time, including playlists, channels, or any other videos of your choice. There is no limit on the number of downloads, which means you can download as many videos as you want.

Features

• Track your downloaded videos
• Download videos in 8K, 4K, and other qualities
• Convert videos into MP3, 3GP, MP4, and more formats
• Download Youtube and Facebook private videos

4. Snap Downloader

Platform: Windows , macOS

Price: Free – $54.99

Snap Downloader is a platform that supports more than 900 websites and downloads videos from them in different qualities and formats. It helps you download videos from all your favorite websites such as Youtube, Facebook, Vimeo, Dailymotion, Twitter, and more. It allows you to download videos of high quality such as 8K and 4K. Snap Downloader also helps you in downloading 360 videos in their original form.

Features

• High-speed video downloading
• Supports proxy
• Convert videos in your desired formats
• Download multiple videos in one click

5. ClipGrab

Platform: Windows

Price: Free

ClipGrab is a free video grabber tool that enables you to download videos from a wide range of websites. All the videos can be converted into your required format using ClipGrab. ClipGrab supports all kinds of video qualities and it can set according to your requirements while downloading the videos. With all these features, it also has a user-friendly and easy-to-use interface, which makes it an ideal video grabber for all your needs.

Features

• Search videos directly in ClipGrab
• User-Friendly Interface
• Download videos in multiple resolutions
• Support a wide range of formats
• Download multiple videos at one time

6. aTube Catcher

Platform: Windows

Price: Free

aTubeCatcher is an amazing video grabber tool that comes with several other amazing functions. It allows its users to download videos by pasting the link of those videos into it. It allows you to download videos in a wide range of formats and resolutions. Apart from downloading videos, it allows you to record the screen of your PC. The best thing about this platform is it is totally free. You don’t have to spend anything to access all these features.

Features

• User-friendly Interface
• Convert videos into multiple formats
• Supports all kinds of video formats
• Download videos from several websites
• Burn your DVD, and VCD
• Download streaming videos

7. JDownloader

Platform: Windows , macOS , _L_inux

Price: Free

JDownloader is a free and open-source video grabber which is being upgraded regularly with the help of a huge developers community. It is one of the fast and smooth video grabbers that you can find on the internet that can help you download videos from all sorts of websites such as video-sharing platforms or social media websites. It allows you to pause and resume the download whenever you want. If you have a huge video you can easily download it in parts.

Features

• Open-source platform
• 24 hours customer support
• Support several languages
• Choose from different themes
• Fast and smooth video downloading

8. Clip Converter

Platform: Website

Price: Free

Clip Converter is a web-based video grabber that allows its users to download videos from a wide range of websites and convert them into their required format and resolution. With Clip Converter, there is no need to download any software to grab videos. You have to copy the URL of the video and paste it into Clip Converter and download your video in your required format.

Features

• Download and convert videos
• Support a wide variety of websites
• Helps in screen recording
• Easy to use and astounding user interface

9. VideoProc

Platform: Window , macOS

Price: Free - $37.95

VideoProc is one of the best video grabber tools that help you download videos and audio from multiple websites including Youtube, Dailymotion, and Vimeo. It also lets your download streaming videos. This platform is limited to downloading the videos and allows you to convert them into your required format before downloading them into your PC. If you use subtitles in all your videos, this platform can help you save your time by finding the most suitable and matching subtitles for all your downloaded videos or movies.

Features

• Download videos in their highest quality
• Change the resolution of the videos according to your needs
• Fast downloading and converting speed
• Supports multiple video formats

10. Video Grabber

Platform: Website , Window

Price: Free

Video Grabber is the most powerful video downloading platform that can be used from any device by simply visiting the web page. It is also available in software for Windows users. It comes with a wide variety of features and options apart from its primary and main option of video downloading. Video Grabber allows you to download videos from all kinds of websites, convert them into your required format and choose your desired video quality. Just paste the URL of your video into this platform to enjoy your videos in high quality and have a smooth experience.

Features

• Simple and user-friendly interface
• Supports several different video and audio formats
• Convert videos into any format
• No need to download
• Supports Video Editing

11. Aiseesoft Video Converter Ultimate

Platform: Window , macOS

Price: Free

Aiseesoft is a unique video converting platform that allows you to convert and download video from any website ranging from simple to 3D videos. You can convert the video of Youtube and other video-sharing platforms into any of the video or audio formats that you want. It a very simple and fast video grabber available on the internet. Apart from converting and downloading videos from a different website, this platform also lets you edit your videos. It allows you to add watermarks and special effects to your videos. You can also use this platform to trim and crop your videos.

Features

• Supports a wide variety of formats
• Fast and secure downloading
• Supports video editing
• Change video quality
• Rip DVDs

12. SaveFrom

Platform: Website

Price: Free

SaveFrom is a web-based video grabber that helps you to download the video directly from a different website without downloading and installing any software into your PC. It is one of the easiest ways to download videos from different websites. Just paste the URL of your video into SaveFrom and let it download it for you. It is also available in the form of a chrome extension to make this process easy and more convenient. It only provides you videos in original formats and resolutions. It doesn’t allow you to change the format of videos.

Features

• Easy to use interface
• Simple and fast downloading
• Available as a chrome extension
• Download video from multiple different websites

Conclusion

Streaming videos over the internet can make your experience worse if you are not having a stable internet connection. All the above video grabbers will help you have a smooth and inconvenient experience of watching your favorite movies or other videos by downloading them from websites to your device into your preferred format. Check all of the above video grabbers and select one that best suits your requirements and needs and watch your videos without any interruption or loading.

Liza Brown

Liza Brown is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Liza Brown