worth it to record with an iPhone? protection options?

D

drumguy1975

New member
Hey everyone,

We are going on our first family trip in 35 days.  This will be our first trip as a family with our two daughters, 3 and 1. We haven't been to WDW since Jan. 2011, so there's alot that has changed since then.  I'm not sure how much time I will have to actually record audio/video.

With all of that being said, if possible I would like to get some recordings if possible, but the only thing that I have to use is my iPhone. I'm not sure how well the audio will turn out and  I know that it might not be the best device, but its what I have. I may be taking some video or audio while on a ride, so I'm looking to secure my iPhone as much as possible.

I am wondering though, does anyone know of anything that I can get to have a more secure hold on my iPhone while I am on a ride?  Something like a camera strap or similar?
 
I guess it kind of depends on your definition of "A lot", stuff has closed, the fantasyland update, ride update, a different parade and possibly a show, but overall it should be roughly the same content as your last visit. So I wouldn't worry as much about overall recording rather than just going to have fun.
 
 
You might want to get an external microphone to get better sound quality.  As SirLamer, the Owner of MouseBits, pointed out in 2009:
SirLamer said:
the iPhone mic is design to suck the life out of sound so that the loudest thing it picks up overwhelms the recording.  This is ideal for a telephone as it is trying to pick up the user's voice and suppress background noise.

Of course, using it is fine for your own purposes, but a ride-through recording should really use a stereo mic at the very least.  Some people even make a headphones-like microphone designed for "binaural" recordings, which sort of sound sharper and more natural.
Click to expand...
Some iPhone mics to choose from if you're interested:
http://www.sweetwater.com/c1060--iPad_iPhone_Microphones
None of them are inexpensive because Sweetwater does not carry low-quality merchandise, but as the saying goes, "you get what you pay for". 8)
 
True, but I don't expect Apple got rid of the iPhone's noise cancellation tech since then. ;)
The tech media would have been on that "upgrade" in a jiffy.
 
Considering that voice recording functionality was not standard on the iPhone until (if I recall) the 4S, it may very well have. Throw in that tweaks to existing features do not make reporters/bloggers damp nor generate clicks compared to new features and you could see how easily changes would go unnoticed.
 
Wasn't noise cancellation a feature of the first iPhone's mic?  I remember clearer phone calls as compared to other cellphones was an advertised feature of the iPhone 1.
 
I think noise cancellation was added a few generations later, you don't need better algorithms in your phone to beat out a feature phone when better hardware is an option.
 
if it now uses the same tech as the ipod, it makes a reasonable recording for IDing purposes. I found I used my iPod more that the Zoom on the last few visits (CMs take no notice of phones/iPods it seems)
 
It likely uses improved tech considering the last iPod touch model was created in 2012 and the only updates have been the storage size and camera.
 
can't comment on external mics as Apple, in their wisdom (!), decided to do away with the external mic turning off the internal ones with later iPod touch models. A backward step in my view.
 
That likely was due to consumers realizing that you could have all the functionality of an iPhone without having to buy one. As long as there is Skype and a large quantity of free wifi, there is no reason to use networks. :D
 
Arguably, with the spread of wifi for public use, if you can get a cell signal you can get wifi. So they probably wanted to put a pin in that as soon as possible... or just raise the profit margin.
 
Those extensions with a wrist strap look like they could become a hazard if you use it inside a ride, especially a fast-moving one.  The iPhone could get snagged on part of the scenery as you go by and if your hand is in the wrist strap... :o
 
"please keep your hands and arms..................." 
They've moaned at me for just having a video camera slightly outside the carriage on the Railroad.
 
pixelated said:
Those extensions with a wrist strap look like they could become a hazard if you use it inside a ride, especially a fast-moving one.  The iPhone could get snagged on part of the scenery as you go by and if your hand is in the wrist strap... :o
Click to expand...

Why would you want a strap-on for the ride?

Though, going back to the original response, is there anything new to record that hasn't been recorded countless times already?
 
Wizzard419 said:
Why would you want a strap-on for the ride?
Click to expand...
So you don't lose the iThingy over the side? ;D

Though, going back to the original response, is there anything new to record that hasn't been recorded countless times already?
Click to expand...
Just off the top of my head:
Gaston's Tavern
Maurice's Cottage (Enchanted Tales with Belle queue)
Under the Sea ~ Journey of The Little Mermaid queue
Goofy's Barnstormer queue
Dumbo exterior (assuming it's changed since NFL opened) and waiting area interior

Not new but I don't remember having seen *complete* reference recordings of these publicly shared:
Magic Kingdom
WDW Railroad complete ridethrough
Haunted Mansion exterior SFX

Epcot
Living with the Land load/unload area
Mexico Pavilion exterior and interior
Test Track 2.0 exterior and interior

Disney's Animal Kingdom
Asia
Africa
Mombasa Marketplace
Pizzafari interior
Chester & Hester's Dino-Rama
Discovery Island Trails
The Boneyard
Wildlife Express - both stations

Disney's Hollywood Studios
Echo Lake
Star Tours exterior
Animation Courtyard
Hollywood Blvd.
Toy Story Midway Mania!
 
I'd really have to say that holding anything outside the confines of the ride vehicle is pretty silly anyway and asking for either an accident or to be escorted off the ride. The wrist strap is fine (leaves the hands free to hold on or video or whatever) but extending poles is above and beyond. There's a big difference between a wrist strap or loop for an iphone in case you drop it (most of us have one on our cameras anyway and I fixed one onto my Zoom H2 for that very reason - it doesn't have a dedicated hole for one so I fixed it to the silicon cover) and fastening it something else.
 
I did ask which model we were talking about but I don't think we heard. I would presume that it won't be a 5 series as a quick Google would have shown that straps are available for those.

"I am wondering though, does anyone know of anything that I can get to have a more secure hold on my iPhone while I am on a ride?  Something like a camera strap or similar?"

It seems to be a popular question to ask on the Apple forums and complaints that they won't make one because they make too much money from replacing broken screens.  ;)
This still looks the best option to me
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Protective-Running-Cycling-Jogging-Generation/dp/B00L8SMKYM/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1413398016&sr=8-9&keywords=iphone+4+wrist+strap

 
yes, not the ideal way to record but I found for ID purposes, my iPod coped well (it's in a leather case and has survived several drops). I did find the silicon cover prevented hand noise on the Zoom though as well as providing the anchor for a wrist strap. As I've said before, my iPod doesn't have a mute connecting externals which was a great shame (previous versions did).
 
pixelated said:
Wizzard419 said:
Why would you want a strap-on for the ride?
Click to expand...
So you don't lose the iThingy over the side? ;D

Though, going back to the original response, is there anything new to record that hasn't been recorded countless times already?
Click to expand...
Just off the top of my head:
Gaston's Tavern
Maurice's Cottage (Enchanted Tales with Belle queue)
Under the Sea ~ Journey of The Little Mermaid queue
Goofy's Barnstormer queue
Dumbo exterior (assuming it's changed since NFL opened) and waiting area interior

Not new but I don't remember having seen *complete* reference recordings of these publicly shared:
Magic Kingdom
WDW Railroad complete ridethrough
Haunted Mansion exterior SFX

Epcot
Living with the Land load/unload area
Mexico Pavilion exterior and interior
Test Track 2.0 exterior and interior

Disney's Animal Kingdom
Asia
Africa
Mombasa Marketplace
Pizzafari interior
Chester & Hester's Dino-Rama
Discovery Island Trails
The Boneyard
Wildlife Express - both stations

Disney's Hollywood Studios
Echo Lake
Star Tours exterior
Animation Courtyard
Hollywood Blvd.
Toy Story Midway Mania!
Click to expand...

Some of those have been recorded I think, but how many of those things were created after his last visit? ;D Throw in modern design using speakers that you can't reach with speakers.
 
That isn't that many, and they are a few years old so presumably (more like probably) people have captured them but elected to not share. :D
 
Hey everyone,

Thanks so much for all of the replies!  I'm a bit slow with my responding, but I finally got a chance to read through all of the helpful responses.  I forgot to mention that I have an iPhone 6.

I do realized that most of what is at WDW is probably readily available here at MouseBits, but I thought that I might try to record some stuff, knowing that it probably won't be for anything other than my own pleasure.  I'm thinking stuff like, bus audio, maybe a ride through of something, voices of liberty, dapper dans, etc.  I'm not going to have time to record any loops, as my 3 and 1 year old will take priority.  Combine that with not wanting to spend ridiculous amounts on money on extra equipment and for right now, I'll record as it comes along, but probably won't be making a huge effort to go out of my way for anything.

That being said, I did see that someone earlier posted some links to various monopods, etc.  This had interested me as I thought by putting my iPhone on one of those and extending it, I could get a better viewpoint to record video of my daughters on their new adventures at Disney.  I figure that would be easier that constantly trying to stay in front of them.  Something like this:  http://www.amazon.com/iStabilizer-ISTMP01-Extendable-Smartphone-Monopod/dp/B008BSCWXQ/ref=cm_cd_ql_qh_dp_t

I'm still trying to figure out what to get, so suggestions are still being accepted.  :)
 
That might actually fit current generation as well (though 6+ would be unlikely), they probably haven't updated the page.
 
eyore said:
ah, but no mention of iPods though :(
Click to expand...

If I recall, the last time Apple touched the ipod touch was before the 5, which has a different body shape, at the same time you probably wouldn't be able to get that device past security without raising several questions. :D

"Oh so you want to record in our bathrooms?"
 
You mean you can't get the extension thingies past security?  I started seeing them in the Parks a couple of years ago with a few gizmo-heads using them and now a good number of people are walking around with them.  Another instance of "human see, human do". ;D
At least smartphones are smaller than tablets so people shooting videos on their phones are less annoying than tablet users during shows and parades. ::)
 
Wizzard419 said:
That might actually fit current generation as well (though 6+ would be unlikely), they probably haven't updated the page.
Click to expand...

I actually emailed him and he said that they are working on it and that it should be ready by Christmas.  Unfortunately, that doesn't do my trip in 19 days much good.
 
no, but think how much fun you'll have next trip and, for this trip, make notes of where it would have been ideal (and write them down, from experience I know you'll forget ;)  )
 
that doesn't  have any way of controlling anything. I bought an extender which is great with the self timer on an ordinary camera but not so good for videos without editing the bits where it gets lifted and brought back down again.  I daresay I could easily make a holder for the iPod to attach it to it. Self timers don't really capture that "special" shot though.
 
tempting, very  tempting - actually says it works with iPod touch (and I know the bluetooth works on my iPod as a have a Bluetooth player). Around £20 here - cost of 2 DVDs or 2 packs of cigarettes. As I find lifting my arms up difficult now and the cameras feel heavier, that's a definite possibility.
 
One of the answers to a question ("Will this work with third party apps such as Camera for iPad?') is:
Code: 
"It works with camera apps that support the volume up switch as a shutter. When you press the Muku shutter it operates the iPhone's or iPad's volume up switch."

You should be able to test that functionality on your iPod before you order the remote. ;)
 
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