Padcaster: Educational Podcasting Equipment Review

In this post, we will take a look at one of the best pieces of equipment you can purchase for either your home studio or educational broadcasting class.  The Padcaster offers a complete video recording solution on a variety of budgets that integrate with a variety of mobile devices to allow for a hands-free recording experience. If you have any questions about Padcaster or anything else in this review, please leave a comment below or tweet to us @PodcastingToday.

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The Padcaster is an all in one solution for anyone looking to turn their iOS (iPad/iPhone) devices into mobile professional video studios.  With The Padcaster, you have a complete hand's free solution to create training videos, live broadcasts and is perfect for those looking to flip their classroom. For the last few years, I have used the Padcaster and it's accessories exclusively during my mobile podcasting sessions.  The equipment is professional quality and it is my recommendation for any podcaster or school district looking to bring video recording of any kind into the curriculum.

Who is Padcaster?

Featured in Apple’s “Your Verse” international advertising campaign for the original iPad Air, as well as the iPad  “Change” campaign, and Visa’s “Visa Checkout” campaign, The Padcaster is a patented, rugged multifunctional iPad case that transforms the iPad into an all-in-one mobile production studio.  The Padcaster enables consumers to shoot, edit and upload a video on the fly – or stream live right from the iPad.  More than an innovative way to mount an iPad to a tripod, The Padcaster transforms the iPad into an all-in-one production tool. The Company is creating, developing and enabling a new category of convenient and cost-effective professional quality video documentation and production.

What began as an idea to help amateur filmmakers use their iPads to shoot video, interviews, and documentaries is becoming a widely adopted and accepted solution for people from various backgrounds to shoot professional quality videos.  From extreme to mainstream, professional to consumer, The Padcaster is enabling consumers to conveniently and easily realize their creative vision.  Padcaster’s customers include some of the world’s most well-known news organizations, journalists, reporters, schools, students, and filmmakers.

Links of Interest

• www.Padcaster.com
• Twitter
• Facebook
• Instagram
• YouTube
• LinkedIn

Product Features

Padcaster comes in several variations depending on the type of iPad you are using it for.  The iPad fits very snugly into a rubber casing surrounded by a rugged aluminum frame.  Once secure, the case provides mounting brackets for accessories such as microphones, lights, and allows you to plug in your headphones for instant audio feedback.

Sporting a 72mm macro lens The Padcaster has the ability to support any standard optic to make sure you have the best possible video production.

At the base of The Padcaster unit is a steel-reinforced ¼-20 thread connection to safely secure the device into any tripod or monopod.

“When looking for a tool to take my campus videos/announcements to the next level, The Padcaster was my answer.  I needed easy, amazing, and professional quality that an amateur could handle.  As a principal, the last thing I could handle was something stressful or complicated and luckily, again, Padcaster was the answer!” – Amber Teamann

Accessories

The Padcaster box comes complete with the aluminum frame, macro lense, mounting brackets, shotgun microphone, windsock,  and dual headphone adapter.  For those interested in taking their digital production to the next level, Padcaster offers an Ultimate Studio package that has several great accessories.

The Padcaster Ultimate Studio comes with

• Padcaster Wide Lense
• Padcaster XP-38 LED light
• Padcaster Shotgun Microphone
• Dual Mic/Headphone adapter
• Padcaster Stick Mic
• Padcaster Lav Mic
• Three Piece Clamp system
• VT-16 Fluid Head Tripod
• Padcaster Green Screen
• Mini Teleprompter
• Padcaster Backpack.

What is the benefit of using/buying this product?

The question often comes up, “Why would I need this product?”  The Padcaster is one of the best portable solutions on the market for anyone looking to turn their iPads into video production units.  Over the last 6 years, I have had the opportunity to work with several products that claim to provide the “perfect solution” for creating video and I can honestly say that The Padcaster is one of the best on the market today.  Unlike many products in the category, The Padcaster tightly secures the iPad into its form-fitting case so that you “shouldn’t” fear screen damage if dropped.  The wide range of accessories means that if you want it . . . they have it and you don’t have to walk away from your purchase looking for an additional vendor to sell you add-ons that might not work.

Because this system is in the category of equipment, and not application, you have the ability to use this product with your favorite video or audio applications such as iMovie, Lumafusion, or any live broadcasting apps such as YouTube or Facebook.

“If you are looking to purchase a Padcaster this year, visit padcaster.com/education or email sales@padcaster.com”

How Do You Use The Padcaster?

Who is this product intended for?

At first glance, this project is intended for those who are serious about video editing and looking to have an affordable high-quality video studio without the need to learn about every DSLR camera on the market.

On second glance, you can clearly see that this product is perfect for Middle/High School programs who have active film clubs.  For example, if a school had a few Padcasters setup on tripods, they could use the Telestream Wirecast app on the iPad to remotely send a video signal to a control center providing the school a multi-cam shoot at athletic events or graduation ceremonies for a fraction of the cost of what purchasing major video cameras would be.

Recently, I had the opportunity to work with a school in Texas to set up their new Padcaster.  They plan on using their Padcaster to create morning announcements.

@TeacherCast OMG!! Helped me SO much today with my @padcaster !!! I can NOT wait to get my @WhittWolves rocking some high qulaity videos!!

— Amber Teamann (@8Amber8) August 3, 2017

If you are in a home studio, The Padcaster provides the perfect solution to anyone wishing to do video tutorials, product unboxings, or video podcasting outside of the home.

Price / Financials

There are several setups that you can choose from when making a purchase.  Many school districts elect to purchase the Ultimate Studio which comes with all of the bells and whistles.

If you are looking to purchase a Padcaster this year, visit padcaster.com/education or email sales@padcaster.com

How does this product fit into a curriculum?

There are several ways to bring video production into any curriculum or for any age students.  You don’t have to be a film club advisor to be interested in creating videos for mom and dad.  Over the years, I have been asked how a school can easily create morning announcement videos and I have always shared that the iPad is pretty much the easiest way.  By using The Padcaster, you are simply making this process seamless by adding support for the microphone and adding a tripod mounting bracket.

Does this product cover any standards?

ISTE Standards for Teachers

• Standard 1: Facilitate and inspire student learning and creativity
• Standard 2: Design and develop digital age learning experiences and assessments
• Standard 3: Model digital age work and learning
• Standard 4: Promote and model digital citizenship and responsibility
• Standard 5: Engage in professional growth and leadership

Quality of the product (Durability)

Extremely durable . . . upon giving this product “the Triplets Test” We found that the iPad did not get damaged over the course of several hours of rough play and a few drops on the floor.

Links to additional resources on the product/topic (Prof Development)

• Mobile Journalism with the iPad / Don Goble
• Don Goble’s Broadcast Technology & Film Homepage

What do others say about the product?

“Goes beyond being a simple tripod mount, letting you attach other crucial video production accessories to its frame. If you’re serious about producing videos with an iPad, the Padcaster is a must-have case.” – CNET

“…for those who want to get decent video without investing resources into a new DSLR (not to mention accessories), the Padcaster is a terrific solution for iPad owners.” – HDVideoPro

“When looking for a tool to take my campus videos/announcements to the next level, The Padcaster was my answer.  I needed easy, amazing, and professional quality that an amateur could handle.  As a principal, the last thing I could handle was something stressful or complicated and luckily, again, Padcaster was the answer!” – Amber Teamann

Prep Time needed to use the product

It took almost no time at all after opening the box to get my iPad securely into the Padcaster frame and begin shooting videos of the kids.

Is this product worth purchasing or using with students?

If you are a school looking to bring video into any number of situations, The Padcaster should seriously be considered.  It’s a sturdy, durable solution for creating a professional video where other products simply provide a solution, but often times, a flimsy one.

Final Opinions

If your school is looking for a professional solution at an academic price The Padcaster provides just the answer.  All of the components from the Padcaster frame to the Tripod, lenses, and microphones are all of the professional grade and will set your school up for years of video production. For the last few months, I have been working closely with the team from Padcaster and their tech support is stellar.  I can't say enough about how awesome Sarah has been to work with.

If you are looking to purchase a Padcaster this year, there are several great places to do so.  My favorites are Amazon, Eduporium, padcaster.com/education or email sales@padcaster.com”

For additional information on Podcasting Equipment for your school or home studio, please visit www.EducationalPodcasting.com.