What is the Smartphone Kit and how do I use it?

The Smartphone Kit is a small case with equipment that will help you enhance the quality of the videos you record with your smartphone. It will allow you to film more stable footage with better lighting and good quality audio, even if the person that is speaking stands a little bit away from the camera or in a noisy background. With the kit, you can take your video assignments to a higher level, while still using a tool that is familiar to you: your own smartphone.

In these kits, you will find:

  • a small rig (a handheld tripod to stabilise your phone, creating less shaky images);
  • a light;
  • a semi-professional microphone (for clear sound and to reduce background noise). Note that this is a directional microphone, meaning that you need to point its tip to the source of the sound in order to get the best results.

The kit comes in an easy-to-carry flight case and includes an instruction leaflet. Please make sure to take care of the equipment so that the next user can work with the kit as well. Report any damages that may occur when returning the kit at the Library Information Desk.

Take a look at the Kit in this Unboxing Video:

How to prepare for using the Kit?

This manual can help you get started:
Manual – Preparing your video
Manual – The DIY Smartphone Kit

Tips

  • Prepare yourself for filming before you book and pick up the smartphone kit. Know what you want to film, how you want to film it and where, to speed up the filming process.
  • Keep in mind to check the requirements of your task.
  • Recording in HDR can cause compatibility problems when you want to play the recording on (older) devices. Please turn off HDR to prevent this.
    On supported models, iPhone records video in Dolby Vision HDR. To turn off HDR video recording, go to Settings  > Camera > Record Video, then turn off HDR Video or HDR (depending on your model).
How to book a Kit?

Reserve a kit in advance, to ensure one is available at the time you need it!

To book a kit, use the Ask Your Librarian tool. Let us know if you want to pick up the kit at the Inner City Library or at the Randwyck Library. It will be ready for you at the Information Desk at your booked time.

There are 2 kits available at the Inner City Library and 2 at the Randwyck Library. You can borrow a kit for 3 days at a time using your UM card. Opening hours for picking up and returning the kit are Monday to Friday from 08.30 to 17.00. Please make sure to return the Kit in time for the next users to pick it up. If you are unsure, ask the information desk to confirm the return date.

Inspiration

Find some videos on our Instagram page that were made using the Smartphone Kit.