Video Review of the Swivl Personal Cameraman
Most people shoot video all by themselves with no one to operate the camera. And many people use either their smartphone or a pocket camera for recording video.
If that’s you, now you can have a robot operate your camera for you.
It’s called the Swivl and here’s how it works.
You attach your smartphone or pocket camera to the base (which is the receiver). You attach the small transmitter to your shirt. You turn both of them on.
Whenever you move left or right, the Swivl will pan the camera horizontally to follow you. And if you need the camera to pan up or down, simply press a button on the transmitter and the Swivl will pan vertically too.
But it gets better. If you’re using an iPhone, the Swivl comes with a free app (you download it from the app store). The Swivl receiver also includes a cable that plugs into the bottom of your iPhone.
When both are used in combination, the Swivl transmitter becomes a Swiss Army tool of sorts. Not only does it track your movement and pan the camera horizontally or vertically, but it can be used to remotely start and stop recording.
And the biggest surprise? It works as a wireless microphone too. That means you can get excellent audio recorded directly to your iPhone, even if you’re standing 30 feet away. While also being able to remotely start and stop recording. While also having the camera automatically pan to follow your movements. Cool, huh?
To see the Swivl in action, along with my full review, watch the video above.
To learn more about the Swivl and order one for yourself, click here to visit the Swivl website.
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Nice job Dave… I’ve been trying to figure out a solution to my problem and this is it. Thanks!
Dave, are you aware if there are any similar products out there that would accommodate a VIXIA HF S30? For YEARS I’ve been wanting something like to this to come to market. This type of technology could be a game changer for us speaker types who want to record their own presentations.
As always, great information!
@Michael – No, I’m not aware of any for larger cameras. Batteries would be the biggest issue as the unit would need a lot more juice to pan.
I saw on the site that they offer an AC adapter.
Great demo, Dave. I noticed you also had on a lapel mic. Can you let us hear how you sound using only the mic with this unit. I’m a stickler for great sound. Thanks in advance.
@Peggy – I don’t have a recording I can post, but during testing it sounded good.
Also, if you look on Swivl’s site, they have a column labeled “Wireless Microphone”. If you click on that a video will appear where you can hear the wireless mic in action.
That is the coolest thing since bikinis! Thanks Dave for the hot tip. Keep ‘em coming.
Great Post as usual Dave. I don’t know how you find
these things.
I’m sure some enterprising person is going to
introduce this device to adult couples and they
will creatively find intimate things they might
videotape!
Dave, this is SICK! I see this as great use at presentations and for holding sensor in hand to an area of your whiteboard and having the camera pan slightly… coolness… thanks again for sharing this tool
Dave – amazing gadget! Any thoughts on if you were to have another person in the studio (WebTV show) how would the mic work if it were sitting on the desk in between the two people?
This is going to be an amazing addition – thx again for your knowledge!
Derek
@Derek – If you set the transmitter between two people on a desk you’d lose the panning functions…and the mic works best on a single person (like a lav mic)…but would still be far better than the iPhone’s built-in mic for that situation.
Thanks Dave,
Great product! Do you know if this works with the Ipod Touch?
@Charles – Yes, it works fine with the iPod Touch.
This is great. I’m recommending it to my clients who want to produce their own videos and demos. Thanks!
WOW! I love it! will it work with my Flip mini Nano?
@Joany – Yes, but you won’t get the microphone or remote recording options (those are only available with an iPhone/iPod Touch).
Hey Dave, I like this a lot. Might get around to actually doing some videos for the site.
Keep up the good work mate.
Dave,
Yet ANOTHER cool gadget you’ve turned us onto! Thanks!
Howard
AT LAST! I’ve always wanted my very own pet Camerman, and this is it! Plus I don’t have to buy it beer or feed it
Dave, this is superb – I might finally get around to putting myslf on camera, rather than me being the one taking the videos. Excellent product, thanks so much for sharing.
Cheers
Teena
Hi Dave,
This is exactly what I have been looking for. Can I get the Swivl in Sydney, Australia? Also, I am looking for a great lapel mic. Can you recommend a brand?
Keep up your good work?
William
Neat gadget but how do you see yourself when shooting the video? How can you tell you are framed correctly? That allways seems the deal breaker with using these pocket cameras and smartphones for shooting video. Know any gadget that acts as a monitor for these devices Dave?
Great gadget but for only $25, you can get xshot and it does amazing videos of yourself. And you can use your ear phone / mic plug to start your camera remotely.
Dave the swivel looks brilliant simple and slick… I keep promising to get myself an iphone, this is one more reason to do it!!!
Hi Dave,
I was wondering if there is a “stop” on either side (or a pan limit) so the subject can appear on the left or the right instead of being forced to remain centered. That would be a very excellent feature behind a green screen, or for a live presentation where you’d like to show the audience what you’re talking about. I couldn’t find the answer on the site; I was wondering if you knew.
Have been following this product from its design to the product line.Hope these guys develop more ideas they are genius. Don`t have one yet myself but I am going to buy one right away.
what plugin do you use to post your video on your site !?