Since I've started capturing our messy antics for more than just personal consumption, I've spent many evenings trawling this forum for advice about recording equipment, staging, lighting and all the other stuff I didn't really know anything about. What's really refreshing is how open and honest people are about their set-ups, and knowledge, which has really allowed me to understand what needs considering. There doesn't seem to be any cloak and dagger trade secrets being hidden by people, just a desire to collectively compare and improve capturing the activities we all love seeing.

So really, this is a thank you to anyone who has answered questions or advised about recording equipment in this forum over the years. Otherwise there are 10s of threads I'd end up awakening from their slumber.

So what have I done with this knowledge and why am I posting this now? I've treated myself to a Panasonic HC-VX1. Still in the post, but looking forward to making use of it in the new year. Going to take it for a spin with more vanilla activities to learn it a bit first but very much looking forward to the result of its first messy assignment.