I've heard that there's some Home Depot fluorescent lighting that you CAN use and some you CAN'T use depending on the electronics. Can someone explain this for me? I know some of the cheaper ones aren't supposed to work because of the humming and/or flickering.

But I just bought some of the cheapest shop lights similar to this http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=163731-000000337-4393555&lpage=none but for around $12 (not the exact same product... couldn't find it. It's the one that comes with the little chains and is dirt cheap).

I got them for my garage and they seem to not flicker, hum or anything. What's wrong with using something like this for video lighting?

(Looks closer to this http://electrical.hardwarestore.com/13-38-shop-lights/fluorescent-light-fixture-shoplight-601198.aspx )

nothing. just get the high CRI tubes ( the more expensive ones ! ). if the fixtures feel heavy, they have magnetic ballasts. they will produce flicker when shooting at 23.976, 25 fps. replace the magnetic ballast with and electronic on, which should be on quite close by in the store. should be $15-$25 depending on size. once in, the lights will be flicker free and safe at all normal video / film speeds.

add a baby plate onto the back for another $15 and you have a light. if you want to make it decent looking, paint it with black epoxy paint. I"ve got a 2 X24" light I use all the time with 3200K and 5600K high CRI tubes and its a great light for fill, hairlight, and sometimes as a key.