Video Camera With External Mic Input?

Eugene S

I'm in the market for a Video Camera, stipulations are that it has an external mic input and is about 500 bucks. Although I don't mind paying more if it warrants the price. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Answer
At that price range, Canon... like the FS series (standard definition flash memory) or ZR960 (standard definition miniDV tape). What you likely will not find is manual audio control in a camcordeer at that price point. I *think* the least expensive consumer camcorder with a mic jack and manual audio control is the Canon HV40.

Some Sony and Canon consumer camcorders have a "MicRefLevel (Sony) or "Mic Attenuator" (Canon) toggle setting in the menu for "Normal" or "Low" - low gain is for loud audio so the auto mic gain control does not get overwhelmed and record muddy or staticky (clipping).

Good Camcorder External Mic?

Niji

I have a great camcorder and I want to use it, but looking at other's videos at the beach and so on it's clear that wind is a big problem. I want to get a good stereo external mic, but it must have a good windscreen or effective dead cat/kitten. I hope you use a steadycam also so it really needs to
be attached to the camera.
Can anyone recommend a good camcorder mic that doesn't protrude too much and not cost an arm and a leg?

Answer
Rode make a good stereo mic. http://www.rodemic.com/mics/videomicpro
I do not know if your camcorder has mic input as you did not say type of camcorder!

Powered by Yahoo! Answers

Are there any digital camcorders with a SEPERATE audio input for external micrpohones?

bruvvamoff

I need a camera to record our bands studio time but most digital cameras distort from the excessive noice. I need a camera with an audio input so I can plug one of my microphones in and set the levels.

Answer
The least expensive camcorders with "granular" manual audio control are the Canon HV30/HV40 and Sony HDR-HC9. They also have a mic jack (stereo 1/8" - 3.5mm).

The least expensive camcorders with a (stereo 1/8" - 3.5mm) mic jack are the Canon ZR900, ZR930 and ZR960. They do not have manual audio control and would rely on an external device to control the mic gain. If you are using XLR mics, you could use an XLR adapter like those form juicedLink or BeachTek. The XLR adapters have gain control knobs - and the camcorder has a meter that shows the audio levels being recorded.

The least expensive camcorder with XLR connectors for audio in and manual audio control appears to be the Sony HVR-A1U.

If you plug in only one mic, then the camcorder will record mono. In most cases, the camcorder will record only to the right channel - this can be fixed using Audacity when you edit.

If you use any of the XLR adapters from juicedLink or BeachTeck, they have a mono/stereo switch - if you have a single mic plugged into either XLR adapter audio-in jack and the switch is set at mono, both left and right channels will record the same audio - so not stereo, but two mono channels. If you want stereo, you need to use a stereo mic or two different mics plugged into the different left/right audio in jacks.

If you are shopping camcorders... The Canon FS series (flash memory standard definition video), HF series (flash memory high definition video) and Sony HDR-CX series (flash memory high definition video) have mic jacks - some have manual audio control - some don't. Download the camcorder manual from the manufacturer's site to determine availability.

I purposely dropped hard disc drive camcorders because loud audio can cause enough vibration to cause the hard drive heads to park and not allow video recording to the hard drive.

The Sony DCR-HC52 and HC62 do not have a mic jack - but a very rudimentary internal mic gain control toggle, "MicRefLevel" that allows for "normal" audio levels or changing the mic gain to "Low" for high audio level recording.

Are there any low-end camcorders that take an external mic?

Q. I would be happy with a prosumer one for under $300 but the only real requirement is an external mic. It'll be used for both outdoor and indoor interviews.

Answer
pro-sumer would be more like a grand. the Kodak Zi10 playtouch has mic input.

Powered by Yahoo! Answers

Help me find a good HD camcorder with external mic input and has a low price?

best camcorder with external mic input image

Jake

I need a new camcorder and I was in preference for one with an external Mic input and HD recording, (optional switchable lenses) AND ALL FOR A LOW PRICE!

Answer
sure, shop the Kodak Zi10 playtouch.

What High Definition Camcorder should I get?

mikenorton

I will be setting up a small studio with green screen and need to buy a high def camcorder. What I need is bang for my buck and good Video quality with a good lens. Big and bulky is not a problem.

Also with the ability to accept an external mic input.

Any ideas?

Answer
One thing with making a good chroma-key is the necessity to have as little compression as possible. Stepping up from HDV into higher-quality HD formats such as Panasonic's P2 and Sony's XDCam might be something to consider. Once you get into that price range, mic inputs are just automatically part of the package.

Lighting, of course, is also incredibly important - have to get that green to be as consistent as possible.

Of course, the concern here is budget. Not sure what your range is.

Powered by Yahoo! Answers