Record from two sources: ZoomH1 + lavs vs. wireless dual channel systems

Peter Riding · September 9th, 2014, 09:34 AM

As is often said, you don't use a camera without a viewfinder, yet you record sound without listening?

It is indeed often said, and the sayers are audio specialists :- )

The one man band - of which the OP seems to be one - has to prioritise as generally its not easy to monitor video and audio simultaneously unless you are in a fixed position and with a clear idea of what is about to occur, and maybe even with the luxury of doing multiple takes to get it all just right. I suggest that taking a "gamble" with audio is preferable to taking a gamble with framing exposure and focus.

Cables of course introduce their own set of challenges. If its a cable to a pocket recorder you still can't monitor - though you are unlikely to get interference. If its a lengthy XLR cable you're into running around taping down trip hazards. If you use radio, particularly of the G3 ilk, and alls well in your monitoring and checking before filming actually starts, the chances of external problems occurring in the few minutes you are filming as described by the OP are low. Thats what I mean by pretty unlucky. I always aim to have H1's hidden very close by as backups but thats not always possible.

Pete

Liviu Fratila · September 9th, 2014, 09:55 AM

And not only one man band, but the reporter that talk with the subject....

Jay Massengill · September 9th, 2014, 05:32 PM

I have recently been using the Wi Digital JM-WAL35 audio link for a number of short-range audio transmission tasks.

I'm going to start a separate thread on this, but one of its uses is wireless headphone monitoring. So I thought I would mention it here. It could be used to monitor a remote audio recorder, or to send the output of the recorder directly into the camera for a backup or a strong sync match.

That way you wouldn't be totally in the dark on what you are getting on the audio recorder that your subject has in their pocket.

Liviu Fratila · September 9th, 2014, 05:57 PM

Interesting! Maybe GH4 can recive the signal via their WIFi function? One device like this can recive two signals on the same frequency? I understand that is impossible via regular UHF's systems.

Jay Massengill · September 9th, 2014, 06:04 PM

These systems are coded to only work as a pair, transmitter and receiver. But you can have more than one pair working simultaneously. I don't think you could get them to communicate with other wi-fi devices directly, it would need to be an audio input/output connection I believe. I only have one pair for now.

September 9th, 2014, 09:34 AM	#16
Peter Riding Major Player Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Reading Berkshire UK Posts: 872	Re: Record from two sources: ZoomH1 + lavs vs. wireless dual channel systems As is often said, you don't use a camera without a viewfinder, yet you record sound without listening? It is indeed often said, and the sayers are audio specialists :- ) The one man band - of which the OP seems to be one - has to prioritise as generally its not easy to monitor video and audio simultaneously unless you are in a fixed position and with a clear idea of what is about to occur, and maybe even with the luxury of doing multiple takes to get it all just right. I suggest that taking a "gamble" with audio is preferable to taking a gamble with framing exposure and focus. Cables of course introduce their own set of challenges. If its a cable to a pocket recorder you still can't monitor - though you are unlikely to get interference. If its a lengthy XLR cable you're into running around taping down trip hazards. If you use radio, particularly of the G3 ilk, and alls well in your monitoring and checking before filming actually starts, the chances of external problems occurring in the few minutes you are filming as described by the OP are low. Thats what I mean by pretty unlucky. I always aim to have H1's hidden very close by as backups but thats not always possible. Pete

September 9th, 2014, 09:55 AM	#17
Liviu Fratila New Boot Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Bucharest, Romania Posts: 7	Re: Record from two sources: ZoomH1 + lavs vs. wireless dual channel systems And not only one man band, but the reporter that talk with the subject....

September 9th, 2014, 05:32 PM	#18
Jay Massengill Trustee Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Burlington Posts: 1,976	Re: Record from two sources: ZoomH1 + lavs vs. wireless dual channel systems I have recently been using the Wi Digital JM-WAL35 audio link for a number of short-range audio transmission tasks. I'm going to start a separate thread on this, but one of its uses is wireless headphone monitoring. So I thought I would mention it here. It could be used to monitor a remote audio recorder, or to send the output of the recorder directly into the camera for a backup or a strong sync match. That way you wouldn't be totally in the dark on what you are getting on the audio recorder that your subject has in their pocket.

September 9th, 2014, 05:57 PM	#19
Liviu Fratila New Boot Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Bucharest, Romania Posts: 7	Re: Record from two sources: ZoomH1 + lavs vs. wireless dual channel systems Interesting! Maybe GH4 can recive the signal via their WIFi function? One device like this can recive two signals on the same frequency? I understand that is impossible via regular UHF's systems.

September 9th, 2014, 06:04 PM	#20
Jay Massengill Trustee Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Burlington Posts: 1,976	Re: Record from two sources: ZoomH1 + lavs vs. wireless dual channel systems These systems are coded to only work as a pair, transmitter and receiver. But you can have more than one pair working simultaneously. I don't think you could get them to communicate with other wi-fi devices directly, it would need to be an audio input/output connection I believe. I only have one pair for now.