I have been trying to get a computer mic (1/8 stereo) and another mic (similar) to work with my HV20, but it doesn't seem to work. BUT when I use my XLR mic (with battery power), it works fine. I find this a bit strange when I have two older model camcorders that ALL the mics work fine with...

Is the HV20 only capable of external mic with phantom power? Is there a switch or something that I missed?

Thanks

Good question. I wonder about that too. I just realized all my mini plug mics do have battery power, and I have never tried a computer mic I have on the HV20, or any other camera with a miniplug. So that raises the question as to whether the computer supplies phantom power through the miniplug for computer mics..

Would you mind checking for me Chris? Thanks

I'll check it out this evening..

Chris, did you have a chance to test it yet?

Some computer mics require external power provided over the audio cord by the computer audio card. (And some camcorders do provide this power, but Canons do not). The HV-20 does NOT provide power for an external mic. See page 62 of the (NTSC) manual.

BTW: phantom power is NOT internal power provided by a battery in a mic. It is usually ~48 VDC provided by a preamp to a microphone using a balanced connection (usually XLR connectors). Check the microphone in question specification to determine if it needs or can use phantom power.

Computer-furnished power is not "phantom" power, it usually is a DC bais, typically about 5 volts, on the "hot" audio lead from the mic.