Lynne,

You may have missed the info I put just below the 3rd video identifying the ECM-AW3 wireless bluetooth mic. I don't know much about it, but it appears to be a bluetooth that has a generic 3.5mm input versus the Sony's proprietary hot shoe.

Sony ECM-AW3 (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=Sony+ECM-AW3&N=0&InitialSearch=yes)

Roger...Interesting unit. I didn't know they had this. It's quite different from what I use with the HC-3. The only mini-jack I have is for a headphone and that's on the egg-shaped receiver that's plugged into the hot shoe. As you probably remember, one major drawback of the HC-3 is that it has no other audio input besides the shoe. (They made an adapter once but discontinued it not long after. I never got it.)

Lynne: off topic but when you mention "clicking" on the Zoom recorder, were you recording MP3s on the recorder and then using MP3s directly in Final Cut Pro? As in not transcoding to AIFF first?

FCP hates MP3s and I have used the Zoom H4N on occasion and don't have anything bad to say about the audio quality, given the price.

The Zoom H1 is a fraction of the price & weight of the Zoom H4n. It's very simple to operate (switches not menus) runs all day on one AA battery & has exceptionally good sound quality from the built-in mics.

I'm with Shaun - my H2 is gob-smackingly good, and for the money is quite outrageously good. A digital audio recorder with four mics for the same price as a cheap Sennheiser mono mic on its lonesome. The downside? The 1970s display window.

tom.

Roger...Interesting unit. I didn't know they had this. It's quite different from what I use with the HC-3. The only mini-jack I have is for a headphone and that's on the egg-shaped receiver that's plugged into the hot shoe. As you probably remember, one major drawback of the HC-3 is that it has no other audio input besides the shoe. (They made an adapter once but discontinued it not long after. I never got it.)

Lynne,

I was suggesting the AW3 in case you get another camcorder that can't use your existing Sony bluetooth with the proprietary mount. If you continue to use the HC3, I'd use the bluetooth you already have if you are satisfied with the sound. I was able to get one of the input adapters before Sony discontinued it... : ) It looks like there are third party devices to do the same, should you want one:

Amazon.com: Pearstone Microphone Adapter for Sony Camcorder Hot Shoe: Camera & Photo


The Zoom recorders others are mentioning would be far better for sound if the source is close to the microphone. Another option is to just shoot the video and voice over the high points once you return, using the native sounds you capture real time as a back drop.

Interesting point about dust and dirt...I hadn't given that much thought.
Ha! I just sold my Zoom H2 on ebay. I used it for a video project but wasn't real happy with it in the end. Too much amp noise in the background for my taste. (Clicking noise.)
I wonder if the POV.HD uses CCDs in their new model? For what such cameras are intended to be used for, I would think the jello-effect would be awful.


The Zoom H2 clicking noise is a bug, the latest FW update fixes that. I suggested the H1.

POV HD is now CMOS. same as every wearable sports cam on the market.

This thread has certainly moved on!

I never use camera audio except to sync to. IMO, it's always bad.
I have both the Zoom H4n and the H1.

Love them both and both have their place.
The H1 is what goes when space and weight are important and I don't give any up in the way of audio quality.

I've been following a cranky outdoor sports photographer who swears there's no practical audio difference between the two so I did a few tests....darned if he isn't right.

The Zoom H2 clicking noise is a bug, the latest FW update fixes that. I suggested the H1.

POV HD is now CMOS. same as every wearable sports cam on the market.

Yes, I had seen other discussions over time that mentioned that clicking noise. Too bad I just sold my unit before they fixed it. But the thing was, the sort of audio I was recording was distant, faint...stuff like wind noise, birds...where the levels had to be cranked up anyways. (Because I was backpacking at the time, I couldn't afford the weight of heavy shotgun mics or parabolic dishes.) In the end, I purchased sound from places like sound dogs, from audio specialists who had the time and equipment to record things correctly. Hand-holding a Zoom H2 to record wind just didn't do it for me!

This thread has certainly moved on!

I never use camera audio except to sync to. IMO, it's always bad.
I have both the Zoom H4n and the H1.

Love them both and both have their place.
The H1 is what goes when space and weight are important and I don't give any up in the way of audio quality.

I've been following a cranky outdoor sports photographer who swears there's no practical audio difference between the two so I did a few tests....darned if he isn't right.

H1 is quite good if used correctly, but the mikes on the H4n are a step above the H1. (i also have both) Just depends on what is acceptable. Touch the case of the H1 and the noise is transmitted to the mikes, the H4n has very good mike isolation from the body.

Probably more of a consideration for backpacking is that the H4n weighs 280gms plus 4xAA batteries while the H1 weighs 60gms plus 1xAA battery.

The weight is a major factor Nigel,. Another is their construction. The H1 has a guard around the mics while the H4N does not. The H4N mics are notoriously easy to break.

That's a significant weight savings!

I notice where dealers have marked down the price on the Canon Powershot S100. Is it too soon for Canon to be thinking of replacing it with a newer model? Or is this just a spring sale to move product?
This thread has been most interesting!