Digital Camcorders Audio In
Are there any digital camcorders with a SEPERATE audio input for external micrpohones?
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.
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.
Insignia HD Digital Camcorder Audio Test
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