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General discussion

Best camcorder for sound quality

by tbh73 Jun 6, 2005 4:33AM PDT

I am looking to buy a miniDV camcorder in the $400-$500 range. I will be using this camera to record classical music performances on a regular basis and therefore sound quality is a top priority. I already know to get a camera with an external mic input. Are there any other features I should be looking for?

Also a friend of mine told me that most camcorders have a volume regulating mic. In other words they automatically change the recording level so that everything sounds like it is more or less the same volume. Since classical music greatly depends on the use of dynamics (loud or soft) this is a feature I do not want to have. Does anyone know what this feature is called and which cameras do not have it. Thank you for any advice.

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3 Posts
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Best camcorder for sound quality
by jcrobso Jun 6, 2005 7:45AM PDT

The Mini DV format has 16 bit digtal sound, all cameras have this.
True, all consumer cameras have automatc volume control
(AVC). For the most part it works very good. Off hand I done know of any that you can switch to manual volume control.
Some of the semi-pro cameras you can but they are in they $800 and up range. You will have to read the fine print to find out.
As for microphones, the built in mics one a $500 camera are OK. they are miniture electrit condenser type.
So to get a better externial mic you will have to spend
over $100 or more each. John

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The built in mics are generally considered to be crap.
by Kiddpeat Jun 6, 2005 4:16PM PDT

Perhaps some high end cameras come with better external mics, but built-ins are bad. You have to use an external mic to get quality sound. Built in pick up all noises in the camera including motors and external 'taps' your fingers make on the camera.

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built in mics are generally considered to be crap.
by jcrobso Jun 7, 2005 2:20AM PDT

I guess it depends on make and model. Mine is a 3 year old Sony D8 higher end model, so the mics are not good, not great, just OK. John

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