Microphone and Firewire question for Sony DCR-HC96

by suzycat1 Oct 24, 2007 9:38PM PDT

I am about to buy the Sony DCR-HC96, but I am now confused about the ability to use an external microphone. I have read several reviews (including c/net) and some say you can plug in an external mic, and some say there is no microphone input jack on the camera. Can someone please clarify? If you can use an external mic, does it have to be Sony's?

Also, many consumer reviewers said that using the USB will not work when transferring to the PC, and that a firewire should be used. Will any firewire work? What specs would be needed?

Thank you!

Discussion is locked

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On the Sony DCR-HC96,

by boya84 Oct 25, 2007 12:07AM PDT

There is no 1/8" (3.5mm) mic-in jack.
There is a Sony proprietary "active interface" shoe.
Refer to the "Specifications" tab:
http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&productId=11038809

You can use Sony proprietary microphones that use their active interface shoe or you can get an adapter apparently only available at B&H Photo that will allow any mic or audio source with a 1/8" (3.5mm) jack:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/479976-REG/Sony_VMCK100_VMC_K100_Microphone_Adapter_Cable.html
(Thank you, again, whizkid454 - getting a lot of mileage from this.)

If you use the camera for transferring stills (stored on the memory card), you will use USB to transfer.

If you need to transfer video from the miniDV tape, FireWire (i.Link, IEEE1394, camera's DV port) is the recommended method. FireWire400 is the one... If you are installing a FireWire400 port on your computer, either 4-pin or 6-pin will work. The camera uses a 4-pin FireWire connector. You may also need to get a FireWire (400) cable. They come in both flavers (6-pin computer side to 4-pin camera side... or 4-pin to 4-pin).

Which FireWire card you get may depend on your computer (laptop with available PCMCIA slot or desktop with available PCI slot).
http://shop2.outpost.com/search?cat=-47194&pType=pDisplay

Apple Macintosh computers have included FireWire for many years.

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Thanks Boya84 - need one more clarification

by suzycat1 Oct 25, 2007 1:34AM PDT

Thank you so much for your help. Just want to know how I can tell whether my PC already has a 6 pin connector? What makes it a "firewire" (I obviously don't understand the term)? Do I need the card and a cable, or can I just use a cable?

Thanks

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I presume you are using Windows...

by boya84 Oct 25, 2007 2:28AM PDT

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Firewire has pictures of both the FireWire ports. You need FireWire400 on your computer to connect the DV port of the camcorder... AND an appropriate cable.

Um... if you don't have the port on your computer and get the cable, what will the cable plug into?

Some of the newer Sony computers (laptops and desktops) come with FireWire ports... Dell and HP/Compaq have had that as an option (which most folks did not get) for their desktop models.

If you right-click on "My Computer", select "System Properties", click on "Device Properties"... If you have a FireWire card installed properly, it will be listed at the top level along with "Universal Serial Bus Controllers" (USB) and "Ports" and all the other items lited at that top level. You do not need to click on any of the "+" to get to details. DO NOT MAKE ANY CHANGES here - when you are done, just click th red "x" in the upper right to close that window and click "Cancel" at the bottom of the System Properties box.

The USB port is fully rectangular - the 6-pin FireWire400 port has the corners taken out.

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Firewire card

by suzycat1 Oct 25, 2007 3:58AM PDT

OK, I think I am catching on now. Sorry, definitely not the most technical person around. I am using a Dell PC that is about 2 or 3 years old with Windows XP. I followed your instructions, and only saw USB ports listed. I am buying the Sony HC96 from Amazon, so I got on their site to look up firewire cards. They range widely in price, and I have no idea which one I need. Any advice?

Also, do I need the Firewire card and cable for non-Sony camcorders, or just the sony? My second choice was the PanasonicPV-GS320.

Thanks again!!!!

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No worries on the "technicals" -

by boya84 Oct 25, 2007 5:17AM PDT

that's why you ask - and hopefully, someone can help. I have all sorts of questions...

I hope your Dell has available slots inside... the low-end ones sometimes don't come with expansion slots. I have no idea how you would figure that our unless you open the machine and actually see the slots.

As far are as which FireWire card to pick... I edit video on a Mac so there has been no need for me to investigate this - I have read some posts from people having problems with the really cheap cards. I've always had good experience with Belkin products. Maybe someone else (who uses Windows) will chime in about FireWire card manufacturer preferences.

All miniDV based camcorders (that I know of) use FireWire to transfer video to a computer. This includes camcorders from Sony, Panasonic, Canon and others. So yes, the FireWire card and cable will be needed to transfer video if you want to transfer video from a miniDV tape based camcorder to your computer.

The Panasonic PV-GS320 is a good camcorder - but it does not have any sort of mic-in jack. One other nice connector in the HC96 is a LANC. It connects to an optional (extra) Sony wired remote that clips to the handle of the tripod for controlling zoom and taking stills (and is especially useful whn you want to take stills while the video is capturing because the camera stays a lot steadier. There are other LANCs out there, but the Sony unit is cheap in comparison. I would not get the Sony tripod with the LANC built-in...

Microphone and Firewire question for Sony DCR-HC96

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