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Question

Problem with external microphone on Canon HF100

Jul 15, 2011 5:58AM PDT

I have tried 4 external microphones for my Canon HF100 and only one of them works (that being that from my son's singstar playstation game!!).

I'd bought a Sony Lavalier microphone especially to use with this (which doesn't work). Are there certain microphones that do and don't work? Is there perhaps a problem with my camcorder input?

What would be a relatively cheap solution to a wired lavalier microphone that you might recommend?

Discussion is locked

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Answer
"Relatively cheap" is relative
Jul 15, 2011 8:16AM PDT

I have the HF 100 and have used lavs and, other microphones by means of an interface. The one I have is the XLR2.
BeachTek also makes one. There are a couple different models by different makers. It will handle 2 inputs, mic or line and 2 1/8" aux ins. There is a mono/stereo switch, a mic/line switch and a ground flip. If you hunt around on ebay, you can find them. There is a current listing for about $40.00. You MUST use dynamic mics or electret condensermics that will supply there own power. I got very good results by plugging in my Rode NT4 (with battery) into the interface and then the interface that attaches to the bottom of the camera and on top of the tripod.

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Interface
Jul 15, 2011 9:08AM PDT

Sorry - again I'm ignorant here.

So do I need to get an interface? I was, perhaps innocently, thinking I could just plug a microphone into the mic socket of the camcorder.

If it's not completely necessary, what benefit does an interface give?

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There are/were over 10 types of microphones out there.
Jul 15, 2011 9:33AM PDT
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Answer
1 of 4 worked
Jul 15, 2011 8:38AM PDT

so we know the camcorder audio-in port is working.

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More details
Jul 15, 2011 9:05AM PDT

Many thanks for the help - let me give some more details.

In the manual it says Mic Terminal - -57dBV (with 600ohn microphone)/5 ohms or more

The main microphone I've bought for the job was the Somy ECD-CS10, which is an electret condenser microphone - my one concern is that it also states that in needs 'plug in power'.

The other non-working microphones are relatively cheap computer mics.

Not quite sure why a microphone designed for a playstation would work while these would not given it doesn't have a power source of its own either.

Anyway, as you can probably tell, I'm not a techie, and would really appreciate further advice here.

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Your concern on the
Jul 16, 2011 4:53AM PDT

ECD-CS10 is valid. Information at bhphotovideo says "Requires Sony plug-in power and will not work with third party mini connections." http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/334837-REG/Sony_ECMCS10_ECM_CS10_Stereo_Lavalier_Microphone.html
Plug-in power is Sony's version of what the rest of the industry calls "phantom power". Basically power provided to the mic that is not local or in the cabling of the mic. XLR/TRS connectors carry that power to the mic when the connections are configured to do that.
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The interface - XLR adapter - referred to by tracyf2 are great - and provide lots of flexibility and control over audio gain level. The HF100 has manual audio gain, but it's use is a bit cumbersome. The XLR adapters usually have left/right audio knobs on the outside and are easy to reach/use.

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You should know...
Jul 16, 2011 4:55AM PDT

On the above mic - it is not stereo - there will likely be only one audio channel (right, I think) recorded in the camcorder. This can be "fixed in editing by cloning the audio channel - assuming your video editor can do that.

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Answer
Solved!
Jul 18, 2011 1:45AM PDT

Many thanks for all the comments.

I bought a mic with a battery which provides it with its own battery power and this works well.

I actually bought a Yoga EM8 - I know it works since I tried it in the shop but can not vouch for the quality as of yet!!