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Just bought a nice camcorder.....AGH!! It has no external mic input

by phil.wheatley
10 replies
Hi Guys

I was really happy with my camcorder I bought, until I just noticed it doesn't have an input for an external audio mic, and you know how bad the buit in mic sounds.

What now is going to be the easiest way of getting good sound. I wanted to try and avoid using a PC to record the sound separately as I know I would then have to sinch it with the video. While that isn't too hard with camtasia or movie maker, I was hoping to bypass that and just edit diredtly in youtube as it would save a ton of time.

Anyway, any suggestions welcome!!!!!!

Cheers
Phil
#bought #camcorderagh #external #input #mic #nice
  • Profile picture of the author StanHyeck
    Do you have an iphone? How about an android phone?

    Seriously you'd probably be much better served buying a phone mount to put on a tripod and just shooting video using your phone than you are using a camcorder.

    This way you can plug in any mic you want.
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    • Profile picture of the author phil.wheatley
      Originally Posted by StanHyeck View Post

      Do you have an iphone? How about an android phone?

      Seriously you'd probably be much better served buying a phone mount to put on a tripod and just shooting video using your phone than you are using a camcorder.

      This way you can plug in any mic you want.
      I have an andriod (Samsung). There is a jack socket but I think that is for output to headphones. Maybe you can get a USB mic.

      With that said, the quality of the camcorder I have is better than a phone, it comes down to the lense basically.

      Any other ideas guys?

      Cheers
      Phil
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      • Profile picture of the author StanHyeck
        Originally Posted by phil.wheatley View Post

        I have an andriod (Samsung). There is a jack socket but I think that is for output to headphones.
        That jack is for BOTH a headset and a mic. Otherwise how would the headsets that have mics in them work?

        I've done this myself quite a few times. It works at least on the S3 and an iPhone. Just make sure you get a mic that has a mini audio jack (most lapel mics do) ... or something I've done quite a few times is use the headset that comes with your phone and the microphone it has just like a lapel mic. Just put the headphones into your shirt.

        The mic on most headsets is actually designed to provide reasonable spoken voice quality so your phone headset will work pretty darn well in a pinch.

        edit: I've never tried a USB mic with a phone before and I'm not sure it would work at all. Those mics typically need electricity from the USB connection and phones don't provide it out of their USB mini jacks so a USB mic probably wouldn't work.
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  • Profile picture of the author Kurt
    Hi Phil,

    Unless you're doing professional videos for things like weddings or corporate business commercials, your mic is probably good enough. How does it sound to you?

    One option may be to use Sony Vegas Studio as your video editor. It allows you to open up the audio track in an external sound editor. In my case, I use the free Audacity to edit sound files. You may be able to touch up the audio a bit if needed.

    The cheapest version of Vegas Studio is fine and about $50, if I remember correctly. And Audacity is free.
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  • Profile picture of the author evolvedmarketing
    My cameras have external mics, but sometimes i use my phone and a bluetooth. I'd return the cam and either use your phone or wait til you can get a better cam.
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  • Profile picture of the author spearce000
    Originally Posted by phil.wheatley View Post


    Anyway, any suggestions welcome!!!!!!

    1. Take it back to the shop and get your money back
    2. Sell it on eBay and get one with an external mic. socket


    Trying to sync-up audio and video is just too much hassle, and unless you've got a clapperboard or some other means of matching audio and video cues it's very easy for things to get out on sync – especially as you're going to end up with more audio than video on some occasions and vice-versa on others.


    Originally Posted by Kurt View Post



    Unless you're doing professional videos for things like weddings or corporate business commercials, your mic is probably good enough.

    Wrong! If you're going to do any interviews or pieces to camera an external mic is a must. The built in mics. on camcorders are OK for ambient sound, but they tend to sound “boxy” if you're trying to record anything else. Wind noise can be a problem, too.


    Source: 25 years in the film and video business.
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    • Profile picture of the author Kurt
      Originally Posted by spearce000 View Post



      Wrong! If you're going to do any interviews or pieces to camera an external mic is a must. The built in mics. on camcorders are OK for ambient sound, but they tend to sound "boxy" if you're trying to record anything else. Wind noise can be a problem, too.


      Source: 25 years in the film and video business.
      Did you notice I used the word "like"? This means I was giving examples and my examples should not have been taken as a complete list, which you obviously did. Sorry for confusing you. But don't stop now, go ahead and make the entire list, because adding just "interviews" to my list of examples doesn't make it complete.

      BTW, many of the most popular and profitable videos on Youtube are far from the most professional and in many cases (and studies), less professional videos outperform those that look too "corporate". Quality content over production values will always rule.
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  • Profile picture of the author rakhwas
    Check if it has bluetooth options, some camcorders have that option, then connect the externel microphone to your computer and connect them with a bluetooth program..

    Lol, it may be a hell of work, to make it work properly, but i guess it'll work xD
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  • Profile picture of the author talfighel
    If you are going to do a lot of future videos, I would actually try to sell your new camcorder on Ebay or to a family member and try to get a newer one that will work for you.

    I know it sounds weird that you should sell your new camcorder but that is what I would do.
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  • Profile picture of the author Valdor Kiebach
    You could try returning it saying it is unsuitable for the purpose it was bought for:
    Sale of Goods Act 1979

    Or if you got it online then there is the distance selling regulation.

    I am sure if it is returned in perfect condition and you buy one with an external mic port from the same seller then you should be ok.

    I bought an android phone that used the ARMv6 instruction set but I needed one with the ARMv7 instruction set so I returned it as it was not fit for the intended purpose and bought one from the same seller with the ARMv7 instruction set, no problems.
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