MIC questions

This is my camera:

http://sonystyle.co.nz/shop_detail.a...4&sku=DCRHC32E

(well actually it's the 30E, but the best I could find on the sonystyle site was the 32)

Jjust a few questions about my sony handycam + a shotgun mic:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...ku=3646&is=REG

My camera has a headphone-type hole for the mic slot. I've been told this is a 1/8" jack.

1. Can anyone tell me what kind of cable this one has? (the mic at bhphotovideo I just posted a link to) I'm guessing it's an XLR.

2. It looks like I need to buy the connector cable listed under the mic so it'll fit in my camera slot. Am I correct? I've heard that I can either use an adaptor (which I can't really afford right now) or an XLR female to male 1/8 converter cable. Is that what this is?

3. I don't have a slot for headphones on my camera. Is this going to be a big deal?

I just don't want to buy something that may not work on my camera.

Cheers,

-Chris

Hi Chris,

I just got finished checking with the Sony and BH photo site and found out that the DC32 has neither a microphone or headset jack. It did have an AV Jack, that is for line livel audio on the left and right channnel, along with a composite video jack. I was unable to find any information on the HC30E as the 32 seems to have replaced it. The AV jack is also a 1/8" jack. The it is referred to as a TRSS or tip, ring, sleve and shield plug. The stereo headphone jack is known as a TRS, or tip ring sleve plug. The AV jack has one extra conection point for the video portion of the cables on the other end. If you can connect a mic in to your camcorder, the cable that comes with the mic you are looking at will do just fine. It is already set up with the 1/8 or 3.5 mm plug that fits the jack that is normally put into a consumer grade camcorder. Check the specificiations in your camcorder manual to see if you can use an external mic. I did not see a Sony accessory mic for the model 32 anywhere on the Sony website.

Good luck.

The guy at the sony shop actually said that I could buy a mic for it, and showed me some sony mics (which were not shotgun mics). I also connected my crappy computer mic to the camera, and it worked. The 1/8" jack on the cam reads "mic". I'm guessing this means I'll be able to use the shotgun mic I am looking at, at bhphotovideo. Am I right?

Thanks a lot for your help,

-Chris

Remember the 30E wasn't available in the USA. It was only available to Europe and probably to New Zealand and maybe Australia. Sony Australia site is down at present so can't check it out.

Yes you can. Funny how the lit doesn't mention that particular model, or the website that you forwarded. Good luck with the mic. How much will the shipping be all the way down to you in NZ. Is there a closer shop that might be a little more expensive, yet save cost on the shipping?

30e is an older model, the e stands for european edition but is available in australia and nz as well. this indicates it is a pal camera. the plug on the camera is a 3.5mm stereo jack. the lead you require is an xlr to stereo mini. i have only seen these for sale in one shop in sydney. most good music stores will make it for you as will the likes of jaycar etc. i would get a couple made as i have had problems with the camera plug bending under the weight of the lead. headphones could be handy but only to check the quality of your audio and any clicks etc. you need to make sure the mic has its own power supply either by a battering in the mic or a preamp as the camera cannot provide the power. and depending on how good your mic is you need to be careful that it is not to powerful as that camera doesn't have manual gain control so you can't reduce the levels if the volume is to high. oh with that lead you will get two channels of mono audio rather than a stereo sound but it sounds fantastic with a good mic.

oops, i should have followed the link before posting. the mic comes with the cable and it doesn't take an xlr lead, but a stereo mini, so everything should be happy, and i wouldn't worry about stuff being to loud, that mic is not that sensitive.