[v CJ v]

Hi.

I'm needing a camcorder for work, with an external microphone or Microphone input.

It will be used for recording management training courses we conduct, so a handsfree microphone is required (we can get hold of the microphone)

It's proven very difficult so far to find a decent camcorder with a Microphone input.

Can you help, or point me in the right direction?

Thanks

[senu]

One the Budget Level The Canon MD 101 or 205 have it

The next ones up are the Canon HV 20 or 30 which also record HDV
Sony HC7 is similarly endowed

Im not sure many non-tape models actually have it but it isnt completely extinct
Im not sure what you mean by a "decent camcorder" though,
Your budget determine that suffice to say the less pocket friendly ones still have it

As for hands free, that is something to source , First the camcorder has to have a mic input. Radio mics arent rare or very costly
You could record the audio separately and then use it in software adding it to the edit care fully syncronising by cues but this is an extra step of work

[v CJ v]

Thanks senu.

There isn't a set budget on the camcorder, let's say £550.

It needs to be HDD, and have good quality recording for demo purposes.

[senu]

Originally Posted by v CJ v

Thanks senu.

There isn't a set budget on the camcorder, let's say £550.

It needs to be HDD, and have good quality recording for demo purposes.

£550 gets you a good quality HDD camcorder . You are now getting to the territory of Hi def tape and SD card camcorders of decent quality

but any camcorder let alone, HDD camcorders with mic-in are scarce now

Have a look a JVCs Everio Range

I used a Canon HG 10 which uses HDD has it but only records in Hi def

Why does it have to be HDD?
HDD+mic-in+ great quality =£500 is a very hard nut to crack IMHO but you may be lucky
Another issue I have with quality is that training courses will show up poor lighting, jerky motion ect and will most certainly need editing to look polished
Im not saying abandon HDD Im saying, look at considering tape, upping your budget, or maybe be prepared to record audio separately with a minidisc ( ect) recorder or similar portable audio recorder
These ideas are meant to be food for thought, not a way of complicating a simple enquiry

[tomd84]

Originally Posted by senu

£550 gets you a good HDD quality camcorder . You are now getting to the territory of Hi def tape and SD card camcorders of decent quality

but any camcorder let alone, HDD camcorders with mic-in are scarce now

Have a look a JVCs Everio Range

I used a Canon HG 10 which uses HDD has it but only records in Hi def

Why does it have to be HDD?
HDD+mic-in+ great quality =£500 is a very hard nut to crack IMHO but you may be lucky
Another issue I have with quality is that training courses will show up poor lighting, jerky motion ect and will most certainly need editing to look polished
Im not saying abandon HDD Im saying, look at considering tape, upping your budget, or maybe be prepared to record audio separately with a minidisc ( ect) recorder or similar portable audio recorder
These ideas are meant to be food for thought, not a way of complicating a simple enquiry

I have had a few panasonics and they have all had this feature!

[redsox_mark]

It is rare today; including Panasonic.

[v CJ v]

I've found this one:

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/143296

http://image.ebuyer.com/UK/P0143296_...2_P0000000.jpg

Price tag of £448.09, but it is HDD, HD and mic input.

For those that can help, is this a good camera?

[redsox_mark]

The JVC HD3 is OK; better than the earlier HD7 it replaced. It uses a unique high bitrate MPEG2 format; hopefully any MPEG2 editor will edit it, but I'm not sure of that.
Canon HG10 or Sony SR11 are better HDD cams, but cost more.

[senu]

The HG10 I had mentioned earlier It does not record SD but it is otherwise very good IMHO ( and has mic-in)

Originally Posted by tomd84

I have had a few panasonics and they have all had this feature!

Were they HDD? and recent models?