HD Camcorder with Mic input

[bluesboy]

I am looking for the cheapest-possible decent picture-quality (preferably HD) camcorder with a microphone input, as sound quality is very important to me. Does anyone have any suggestions. I primarily want to use it to record songs and put them on youtube (among other things).

[A n d r e w]

Canon HF100.

[dave_bass5]

Originally Posted by A n d r e w

Canon HF100.

Yep, my vote goes to the Canon as well.
The ONLY downside i can see is how you would attatch it to the camera as the HF cams use a smaller hot shoe.

[bluesboy]

Thank you for your input. I don't know a lot about camcorders. I thought there would be an input which I could plug my regular vocal microphone into (perhaps with the use of an adapter).

[A n d r e w]

You'd need at least a pre-amp between the mic and the camcorder. Bear in mind that mic input jacks on consumer video kit are 3.5mm stereo.

[bluesboy]

I have a 3.5mm mic adapter. Would I still need a pre-amp?

[A n d r e w]

Depends on the mic. You'd have to experiment and see.

[dave_bass5]

Originally Posted by bluesboy

I have a 3.5mm mic adapter. Would I still need a pre-amp?

The mic's in the HF100 aren't too bad. It might be worth getting the Cam first and then seeing if you need to use something better. The HF100 has a manual recording mode so you can get pretty decent recordings, especially if its at home with not much background noise. You wont get any of that pumping as the AGC does its best to destroy the dynamics.
If your mic is a self powered condenser mic then you should be ok to use it with just the adaptor.

[bluesboy]

Originally Posted by dave_bass5

The mic's in the HF100 aren't too bad. It might be worth getting the Cam first and then seeing if you need to use something better. The HF100 has a manual recording mode so you can get pretty decent recordings, especially if its at home with not much background noise. You wont get any of that pumping as the AGC does its best to destroy the dynamics.
If your mic is a self powered condenser mic then you should be ok to use it with just the adaptor.

Thank you for the advice. I think I will try and save the money for the Canon as it looks like it is highly regarded on this forum and elsewhere.