xlr adapter
SD Camcorder with XLR mic ports on the cheap?
It’s September the 13th, 2009 and I have a question about camcorders.
Does anybody know of a Standard Definition video-camera that has external mic inputs for around $0-$500 ? I’m expecting it would cost $300 to $450.
I would like to use an XLR (directional) type microphone with it and I’ve heard this requires either:
· XLR connector
· XLR ports
· XLR adapter
I’ve also heard the following was some things you want in a camcorder and some are optional:
· 3 CCD
· image stabilization
· low-light performance
· headphone jack?
· bundled video editing software
· Lux 2 to 7 (lower is better)
Anybody know of that camcorder that is reasonably adequate and can accept XLR microphones?
Sir. What do you think about the Canon FS21 or 22?
The $0-$500 price range is consumer grade. There is no consumer grade camcorder with XLR audio-jacks.
The Canon FS series of flash memory SD card and ZR960 miniDV tape based standard definiton camcorders have a 1/8″ (3.5mm) stereo audio in jack so an XLR adapter (like those from juicedLink or BeachTek) would be used in order to use mics which use an XLR connector. They do not have a headphone jack – but you can use the AV-out (Red-right audio; White-left audio) RCA jacks connected to an adapter to connect headphones and monitor the audio being captured. “XLR port” and “XLR connector” are the same thing on a camcorder.
The only camcorder I can think of that uses a 3CCD array and is in the $0-$500 price range and is standard definition is the Panasonic PV-GS320. It is miniDV tape based and has no audio-in jack (and certainly no XLR audio-in jacks).
Most camcorders starting at about $250 (and over) have some sot of image stabilization. At the low end this will be “digital” stabilization. Optical stabilization is a lot better and typical of more expensive camcorders.
There is no consumer camcorder in the $0-$500 with “good” low-light performance. In this price range, the lenses are less than 37mm diameter size. They are not big enough to capture enough light to behave well under low lighting conditions. As well, the imaging chips are too small (typically in the 1/6 inch range) to grab light under low light conditions. As the price goes up, the lenses get bigger… so do the imaging chips. This paragraph covers the “Lux 2 to 7″ portion of your requirements as well. You may find these entry-level consumer cams reporting in at about 6 lux. The video is grainy at that level.
There is no consumer camcorder that has useful software bundled in the box. The bundled Microsoft MovieMaker (Windows XP SP2 and newer and Vista) and Apple iMovie editors are WAY better than any software bundled with the camcorder.
The least expensive camcorder – of which I am aware – that has XLR audio-in is the Sony HVR-A1U. It is a miniDV tape based DV/HDV camcorder with a single CMOS chip and a 37mm diameter lens. It has a headphone jack and LANC port. It has manual audio control and a single lens ring that can be either manual zoom or manual focus – but not both at the same time. It is about 4x more than you want to spend.
The least expensive standard definition camcorder using a 3CCD imaging chip array that has a mic jack and manual audio control and a proper headphone jack and good manual zoom and focus is the Canon GL2. It is about 3x more than you want to spend. It is miniDV tape based. It has a 1/8″ (3.5mm) stereo audio in jack so an XLR adapter is required.
I have both a juicedLink CX231 and BeachTek DXA-6. They both work well under different audio environments.
Then there’s the Panasonic AG-DVX100 (about 4x more than your budget) and the Canon XL2 (about 7x more than your budget. Both the DVX100 and XL2 are miniDV tape based, standard definition, pro-grade camcorders which have large lenses (72mm, if memory serves) and 3CCD imaging chip arrays in the 1/3″ range. They do quite well in low light environments. They also have proper headphone jacks and good manual audio, zoom and focus controls.
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A3F XLR Jack-to-1/4″ Plug Adapter/Transformer $19.99 |
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Switchcraft S3FM Adaptor Male XLR to Female XLR $22.95 |
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LOT OF 2 XLR FEMALE TO FEMALE METAL ADAPTERS ADAPTOR NR $3.99 |
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Hosa GXM-133 Audio Adapter, RCA Female to XLR Male $10.95 |
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Hosa GXF-132 Audio Adapter, RCA Female to XLR Female $11.95 |
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4,XLR Female to Female Microphone Adaptor Coupler,XFF $14.99 |
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XLR Female to female Mic Microphone cable Adaptor 3 pin $3.61 |
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4pcs XLR female to 6.3mm 1/4″ male mono mic adapter $9.99 |
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Audio Adapter / Connector, XLR(f) – 1/4″(m) $4.52 |
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Audio Adapter / Connector, XLR(f) – 1/4″(m) Stereo TRS $4.52 |
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Audio Adapter / Connector, XLR(m) – 1/4″(f) Stereo TRS $4.52 |
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Audio Adapter / Connector, XLR(m) – 1/4″(m) Stereo TRS $4.52 |
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20,XLR Male Plug Adapter to 1/4″ Male Stereo Plug,144 $58.00 |
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10,XLR Female to 4 Pin Male Connector Plug Adapter,4028 $89.00 |
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XLR Female to 4 Pin Male Connector Plug Adapter,4028 $13.99 |
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4,XLR Female to XLR Female Mic Jack Adaptor Coupler,XFF $14.99 |
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4,XLR Male Plug Adapter to 1/4″ Male Audio MIC Plug,144 $14.90 |
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4X Audio Cable CD RCA to XLR Male Adapter Connector,RXA $14.98 |
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4x XLR Female Socket to 1/4″ Jack Adaptor Connector,FRX $14.98 |
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4,XLR Female to XLR Male Mic Connector Adaptor Plug,LMM $14.99 |
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4X XLR Female to 1/4″ Mono Male TS Plug Mic Adaptor,XFM $14.99 |
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50,XLR Male to 1/4″ Mono Male TS Plug Mic Adaptor,XMM $119.00 |
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50,XLR Female to XLR Male Microphone Adaptor Plug,LMM $120.00 |
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4pcs,XLR Male to 1/4″ Audio TRS Female Adapter Jack,XTF $14.98 |
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50,XLR Male to 1/4″ Audio TRS Female Adapter Jack,XTF $119.00 |
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PKG50,XLR Female to RCA Male Plug Adaptor Connector,RXD $119.00 |
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50pcs,XLR Female to Female Mic Jack Adaptor Coupler,XFF $119.00 |
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50,XLR Female Socket to 1/4″ Jack Adaptor Connector,FRX $119.00 |
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4,XLR Female Plug Adapter to 1/4″ Stereo TRS Male,143 $14.99 |
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50,XLR Female to 1/4″ Mono Male TS Plug Mic.Adaptor,XFM $119.00 |
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20,XLR Female Plug Adapter to 1/4″ Stereo TRS Male,143 $58.00 |
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50,Audio Cable CD RCA to XLR Male Adapter Connector,RXA $119.00 |
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4X XLR Male to 1/4″ Mono Male TS Plug Mic Adaptor,XMM $14.98 |
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CAA13 — ADAPTER – 3 PIN XLR JACK TO RCA PHONO MONO PLUG $4.99 |
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XLR male to 6.3mm 1/4″ male Mono mic Microphone Adapter $3.61 |
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4,XLR Female 3-Pin to RCA Female Adaptor Connector,RXC $8.90 |
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XLR Male to XLR Male + XLR Female Y Adapter Cable,JJK $13.49 |
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XLR-F Female to Two 2x XLR-F Female Adapter Y Cable,KKK $13.49 |
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4 XLR FEMALE to 1/4″ FEMALE MICROPHONE CABLE ADAPTERs $8.95 |
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2 XLR MALE to XLR MALE 5150 MICROPHONE CABLE ADAPTERS $5.95 |
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XLR FEMALE to RCA FEMALE MICROPHONE CABLE ADAPTERS $3.69 |
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6 inch Phoenix to XLR Male Adaptor Screw Down Connector $14.95 |
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6 inch Phoenix to XLR Female Audio Adaptor Screw Down $14.95 |
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4 ea. XLR FEMALE – RCA FEMALE MICROPHONE CABLE ADAPTERS $9.95 |
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2 XLR FEMALE to XLR FEMALE MICROPHONE CABLE ADAPTER $5.95 |
MOTU MicroBook USB Audio Interface Review
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