DVX100B Picture

Doh! I wanted hear "Oh this totally awesome stereo shotgun mic for like only 100$!"

Any suggestion then over the DVX100B built in audio in the 100$ range?
 
Check out the stickies in the audio forum. $100 is a bit low, but reading the stickies will let you know what you are getting into.
 
So true, I have about 3x more money invested in audio than video...

(and that's exluding the $8000 audio monitoring system)

I would say the minimum mic is the Rode NTG-1 with shockmount & deadcat. Somewhere under $300 I belive. I started with that and still use it.
 
Azden Barrell Shotgun vs. RODE VideoMic for DVX100

Azden Barrell Shotgun vs. RODE VideoMic for DVX100

I'm trying to decide between these two mics for the same camera (DVX100B). I will be doing primarily indoor shorts as well as interviews for documentaries. I'd like to have the capability to boom it later. The Azden mic is XLR outputs, whereas I guess I would need an adapter for the VideoMic. Is this true?

The VideoMic seems to have much more market share but the Azden seems compelling.

What do you recommend?

If both of these are crap, then I will go with the NTG-1 but that is just out of my price range.

http://www.amazon.com/Azden-Barrell...5?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1198162471&sr=8-5

http://www.amazon.com/RODE-VideoMic...8&s=musical-instruments&qid=1198162679&sr=8-1

thanks,
MG
 
Save for the NTG1, it's worth it. Again, with the cost of a DVX you'd be cheating yourself by cheaping out on audio.
 
jackelope said:
...

The Azden mic is XLR outputs, whereas I guess I would need an adapter for the VideoMic. Is this true?

The VideoMic seems to have much more market share but the Azden seems compelling.

What do you recommend?

...
Click to expand...

Azden mics in general have a rather poor reputation so personally I'd stay away from 'em. Rode is a good line and the Videomic is a decent consumer shotgun. It's output is 1/8 unbalanced but Rode makes a 1/8 mono mini to XLRM adapter, model VLXR and costs about $12, and so you can use the Videomic with XLR inputs. If I had to choose between the two, I'd definitely go with the Rode. But if it were me, I'd find the extra $100 to go with the Ride NTG-1. Heck, $100 is the price of a couple of burgers, parking, and two movie tickets these days, shouldn't be too hard to find in the budget.
 
NTG-1 connectors or accessories?

NTG-1 connectors or accessories?

Based on the feedback, I'm splurging and going with the NTG-1 :).

Are there additional connectors or accessories that I need in order to be compatible with the dvx100b? Does it use XL2?

Any recommendations on the best place to order it?

Thanks!!
MG
 
I'll go out on a limb here...... **audio** is more important than your video.

Seriously.

A good story line, well-acted, with excellent audio, and not-so-great video will have far more impact than poor audio and excellent video. Bad audio can be tolerated only for so long no matter how sparkling the image might be.... eventually the audience will get up and leave.

Not-so-great imaging will be tolerated as the audience eyes and brain settle in with the images as they are (despite being not-so-perfect), and the wonderful story, and pleasant soundtrack and understandable dialogue.

It's the first thing that's stressed in film school and in the real world.

IMHO, I would consider hiring a good sound person with good equipment if you can't right away afford quality sound gear. Also, it takes a great amount of skill to get good with sound.

Just my opinion.....
 
I am not a for profit enterprise - hiring a sound guy is not an option. I am a full time IT manager just trying to document regional history in my free time with quality video and audio. Maybe I should have bought a handycam and a $1500 audio setup, but I didn't. I could barely swallow the $2300 dvx100b, and am stretching for the NTG-1.
 
Since you are doing interviews, just remember that the #1 rule in audio is to get your mic, whatever kind it is, as close to the subject as possible. Therefore a $150 wired lavalier mic, since it is 6" from the source, will sound better than a $1000 mic on the camera 4 feet away.
 
jackelope said:
I am not a for profit enterprise - hiring a sound guy is not an option. I am a full time IT manager just trying to document regional history in my free time with quality video and audio. Maybe I should have bought a handycam and a $1500 audio setup, but I didn't. I could barely swallow the $2300 dvx100b, and am stretching for the NTG-1.
Click to expand...

Are you in an area where you could rent? That might be a good cost saving option.

I also agree with doing a lav setup for interviews. An on-camera mic won't get you there, and using a boom or stands can be tough for a one person enterprise.

All I meant to say is don't put your audio somewhere way down the ladder.

Depending on where you live, you can get sound people willing to do work for very little or volunteer if they like your project. It really could be less cost than buying something that might not end up doing the job anyway.

And yes, believe it or not, a consumer handycam can do wonders if your output is going to be SD mpeg2 DVD. And with great sound it ends up being pretty good overall.

The aim is always to get the best quality at the lowest operating cost, that's for sure. Profit or non-profit. :Drogar-BigGrin(DBG)

Happy Holidays!
 
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