Help - need HDSLR with 2 Line Inputs

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dolphinstreet

Member
Looking for some tips for buying an HDSLR.

My situation - I do instructional videos, and I need a camera with 2 audio inputs. I use a Sennheiser G2, and I also record another audio source onto the camera (also line level).

I don't ever move the gear - my studio is set up with the cameras on tripods.

I have been using the HVX200 for a while, and it's been great. However, it has some noise issues, the P2 cards are overkill for me, and I also need an additional camera for my work.

All the features I need are:
  • manual focus
  • 2 line level inputs
  • hdmi out, or some way for me to get a large view of what is being recorded (I have no assistant). Maybe tablets could work?

I use Final Cut Pro X on my iMac.

What would you recommend for me?

If there are small camcorders that can do what I need, that would be fine too.
 
Maybe I'm answering my own question here... but I do realize it's possible to record onto a separate recorder, and then sync up the audio in post. However, I have gotten used to the HVX200 with its 2 separate audio channels, and I love that. It's so easy and fast that way.

However, if the only viable option is to record audio separately, what is the easiest way to sync audio and video? I have usually done it manually, but it's time consuming. Does the "synchronize clips" feature in Final Cut Pro X work well for that? Or is there a better way?
 
While there may be exceptions, from what I've seen HDSLRs audio inputs are mic level only, not switchable to line level.

Folks often use external boxes like "juicedlink" to help solve this.

Don't know about how final cut does with synching, I use Premiere. However I've used pluraleyes before with good success and it can fit into a final cut workflow.
 
If you go DSLR, get something with level controls and switchable auto - stuff. D7100, maybe D5200 on the Nikon side... or just get something like a panasonic AC-90.
 
There are no HD DSLR cameras that can take LINE level input without some form of adapter.

I would take a look at the JuicedLink Riggy adapters, which can take MIC or LINE inputs, and can supply phantom power to your mics.
 
A Juicedlink or Beachtek will give you what you need. No need to record audio separately.
 
I would look at a used Panasonic AF100 or Sony FS100, if you want to keep it cheap but still have XLRs and ND filter (on the panny) and other good video camera stuff.
 
So if you were doing instructional videos, which of these 2 cameras would you choose?

AC-90 or AF100? I have a lead on a used AF100 (with Lumix 14-140 included) for $2,500 and the AC-90 is under $2,000. Not sure what is a better buy for me.
 
The AC-90 for handheld shooting on the fly. ( deep focus most of the time and not great in dim light )

The AF100A for planned larger gear set-ups. ( shallow DOF, good audio, full camera controls )
 
If you are still considering DSLRs, I'd like to chime in that I've recorded 2 channels directly into camera without an external recorder on a run-and-gun documentary shoot.

I had a wireless lav on one guy, the other was holding a wired mic and asking the questions while the lav guy demonstrated. Went into one of these:
http://www.amazon.com/HOSA-Stereo-3...33&sr=1-1&keywords=stereo+left+right+splitter
211EKD1T40L.jpg

One mic was the left channel, the other was the right, and the whole thing fed into the mic jack on my GH2. The only catch to doing this is that you can't adjust the levels of each line, only the input as a single stereo entity. So, with a little prepping and adjusting the output levels of the wireless receiver, we were able to get them close enough in camera that I could separate them cleanly in post without over peaking or hissing. Thankfully, the GH2 has a pretty decently low noise floor (on par with the HMC-150, according to some users on the forum).

It CAN be done, but you need to be willing to work around the limitations like that.
 
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