How does the zoom h4n compare to the dvx for audio performance?

Futchibon

Futchibon

Well-known member
Hi guys,

just ordered a gh13 and am looking into getting A ZOOM h4N. I have been using a DVX100B and was thinking should I still use it for audio?

Which one is better, or are they similar? Obviously the zoom is a lot more conveniant with its small size, but I'm more interested in the quality of the recordings.

I use rode mics.

Thanks in advance.
 
if you're going to be doing dual system sound its going to be a loooot easier to manage recording audio with a zoom. but i'd go with a used h4 instead of the h4n. its preamps are much better. and 48k/24bit from the zoom is much better audio than what miniDV records.
 
manglerBMX said:
but i'd go with a used h4 instead of the h4n. its preamps are much better.
Click to expand...

What? The pre-amps were terrible in the H4. I know, I have one and I hate the pres in it. The H4n has cleaner pre-amps, but lost the support for line-level in. H4 as a line-level recorder, H4n as a mic-level recorder.

Also, the drift is worse in the H4 (though once you know the formula, it's not that big of a deal).
 
I will repeat what was mentioned in a post a couple days ago. You can purchase a Tascam DR-100 for the same price as a Zoom H4n. Each unit may have their fans, but there are options at the same price point. I owned a Zoom H4 and now have the Tascam. The Tascam is a better recorder IMHO.

The DVX has good audio for a cam, I used to own one. But it is not as good as either the Zoom or Tascam. Synching in post is some work, but is done all the time.

To the OP, your decision should be based more on what you are doing. If I were shooting dialogue or the like and it worked to record to cam, I would do so. Recording music, or in a situation where mic cables limited cam mobility, dual audio makes more sense. The better audio from a recorder is nice, but not always needed.

Grant
 
When I got my new microphone (RODE NT3), we did a test with a HVX200 and a Zoom H4n.
Both where feed trough a professional field mixer.

In a nutshell: Nobody here was able to hear a difference.

Since that day I record on the HVX and skip the sync process completely.

Frank
 
Postmaster said:
When I got my new microphone (RODE NT3), we did a test with a HVX200 and a Zoom H4n.
Both where feed trough a professional field mixer.

In a nutshell: Nobody here was able to hear a difference.

Since that day I record on the HVX and skip the sync process completely.

Frank
Click to expand...

Better prosumer cameras like DVX100, HVX200 and Canon XH-A1 are underestimated what comes to audio quality (line in from mixer at least). I have measured over 90 dB S/N ratios from both DVX and XH-A1 fed from SD302 mixer.

Pocket recorders are overvalued. They do record 24 bit files, but typically the S/N ratios are around 90 dB, no better, that is 15 bit resolution only with 8 useless noise bits added, making them no better than the said cameras.

I would rather feed line signal to the camera from a good mixer with great limiter and good ergonomics and meters (did I mention SD302?) than play with a toy and sync in post.
 
As Postmaster said, when using a good mixer, there wouldn't be much difference. Using the cam preamps, I think you would hear more difference. Again, for dialogue, it would hardly matter.

I agree with Petrus and usually that is my preferred method, SD302 feeding the cam = very good. However, I think a SD302 feeding the Tascam DR-100 is better, just not usually needed. When i use a pocket recorder, it usually more to ease the workflow during the shoot rather than to make a huge improvement in audio quality.

Grant
 
Considering the fact that thousands of great movies have been made with analog recorders (Nagras and others) which sport S/N ratios in the high sixties dB (12-13 bit resolutions) and nobody is complaining about their sound quality, this obsession with the last imagined bit of resolution between cameras and external recorders is quite odd.

Have the right mic in the right position and have the levels set right, that makes the sound. To the audience it does not matter what the recorder is.
 
It all comes down to Mic's and device Mic-Pre's. H4n has better mic pre's and s/n. If you are going to use DVX100b, feed sound from mixer/H4n into your camera's "Line In" (NOT "MIC IN"). Set H4n to 24bit @ 48khz (you can always dither down). IMHO, GH1 & H4N is the way to go. Good luck.

Cheers
 
I have an H4, used it on my last short film, and I just got my spanking new H4n and played with it and at least for m the H4n is much more intuitive and thus easier to use. I hated the H4 wiggly button for setting things, etc. So glad I bought the H4n.
 
@c2v, i said that based on the after the batteries get bellow 50% problems can show up deal. i always fed my zoom from a mixer so i never had to deal with the zoom's pres.
 
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