Confused about camcorders and firewire.?

Question

Ok, i've been searching around for an affordable camera and I'm thinking about this one.

http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/products/Video_Camcorders/productdetail.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19&sku=A1478547

I'm choosing it mainly because it has an external mic port. I don't want motor hum in my videos and i'd like to record music on it. Sound doesn't have to be perfect but I'd like to be able to distinguish instrument sounds at least.

My computer does not have firewire, which the camera requires, so it looks like a need a firewire card for my pc. Is there any easier way to do this? (I know it is inexpensive and easy, i'm just curious).

Also...will putting a firewire card in my computer reduce the qualit of my videos like connectinga usb 2 device with a usb 1 or 1.1 device?

Also...does anyone have any other suggestions for cameras? I'm looking for something under $300, miniDV or HardDrive, and preferrable with an exernal microphone port.

Also, any mic suggestions? THANKS!!!!

Answer 1

The other posters have provided you appropriate responses to your questions - but I do want to share a concern.

We don't know what kind of music you are wanting to record.

The only time you will get "motor hum" via the built-in mics is when there is no other sound for the mics to pick up. When it is really quiet, the camcorder's internal automatic audio gain leveling circuit will listen for audio. In a really quiet environment, this auto mic gain kicks in and will pick up the motor hum. But if you are recording music, then it isn't really quiet so the mics won't hear the motor hum... BUT, if the audio is REALLY loud (and this can be a marching band or amplified music - or even acoustic guitar if played loudly enough), the auto mic leveling circuit will not be able to keep up and the result will be lots of clipping and very muddy audio that cannot be fixed in post production.

And an expensive external mic can't fix this, either - remember, the auto mic gain circuit is in the camera.

The ONLY way is to use manual audio control - which this camcorder does not have. Just because a camcorder has a mic-in jack does not mean it has manual audio controls.

At this point in time, the least expensive camcorders - of which I am aware - that have a mic-in jack AND full manual audio control are the Canon HV20, HV30, Sony HDR-HC7 and HC9...

But... to meet your criteria of mic-in jack and less than $300, the Canon ZR800 and ZR900 have them - neither has manual audio controls... There is no $300 hard drive based camcorder worth buying.

No, there is no easier way to transfer miniDV tape based digital video other than by using the DV port on the camcorder connected to a Firewire 400 (IEEE1394a, i.Link) port on your computer with an appropriate firewire cable.

Answer 2

Well, the last poster answer needs some clarification.  In general, what he says is very good and very accurate information.  

It is in fact true that virtually every consumer level video camera has built in mic gain.  And, correctly stated, in loud environments (amplified music - like a live band) will overdrive the built in audio level to  horrible sounding junk.

THERE IS A WAY AROUND IT!    You can do one of several things.  Using an external mic, you may be able to find various attenuators, probably in 10db range that may or may not be chained together, OR,

You can buy an XLR adapter, most of which will have variable input  gain control that will help (may not completely  solve) the problem of over drive.  In the link below, is just an example.  Search around the net for other less expensive types, which are, in essense, variable attenuators for plugging into your external mic jack on your camera.

Most of the "prosumer" camcorders already have single or dual controllable XLR mic inputs, but now you are getting into some serious  $$ Dollars $$ for one of these models.  The Canon XL series, or Sony "X" series generally will have these (and many other) professional settings.

Good Luck

Answer 3

Camcorders always need firewire, never usb. Usb is only for video streaming, eg webcam even if this is supported by the camcorder. Adding firewire is NOT costly. There are some combo cards that combine firewire and usb2. To download video on hard disk u need software, i use ROXIO MEDIA SUITE. IT has a feature plug and burn DVD where u connect your camcrder with firewire u put a dvd in the tray and as the camera in playbck u write a dvd. Start the software first and then connect and ON the camera in play mode, I use medium price sony minidv and i m satisfied. Dont know about cannon but search for reveiws

Answer 4

Answering your questions in order. NO. NO. That is a good choice for a camcorder since they don't make many if any with an external microphone jack. Good luck & happy filming!!