Sound Considerations For Mini Camcorders

September 10, 2008 · Filed Under Mini Camcorders · Comments Off 

During the course of deciding which one out of the large range of mini camcorders to buy you will have undertaken quite a lot of research.

You will have decided to choose between a digital or analogue model, chosen the type of storage media which could be DV tape, DVD media or a hard disk drive. You will have analysed, subanalysed and then reanalysed every amazing feature that each of the mini camcorders have to offer. You will have done a price comparison, and checked the delivery rates but have you considered the sound quality? Probably not. This is one thing that buyers of mini camcorders will not have considered at all. But a quick check of the relevant data might make all the difference.

Sound Considerations

The camcorder microphone is an amazing device for its size. It can pick up incredible amounts of sound. The microphone works by using a process called pulse code modulation and can capture it in two quite different ways.

There are two main methods of recording sound. One uses a two channel or 16-bit stereo sound processing style. The other one uses a four channel method using two stereo conduits. Because the two channel approach is the more modern one it actually produces the higher quality which is contrary to what you’d expect.

A further important factor in achieving maximum audio performance via the mini camcorder microphone is how the processor deals with sound. Sampling and quantisation rates need to be optimised to produce the best sound purity and quality. It is best to pay attention to the relative values when quoted on camera specifications.

Wind Considerations

One of the annoying things about videoing outdoors is the effect of the wind. Quite often the sound of the wind can be so great as to completely obliterate the sound of the scene you are trying to record.

You could get around this by paying attention to the wind direction and recording so that the wind does not cut directly into the microphone. An alternative, and much better quality method, would be to buy an external microphone which attaches to the top of your camera or, even better, can be wireless. The microphone will have wind shielding (the furry covering) which will significantly reduce the effect of the wind and make your mini camcorders videos much easier to listen to!

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