[RNLD] re: Latest recommendations for video and audio

Tue Apr 29 00:45:52 UTC 2014

I was just looking at that Q4, and it looks to be much the same as the Q3HD
in most areas, video codec and quality, the lens is slightly better, audio
sampling rates and so on, but there is one significant advantage (going by
the website); the Q4 has an external mic input whereas the Q3HD only allows
line-in.

For audio-only, I haven't come across anything that checks as many boxes as
the H4n. The best and clearest recordings I've made were with a very high
quality external mic (like the Røde NT4) which was itself mounted on a
shock-mount (like the Røde SM-4), and then sitting on something other than
a table that the interviewee could touch.

Obviously your setup will depend on the context, but if recording audio and
video together, you probably couldn't do much better for the price, than a
Q4 with an external mic or two, strategically placed. Perhaps one condenser
close to the participants, and a shotgun mic placed a little further back.
Don't necessarily know if the Q4 supports two separate mics, but a
workaround would be to get a cable that allows you to plug two mono XLR
cables into one end, and goes to a single 3.5mm stereo jack at the other.
Such as this one:

http://www.showmecables.com/product/CYX-402F.aspx

-Aidan

--
Aidan Wilson

School of Languages and Linguistics
aidan.wilson at unimelb.edu.au
0428 458 969

On Tue, Apr 29, 2014 at 10:24 AM, Ruth Singer <ruth.singer at gmail.com> wrote:

>  Hi Daryn
> That q4 zoom looks ideal for the kind of work I'm doing with local
> researchers in Arnhem land. Has anyone on the list used them
> yet?
> Cheers Ruth
> On Apr 29, 2014 10:11 AM, "Daryn McKenny" <daryn at acra.org.au> wrote:
>
>>  Hi Stephen,
>>
>>  We use quite extensively the Zoom products you mentioned so may add
>> some thoughts to your upcoming trip. You have a mix of audio only (H1, H4n)
>> and audio/video (Q3HD).
>>
>>  There is always something better, but that also means more $.
>>
>>  The Q3HD has basically been replaced by the newer Q4 ($389approx.)
>> http://www.zoom.co.jp/products/q4
>>
>>  The main difference between the Q3 and Q2 is that the Q3 has a 3.5mm
>> mic input where the Q2 can only use its built in mid side stereo recording
>> mic.
>>
>>  We actually support the use of using the Q2 in community use situations
>> as it is pretty user friendly once setup initially and inexpensive to
>> obtain. It is mainly used in sound mode not video mode.
>>
>>  The H4n will be replaced by the H5 later this year and will have
>> similar features to the H6 (interchangeable mics etc).
>>
>>  Of course not knowing who and how they are going to be used it is hard
>> to say which ones to give to community. With the Q2 we always suggest
>> getting the extra kit as it includes a mini tripod and wind sock etc.
>> Except for the H4n and H6 you will always get handling noise whilst
>> recording with unit in the hand so you want to minimise that as best as
>> possible by using the tripod and on a desk etc.
>>
>>  So if in tripod mode I would suggest using H1 and Q2 as they are
>> cheaper to buy.
>> The H4n is a ripper in all situations and can be used in the hand much
>> better.
>> The H6 is if you have got money to burn, I will note but that the H6 has
>> great battery life and blows the H4 out of the water battery wise.
>>
>>  I don’t have the Q4 yet but do expect it will be heaps better than the
>> Q’s if video is especially wanted.
>>
>>  Hopefully that may help some, glad to answer more if any specifics come
>> out of above.
>>
>>
>> *Regards *
>>
>> *Daryn *
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
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>>
>>   From: Andrea Berez <andrea.berez at gmail.com>
>> Date: Tuesday, 29 April 2014 8:41 am
>> To: Stephen Morey <S.Morey at latrobe.edu.au>
>> Cc: "r-n-l-d at lists.unimelb.edu.au" <r-n-l-d at lists.unimelb.edu.au>
>> Subject: Re: [RNLD] re: Latest recommendations for video and audio
>>
>>   Hi Stephen,
>>
>>  I do believe the H4n is still solidly ranked for its price range. Some
>> newer Zooms have more whistles and bells, but I suspect you'll be fine if
>> you don't want to buy something new.
>>
>>  Best,
>> Andrea
>>
>>
>> --
>> Andrea L. Berez
>> Assistant Professor, Department of Linguistics
>> University of Hawai'i at M?noa
>> Director, Kaipuleohone UH Digital Ethnographic Archive
>> Technology editor, *Language Documentation & Conservation*
>> http://www2.hawaii.edu/~aberez
>>
>>
>> On Sun, Apr 27, 2014 at 5:57 PM, Stephen Morey <S.Morey at latrobe.edu.au>wrote:
>>
>>>  Dear RNLD List,
>>>
>>> I am heading off on another fieldtrip at the end of May and want to take
>>> some recorders to give to community members in Myanmar.
>>>
>>> In the past I have used
>>>
>>> Zoom H1
>>> Zoom H4n
>>> Zoom Q3HD
>>>
>>> Are these still recommended recorders for their price range? Or is there
>>> now something better than the Zoom Q3HD.
>>>
>>> Also, can someone tell me the difference between the Q3HD and Q2HD?
>>>
>>> Stephen
>>>
>>>
>>>   Stephen Morey
>>> Australian Research Council Future Fellow
>>> Centre for Research on Language Diversity
>>> La Trobe University
>>>  Website:
>>> http://www.latrobe.edu.au/humanities/about/staff/profile?uname=SMorey<http://www.latrobe.edu.au/rclt/StaffPages/morey.htm>
>>>
>>> Language data website: http://sealang.net/assam
>>> Dictionary websites: http://sealang.net/ahom;
>>> http://sealang.net/singpho; http://sealang.net/phake
>>>
>>> Linguistic data archived at::
>>> DoBeS:  http://www.mpi.nl/DoBeS and follow a link to projects, then
>>> Tangsa, Tai and Singpho in North East India
>>> ELAR: http://elar.soas.ac.uk
>>> PARADISEC:  http://www.paradisec.org.au
>>>
>>> North East Indian Linguistics Society: http://sealang.net/neils
>>>
>>
>>
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