Camcorder Question Revisited....

[phil cash cash]

Heather, just as quick note on audio. 
A common phrase in the video-makers how-to says that audio is half of your
production.  Or, to put it another way, capturing good audio is essential to
any basic documentation project.
For many digitial video cameras out in the market these days, most all come
with a mounted internal mic but these tend to be of generic quality and it use
limits the control you may wish to have over creating good audio.  It is
better to take advantage of the mic plug-in where a quality mic can be plugged
in directly to your camera. 
On the low consumer end of the spectrum, video cameras usually use a
"mini-plug" input.  Pro and semi-pro cameras use an XLR mic plug.  Cameras
with XLR mic inputs allow the use of higher quality microphones and wireless
mic systems.  An addition option is recording on a separate digital recording
device, such as DAT recorder.  This gives you even greater control over the
quality of the audio being recorded.  The audio can be later stitched back
together with footage in the post production process.  I have not tried it
myself so I can't say how easy or difficult this is. 
You will also want to monitor your audio during filming.  This helps to block
out external noise and as well as allow you to concentrate on the audio input
that is being picked up by your microphones.   And as I have discovered
myself, it will also give an additional perceptual avenue to consider as you
film subjects. 
My own experience in all of this is a "one-man camera crew" set up so 
there are
additional options if and when more people assist  in the film making process
(i.e. having a "sound recorded"). 
l8ter,
Phil Cash Cash
UofA
 
Quoting Heather Souter :

> Taanshi, everyone,
>
> I recently asked a question about camcorders for language
> documentation purposes and recieved a number of responses.
> Kihchi-maarsi!  Thank-you very much!
>
> Today, I would like to ask one more time about camcorders just in case
> anyone else would like to share their thoughts with me....
>
> I am looking for a camcorder that has both an external microphone jack
> (to capture all important sound) and headset jack (to monitor all
> important sound), plus I would like  the transfer from the camera to
> the computer (Mac G4) to be easy as possible.  Of course, I would like
> all this to come at the lowest price possible!  A tall order!!
> Anyhow, if anyone else has ideas for me, I would very much appreciate
> hearing from them!
>
> Eekushi pitamaa.
> Heather Souter
> Community Language Researcher--Michif Language
> Camperville, MB
> Canada
>
> PS: If there is a website(s) with info and/or tips on recording good
> audio when taking a video, I would love to know about it!

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