#1
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Zoom Q3 vs Kodak Zi8/Sony ECM-DS70P mic
Hi guys,
Does anybody know anything about this matter? I'm trying to find oun the pros/cons between these 2 videos to a straight upload my vocal/acoustic guitar to YouTube. First one is Zoom Q3 that I've heard about the good audio part but not-too-good video part, Then I've heard and saw some reviews on Web about Kodak Zi8 pocket video cam with the external Sony ECM-DS70P electret condenser mic and began to wonder how good it is compare to straight Zoom Q3? Anyone wants to kindly chime in or offer any opinions? I'd appreciate all the inputs either good or bad or whatever.
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To the thinking man, this world is a comedy, and to the feeling man, it is a tragedy |
#2
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There are two issues - video resolution and mic input.
YouTube accepts and displays lightweight HD, and giving them video at lower resolution results in lower quality when your clips are played back. The Q3 records in SD at 640x480 pixels, so your videos will be second class citizens on YouTube. This can be tweaked if you use editing software to do post production on your video, but if you're doing direct uploads you have no options. The Kodak Zi8 records in a couple of HD resolutions as well as SD, so your vids will get first class treatment at YouTube and look much better. However, if you use the Kodak direct upload function you will sacrifice quality (their software needs badly to be updated). So for best results copy the file from the Zi8 memory card to your computer and upload using your web browser and the standard YouTube upload process. Do not use the included MediaImpressions software or other tools for your YouTube transfers. On the audio side, the most important thing in recording (assuming a marginal level of quality in the signal chain) is mic placement. Since the Q3 has the mics at the same position as the camera, the mic cannot be optimally placed. The camera needs to be three to five feet from the subject, the mic needs to be around 18" or less. With the Zi8 and an external mic and extender cable you can frame the subject just as you like and still place the mic optimally. So for both video and audio quality, I believe the Zi8/mic combo is a better choice. All this with the proviso that I have not used the Q3, only studied its specifications and observed other people's recordings. Fran
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E ho`okani pila kakou ma Kaleponi Slack Key in California - www.kaleponi.com My YouTube clips The Homebrewed Music Blog |
#3
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Agreed. Your recordings using the H2 as the ''mic'' led me in that direction as well. |
#4
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Kodak Zi8 with external mic Sony ECM-DS70P?
Hi Fran and Larry,
Thanks so much Fran for your opinion, very helpful. I'm leaning on Kodak Zi8 but also will try with Sony ECM-DS70P that I've researched on the Web. Sony ECM is pretty cheap but impressed me on those testing at YouTube and such. So if it's not working as I expect then it's well worth the price anyway. I'm also aware of the Fake Chinese made Sony but I just have no clue how to get the real one so I guess I'll get the one at Amazon and see how it goes. Thanks again, I really do appreciate your help. Anybody else wants to chime in? I'll give myself about another 4 weeks before jumping in
__________________
To the thinking man, this world is a comedy, and to the feeling man, it is a tragedy |
#5
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I think Zi8 and the sony mic is the way to go. Fran's right - with the Q3, you have limited mobility of the mic. You have to place it where the camera likes it, not where the mic would sound the best. You'd get higher quality video with the Zi8 anyway
I'm probably going to go the same route, Zi8 with a mic |
#6
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i bought the kodak zi8 due to the reviews here and comparing the specs of the two cameras. i have not tried the external mic situation yet but i have some good quality mics that i will use to record directly(meaning no adapter into the camera) into final cut express.
until i try that method i have to say i am quite impressed with the built in mic. it lets you know that your audio can sound even better with an external one, though.
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2014 Martin 00015M 2009 Martin 0015M 2008 Martin HD28 2007 Martin 000-18GE 2006 Taylor 712 2006 Fender Parlor GDP100 1978 Fender F65 1968 Gibson B25-12N Various Electrics |
#7
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Thanks, I'm coming back to read your respond.
__________________
To the thinking man, this world is a comedy, and to the feeling man, it is a tragedy |
#8
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if you have an audio/video recording application such as final cut, final cut express,(for the mac), or premier or vegas( i believe) for the pc, you will be able to record your playing and singing onto your hard drive and edit the audio and video separately through that application. this requires that you have an audio interface to connect the mic(s) into. your final product then becomes excellent audio attached to the video. i hope this answers your question. if not, let me know. mikeB.
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2014 Martin 00015M 2009 Martin 0015M 2008 Martin HD28 2007 Martin 000-18GE 2006 Taylor 712 2006 Fender Parlor GDP100 1978 Fender F65 1968 Gibson B25-12N Various Electrics |
#9
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Thanks again, Musc,
I thought about sync the guitar and vocal a while back but then too lazy to do that. So now I just want to take an easy way out by straight recording both at the same time. I have MXL 4000 mic too. I might try to see if I can somehow get that MXL ( with XLR jacks) to work with Kodak Zi8 (that has 1/8" mic input) before I spend little more money for Sony ECM-DS70P but of course I have to get Kodak Zi8 first. The bad part is as far as I know of at Amazon the Kodak (at $179) still not in stock yet! So I'm playing a waiting game for now, no hurry though.
__________________
To the thinking man, this world is a comedy, and to the feeling man, it is a tragedy |
#10
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as far as price, i got mine for $150 at target. you'll probably want a decent carrying case and at least a 4 gb. sdhc memory card. if you see those on sale at the same time, get them. if not, you can probably find them cheaper online. google the kodak and see what you come up with. as more companies come out with a similar product the price should come down. at least until the zi8a comes out good luck.
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2014 Martin 00015M 2009 Martin 0015M 2008 Martin HD28 2007 Martin 000-18GE 2006 Taylor 712 2006 Fender Parlor GDP100 1978 Fender F65 1968 Gibson B25-12N Various Electrics Last edited by muscmp; 02-09-2010 at 10:38 PM. Reason: correction |
#11
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Thanks so much Musc,
You're so helpful, I'll check it out at those Target..etc when I get back home, I'm now in Thailand for 3 month vacation but will be back in States by this Feb. 23rd.
__________________
To the thinking man, this world is a comedy, and to the feeling man, it is a tragedy |
#12
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The input on the Zi8 is stereo mic, so the mono output of your MXL will need to be duplicated to two channels (or your video will only have sound on one side) and adjusted to match the expected level in the Zi8. Fran
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E ho`okani pila kakou ma Kaleponi Slack Key in California - www.kaleponi.com My YouTube clips The Homebrewed Music Blog |
#13
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But now your following msg "The input on the Zi8 is stereo............" got me thinking harder before I jump in. I didn't realize that before. Very appreciate your useful info., anything more that you think I need to know about this situation?
__________________
To the thinking man, this world is a comedy, and to the feeling man, it is a tragedy |
#14
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I got my Zi8 back in September, right after they were re-released, and I did a lot of testing with various input chains, but then discovered that my camera had issues with its audio system. Since then (November) I've been dealing with Kodak to get a resolution. They recently had me return my camera for replacement, so when I return home from Hawai`i I'll be putting my new camera through the same tests and comparisons and finally publish some more in my Homebrewed Music blog.
Fran
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E ho`okani pila kakou ma Kaleponi Slack Key in California - www.kaleponi.com My YouTube clips The Homebrewed Music Blog |
#15
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Hi Fran,
I got in your "Homebrew..." And WOW, there're so many lessons that I can learn from you in there. Thanks for your "Pot of gold"
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To the thinking man, this world is a comedy, and to the feeling man, it is a tragedy |