Camcorder external mic hack

[Wiseguy Productions]

hi

I have a consumer camcorder - dident come with a jack for an external mic but I find I need one.

for one, I can hear the machine running in videos.

for two, I cant hear the actors

I saw this DIY (http://www.thelasercutter.com/Camcorder%20Hack.htm) project for a Panasonic camcorder but Im a bit chicken to tear mine apart cause I wouldn't know where to start.

I want the connection to disable the internal mic when you plug in the external - so its not like I can just take the wires from the standard internal mic and hook them up to a plug.

the model is Sony dcr hc52

any suggestions?

I dont want to buy a pro camcorder right now. I rent what I need for paid gigs and I think everything will go solid state pretty soon. If I was going to buy something, the RED camera looks pretty kewl

...2g Sans Disk cards used to be 150.00 when they first came out. now they are like 2.00 on ebay. I think solid state cameras will also come down.


best, Phil

[TheJoker]

I wouldn't be comfortable taking my camera apart either.

What you could always do is buy an external microphone and record the audio seperatley then sync it in post. Take a look at the Zoom H2

Official Page (http://www.zoom.co.jp/english/products/h2/)
Youtube Videos (http://www.youtube.com/results?search_type=&search_query=Zoom+H2&aq=f)

:)

[Skycarl]

You may want to get a cheap use for parts or repair model like
yours. For example on ebay,
Item number: 220366061589

If you can figure out where to cut so you do no damage, you
can run the wires out to a plug that has connect/disconnect
contacts. Secure it so the wires don't pull out and it should
work.

[Westcroft]

What you could always do is buy an external microphone and record the audio seperatley then sync it in post. Take a look at the Zoom H2



Or better yet the Zoom H4 with 2 XLR inputs with phantom power, preamp and the ability to record each XLR input to it's own channel.

[Wiseguy Productions]

"sync it in post"?

thats a novel idea -- will also need a clapper board.

Ive got a few recorders. will give that a try!

the camera is pretty new I bet less than 5hrs shooting on it but Im still pretty tempted to clamp it in the vice and get the cordless drill out.

I called a tv repair shop - they wouldn't do it either.

my stupidity I guess. I had ZR25MC for a home camera, but it died, so I replaced it with this new model ZR25mc had the external jack - dident even give it a second thought -- then the store only had 15 day return policy. they wont even exchange it at this point.