Hi puppet pals, just a quick email to ask what video camera and micro combination you use?

I use a Panasonic NV-GS400 and it is crap to be polite. It cost me a heap in its day and I have had it numerous amounts of times in for repair. The video and audio keep dropping out.

It stops me from sharing my work with the world as it always lets me down.

When the video is right the audio is awful. So please advise if you are happy with your camera as I am now in the market for a new one. One that won't let me down.

I have come to this crossroad today as my latest video effort drops video at times and audio it drives me nuts as this video looks edited at times, yet it is how the camera captured it.

Please feel free to see what I am whinging about here and let me know what you think. If you could also let me know what you use that would be great as every video I look at lately looks to be recorded on a quality camera.

http://www.henryringmaster.com/vids/TallTedMagicReview.wmv

Regards Henry.

I use a JVC Everio Hyrid. It is the GZ-MG360 model. It is a hard drive model and on the highest quality setting I can get 14 hours of video. I also use Pinnicle Studio Ultimate 12 to edit my work. Before you buy anything, be sure it will work with your editing software.

The video you shot was fine, but since you aren't using a moving mouth head, you could record a voice over so the sound will be clear. Or you need a microphone inside the head. For video I would go with the voice over.

Sue

Thanks for the feed back Jomama, from what I can see the hard drive models are the way to go less moving parts I will also keep in mind the editing software check too.

I'm trying to get away with out needing to do a voice over but I can see the benefits in adopting that style. I will give my camera another go before taking it back for repair again this time on battery power and I will also remove the zoom mic that I use.

This test will prove that it isn't power spikes from my old house or drain from the fancy pants mic. Well it looks fancy pants just doesn't work.

I will post how I go here so any one reading the post with similar troubles will benefit.

Regards

I would strongly suggest a Sony name brand they are leading in the video camera area.  Audio is always crappy with video camera's you may want to invest into a wireless clip on microphone when you purchase the camera, you will have much better quality sound since it will be with you and not echoing around the room.

You should also invest into edit program (as previously suggested) this will make your life easier I really suggest the Pinnicale series they are user friendly and not overly expensive to use.

Happy Shopping.....

Daryl H

Thanks for the recommendation Daryl, I have found by reading the manual another setting to have the mic in. Was hoping to test it today but didn't get the chance. Hopefully this coming Monday will see me trying it out. I also found in the manual that you are meant to remove the tape when storing the camera. The things you learn when reading the instructions.

I looked at Pinnicale when I purchased the camera but decided upon a Storm card and Edius Canopus bundle. So far I love the software and capture card just hate the camera and mic.

Oh well we will know one way or anther very soon.

PS: I like the Sony night mode as all the ghost hunter shows I watch use this mode, plus several hollywood celebrities LOL.

I use a Canon HV30.  It uses tape, but it produces the best quality image to date for a consumer HD camera.  The Sonys are a little bit more robust but image quality was most important to me.  The solid state recording formats are improving rapidly and should, by the next generation, be equal to tape etc. 

Currently we are using a lapel microphone when lip sync is needed and a Studio Projects C1 for voice over, but it does not connect to the camera without and active adapter.  Any microphone will sound cruddy in a room that is not acoustically treated to damp reflections.  We had to spread carpet and put up sheets of  sound absorbing sheathing in the Mrs. sewing room to get decent sound for the project we are shooting there.

I use Vegas Pro 8 for editing.  It can be pricey but can be found on sale at a good price from time to time.

I love the the HV30 and there is an excelent support forum for it that has a section on recomendations on where to buy it online with prices updated daily on about 20 vendors:
http://www.hv20.com/