We get lots of questions about what gear we carry, so here's what's in our bag:
1. The R-09 by Edirol Why we like it, let me make another list: * 24-bit/48kHz (or 44.1kHz) uncompressed recording * Up to 320kbps MP3 playback and recording [...]
We get lots of questions about what gear we carry, so here's what's in our bag:
1. The R-09 by Edirol Why we like it, let me make another list:
* 24-bit/48kHz (or 44.1kHz) uncompressed recording
* Up to 320kbps MP3 playback and recording
* Records to SD card (64MB card included)
* High-grade stereo condenser microphone built in
* Mic and Line audio inputs; USB 2.0 I/O
* Easy operation, user-friendly graphic display
* Ultra portable, half the size of the R-1
* Long battery life AA's YES!
2. Sony ECM-MS907 Stereo Microphone. It's cheap and it works great for interviews. Not so great for ambient recording, we like the built-in mic on the R-09 better.
3. Sony Professional HVR-Z1U 3CCD High Definition
When we bought this, it was the only HDV on the market. PRICEY, but worth every penny, if your company is paying of course. Now, there are many choices. What we would recommend is number four on the list. What we really want is the new Sony HVR-V1U Why? Because of the 24p and the hard drive, but more about this camera and the issue of hard drive recording in another post.
4. MicroTrack2496 We got these before the R-09's came out. They are OK. Many down-sides. Battery power is internal, meaning you have to charge it all the time and if you are out on assignment all day and it runs out of juice, you are out of luck. It also takes a long time to power it up and get it ready to record. They also break down fequently. Meaning, they just don't power-up for some reason. We've sent a few back because of this unexplained problem. All these down-sides t the MicroTrack are why we love the R-09.
5. ME66 I LOVE this mic. I did a lot of research before buying a bunch of shot-gun type mics and everybody in the film and broadcast industry calls this the "work-horse." The results from this mic is a focused pick-up in highly ambient environments. The main reason I love this mic is because I don't have to be right up in someones face to record their interview. I can sit across the room and pick-up great interview and ambient sound, without having to be all "eugene richards" close.
6. Sony HVR-A1U This is becoming the standard issue right now, because of it's price, size and accessories. Right out of the box it comes with a decent mic and a Balanced Audio XLR input connectors (x2) w/selectable phantom power. Versus buying the cheaper Sony HVR-HC1, which you then have to buy an XLR pre-amp box, and mic. Photojournalist seem to like the size of this over the Sony Z1U.
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14 Responses
I look forward to hearing your thoughts on the pros and cons of recording directly to a hard drive, as the Sony HVR-V1U does. Do you see that as a trend or a fad?
Trend for sure, Right now the hard drives don’t play nice with Macs. I’ll dedicate an entire post to the subject.
tnxs
-r
Thanks for posting your grear recommendations. I would like to get a portable recorder for interviews, but I do not understand how the R-09 would work for interviews since it seems to have only on mic plug. Could you clarify? Thanks!
Could you also comment on the benefits of an HD camera for making video that will be delivered on the web with Flash?
First, there is NO reason for HD on the web. HD is for pulling frame grabs for printing on newsprint and viewing on one of those beautiful hd screens.
any DV cam will get results for the web, and way cheaper.
r09 for interviews, you mean having two people mic’d up? if so you shoould think about the zoom h4 recorder, it has two xlr inputs. but you could also just get a splitter for the r09. if you really want to get fancy check out the marantz.
Do you have any opinion on the new Canon XH-A1? Is the quality similar to the Sony HVR-A1U?
yeah, IMO, it’s just all about the features. Like the canon has a very small pop-out screen, unlike the sony’s very big one. Stuff like that. But for HD stills they’re both on par with eachother.
do you use a grip when using the ME66 or do you handhold?
you mean when it’s on my vid cam or on my audio recorder?
audio recorder… for doing audio with stills, not vid.
a grip. and sometimes, although it looks geeky, this set up
http://www.multimediashooter.com/pic01.jpg
We’re looking at getting a good HDV camera for images that will appear in newsprint and on the web. Sports and other low-light work might still be better done w/ two cameras but for now we’d like to dive head first into the cool new multimedia swimming pool.
Has anyone done a frame grab comparison with the Canon XH-A1, the Sony HVR-A1U, or other cameras and which ones perform better in low light?
Chris,
I’ve been using the XH-A1 as my daily driver for about eight months.
I’ve been a bit disappointed with it’s performance in low light. Even with the gain on low, the noise is reminiscent of the old Nikon D1’s at high ISO The auto white balance can be a little crazy in mixed light too. Sound familiar? Think first generation digital SLR.
There IS much to like about the XH-A1 for it’s cost. The XLR inputs are sooo money and the lens is incredible.
We have a single CCD HD Sony handycam that performs better than the XH-A1 in low light. We’ve used a frame grab or two from the XH and it holds up pretty well in newsprint. I’m thinking of one in particular from a reasonably lit courtroom that held up nicely. I’ve heard of at least one nightmare tale from someone who was trying to pull frame grabs from the XH of a poorly lit high school football game with terrible results.
I’ve got a slightly different question: What IS your bag? I’ve been going nuts trying to find a way to carry all this gear without falling over or having to dig through a bunch of crap to get at what I need.
yes they are a site sponsor, but they are because i use and love their products,
i use the belt system:
http://thinktankphoto.com/ttp_product_SknCmpnts.php
very customizable.
-r