Forgot to add that I just intend for the short film to be distributed on DVDs and put online.

Absolutely it's possible for you to use a 1CCD camera! But, there
are no 1 CCD miniDV cameras with a mic input. At least not that
I have ever seen. There are older, analog cameras (Hi-8 and SVHS
for example) with mic inputs - but nothing digital.

If the Panasonic or JVC is in your price range then that seems like
a good choice for you. I don't know that you will be able to buy a
1 CCD camera for much cheaper anyway. And who knows? Maybe
you'll want to make a movie in color before you have the money
to buy a new camera. Why get one camera for your black and white
movies and then buy another one for your color movies?

=============================================
The aim of an argument or discussion should not be victory, but progress.
Joseph Joubert, essayist (1754-1824)

Certified, are you certain there are none with mic inputs? Or do you specifically mean XLR mic inputs? I'm not arguing, just amazed.

RJSchwarz
San Diego, CA

It is amazing, but mike inputs of any kind seem to have vanished from low- to mid-range camcorders in the last few years; you really seem to have to get up into the semi-pro market to buy one which you can plug a mike into.

I guess they figure that the typical built-in mike is good enough for Joe Sixpack and not putting a socket on the camera saves them $0.50 per unit.

At least not that I have ever seen.

I haven't put any time into testing single chip cameras. As Mark
said, they are designed specifically for home movies. What Dad or
Uncle shooting a graduation or school play or the family sitting
around the Christmas tree needs another person to hold a mic on a
boom pole?

Nope. I've never seen a 1 chip miniDV, HDD or DVD camera with any
mic input.

=============================================
The aim of an argument or discussion should not be victory, but progress.
Joseph Joubert, essayist (1754-1824)

Thanks very much for the advice!

That clears things up for me. 3 CCD looks like the way to go then. My film has a fair amount of dialogue so I think I'd definitely need an external microphone.

You do still have the option of recording sound to an external deck and syncing later, but then you'll need to find yourself a DAT, decent mini-disk or similar, so the cost may be no better than buying a more expensive camera.

quote:

---

Originally posted by MarkG

You do still have the option of recording sound to an external deck and syncing later, but then you'll need to find yourself a DAT, decent mini-disk or similar, so the cost may be no better than buying a more expensive camera.

---

Thanks Mark, something to think about anyway ?:)?

I bought this 3 chip camcorder with external microphone for ?245.99 from:

http://www.purelygadgets.co.uk/prodinfo2.php?prodid=3557

Below is details of my correspondence with Panasonic who confirmed it has an external microphone. Hope this is of use to any filmmakers out there who use the PAL format:

Dear Sir/Madam,

I have visited the

http://www.panasonic.co.uk/customer-Support/download-centre.asp

and found Operating Instructions for the NV-GS230EB and NV-GS230EP. Both of
these cameras have external microphone sockets.

Would I be safe in assuming that any Panasonic NV-GS230 Camcorder, regardless
of whether they are 'EP' or 'EB', all contain external microphone sockets?

There are a variety of confusing product specs online for the Panasonic
NV-GS230 Camcorder, such as www.currys.co.uk who list the item as "Panasonic
NVGS230EBS Digital Camcorder 654234".

It would put my mind at rest if I knew that every single UK model of the Panasonic NV-GS230 Camcorder have separate microphone sockets.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Peter

----------

ISSUE RESOLUTION: Dear Peter,

Thank you for your email enquiry.

In response, the EB suffix denotes that the unit is of UK specification. The S suffix is for the silver finish. All UK specification NVGS230 units will have the microphone socket.

I trust that this information has been of assistance to you. However, of course, if you should have any further queries, please do not hesitate to contact us by phone on 0844 844 3852, by fax on 01344 853213 or at customer.care?panasonic.co.uk and we will endeavour to assist.

Regards,
Customer Support

Boy, DV cameras have certainly come down in price in the last few years! It's useful to know there's still at least one cheap one that has a mike socket.

canon zr500. it's a single ccd camera and has a mic input. I actually own one. I bought it to do a short film a while back. You can get one on ebay for like $150 now. It actually has very impressive quality.

well my friend let me tell you one thing about CCD. it is that ccd is a chip which convert light into color signals. a 3CCD camera will convert light into the three primary colors, red, blue and green seprately. this enhaces the picture quality to a great extent. so... if you have the budget for a 3 CCD camera go for it. i think it will enhance the picture quality even if it is a black and white film that you are making. and yeah who knows the next film that you will make, you want a color film. so... if its in your range go for it. i am sorry i dont know much brands of cameras so i cant recommand one. but a 3ccd camera will definately give you an edge in pic quality even if it is a black and white film that you are making!

Good luck with the film!

the horror

thanks for the suggestions everyone.

I have bought, and received, a Panasonic NV-GS230 Camcorder, which cost me ?245.99 (pounds sterling). It's PAL format, and has a socket for an external microphone.

Now all I have to do is get my script finished and I'm ready to rock and roll :o)

Good choice.

Getting the camera is the easy part, isn't it? Now comes
the truly hard work of getting a movie made. I look forward
to seeing your movie.

=============================================
The aim of an argument or discussion should not be victory, but progress.
Joseph Joubert, essayist (1754-1824)