Can I use my camcorder as a microphone?

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Level 1

75 points

Can I use my camcorder as a microphone?

Hi

Sorry if this isn't in the right forum....

Is it posible to use my firewire camcorder as a microphone for my Mac Mini.

Also, what are some other cool things I can do with my firewire camcorder?
(Besides using it as a webcam)

Thanks,
Sam.

Posted on Sep 23, 2005 6:19 AM

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Answer 1

Ricktoronto

Level 6

11,560 points

Sep 23, 2005 7:38 AM in response to Sam Testa

You can use it to convert analog video such as the video/audio outputs from a VCR or DVD player (non protected DVD's only) to caprture and edit in iMovie. If you need a microphone get the Griffin USB iMic and a good microphone or headset/microphone.

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Answer 2

Sam Testa Author

Level 1

75 points

Sep 23, 2005 9:51 AM in response to Ricktoronto

so is that a no?

and actually, i don't think i can record from a vcr direct to imovie.
the camera has av in, but it will only show what's coming in from the av inputs when the firewire cable is removed.
as soon as i put the firewire cable in, it goes back to av out.
this happens both with, and without a tape

the only way for me to get old footage from another source into imovie is to first record it to a DV tape though the camcorder, and then put it onto imovie.

i'm using a samsung vp-d103i

but this is all irrelivant to my question

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Answer 3

catspaw

Level 5

4,344 points

Sep 23, 2005 6:01 PM in response to Sam Testa

Hi Sam - assuming you are talking mainly about using it for voice-over in iMovie, then the answer is 'Yes', you can.

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Answer 4

Sam Testa Author

Level 1

75 points

Sep 23, 2005 10:23 PM in response to catspaw

I want to use it as a normal microphone in OS X
eg for voice recognition, for recording myself in audacity....

Since the MacMini doesn't have an audio input, can I use the mircrophone, or even the microphone input, on my camcorder, and have the signal sent to the computer via firewire and be used as if it were a normal microphone.
like what the griffen imic does.

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Answer 5

catspaw

Level 5

4,344 points

Sep 23, 2005 10:41 PM in response to Sam Testa

Don't think you can, Sam. Doesn't work for me, anyway. For voice-over in iMovie using the camera, I simply record on a section of tape then import the clip and extract the audio.
But I do have a Griffen USB mike set-up, which is really the way for you to go, I guess.

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Answer 6

Sep 24, 2005 1:04 AM in response to Sam Testa

...for voice recognition..

I would use a head-mike (the ones attached to some headphones) because v.r. needs a very constant "sound"... it is very easy to change distance and directions using a camcorder's mic.... that would "cnfuse" the v.r.

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Answer 7

Sam Testa Author

Level 1

75 points

Sep 24, 2005 9:41 AM in response to Karsten Schlüter

the point is that i can't, because the macmini doesn't have a microphone input.
I was hoping to use the microphone on my camcorder, or the camcorder's microphone port with a headset. but i guess it can't be done.
i'll just have to get a griffen imic.

although i've heard that playstation2 singstar usb microphones work. my sister has one lying around in some packing boxes, i'll give that a go once she finds it.

I don't really need a microphone input, so i'm not going to spend money in an imic. i just want to play around a little. try out VR, make a few voice comments to send to some podcasters....

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Answer 8

Ricktoronto

Level 6

11,560 points

Sep 25, 2005 10:01 PM in response to Sam Testa

The powermac and powerbook don't have a mic input either.

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Answer 9

Oct 14, 2005 12:59 AM in response to Sam Testa

I think that using the camcorder microphone har two advantages. First there is no need for a separate microphone amplifier. Second: The camcorder has an automatic volme control which works like a compressor. For the moment I have recorder my comments to the camera and
once imported extracted the picture. This sound is better than any combination of microphones I have tested so faar.

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Answer 10

Oct 14, 2005 1:04 AM in response to Björn Wahlsten

...The camcorder has an automatic volme control...this sound is better than any combination of microphones...

that automatic volume control is for me a DISadvantage of this combo 😉, because in pauses while speaking, the camcorder rises the volume level= lots of noise; I prefer a contant level...

so, everybody has to decide on his own...... ;-)))

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Answer 11

Oct 14, 2005 3:32 AM in response to Karsten Schlüter

Yes Karsten, this might be a poblem since the automatic volume control differs a lot from one camcorder to the other. I have a Sony DCR-VX1000E. The automatic volume control works very smooth on this camcorder. I can also set the volume manually on this camcorder.
I have found that with the automatic volume control on my voice is more present without the need of lowerering the background music.

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Answer 12

Oct 15, 2005 7:14 AM in response to Björn Wahlsten

Now I have made a cable with two mini stereo jacks in each end. One end is connected to the earphone outlet on my Sony DCR-VX100E camcorder, the other to the analogue input on my iMac. The DV-tape is removed from the camcorder. With the camcorder in camera position the sound quality is excellent when recording "voice over" in iMovie HD. There is no audible noise from the camcorder. Highly recommended!

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