How Important Is Your Camcorder Microphone
You’ve undertaken your camcorder review, looking at all the devices on offer, from analogue using Hi8, VHS, DVD, DVD RW, to the very latest high-definition camcorder, and scrutinised every last feature. Nothing has been left to chance, not even the camcorder warranty offered. Having taken all this care to maximise visual performance and reliability what a shame it would be if your camcorders audio performance didn’t match up to the video.
Microphone Types
And seemingly the humble camcorder microphone located discreetly within the camcorder body is capable of remarkable results for its size. To do this it relies upon a very sophisticated process called pulse code modulation. Essentially there are two methods of recording. The first records the maximum sound quality level, this is commonly referred to as the two channel or 16-bit stereo sound processing style. An alternative recording method producing a slightly lower level of sound quality is the four channel sound processing method using two stereo conduits.
Another important factor in achieving optimum audio performance via the camcorder microphone is how the sound is converted through the two or four channel system. Simply put, where quoted sampling and quantisation rates are maximised, so to will be the sound purity and quality.
The sound sampling rate is simply how often the sound input is captured during the recording process. The greater frequency of sampling will produce a higher sound quality. Sampling from 32 kHz to 48 kHz will provide a satisfactory sampling range. Lastly the value is converted into a digitised number. Those numbers are stored at either the highest sound quality level for two channels or four in the case of four channels. Again, the accuracy of sound captured is a function of a higher bit rate for audio storage.
So little research here may be worthwhile to match the performance required of your camcorder to the choice of machine, and also your pocket!
|
Camcorder Advice provides detailed information on all aspects of Camcorders and Digital Camcorders from the simple Camcorder Bag to the Mini Digital Camcorder. Mark J Emslie is the main staff writer. |
(No Ratings Yet)
Loading ...