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Home: Video University Forums: Canon All Camcorders:
Canon XH-A1: Can you record with the built-in mic PLUS a wireless?

 
 


RustyB
Veteran


May 16, 2007, 7:22 PM

Post #1 of 15 (2952 views)
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Canon XH-A1: Can you record with the built-in mic PLUS a wireless? Can't Post
Like the Z1, I guess the A1 doesn't come with a shotgun mic Mad, and like wise, am I correct to assume that I can't record using the built-in mic PLUS a wireless?

The XL2 was kinda cool in that you could record using the included stereo mic, plus two extra channels of audio via the two XLR ports on the back. It would be awesome if the A1 would allow this as well.

If not, it looks like I'll need to for out the $$$ for a new shotgun mic to use with my rental cams. Frown

Thanks for any info!




savvy houston bride
get a video....not an excuse Cool



JC/DV
Veteran


May 16, 2007, 7:26 PM

Post #2 of 15 (2944 views)
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Re: [RustyB] Canon XH-A1: Can you record with the built-in mic PLUS a wireless? [In reply to] Can't Post
Nope... one of the few drawbacks of this cam. Buy an iRiver.

Jerome
JC/DV Productions - Website - Blog

Technology. It does wonders if you know how to use it.


RustyB
Veteran


May 16, 2007, 7:41 PM

Post #3 of 15 (2943 views)
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Re: [JC/DV] Canon XH-A1: Can you record with the built-in mic PLUS a wireless? [In reply to] Can't Post
In Reply To
Nope... one of the few drawbacks of this cam. Buy an iRiver.

Thanks...I guess it was wishful thinking. I've been wanting a decent digital recorder for a while, especially for recording live music at receptions, and for the string quartets during the ceremony. It just drives me nuts having an extra audio track on the camera not being used, when that'd the whole reason I use a camera with XLR inputs.

I was thinking of investing in a AT835B, thinking I'll eventually buy an A1, but the specs say the mic is like 14" long! Not to mention, I'll probably end up buying a much cheaper PD170, which comes WITH a mic....and then I'd be putting the AT835B up for sale on VU...like everything else I buy. Laugh




savvy houston bride
get a video....not an excuse Cool



JC/DV
Veteran


May 16, 2007, 7:43 PM

Post #4 of 15 (2940 views)
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Re: [RustyB] Canon XH-A1: Can you record with the built-in mic PLUS a wireless? [In reply to] Can't Post
If you bought the A1, you won't put it up for sale.

Jerome
JC/DV Productions - Website - Blog

Technology. It does wonders if you know how to use it.


RustyB
Veteran


May 16, 2007, 8:09 PM

Post #5 of 15 (2939 views)
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Re: [JC/DV] Canon XH-A1: Can you record with the built-in mic PLUS a wireless? [In reply to] Can't Post
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If you bought the A1, you won't put it up for sale.


I hope not...with my latest cheap pricing, I'm hoping to keep bookings coming in though the slow season, and not have to sell anything else. Buying an A1 (not including a mic and extra batteries) will require about 24 weddings to break even, at my current camera budget. The PD170, IMHO, is still a "best buy" and probably the smartest buy when it comes to wedding video, but it sure would be cool to have a camera that is not only practical, but actually produces the kind of video that I WANT. 24f, native 16:9, XLR inputs/shotgun mic mount, HD, larger LCD....I can't wait to get my hands on it Friday! Cool


This week I'm being paid $200 to "catsit" at my friends house while they're on vacation for 7 days. I'm editing here on my laptop. When you do weddings for $999, you get a reputation as a ho that will do anything for a few bucks. Laugh While they're away, I was thinking of opening a car washing business in their front yard, to finance a new A1. They wouldn't know until they got the letter from the homeowner's association. LaughLaugh


"Uncle Rusty's Car Washing Service - Because A Pimp Needs A Clean Ride, Too!"




savvy houston bride
get a video....not an excuse Cool



Art Vandelay
Enthusiast


May 18, 2007, 1:55 PM

Post #6 of 15 (2895 views)
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Re: [RustyB] Canon XH-A1: Can you record with the built-in mic PLUS a wireless? [In reply to] Can't Post
In Reply To
Buying an A1 (not including a mic and extra batteries) will require about 24 weddings to break even, at my current camera budget.
 You'll need one extra battery which you can get on ebay for $20. Jerome can find you the link. I have shot 3 weddings with my A1 and have never needed the 2nd battery. The on board mic is actually pretty decent and you already have a wireless so you would be good to go with just an A1. Plus I think you can still get the $250 rebate.

__________________________________________________
Dave LaBrec
Nashville Wedding Videos



RustyB
Veteran


May 18, 2007, 3:39 PM

Post #7 of 15 (2893 views)
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Re: [Art Vandelay] Canon XH-A1: Can you record with the built-in mic PLUS a wireless? [In reply to] Can't Post
In Reply To
....The on board mic is actually pretty decent and you already have a wireless so you would be good to go with just an A1. .....


But you can't use both at the same time, right? I like to be able to record both, for the wedding and reception, then mix together in post.


Get this...I forked out some serious cash to get a Rode NTG-1 shotgun mic and 18" XLR cable overnighted to me from B&H, so that I would have a mic with my rental A1 this weekend. Well, I went to go pick up the A1. The rental dude was nice, very informative, and wanted to show me some settings in the menu, so he attaches a battery and tries to turn it on.....NOTHING. Changes batteries....nothing. Another battery....nothing. The camera is DEAD. He said he was the last one to use it a couple of days ago, and it was working fine.Crazy

At least I found out before getting the POS rental A1 back to my apartment. They gave me an XL-H1 for the same price, but I would have rather had an A1 for shooting a wedding, since I shoot mostly from a tripod, and the more cumbersome H1 doesn't have but a makeshift LCD/viewfinder. Mad




savvy houston bride
get a video....not an excuse Cool



(This post was edited by RustyB on May 18, 2007, 9:29 PM)


JC/DV
Veteran


May 19, 2007, 7:01 PM

Post #8 of 15 (2865 views)
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Re: [RustyB] Canon XH-A1: Can you record with the built-in mic PLUS a wireless? [In reply to] Can't Post
In Reply To
The rental dude was nice, very informative, and wanted to show me some settings in the menu, so he attaches a battery and tries to turn it on.....NOTHING. Changes batteries....nothing. Another battery....nothing. The camera is DEAD. He said he was the last one to use it a couple of days ago, and it was working fine.Crazy
 I bet a $100 that the standby switch (at the record button) was on standby!

Jerome
JC/DV Productions - Website - Blog

Technology. It does wonders if you know how to use it.


RustyB
Veteran


May 19, 2007, 7:16 PM

Post #9 of 15 (2862 views)
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Re: [JC/DV] Canon XH-A1: Can you record with the built-in mic PLUS a wireless? [In reply to] Can't Post
In Reply To
In Reply To
The rental dude was nice, very informative, and wanted to show me some settings in the menu, so he attaches a battery and tries to turn it on.....NOTHING. Changes batteries....nothing. Another battery....nothing. The camera is DEAD. He said he was the last one to use it a couple of days ago, and it was working fine.Crazy
I bet a $100 that the standby switch (at the record button) was on standby!

Laugh Probably so. I can't remember if he tried to turn it to VTR mode or not, but nothing at all lit up on the camera when cycling through the settings. I suggested he push the reset button, and had to show him where it was. Kinda sad considering I'd never seen the cam in person.

Oh well, at least I don't have to shoot a regular reception with the heavy XL-H1, just a short ceremony and toasts, and I can add it to the growing list of cameras I've shot with. It's not too often I get to shoot a $999 wedding with a $9000 camera. Laugh




savvy houston bride
get a video....not an excuse Cool



JC/DV
Veteran


May 19, 2007, 7:21 PM

Post #10 of 15 (2857 views)
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Re: [RustyB] Canon XH-A1: Can you record with the built-in mic PLUS a wireless? [In reply to] Can't Post
In Reply To
It's not too often I get to shoot a $999 wedding with a $9000 camera. Laugh
LMAO! Sly

Good luck with it Rusty, be sure to show us what you did with the H1!

Jerome
JC/DV Productions - Website - Blog

Technology. It does wonders if you know how to use it.


VidMan
Veteran


May 23, 2007, 8:17 PM

Post #11 of 15 (2790 views)
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Re: [JC/DV] Canon XH-A1: Can you record with the built-in mic PLUS a wireless? [In reply to] Can't Post
I just got my 2nd A1 and I use it with iRivers. I've filmed 3 weddings so far and I have 2 more this weekend. I am starting to get a workflow together for HDV. I loves me my A1s!!!!

Brian
______________________________________________
VU Virginia Chapter


dwhurst
User


May 25, 2007, 2:47 AM

Post #12 of 15 (2766 views)
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Re: [RustyB] Canon XH-A1: Can you record with the built-in mic PLUS a wireless? [In reply to] Can't Post
I fed into the DJ's sound system last weekend, and got some great audio of the toasts, dance music etc. But I did miss being able to get a mix of DJ sound with ambiance from the room. Great sound, but it's not natural. I'm going to start attaching my shotgun mic to the holster thingy up top, and use both XLR inputs to get both ambiance and DJ sound.

Oh, and I also was bewildered a couple weeks back when I couldn't turn on the A1. Like Jerome said, it turned out to be the standby switch was in the locked position. You make that mistake once. Then it becomes the first thing you look for.

Dave


RustyB
Veteran


May 25, 2007, 3:09 AM

Post #13 of 15 (2765 views)
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Re: [dwhurst] Canon XH-A1: Can you record with the built-in mic PLUS a wireless? [In reply to] Can't Post
In Reply To
I fed into the DJ's sound system last weekend, and got some great audio of the toasts, dance music etc. But I did miss being able to get a mix of DJ sound with ambiance from the room. Great sound, but it's not natural. I'm going to start attaching my shotgun mic to the holster thingy up top, and use both XLR inputs to get both ambiance and DJ sound.

Oh, and I also was bewildered a couple weeks back when I couldn't turn on the A1. Like Jerome said, it turned out to be the standby switch was in the locked position. You make that mistake once. Then it becomes the first thing you look for.

Dave

Oh yeah, you could probably answer me this....

Is the mic holder on the A1 smaller than on the XL2? I bought a new Rode NTG-1 shotgun mic, to use with rental A1's, but since I got stuck with the XL-H1 last week, I thought I'd remove the factory XL2 style mic and attach my Rode in it's place (so that I could use my wireless without having to sync 4-track audio in post), but the mount is way too big. I was wondering if the A1 has more of a standard sized holder, smaller than that of the XL2?

Man, I really need to get off my arse and get a day job, so that I can buy an A1 to finish out the season...and raise my prices! Laugh

Thanks!




savvy houston bride
get a video....not an excuse Cool



dwhurst
User


May 26, 2007, 2:15 AM

Post #14 of 15 (2744 views)
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Re: [RustyB] Canon XH-A1: Can you record with the built-in mic PLUS a wireless? [In reply to] Can't Post
Dang, Rusty! I hadn't actually tried until reading your last post. I have a new Rode NTG-2 shotgun mic also, and just assumed I could start popping it into the mic holder on the camera (in fact I planned to do so on my next wedding). Well, lo and behold...the Rode is too small for the A1 mic holder! I wonder if Rode mics are just smaller than most shotguns? That totally ruined my day! Crazy

Dave


RustyB
Veteran


May 26, 2007, 4:04 AM

Post #15 of 15 (2736 views)
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Re: [dwhurst] Canon XH-A1: Can you record with the built-in mic PLUS a wireless? [In reply to] Can't Post
In Reply To
Dang, Rusty! I hadn't actually tried until reading your last post. I have a new Rode NTG-2 shotgun mic also, and just assumed I could start popping it into the mic holder on the camera (in fact I planned to do so on my next wedding). Well, lo and behold...the Rode is too small for the A1 mic holder! I wonder if Rode mics are just smaller than most shotguns? That totally ruined my day! Crazy

Dave

That sucks donkeyballs.

Per B&H.....

The Rode NTG-1/2 is 22mm in diameter.

The AT897 is 21mm in diameter.

The Senn ME66 is 22.5mm in diameter.

The Sony ECM-673 is 20mm in diameter.


I think the Canon's must just have a huge mic holder. I don't know why they'd do that??

I guess we'll just have to wrap a bunch of gaffer's tape around it, or wrap a piece of rubber round it? I hate to get such a nice new camera, and have to apply redneck engineering to it just to mount a mic? Mad




savvy houston bride
get a video....not an excuse Cool