Hello,

I need a high quality (not one of those cheap horrible things that say high definition but look worse than SD.)

It is going to be used for journalism type interviews.

I am not a techie and desperately need some specific brand and model camera recommendations.

Here are specs:

1) 720P (I would rather have good 720p rather than cheap fuzzy "1080P" gimmick)

2) High quality wireless or wired mic for doing seated or standing journalism style interviews. A quality wireless clip on mic for the subject would be great.

3) Filter out background noise and capture subjects voice clear and strong.

4) Work in different lighting conditions but never in the dark.

5) On a budget. Cheapest way to do this and it still come out professional.


Thank you so very very much!!!

10 days and no one is willing to recommend a single camcorder that would suit my needs? :(

I am very very new to camcorders and really need help or would not have asked!

I thought I gave a very detailed and specific description of what I need.

Someone, Anyone?

I don't want to drive down to a retailer and get ripped off by a salesman who probably doesn't know his stuff anyway.

Please share. I can't count the number of time I have helped a new member in other parts of this forum when it comes to other kinds of equipment.

It just so happens that I know absolutely ZERO about video recording.

So if someone could just list like 3 possible models I should check out that would be at least 720p and meet a more professional interview purpose it would be very nice and I'm sure bring you good karma. :)

Broadcast, internet, or oral history type (academic) project?

What's on a budget?

720P has been on its way out, prosumer at a few K$ or tape camera's are your only option. Consumer HDV camera's are your best bet. Canon's HV30 has been most highly rated, and has just been replaced by the new HV40.

But for that price you can get good 1080i/P tapeless camera's. Canon's HF10/100 is being offered in discontinued models sales, as is the HF11 (more or less the same camera, except for more storage and higher maximum bitrate).

The Canon HG20 is still a current model, has 60 gig harddrive, but for the rest basically the same as the HF11. The HF11 has an input for an external microphone, and output for a pair of headset, not sure if the HG20 has does, do check.

As for mikes there are some suggestions in the pro wedding video thread. Do you need a lapel mike or are you looking for the traditional reporter mike, the handheld one that you can swing back and forth between interviewee and interviewer? Sennheisser has been making that one for about fourty years or so, practically unchanged. It's an industry standard. MD series, the classic md-21, and the more current looking md-46/md-42. http://www.sennheiser.co.uk/uk/home_en.nsf/root/professional_wired-microphones_broadcast-eng-film_000292

So three models, all by Canon. These are all quite popular on this forum, so check out the respective models' threads. At this level Canon seem to be the best. In the newly released series Panasonic and Sony are competing again, but these are 1100-1300 USD.

Best professional High Definition Camcorder needed for Interviews.

Price Range is $700-$1000, I might be able to push it slightly if there was just something spectacular and extremely special available.

But please list me some model numbers - It has to be able to attach wireless microphone and get very very clear sound, in case an interview is being conducted against background noise. So sound is also very important.

I have no idea where to even start if you could just list like 5 possible model numbers of the latest and greatest in that price range.

1080p is great as long as it is high quality and would be a very sharp professional picture.

Thank you so much!!!

Thanks Donald -

could you elaborate more for me and list some more microphone models?

please see my post right below!

Ok I have decided on the Canon HF20 - Thank you for helping me..

Can someone please recommend a microphone that does not cost $500 like the Sennheisers?

Something wireless that would be compatible with the HF20.

Ideally I would plug the wireless receiver into the HF20 and then the interview subject would wear or hold a small microphone.

If they are going to wear a clip on microphone then there would have to be two that both transmit to the same receiver.

This way both me asking questions and them answering them would both be recorded onto the video, but from the two different microphones.

Who would make this kind of kit for around $200? And it would have to work with the Canon.

Many thanks again and sorry for being a total newb!

If you want a professional look, it helps to use professional gear. Try to find a way to fund your project and supply you gear via a local government station or local access channel. The size of your current budget isn't going to get you anywhere near a passable, professional look.

At minimum I suggest a Panasonic AG-HPX170. I especially like the lens zoom range. A little wider than norm. When I shoot news I can always find more use for a wide angle lens than a long zoom.

Definitely use a tripod, Vinten Pro 5Plus would fit the bill with that camera though any fluid head is better than hand held.

For audio, ideally, the EV RE-50 is the industry standard hand held mic in news. For a lavaliere I use a Sennheiser ME-2 with a Lectrosonics 900 series wireless system and a Sony ECM 77 for a hardwire lav. Unfortunately that setup will set you back a few thousands dollars.

If tough to skimp on audio because good audio is huge to overall video values, especially interviews. But if you absolutely need to budget your audio setup I would try for at least a setup similar to Azden 320ULX combo of receiver, body pack/lav and plug in for a separate hand held mic. Possible a ShureVP64. You can also plug it into a short shotgun mic and it could double as a hand held mic and a on camera mic. Buying into the Sennheiser K6 series may be a way to optimize your microphone needs.

The best way to filter out noise is to always record your main audio on manual. I'll normally have my camera mic on all the time, on "auto" so that I always have some type of audio when ever I roll. But any mic I use for interviews is always controlled manually. You'll notice a rise in ambient noise if you set your audio to auto.

For Lavs, omni directional mics are best overall. They'll still reject background noise and pick up your interview's answers in all but the noisiest locations.

Don't forget to always, always, always use headphones to monitor your audio.

Lastly, you didn't mention much about lighting. Almost all natural lighting situations will need some type of added lighting. There are ways to cheat at lighting and still make it look good but you still need rudimentary lighting instruments and skills.

Good luck on your project and don't forget to update us on your progress in equipment purchases and how they worked out in your project.