I have been in a quandary over which VideoMic to get.
IMO, stereo is better than mono but... is it really necessary?

I use my camcorder in more recent years (Canon HV20 that I just got but before a Canon Elura (orig model)) mostly for one event a year. It is a for charity Broadway type musical play and cabaret (for more info http://www.becketplayers.ca). I am the video director and this is my 23rd year with the show. We have 2 large projection screens and 5 cameras (4 man'd). One camera carried that can move all across the front and sides, one in front on stage right and one stage left, one at the center at the rear of the auditorium and another set to wide shot of the stage unmanned beside him.
(a view of the stage taken from the back)
http://www.pbase.com/mkaplan/image/29888133/large.jpg
We use mostly consumer camcorders that we bring ourselves for the cameras. This year I wanted to use my HV20 as the main camera at the back (unmanned) and film in HD with the normal TV signal coming off it to the mixing board (our camera 5). I want a mic that will capture the audio just for the video tape (audio for the DVD we make is sent right off the board into my DVR). I do not film much talking so close proximity voices are not it's main use. Mostly I guess for the music and ambiant noise. BTW, there is also the same show held outside on Canada Day which i sometimes film and always photograph for myself.

Other uses for the camcorder besides that are not special at least not for now. The odd vacation (I will be in Vancouver for a wedding beginning of Aug). It will also be used for some round about town shooting and other non professional uses. I am heavily into Photography so my DSLR gets the most use.

Which VideoMic should I get?
I of course like the stereo over mono aspect but does it really matter if using it for personal use?
I like the slightly shorter size of the SVM over the longer VM.
I like the lower price of the VM but I will pay a bit more to get something that will be better suited for my future uses as well as current ones.

Any and all opinions would be appreciated.

Anyone interested in seeing more pics of this amazing Charity Show can go to my photo site
Look under Becket Players or Canada Day ( http://www.pbase.com/mkaplan)
A couple of Canada Day Images
http://www.pbase.com/mkaplan/image/62862076/medium.jpg http://www.pbase.com/mkaplan/image/62862140/medium.jpg

I would say, go for the stereo, especially since its music. Theres a certain "depth" that stereo will add to the sound.

I have a standard Videomic, which I have tested for exactly an hour, at the tennis courts.

I havent tested it in quiet conditions, so i cant tell you if it removes the motor noise, but i certainly dont hear any now. It did an amazing job of capturing the audio of this sports complex I was at (Moorpark College), and even captured the golfers 50-100 yards away talking.


It sounded spectacular, capturing low frequencies as well as highs. I didnt use the bandpass filter, and windnoise was not a problem.

When I put the camera at the net, it would have been nice to hear the players hitting on different channels of the stereo though ....

Since I paid only 113 for it, I am happy with the purchase, and it mounts very nicely on the HV20.

However I do see how having stereo would be benificial, and will probably keep my eye out for a stereo microphone.

I am still waiting on the HDV upgrade to my editing software, when i get it in the mail, i will post some clips.