CompuServe Messages

Paul: >I recently purchased a Sony TR-400, Hi8 camcorder,and I'm having trouble getting an external mike into it. The built in mike is fine for nat sound recording, but I'd like to use an external lav to mike for interviews (I want to shoot news-style documentaries). All of the mikes I have are XLR outs, so I'm adapting them to 1/8" mini pin to get them into the camera. My problem is that with some mikes, I'm getting some static, whenever the mike is moved (with different cords, and different mikes). With other mikes/cords, I'm picking up local radio stations (so I assume those cords aren't shielded enough). < Sounds to me like maybe you should look at your XLR-minipin connectors first–they may not be sufficiently shielded or connecting sufficiently well to prevent static, esp. while you're moving. Also, check how a straight minipin mike works w/your audio jack on your camcorder–you could have a problem there. Unfortunately, you've run into Scotty's First Law w/the adaptors and the cables and all that–"The more you overthink the plumbin', the easier it is to stop up the drain" <g>. Have you considered just getting a VHF wireless lav that will plug directly into a minipin connector? That way, you wouldn't have to worry about XLR-minipin compatibility, nor would you have to worry that your cables may not be sufficiently shielded… Hope this helps, Tim Liebe