There’s a funny trend going on with camcorders where key features are stripped to encourage you to buy the more expensive models. I’ll get straight to the point – I wanted a hard drive camcorder that had manual and auto light exposure modes, and most importantly a line-in audio microphone input jack that comes in around $500. Sounds easy right? Not! With camcorder video quality on lower end models getting better and better, some manufacturers have started to gimp the audio features on their base and mid-range models to encourage you to buy their higher end video cameras. Just go out on Amazon and try to find a less than $800-$1000 hard drive camcorder with a line-in audio jack – it’s almost impossible.
I did say almost – here’s how you do it. The Sony HandyCam SR62 has a 30GB disk for storing video and connects to your PC via USB port. It does not have a direct external mic jack but instead uses a proprietary Sony “Active Interface Shoe” to allow for you guessed it – proprietary Sony microphones and light accessories. So how do you hack or modify the AIS port to attach a standard lapel or wireless mic?
Easy. Order a Sony VMC-K100 external mic adapter which transforms the proprietary AIS connector to a standard external mic port.
Here’s how the math works out:
- Sony DCR-SR62 30GB Hard Disk Drive Handycam Camcorder with 25x Optical Zoom ($488.03)
- Sony VMC-K100 Microphone Adapter Cable ($19.99)
- Sony ECMMS907 Digital Recording Microphone ($73.77) = $581.79
I spent several hours looking for the most cost-efficient tapeless camcorder setup with the best range of features and an external microphone input jack, and this was it.
UPDATE: All of our gear arrived a few days ago, and when we hooked it all up to my initial horror sound was not being picked up on the microphone. After reading through settings and checking connections we finally decided to read the instructions for the microphone. Duh – we didn’t realize the mic requires a single AA battery, which after we installed everything sounds great!
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I don’t think Sony is providing adapters now. They have already stopped it.
Can we use any Sony camcorder with the Shoe Adapter?
uh.. this camera is not that price.. it’s 799 on amazon now >,< But thanks for the tip!
The Sony VMC-K100 Microphone Adapter Cable may have been discontinued but looks like there’s a replacement 3rd party part available. recommended?
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/564249-REG/Pearstone_9011300_Microphone_Adapter_for_Sony.html
What about the $250 Canon FS200? It records to SD Cards and has an external mic input. Would you recommend it?
This is great info. I like to shoot bands at small venues, generally there is little light. Sony cameras are generally the only ones that will capture a picture in the low light though the pics are green and grainy and generally the mics are crap.
i get awesome sound quality from a small SD card camcorder, the Fisher C1 pocket cameracorder, it’s absolutely amazing, even directly in front of a PA with thundering bass. Unfortunately the low light capabilities are nil though it does shoot the cleanest and darkest looking black that you’ve ever seen…..
I cant find any of the above. Is it a plot? I have found a spec for Hitachi DZ-GX3100 which says it has a mic input socket. I’ve also found some hen’s teeth. Any offers?
Am I missing the boat? No one has mentioned the JVC GZMG505 or 555 hard drive camcorders, both of which have mic input (only ones I’ve found). Prices have fallen within year from $900+ to $449 – 499 on line (B&H / BuyDig). Any input re: this from others?
Looks like Sony wised up. Maybe they read this piece? Anyway, for those still looking for the adapter that’s been discontinued, here’s what I’ve found:
http://www.google.com/products?q=VMCK100
Good luck!
Does someone know where I could find the Sony VMC-K100 Microphone Adapter Cable. I noticed that it has been discontinued. Or is there another tapeless video kit recommended by this date.
I am sorry to report that Sony has discontinued the adapter… nice idea just the same.
Charles
Thats a brilliant money saving idea. Does the adapter work on slightly cheaper models such as the SR32?
Thanks
Olly
Is this adapter stereo?
Does the video on the sony transfer over as mpeg2 format so you can open it up with any video editor? Or can you only use the sony software to edit or convert the raw video to mpeg2? Thanks
Kimo
can you send me a photo of this unit connected to the camcorder please?
After searching for countless hours I was disapointed that I couldn’t find a hard drive camcorder with mic input for less than 700. Some name brands lost out on my business just because of the lack of this feature. Thank you for posting this. I will be buying the same camera and accessories.
Ok thank you for the response. I tried to search this on Sony site but VMCK100 doest not come up.
Thanks again for your time.
JD
The adapter turns the AIS port into a standard microphone input jack. So, if your wireless microphone supports a standard mic jack in theory it should work. No guarantees of course, as we don’t have a wireless mic to test with our setup.
Hi there,
I have been searching for a camera that has an input for microphone. Will this Sony and the microphone adapter cable work with a set of wireless microphone?
Thank you for your time.
Jim Davari