Topic: Zoom Q3HD - decent audio in a pocket cam

[fguidry]

The Q3HD has landed in the USA, I got mine the day after Thanksgiving.

Blog post: http://www.homebrewedmusic.com/2010/11/28/a-first-look-at-the-zoom-q3hd/

Comparo video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=env3UPYfhBA

"Look at me" vid: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qkLmTYSBLzo

This thing has a "concert" mode that supposedly helps with difficult lighting, but I haven't tried it.

The audio side is pretty cool, simply because it's straight clean audio - no AGC/ALC, good frequency response, low distortion. The built-in mics are in a wide X-Y array and the audio input is a slightly over-sensitive Line In. It will probably still need an attenuator to connect to a normal mixer line level out.

Fran

[johnny9fingers]

Thanks for the brief review of the Q3HD, and I enjoyed the video performances.  The video looked good, and the audio was great.  Have you used it at a concert yet?  I am thinking about getting one to record my sons school concerts and catch video/audio of the family and will keep checking back to see any additional reports from you.
Thanks again,
John

[fguidry]

Thanks for the brief review of the Q3HD, and I enjoyed the video performances.  The video looked good, and the audio was great.  Have you used it at a concert yet?  I am thinking about getting one to record my sons school concerts and catch video/audio of the family and will keep checking back to see any additional reports from you.
Thanks again,
John

Sorry, I don't generally shoot shows, only my little performance videos. I did shoot a little living room singalong using normal room lighting and the result was pretty decent. But for general video use I'd probably choose some other cam, something with zoom, maybe optical image stabilization. I don't really keep up with the camcorder world, but there are lots of nifty cameras out there these days.

One of the comments on my blog includes a link to review of the Q3HD with some concert footage: http://www.gamemecca.net/forums/showthread.php?87585-Zoom-Q3HD-Video-Recorder

Hope this helps,
Fran

[12milluz]

I watched that and some of your other video comparisons and wow thanks! That's very helpful!

[NOLAfishwater]

Q3 $200
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Q3zoom

Q3HD $299
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Q3HD/