I know this is an old thread but I wanted to say that in the smaller venue I have taped with my Sony HC-20, the audio came out really well, it has two mics in the front. That whole tape load from the bottom does suck ass when using a tripod. I use a tripod from best buy that goes to 74" but it seems higher than that because I am 72" tall and I have to look up atleast 5 inched to the screen when it is fully extended. That tripod has a large base but it rocks for getting above people's heads.