I've heard that I should rent a seperate mic when using the DVX, for extra sound quality. Firstly, Anyone used the Sennheiser MKH416? Is it a good mic to use for lots of dialog/small action scenes? Also, can it attatch to a boom pole easily?

This one's for people who have used the DVX. I want to use headphones, apparently they are good to use for checking the actual audio. Is there a slot on the camera for the mic AND the headphones? I don't need to use a mixer for just one mic do I? Also - If I plugin the external mic, does that over-ride the default one? how does it work?

Thanks,

-Chris

The Sennheiser 416 and the 816 are both industry standards for Audiovisual work. I would also hire a rycote windshield/windjammer and pistol grip(with the boom pole adaptor).

A sennheiser ME66/K6 would also work well.

I got an auido technica 897b and it gets excellent sound (when you put it on a boom pole), not that much different from sennheiser either

The DVX has a headphone mini-jack at the rear of the camera under a rubber flap on the right side. The only drawback is the lack of a volume control. If you use headphones with the wrong impedence, the level may be low. The camera has two ELR mike inputs on the right side of the camera under the two removable rubber buttons. You switch between the camera mike and the external mike with switches located under the LED monitor - visible when it's flipped out. With one mike I usually run it through both lines and then have line two at a lower level in case I get a peak on line one.

My concern is that if you don't know the basics of this camera - where the mike inputs are located - you may have other problems. This is not a point and shoot camera. To really get the most out of it, many menu settings have to be experimented with, evaluated and learned - especially in 24p and 24pA modes.
RT

taylormade has a real serious point there, you should seriously spend a good amount of time getting acquainted with all of the functions and 24p modes in particular. As was mnetioned, low impedance headphones wont work at all (i.e. AKG monitor 600 ohm phones, make sure you get studio style as they are often referred to. low ohm rating.) I would make sure you are comfortable with:

- white balancing on the fly and switiching between a and b channels effectively

- acquainting yourself with the manual focus scale, as only a "focus assist" mode is available for 24p

- get used to the zebra patterns, know where the OIS button is (image stabalization), and shutter speed control.

- know how to work the manual iris as well too - this is also critical in 24p modes as larger apertures enhance the depth of field ( and so do deeper zooms)

- get comfortable as well with the ND filter settings if you are going to be outside at any point.

F.y.i. this cam does also have phantom power.


There is a lot of stuff to learn in a short period of time there, so spend some quality time with it. Good luck with it, and let us know how you make out. If you have any more q's, post about it, theres a good lot of members on this board who are well acquainted with the cam.