Anyone else getting nowhere looking for a Sony video camera you can plug a mic into??
I’ve spent over an hour doing Google searches trying to find a Sony camera (actually ANY camera) that has an external microphone input.
Why? Because as any online media producer knows, most video cameras will give you acceptable image results, but none will give you the audio quality you require. That’s not because the onboard mics are bad, it’s simply because you need to mic from up close to get acceptable quality.
So. You go to the web and search for what you need. And you use every combination of words you can think of: video camera, camcorder, mic input, external mic and so on.
Do you think that any of the sellers or manufacturers out there leap out to satisfy that need? Nope. Nothing but thousands of tangential, inconsequential references – mostly from people as frustrated as me, looking for the same thing.
So I called Sony UK customer service.
“I’ve got a need that your website isn’t satisfying” I began to the bored front-line Customer Services girl. “I’d like to speak to someone in marketing about it. It’s a missed opportunity because I know there are quite a few people looking for the same thing”
“I’m sorry” she said “We don’t pacifically (sic) have a marketing department”.
“Oh you do” I told her. “Yes but they don’t have a customer facing role” she answered back. At this point I lost the motivation to teach this corporate giant the basics of a customer-focused (as opposed to ‘product-obsessed’) marketing strategy.
Nevertheless, at least she tried to do her best to meet my need. After 10 minutes on hold listening to horrible music, she returned to say “We do have one – it’s the DCRVX2100E”
Ah yes. This one.
Isn’t it idiotic that I KNOW there are other, cheaper cameras in their product range that have mic inputs. I JUST CAN’T FIND WHICH ONES and nor can they when asked.
Save yourself 1hr searching online and call Sony UK Customer Services on 08705 111 999. Be warned, you won’t find out what you need to know – just what they’re geared up to tell you.
Sony, if you want to talk to me about how to make your marketing more customer focussed, I’m available on a consultancy day rate.
hey thanks for the small article
i’m looking for exactly the same: a camcorder (a cheap one) with external mic input
thanks – appreciated by at least one person!
Hi Omar – go look at Canon or Panasonics becaue they DO have cameras with external mic jacks.
I think this is a silly brand move by Sony. Why encourage someone who always saw himself as a Sony customer go to the competition? Doh.
I agree, I’ve been a long time user of a Sony Mini DV, wanted a replacement, spent two hours in 3 camcorder shops, so far nothing to be had unless you spend over £1k.
Crazy.
Join the club! As a Media Studies teacher, it’s becoming harder and harder to pick up cheaper mini DV camcorders with external mic inputs. I used to have several Sony cameras that were perfect; they’re now broken and Sony has removed inputs from most of its new models. The Panasonic GS-230 was perfect, what happened? Yes, Panasonic replaced it with the GS-330 and removed the external mic input. Some cheaper Canon models do have mic inputs but these tend to be TOO cheap, less than £200 when I want to spend £250 – £300. It is very frustrating!
Well ..its refreshing to see that I’m not the only one looking for a ‘mic input’ at mid range prices – up to AU$1000. I started with Sony, but they dont have anything!
My criteria is: High def, Memory Stick Duo Slot, quick start, good video capture, light.. BUT WITH a MIC INPUT jack please! Yes ..the ‘marketing of handycams’ is even missing this, so google cant find anything either! Good luck to the market when they figure it out!
If any one knows a handycam they can recommend that fits the bill I’d really appreciate their comments Thank you
Hi Alina – good luck with your search!
I have a sony DVD 306E and it has a external mic input. My problem is finding a decent not to expensive mic. Any suggestions???
Hi, I’m looking for a cheap camcorder with an external mic imput too! i went into currys digital and they told me i would be looking at £1500 which is rubbish. as for the question about getting a cheap mic, most supermarkets have them. I also use the mics from singstar on ps2. they have good quality sound.
thanks.
HI, 4 days for searching a mini dv with mic input…
Canon md 205, mic input but no headphone….
Hi, I’ve been researching this very same question, looking for a consumer grade camcorder with a mic input so I can get decent sound on my instructional videos. I did find this little wizard (“digital camcorder finder”) on cnet which allows you to bring choose to see results for models which have mic inputs:
http://reviews.cnet.com/4247-6500_7-4.html?tag=dir.dt
Several Canons around $300 among others came up when I searched today. Good Luck, Tracy
Hi Omar – go look at Canon or Panasonics becaue they DO have cameras with external mic jacks.
I think this is a silly brand move by Sony. Why encourage someone who always saw himself as a Sony customer go to the competition? Doh.
Hi Omar – you’re not alone in your frustration! I’ve spent a couple of hours today simply looking for a decent camcorder with an external microphone jack, and can’t find anything remotely close to an updated, comprehensive list of options. Why is this so difficult? I’m beginning to think that between the gibberish of model numbers and the poor design of so many shopping and review sites, they’re intentionally repelling my business. The real irony is that I have points on a Sony credit card and so want to buy Sony, and yet their Sony Points site is the worst of all for searches and specs! Harumph….
Hi. If anyone is interested i have a Paasonic nv mx350 3 chip 16/9 or 4/3 camcorder in mint condition and will sell it £450.0. It has mic input plus volume control, plus headphone skt. tele +w,angle adapters and gadget bag. If you live in/near Kent you can can check it out before you buy. there are no marks or scratches on it, it looks and works as new. Cost new- £1200.0. now £450.00. John.
Nice one John – if anyone comes this way, I’ll pass on your email. Thanks for commenting
Hi John,
If it’s still available I may be interested in your Panasonic. What would the possibility be of shipping it to Scotland before next Wednesday ?
Do you have an e-mail address I can contact you on ?
John you still got ur camera?
Interesting article, it is a problem that still has not been resolved over a year later. However, as a Customer Service manager, I feel compelled to defend the customer service provided (or not).
“I’ve got a need that your website isn’t satisfying” I began to the bored front-line Customer Services girl.”
She wasn’t bored, she was frantically looking up the correct page on the script.
“I’m sorry” she said “We don’t pacifically (sic) have a marketing department”.
Education is slipping in all areas of this once great nation.
“Yes but they don’t have a customer facing role” – Translation, no one wants to talk to Joe Public and be told how to run their business.
“At this point I lost the motivation to teach this corporate giant the basics of a customer-focused (as opposed to ‘product-obsessed’) marketing strategy.”
You wouldn’t have taught anybody, anything. Here’s the rub you see; all multinational corporations put customer service as a low priority. Sad but true. No right thinking company would put call centres in India or Pakistan or Eastern Europe – poor quality phone lines, satellite delays and heavy accents all impact on the quality of the service.
All big corporations’ responsibilities are fiscally driven, shareholders, marketing, market share. No one gives a fig about the customer.
As for belittling the girl on the other end of the line – what’s the point? She is probably making 8-10 k per year, her supervisor will want every call to be terminated ASAP so they can get through the calls quickly so they don’t have to employ more people. She doesn’t know much more than the script because training = lost money, so they keep it as short as possible. She probably fielded 3 more calls whilst you were on hold.
Hers is a miserable existence. Perhaps you should try it sometime to gain a little perspective.
Thanks for your comments, John.
You are right, of course, hers probably is a miserable existence. But how much of that is that a personal choice and how much is absolutely done to her by the job she does? And before you make assumptions, I’ve done things just as ‘miserable’ in my time, so I do have some perspective on it. Even when I did those kinds of things, I tried to find ways to do them well – and make it interesting, if I could. It seemed to brighten life up a bit for me and for the customers I dealt with.
You’re right, though, she probably learned nothing – mind you, I didn’t expect her to. I was just making a point.
Seriously – and I don’t mean this as an insult, I’m interested – how do you carry on working as a Customer Services Manager when you feel the way you do about customer services?
Sam, thanks for replying and apologies for making assumptions!
The reason I am okay being a customer services manager is because the company I am with is a small one which really does try to resolve every issue that a customer may have. We have no call centres and a high level of product training for all staff.
I have though, spent a lot of time at various big corporations and if I had to work there now, I would need to change careers as conflict-resolution options, initiative and pro-active customer help are actively discouraged.
Good to hear, John
Good to have your insight from within the big corporates (even if it makes depressing reading) – thanks for commenting.
I am looking for an HD camcorder with mic jack for under 600USD for a month now. It’s very frustrating. I feel like slapping a few manufacturers. Camcorders may be able to get close enough to film the craters in the moon, but to interview someone and record the voice clearly enough with a clip-on mic attached to my camera, that is still only affordable to professional TV networks.