ME64 / Hypercardioid with HV20
 

I'm wanting to use a camera mounted, battery operated hypercardiod with the HV20. Dees anyone have experience with ME64? What alternatives would there be, because the Roe NT3 is WAY too heavy. Thanks.

The ME64 and the AKG Blue Line CK1/CK3 are good bets for a camera mounted / battery operated mics. A better fit for the HV20 would be the Oktava MC012 hyper or the AT3031 cardioid, but they require a phantom power supply. And the Okatava needs good wind/handling protection.

For stereo there's also the AT822, Rode Stereo Videomic, and many inexpensive Sony stereo mics.

You need a mic with an 1/8" plug for an unbalanced video camera input. The ME64 is not that. The ME64 is a capsule that goes in the K6 and you need both. Also, the 64 is not hypercardiod, but cardiod. Here it is:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...dioid_Mic.html

More traditional for video cameras is the ME66. Here it is in a kit with everything you need to use it:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...oid_Short.html

However, this is a mic with an XLR connector, which your camera doesn't have. You would also need anotehr piece to get to your camera, either something like the Beachtek or a single line adapter.

For the HV20:]

Look at the Rode Videomic that many people have been happy with. It comes in both mone and stereo versions, is built with the shout mount and shockmount in a single unit:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...arch&Q=*&bhs=t

From Audio Technica there are a couple of choices. Here is the ATR55:
http://www.audio-technica.com/cms/wi...dd5/index.html
At B&H:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...icrophone.html

You will still need a shock mount with a shoe mount. I have this one and it works very well:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...mera_Shoe.html

A higher quality mic from Audio Technica is this one, but one that requires an adapter to go from XLR to the miniplug:
http://www.audio-technica.com/cms/wi...574/index.html
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...arch&Q=*&bhs=t
With an XLR mic you need one of these adapters shown on this page:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...arch&Q=*&bhs=t
The "XLR-H8/DV cable" about 3/4 down the list (for $59.95) would probable be your best bet. (This not only adapters the connector, but changes the output level to match the camera and it converts the mono to stereo... like the Beachtek, but for only one mic)

Don't forget the DM50 by Canon that is powered off the accessory shoe:

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=83276
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...arch&Q=*&bhs=t

With a camera-mounted Oktava, what would be the max. recording distance? TIA - Roman.

Can't really answer that. It all depends on your ability to understand and control your sound environment. At a loud cocktail party, 1-2 feet. After heavy snowfall in the mountains, you might be able to pickup a wolf howling from 2 miles away. The only real general advice is - the closer the better.

Bummer, most of my stuff is done at parties. I was hoping for maybe 6-10ft with the hypercardioid capsule, but then again, it ain't a shotgun. Thanks for the info. - Roman.