Does the HD7 have a headphone jack?

[Brian Tori]

Cannot seem to find an answer to this.

[Jeff Nyman]

The a/v jack can be used for the headphone jack. Get Steve's book it has diagrams how to build an adapter from ratshack parts so you can plug headphones into it.

[Brian Tori]

Thanks for quick reply. Since there is no manual control over audio levels, are many people using a Beachtek or similar?

[Waldemar Winkler]

Originally Posted by Brian Tori

Thanks for quick reply. Since there is no manual control over audio levels, are many people using a Beachtek or similar?

I do. It works wonderfully. Mine is a Sign Video XLR adapter, just as good as the Beachtek passive adapters and a lot cheaper. However, should you want to connect the XLR output of an audio mixer to the Beachtek/SignVideo adapter, be cautious! Most audio mixer XLR outputs are actually line level at +4 db. You'll have to either find or make an XLR to 3.5mm mini-plug adapter and use the line level inputs instead. Those mixers that can send out a true mic level signal are clearly labeled or have a mic/line switch clearly associated with the XLR outputs.

[Brian Tori]

How are you monitoring your sound? Are you using the adapter described above?

[Waldemar Winkler]

Originally Posted by Brian Tori

How are you monitoring your sound? Are you using the adapter described above?

When I do feel the need to listen to the camera's audio I do indeed use a home made adapter as described. Whenever I use either my Sign Video XLR adapter or an external mic listening for distortion is essential. However, when I am using the camera's built-in mic I usually don't concern myself with monitoring audio. But, the ambient audio has to be at comfortable normal hearing levels. Anything really loud, like a siren, a really noisy city street, a lot of people talking in a hotel lobby, a wedding reception, etc, all have a huge dynamic range of sound pressure levels demands an external mic and some kind of attenuation.