HC3 external microphone adaptor discontinued at DVinfo.net

Richard Iredale · January 26th, 2007, 05:32 PM

Well, Sony last month had said on their parts page that the little VMC-K100 was about to be made available for the US. Not any more.

If you type in that part number on the Sony parts page, they reply that it is being discontinued. The reason is obvious--they don't want to cut into sales of their new HC7, which has a mic input on the camera body.

You can complain at (800) 222-7669, but I doubt it will do any good. The guy I spoke with at that number had absolutely no reference to that part number at all. He was very surprised when I showed him Wolfgang's web page and a photo of the actual item.
http://www.fxsupport.de/14.html

Perhaps some third-part company will pick up the ball.

Jeff DeMaagd · January 28th, 2007, 06:43 PM

That's unfortunate. Has anyone here even able to get it?

Tyson Persall · January 31st, 2007, 01:25 AM

I AM FURRRIOUS!!!!!!!!!

What do you want from me? To buy a whole new camera. What, my HC3 is 6 months old and its obsolete now???
I just bought a Sony Vaio AR290 laptop on Friday and found out today it is obsolete/discontinued and replaced by the AR390. Nothing like having top of the line model for only 4 days.
Just make us the dang Mic input adapter please.

Douglas Spotted Eagle · January 31st, 2007, 01:32 AM

Tyson, the HC3 is over a year old at this point; it was a short term fill. If you only bought it 4 months ago, you might have not researched the purchase of it well.
Gear comes and goes very fast from all manufacturers, more rapidly than ever before. The consumer gear line has always been on a 12-14 month cycle, and many cam companies follow this line of marketing/sales.
I've got 40 VAIO's that we bought cheap because we knew they were going to soon be discontinued. Got a great deal, but we knew what we were buying.
It's just the way business works.

Andreas Griesmayr · January 31st, 2007, 04:08 AM

but it is a founded 'hope' not fulfilled.
I don't call it 'promise' , on the operating instructions one could read 'not for sale'

Richard Iredale · February 12th, 2007, 03:50 PM

Amazingly, B&H Photo has this part in stock as of today. They say they have "plenty."

Since the part remains officially cancelled on the Sony Parts site, I'd suggest getting this ASAP. $20 + shipping.

C.S. Michael · February 13th, 2007, 12:47 PM

Richard, thanks for your post! I really wish I'd had this adapter 2 weeks ago (just got back from a sojourn in Moldova). My HC3 took some fantastic video in the former USSR; it's a shame about the audio.

I really think Sony needs to step it up with the next generation. The HC3 is a great little camera hamstrung by a mediocre onboard mic, and no easy way to beef it up. Canon is going to make waves with the HV20, which strikes me as an HC3 with 24p, CineGamma, and XLR capability via the adapter. When the HV20 hits the market, I'm afraid my HC3 will move on to its next owner.

Douglas Spotted Eagle · February 13th, 2007, 12:53 PM

The HC3 was discontinued in October of 06, the HC5 and HC7 are the current models. The HC7 has external audio inputs for those that need it.

David Hobbs · February 16th, 2007, 10:31 PM

i ordered one from B&H and it should arrive Monday. I was in the Sony store yesterday and mentioned this adaptor and they would love to have them here in Australia. They are selling the HC3e here as current model - apparently the HC5 and HC7 are not available here yet. We're often several months behind the US in availability and price.

Oh, and Douglas Spotted Eagle, nice work on the VMS training DVD - I liked the short one included in the Platinum edition so much, I bought the full one!

Tyson Persall · February 19th, 2007, 05:53 PM

This is great news for me! The VMC-K100 is finnaly available! I have despritly wanted mic input for the HC3 -And for only $20 dollars! I would have paid $300 dollars for it. probably should have bought 2.

C.S. Michael · February 20th, 2007, 09:03 AM

My VMC-K100 should arrive today. I will post info when it does.

I'm thrilled that Sony is offering this mic adapter. Sure the HC3 is last year's model, but so is my car. I'd still like to have parts for it! :-)

I was previously planning to sell my HC3, but now we can pair quality audio with uncompressed visuals via the Blackmagic Intensity card (capturing via HDMI). The HC3 is an amazingly affordable, portable HD solution. Well done, Sony (and/or B&H).

Richard Iredale · March 5th, 2007, 12:50 AM

I've had the adapter for several weeks now and it works great. It's a tiny little thing, but attaches to the HC3 shoe with a reassuring click and provides the mic-in port on the left side.

C.S. Michael · March 5th, 2007, 10:54 PM

I'm enjoying mine also. I've connected an XLR mic (AT897) via a 1/8-inch to XLR adapter cable.

John McGinley · March 23rd, 2007, 04:22 AM

It's really hard for me to justify the purchase of an HC7 just to get a 'line in' port that Sony used to sell as an add-on for $20.

Kevin Lee · March 28th, 2008, 01:41 AM

Any idea if the VMC-K100 or a 3rd party alternative can be purchased?

A search online lists as discontinued and unavailable...

Saw the Microphone Unit Adaptor (No: AC-L15) that came supplied with a friend's HVR-A1. Assume that interfaces with the Sony Shoe.

That would be nice if available in some form..(standalone buy excl. cam) with 2 XLR inputs.

Thanks.

January 26th, 2007, 05:32 PM	#1
Richard Iredale Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 67	HC3 external microphone adaptor discontinued Well, Sony last month had said on their parts page that the little VMC-K100 was about to be made available for the US. Not any more. If you type in that part number on the Sony parts page, they reply that it is being discontinued. The reason is obvious--they don't want to cut into sales of their new HC7, which has a mic input on the camera body. You can complain at (800) 222-7669, but I doubt it will do any good. The guy I spoke with at that number had absolutely no reference to that part number at all. He was very surprised when I showed him Wolfgang's web page and a photo of the actual item. http://www.fxsupport.de/14.html Perhaps some third-part company will pick up the ball.

January 31st, 2007, 01:25 AM	#3
Tyson Persall Major Player Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: North Hollywood, Atlanta Posts: 437	I AM FURRRIOUS!!!!!!!!! What do you want from me? To buy a whole new camera. What, my HC3 is 6 months old and its obsolete now??? I just bought a Sony Vaio AR290 laptop on Friday and found out today it is obsolete/discontinued and replaced by the AR390. Nothing like having top of the line model for only 4 days. Just make us the dang Mic input adapter please. __________________ Tyson X Last edited by Douglas Spotted Eagle; January 31st, 2007 at 01:29 AM. Reason: inappropriate commentary

January 31st, 2007, 01:32 AM	#4
Douglas Spotted Eagle VASST Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Stockton, UT Posts: 5,648	Tyson, the HC3 is over a year old at this point; it was a short term fill. If you only bought it 4 months ago, you might have not researched the purchase of it well. Gear comes and goes very fast from all manufacturers, more rapidly than ever before. The consumer gear line has always been on a 12-14 month cycle, and many cam companies follow this line of marketing/sales. I've got 40 VAIO's that we bought cheap because we knew they were going to soon be discontinued. Got a great deal, but we knew what we were buying. It's just the way business works. __________________ Douglas Spotted Eagle/Spot Author, producer, composer Certified Sony Vegas Trainer http://www.vasst.com

January 31st, 2007, 04:08 AM	#5
Andreas Griesmayr Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Amstetten Austria Posts: 140	but it is a founded 'hope' not fulfilled. I don't call it 'promise' , on the operating instructions one could read 'not for sale' __________________ video: NV-GS400 (black jap), Raynox HD-6600 and XL-3000, VW-LDC10 V.light, Velbon C-400, Slik monopod, Hama Hood audio: SP-CMC8+AT853 cards+omnis / AT822 > DIYpreamp > iRiver iHP120rockboxed, Giant Squid Omnis > iRiver iFP-799

February 13th, 2007, 12:47 PM	#7
C.S. Michael Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Birmingham, AL Posts: 197	Richard, thanks for your post! I really wish I'd had this adapter 2 weeks ago (just got back from a sojourn in Moldova). My HC3 took some fantastic video in the former USSR; it's a shame about the audio. I really think Sony needs to step it up with the next generation. The HC3 is a great little camera hamstrung by a mediocre onboard mic, and no easy way to beef it up. Canon is going to make waves with the HV20, which strikes me as an HC3 with 24p, CineGamma, and XLR capability via the adapter. When the HV20 hits the market, I'm afraid my HC3 will move on to its next owner. Last edited by C.S. Michael; February 14th, 2007 at 05:47 AM.

January 28th, 2007, 06:43 PM	#2
Jeff DeMaagd Major Player Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Grand Rapids, MI, USA Posts: 202	That's unfortunate. Has anyone here even able to get it?

February 12th, 2007, 03:50 PM	#6
Richard Iredale Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 67	Amazingly, B&H Photo has this part in stock as of today. They say they have "plenty." Since the part remains officially cancelled on the Sony Parts site, I'd suggest getting this ASAP. $20 + shipping.

February 13th, 2007, 12:53 PM	#8
Douglas Spotted Eagle VASST Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Stockton, UT Posts: 5,648	The HC3 was discontinued in October of 06, the HC5 and HC7 are the current models. The HC7 has external audio inputs for those that need it. __________________ Douglas Spotted Eagle/Spot Author, producer, composer Certified Sony Vegas Trainer http://www.vasst.com

February 16th, 2007, 10:31 PM	#9
David Hobbs Tourist Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 4	i ordered one from B&H and it should arrive Monday. I was in the Sony store yesterday and mentioned this adaptor and they would love to have them here in Australia. They are selling the HC3e here as current model - apparently the HC5 and HC7 are not available here yet. We're often several months behind the US in availability and price. Oh, and Douglas Spotted Eagle, nice work on the VMS training DVD - I liked the short one included in the Platinum edition so much, I bought the full one!

February 19th, 2007, 05:53 PM	#10
Tyson Persall Major Player Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: North Hollywood, Atlanta Posts: 437	This is great news for me! The VMC-K100 is finnaly available! I have despritly wanted mic input for the HC3 -And for only $20 dollars! I would have paid $300 dollars for it. probably should have bought 2. __________________ Tyson X

February 20th, 2007, 09:03 AM	#11
C.S. Michael Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Birmingham, AL Posts: 197	My VMC-K100 should arrive today. I will post info when it does. I'm thrilled that Sony is offering this mic adapter. Sure the HC3 is last year's model, but so is my car. I'd still like to have parts for it! :-) I was previously planning to sell my HC3, but now we can pair quality audio with uncompressed visuals via the Blackmagic Intensity card (capturing via HDMI). The HC3 is an amazingly affordable, portable HD solution. Well done, Sony (and/or B&H).

March 5th, 2007, 12:50 AM	#12
Richard Iredale Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 67	I've had the adapter for several weeks now and it works great. It's a tiny little thing, but attaches to the HC3 shoe with a reassuring click and provides the mic-in port on the left side.

March 5th, 2007, 10:54 PM	#13
C.S. Michael Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Birmingham, AL Posts: 197	I'm enjoying mine also. I've connected an XLR mic (AT897) via a 1/8-inch to XLR adapter cable. Attached Thumbnails

March 23rd, 2007, 04:22 AM	#14
John McGinley Regular Crew Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 142	It's really hard for me to justify the purchase of an HC7 just to get a 'line in' port that Sony used to sell as an add-on for $20.

March 28th, 2008, 01:41 AM	#15
Kevin Lee Major Player Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Canada Posts: 224	Any idea if the VMC-K100 or a 3rd party alternative can be purchased? A search online lists as discontinued and unavailable... Saw the Microphone Unit Adaptor (No: AC-L15) that came supplied with a friend's HVR-A1. Assume that interfaces with the Sony Shoe. That would be nice if available in some form..(standalone buy excl. cam) with 2 XLR inputs. Thanks.