The V1 not having an in-built stereo mic, or even a regular minijack stereo input, what is the way to record stereo sound? Do you know of any stereo microphone shaped in such a way that it could go into the mic holder of the V1 instead of the mono shotgun? Or do one use the cold shoe for say the new Rode Stereo Videomic?

In both solution, I think a Stereo mini 3.5mm female to 2 XLR male Y-cable is needed, but my quick Google search yielded no results?

Anybody?

There are several stereo XLR microphones you can choose from... one which comes to mind immediately is the Audio Technica AT835ST Stereo Shotgun Microphone (http://www.audio-technica.com/cms/wired_mics/b92dc794916f0fa7/index.html), for about $945. No doubt there are other makes and models which aren't quite as expensive, but this is a good one.

The V1 XLR audio input works just like the camera it replaces.. the PD-170
I don't know of a web based operation manual for the PD-170 but there is
one for the PD-150 if you google for it, then you can read how to use it.

Normally the on-board mike is used for background audio on one of the channels... the other channel is either connected to a mike with a long
cord, like using it for a news cast, or can be used with a wireless mike..., like
using it for a wedding.

In the case of the the wireless mike the receiver is plugged into one of the channels of the XLR input...

Of course you could also put two wireless mikes or two mikes with long wires
to get the sterio sound too.

Thanks for your answers, but of course I'd beinterested in some cheaper solutions, for which a minijack stereo to 2 mono male XLR cable would be required... Do such cables exist?

Yes they exist... see http://www.audiogear.com/cgi-bin/shopper.cgi?key=AdptMniSP2Fxlr&preadd=action

But I still think you're better off with a stereo XLR mic as I stated above.

The cables exist, but noise is a big factor. The reason no professional camcorder has 3.5mm inputs is because as a rule, 3.5mm ended cables are unbalanced. You can't run an unbalanced cable over any distance of merit without RF or EMF becoming a serious challenge. You *need* the balanced format to reject noise from the mic line.
That said, there isn't a professional mic manufactured (to my knowledge) that uses a 3.5mm plug.

Yes they exist... see http://www.audiogear.com/cgi-bin/shopper.cgi?key=AdptMniSP2Fxlr&preadd=action

But I still think you're better off with a stereo XLR mic as I stated above.

Thanks Chris, but this one seems to be the other way around (female XLR). But generally, I agree an XLR balanced sterero mic will be best, so... I'm saving even harder!

Just add a pair of XLR gender changers...

And when it comes to adapter cables, you can get pretty much *anything* to *anything.*

A simple internet search should turn them up easily.

There are several stereo XLR microphones you can choose from... one which comes to mind immediately is the Audio Technica AT835ST Stereo Shotgun Microphone (http://www.audio-technica.com/cms/wired_mics/b92dc794916f0fa7/index.html), for about $945. No doubt there are other makes and models which aren't quite as expensive, but this is a good one.
Chris, what do you think of this one:
http://www.edirol.com/products/cs50/cs50.html
Edirol is Roland's brand; do the specs look OK? It's cheaper that the Audio Technica's AT835ST, has the same diameter but is shorter - I reckon it could easily be mounted on the V1 and replace it's own mono shotgun when recording stereo is required. Do you know if its sound quality is good enough?

The reason no professional camcorder has 3.5mm inputs is because as a rule, 3.5mm ended cables are unbalanced. You can't run an unbalanced cable over any distance of merit without RF or EMF becoming a serious challenge. You *need* the balanced format to reject noise from the mic line..

Since three conductor 3.5mm plugs/lacks clearly exist, there's no reason for XLRs from a noise reduction persepective. Any 3 conductor system will work.

XLR's do offer 100% security, but a simple cable clamp could do the same. And, once one has used Apple's magnetic power connector -- one releases a "break-away" connector is a REALLY much better idea.

Moreover, for an on-board mic or a wireless mic receiver, we are talking about a 6-inch cable run. In fact, you can buy several "pro" mics in 3.5mm version for just this reason. For such short runs, noise reduction isn't needed.

The real disadvantage of 3.5mm is they are typically made cheaply and can make noise at the connection. Mics used to use Phone-plugs which made very good contact. I think there are "minature" versions. These have the advantage that you need not worry about orientation and the male/female versions are obvious!

Did they remove the 3.5mm jack from the V1?

..according to Sony, no 3.5 external mic input...

Yes, the lack of 3.5 mm input is the reason I'm looking around for XLR stereo mic. Otherwise, I'd just buy sth like the new Stereo Videomic from Rode, which is much cheaper

Thought you would be interested in this mic - price is $ 500 online - (BH Photovideo) - it is apparently the same size as the mono mic provided with the camera: http://www.edirol.com/products/cs50/cs50.html. This mic is 2 inches shorter and half the price of the audio-technica also the cable provided is 6 feet long so here is where to find a cable 1 foot long (more approriate for this camera): http://www.soundprofessionals.com/cgi-bin/gold/category.cgi?item=SP-XLRF5-XLRM3-2