Just cancelled my order for the HV20, mainly due to these overwhelming sound issues. I am not going to be using off-camera mics, and I do not want a buzzing or whining noise in my audio. Unfortunate, because this is about the only thing I can see that's seriously wrong with the camera. I'll keep playing with a Sony HC90, until something even more perfect than the HV20 comes along.

On Page 61 of the HV20 manual it reads.... "When recording in very quiet surroundings, the built-in microphone may pick up the sound of the camcorder's internal machinery. In such cases, we recommend using an external microphone"

But Chris, with ref to your 'noisy' audio test in post 13, to me that pronounced 'hiss' sounds like HV20 mic pre-amp noise combined with some tape noise.

If you haven't done this, try turning the mic attenuator off (P61) and with the same recording conditions turn the internal mic. recording level up to read peaks near zero when recording. And I'd get a bit closer to the camera mic. to get a clearer voice sound. Good examples btw.
HTH Cheers.

Chris,

Could you post a picture of the HV20 with the DXA-4 beachtek + ME66?
I think it sounded quite good in your test. Thanks for doing this.

The only concern I have is that this it's quite a big attachment and for vacation video's too big?

Thanks
Luc

Andrew - posted some pics of the SMX-10 with the SM3 here: http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=92847

Luc:

See post #88 in this thread: Have pics there.

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthrea...t=90504&page=6

Thanks a lot. Yeah doesn't look like a setup for vacation videos (especially not for hiking).

I'm also contemplating to go for the HV10 or take a chance with the HV20 and return it if I get a not so good unit (Costco has it now and they have a great return policy).

Chris, thanks for posting the audio test. I was surprised also at the amount of noise from the onboard mic. Of course you wouldn't expect the best audio quality from a camera this cheap.

No, its not a Mike you could even squeeze by with. Seems to pick up a lot of camera noise. When I mount my telephoto on it, even seems to get worse.

Noise update with Rode Videomic?
 

I'm considering purchasing a HV20 and I presently own a Rode Videomic and love it. Are people still having noise issues with Videomic and the HV20? Is anyone happy using the Videomic with the HV20? Thanks.

I second David Jasanys question.
Will the Rode Videomic eliminate most of the camera noise from the HV20?

Ronnie, I saw on another HV20 forum that many people were happy using the Videomic with the HV20. I'm probably not going to buy the HV20 so I can't give you feedback on how well it works for me.

I love my Videomic so far.

Fine so far
 

I've been using the videomic for a couple of weeks, largely indoors in an apartment with rubber floors.

If the environment is very quiet, you're definitely going to hear tape noise/hiss, even though it is vastly reduced from the onboard mic.

The videomic is a low price consumer solution. Similarly, the HV20 is an cheap HDV camera which has not been designed to tick every box. It's mindless to expect flawless quality from either of these products in combination.

If you bear this in mind, the videomic delivers crisp, clear sound for improved home movies, and for its price, it's a doozy.

Thanks Matthew. Good to hear you're have reasonable success with the Videomic and HV20 combo. I've been using a Videomic for 2-3 years on my 9 year old Canon Elura and the audio is excellent. I've never heard any camera noise even in quiet environments. For the money, I think the Videomic is an excellent mic and a bargain. Even when recording with my Elura's internal mic camera noise is unaudible.