Audio and Headphones
 

This maybe a stupid question but I am unsure so I will ask.

Why does a person need to use Headphones if you have a Camera with a Left and Right Audio level gauge ?

For some reason I'm not understanding this Audio thing...

Thanks a head of time.

The audio level gauges won't "show" you problems with the audio (e.g. hiss, background hum or whatever). Only your ears can pick these and many other audio issues up - and they sure will after the event....when its too late!

Wearing headphones while recording is similar to looking through the viewfinder while recording. In other words, it's just as important to monitor the audio while shooting as it is to monitor the video while shooting.

It is easy to be fully consumed by watching the picture portion while shooting - content, framing, lighting, composition, anticipation of coming action/business....

can you imagine that whilst doing all this mind boggling wrangling of the picture portion, that you'd also be watching audio level monitors at the same time.

It's just common sense to slap on some over the ear headphones and use your other invaluable tools - your ears - to monitor audio.

Even better yet - if your budget can afford it - give the audio portion of the project what it deserves - a sound person - can't tell you how many times I've botched/missed overly loud audio even with headphones as a one man show - just too many functions coming at you all at once.

Meters tell you quantity, Headphones tell you quality. Both have their uses.