My new microphone ... kinda strange looking
 

I got a rush of blood and bought a RODE SVM. Looks kind of whacky.

Rode SVM
 

So... how does it sound? I am considering this mic for my hd7 for general messing about. if you can, post a sample file. or write up a review.

Whoa, thanks for those pictures, that does look a little strange. Can you tell me where you got the step up ring(it's 46mm to 52mm?).

Step up ring
 

I got one for mine as well and got it on e-bay for $2.99 plus $3 shipping

I bumped into a seller on eBay called FOTOTALIA. He was able to supply the ring and the hood.

46 > 52 is the step size. The hood is called a "52mm video hood". There is also a 58mm hood which I might get for my SLR.

I can recommend the two bubble level if you do panorama work with an SLR.

I am happy to do some testing later in the week. My backyard tests reveal a remarkable level of wind-noise isolation (which is what I wanted).

The story begins with the MG575 and the first happy experience of charging the battery. As soon as I took it outside there were loud and random pop/crackle noises on the soundtrack. There was nothing I could do to overcome the "flaw" of the MG575 in handling wind-cut (even with that menu active). I discovered that the Cyberlink software overcomes the problem by blotting the sound completely leading to "dead-air" and flutter. I traded back my MG575 for the HD3 in order to overcome this design flaw. The built-in microphone in the HD3 did not pop or crackle even in with 40mph wind.

Just to make matters worse, some software players inject noise into the soundtrack which isn't there because the CODEC has a dynamic range problem.

By the time the HD3 arrived I was already looking for something in the consumer category, yet small enough to be handheld and portable. I wanted the camera built-in audio to be a "secondary" system if the Rode runs out of power or cant be used for limitations (in rain under a cover).

"Out of the box" tests are very encouraging and I will eventually run a scene-by-scene comparison by filming a scene and then unplugging the microphone. You can expect that to be posted on YouTube and a link to here. I will tackle the task of how to code for YouTube and am confident that even at those modest sample rates the difference in quality will be obvious. (If it is good on YouTube it is good in most applications).

My view on sound is that it makes up 50% of the camera function.



Some technical material from the supplied instructions.


Please note that I DO NOT work for RODE or any reseller.

monitoring audio
 

is there a headphone out on the HD3 or HD7?? I heard somewhere that there wasn't..if this is true..is there any way to monitor audio..perhaps thru the a/v out??

thanks,
brendan

Brendan
Nail, head...good aim!
On the HD7 there is an AV out. This expects a 4 pole 3.5mm jack with contacts for Left Audio, Right Audio, Video and common.
So you can either:
create a little adaptor that goes from 4 pole jack to 3 pole socket to suit your headphones (soldering and bits and bobs)
change the jack on your headphones (soldering and 1 bit)
use standard cables i.e. AV breakout to RCA, RCA connectors on the the red and white audio to an audio breakout cable (RCA red and white) to an audio 3.5mm...no soldring but you will need to insure yourself gainst tripping over the exessive amount of cable.
If you plug headphones straight into the AV it will short...dunno if this will damage the camera electronics.

Rode SVM in Use
 

I also use the Rode Stereo Video mic. For about $250 I can't complain for the setup. I did a clip using the HD7 I hope you can enjoy. I definetly think the stereo mic is a great addition to a studio.

http://www.bytemeinc.com/temp.asp

For slower connections:
http://www.bytemeinc.com/Greybox/temp.asp

headphone monitoring on HD7
 

One thing to try is to utilize one of those "Altoids tin" headphone amps available on the net. go from the modified AV cable into its input and now you have the juice to drive pretty much any headphone and you also get volume control. this is my strategy, I'm waiting on my amp to try it, i will report, things just take forever to make it out here to the Caribbean.

Good choice in Microphone mate, Rode make some fantastic gear, and it's high quality at great prices. It's the only thing I reccomend to people these days, and I've done the comparisons with sennheisers worth 20%-50% more.
You'll be wrapped with the results you get from that mic :)

headphone monitoring on HD7
 

THe Altoids tin amp works perfectly!!!