Quality Audo/Video recording - on a budget: ZOOm Q3

gritstone

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Disappointed with the audio quality of the (video) recording of my uke playing I went in search of something better. There are a number of great options -many mentioned in these forums.

But if you want decent quality and are on a budget snap up these bargains before it's too late:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Zoom-Q3-Handy-Video-Recorder-NEW-/290577597591?_trksid=p4340.m263&_trkparms=algo%3DDLSL%252BSIC%26its%3DI%26itu%3DUCI%252BIA%252BUA%252BFICS%252BUFI%252BDDSIC%26otn%3D8%26pmod%3D290573657901%252B290573657901%26po%3D%26ps%3D63%26clkid%3D714412395058330843
 
Video performance of the Zoom Q3 is lacking compared to the Flip UltraHD. There are some excellent options out there. None of these cameras work well in low-light conditions, though. The Flip camera's weakness is audio quality. That is where the Zoom shines, as one can imagine. The Blue Mic "Mikey" for the Flip does not seem to have every come to market and now that the Cisco guys have dumped the Flip, it seems unlikely that "Mikey" ever will exist beyond a prototype.
 
At twice the price, the HD version: ZOOM Q3HD is available, though I've not tried one...
I guess it's not pro quality - but for self analysis, and amateur YouTube uploads it's exactly what I was looking for.

So be warned - uploads to follow...
 
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At twice the price, the HD version: ZOOM Q3HD is available, though I've not tried one...
I guess it's not pro quality - but for self analysis, and amateur YouTube uploads it's exactly what I was looking for.

So be warned - uploads to follow...

The high-def version is better than the original. IF you bought the original, there is a firmware update that improved low-light video quality. Make sure that you download it.
 
An even more economic option for quality sound (if a video recorder isn't necessary) is just getting a good USB Condenser microphone for the computer.
My one is a Samson C01U, but there are other options out there too nowadays.

Here's a sample of a recording I did on the Samson C01U
k_wizard's walk.mp3

Or after I uploaded to youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bz9v3MkUGUk
 
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Disappointed with the audio quality of the (video) recording of my uke playing I went in search of something better. There are a number of great options -many mentioned in these forums.

But if you want decent quality and are on a budget snap up these bargains before it's too late:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Zoom-Q3-Handy-Video-Recorder-NEW-/290577597591?_trksid=p4340.m263&_trkparms=algo%3DDLSL%252BSIC%26its%3DI%26itu%3DUCI%252BIA%252BUA%252BFICS%252BUFI%252BDDSIC%26otn%3D8%26pmod%3D290573657901%252B290573657901%26po%3D%26ps%3D63%26clkid%3D714412395058330843

thanks for this post gritstone.

I've been bumbling about making very poor sound and visual quality yuoutube vids for a few months now and just getting so frustrated at the poor quality, not knowing how to edit, layer tracks etc etc and being utterly technologically illiterate...so I might just grab on of these...they're less than $140 here in Oz...could be a good investment, or at least a good place to start.

Thanks! :)
 
I have the original Q3 and have been enjoying it but the video quality isn't the greatest especially in low light. How do I get that upgrade?

Nevermind, I found it.
 
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BTW Eugene, the editing software with the Q3 is not good. I would suggest getting something better to edit with. I use power director 9 and I'm pretty happy with it. It's not too expensive either.
 
thanks for the advice cb. I actually bought the Q3 last night. It cost me $145. Don't know if that's good or not but there it is, it's on the way

When you mention upgrades and another software edit thingy...what does that mean exactly? Is it something you plug into the Q3 or into your computer? Sorry, but I really am a luddite and painfully ignorant re anything electronic.

So you're saying the audio quality is good, but visuals and edit function needs a boost? Gee, did I buy the wrong thing I wonder...

(oh, by the way mate, the tab for 'Great Is Thy Faithfulness" I'll write up tomorrow as I have a 3 day window of days off...sorry for the delay)
 
Eugene, no hurry on that tab. Just do it at your convenience.
As far as video and editing I'm just learning as I go along. Don't get me wrong I love the Q3 for what I do. Especially for the audio. There is always a trade off between money and quality or flexibility. I paid $200 for the Q3 and am still happy with it. I haven't done the upgrade but will soon. It can be found here.
http://www.zoom.co.jp/downloads/q3/software/?lang=en

The Zoom editing software doesn't do much but allow you to chop the beginning or end off of the video.
The power editor does titles, fades, multi tracking etc... I still have alot to learn about using it. I think I paid $75 for it. You can get it sent on disk or download it online. There may be better software out there but power editor is pretty easy to use and is reasonably priced.
http://www.cyberlink.com/products/p...ware_2_powerdirector&utm_campaign=CL_Homepage

Oh, I almost forgot. There is a free trial version that you can try for 30 days
http://www.cyberlink.com/downloads/trials/powerdirector/download_en_US.html
 
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hmm... seems i already have the software upgrade on my computer so maybe the newer models already have this? I guess I just need to learn how to use it.
 
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