Zoom Q3HD Comparison

The Zoom Q3HD brings 1080p video and a Line In audio port to the Zoom Q3 pocket video recorder. And they arrived ahead of schedule! In this video I've assembled clips from the Kodak Zi8, Sanyo Xacti HD2000, and the Zoom Q3HD. I shot using both the on-board mics and external mics.

Please visit my blog at http://www.homebrewedmusic.com/2010/11/28/a-first-look-at-the-zoom-q3hd/ for more information and links to clip downloads.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• homebrewed music
• Fran Guidry
• Zoom Q3HD
• q3
• q3hd
• xacti hd2000
• kodak zi8
• zi8
• shure ksm141
• rode nt4
• at822

[anonymouslolxD]

Why does my q3hd sound so shit?

[homebrewedmusic]

@anonymouslolxD The Q3HD does a pretty good job of recording the sound that hits the mics. If you're unhappy with the recording, you need to improve the sound that hits the mic. That means improving the acoustics in the room, getting the mics (and therefore the camera) closer to the subject, and generating a sound that matches your expectations. Then to make sure none of the audio quality is lost, use a PCM audio format (uncompressed).

Or use a mic pre and external mics.

Fran

[Losenger]

It's no contest! I am buying the ZOOM as soon as I can!

[homebrewedmusic]

@Losenger Just remember, I'm using a lot of light!

Fran

[noipee]

The Q3HD records better in my opinion. It sounds less tinny and has fuller and better bass.

[homebrewedmusic]

@noipee I certainly agree with you.

Fran

[makatr0n]

well mister that guitar sounds superb!

[grworth]

Excellent just what I was looking for...best Job i've seen of this kind of comparison after viewing and looking for hours for low cost entry level HQ Audio that's easy to use...loved your music just great!!!

[franguidry]

@jjjacko 44.1 khz 16 bit PCM audio is used for commercial CDs. I have never found any objective evidence that higher sampling rates are better. It's remotely possible that there is some benefit to 24 bit word length, but I believe the Zoom audio circuitry generates noise levels higher than 16 bit quantization noise.

In other words, you won't hear a difference at higher settings. They will just make bigger files.

Fran

[jjjacko]

I just purchased the Q3HD for shooting outdoor music festivals, however i'm not very savvy with audio jargon.

I know PCM is best but what about bit and sample rate and bit lengh?

Is it just a case of "more is better"?

Thanks,

JR

[franguidry]

@montrealhclive You definitely cannot mix the on-board mics with external mics. When you plug in an external source it turns off the on-board mics.

You can't plug a mic directly into the Line In port - Line In means it needs a preamp.

The change in audio from 192 to 320 will be subtle at best and probably inaudible. But if you want the best audio, choose PCM.

Fran

[montrealhclive]

@homebrewedmusic ..... I'm filming live shows with it.... You think the Q3HD can record with those mics and add another Mic (maybe a Shure Beta 52) in the line in and have a mix of both ? And I'm doing an interview with 2 bands tomorrow, should I buy a 1/8 XLR cable and plug my shure sm58 to it, for the interview only.... I just set the sounds from 192 to 320 Kbps.. Will it make a big difference...??? thx

[franguidry]

@prince4sins Sounds like you're on the right track.

Fran

[prince4sins]

@franguidry I open the folder in my computer having it connected to the computer by a usb port and simply drag the file, normally called zoom0001, onto mydesktop. I then open it in quicktime player. I watched some videos of Steve Vai and I see the same little disturbance. Handyshare is not that good I must say and it has the same defect for now. I read in the booklet something about Upgrading the firmware version. Maybe that will do it. I bought it last saturday.