Sony ECM-DS70P Electret Condenser Stereo Microphone by Sony
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List Price: Our Price: $48.36 You Save: $26.63 (36%) Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Buy Used: from $41.48 (click here) Category: CE See more digital camera details and other models |
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Digital camera reviews of Sony ECM-DS70P Electret Condenser Stereo Microphone
Digital camera Review: Excellent addition especially to Sony's icd-bx700/px720 recorders!!
Summary: 5 Stars
I've tried this mic with sony's icd-b300/b400 recorders and could not get happy as these lower level recorders produce noticeable amounts of hiss with and without this mic even in HQ mode. Also tried Olympus recorder VN-5000 with + without one of their own add on omni-directional mics and could not get happy with that either so sold them. Finally!! Bought a Sony icd-px720 recorder ($42 refurbished) which has SHQ + HQ modes and sounds really good BUT when adding this budget mic takes that recorder to a whole new level ading not only stereo sound but immensely more sensitivity then the built-in mic. So for those on a budget I recomend either the sony icd-bx700 or the slightly more expensive icd-px720 (adds usb port) with this mic which if buying refurbished like I did gives you a very nice system for around $50 total. With this mic and Sony recorder combo I'm recording live music in stereo which sounds surprisingly good especially for lower cost equipment and for lectures this mic is a big improvement too at least on the recorders mentioned.
Really glad I bought it!
Digital camera Review: Fabulous microphone for the money.
Summary: 5 Stars
I have several of these now for people in my company. We especially use them for recording to SONY Mini discs. They deliver unbelievable quality (for the money) in that application--and others. As noted in other reviews here, however, be aware that the mic is very sensitive. If you don't want a superb mic that is sensitive, you don't want this one.
This is one of those products that comes along every now and then where the designers just got tons of things right. Also as noted elsewhere here, this MIC will do you NO good unless you have a device that has powered mic jack (plug-n-power). The GREAT thing about that, as long as you do have such a device and jack for this, is that you don't ever have to worry if your battery is about out on your mic and will drop out in the middle of recording something.
In addition to many things, I'm sure, this MIC works great with Sony Mini disc recorders, some (likely all) Sony Voice Recorders (really improves the quality of what those can do), Edirol RU 9, Ederil UA-1ex, etc. I think all higher end Olympus voice recorders also use this type of powered mic jack.
Great mic at great price. It comes with a cloth/coated extension cord that can be moved noisely. Obvious, you want to use that extension anytime the device you are plugging it into creates it's own mechanical noises (like a Mini Disc recorder).
Digital camera Review: Failed from the start
Summary: 1 Stars
I purchased this microphone to go with a Kodak zi8 HD camera I bought. One channel of the stereo mic was dead. I tested the mic on a number of different devices and the same problem followed the mic. I tried a different stereo mic on the camera and it worked fine. I send the seller a note telling of the problem and asking for a quick response. I got no response. I contacted the seller three times and there is still no response. Not a word. This was a fairly expensive microphone and I suspect that if it worked properly, it would be a decent quality device. The one channel that works sounds great. So my issue is with the seller, who I strongly suggest that you avoid.
Digital camera Review: Fantastic; Needs a Windscreen
Summary: 4 Stars
I LOVE this mic. It is very easy to adjust and hides well so it doesn't show up in your shot. I bought a 20' extension cable for it, and now I love it even more. The only thing I cannot find is a windscreen to fit it. Does anyone know of a place where I could get one?Digital camera Review: GREAT ADD-ON FOR Zi8!
Summary: 4 Stars
I just received this from an Amazon retailer and am pleased that it lived up to the hype. I performed several sound check comparison videos using my Kodak zi8 and am extremely pleased with the background noise reduction (no longer exists in the video).
The only drawbacks are the short length (3 ft) of the included 'extension' cord and the somewhat awkward clipping mechanism. The microphone head is a bit heavy so you may have to use extra care to keep it clipped to someone's shirt or blouse or the weight may make it fall off.
I bought a 20 ft extension cord from Radio Shack and a splitter(I film "how to" videos and interviews). Even the Radio Shack guy was impressed by my microphone and when I told him I was looking for another secondary mic, he advised me not to buy the one they had in the store since it required a battery and didn't have the best sound quality.
You can also use this as a computer microphone and I even made a phone call from my Google mail with it.
** A good mic is a MUST for newbies to video production because great sound makes all the difference between videos with that amateur internet look (and annoying buzzing) and a true quality video.