On Sun, 02 Feb 2003 15:05:45 GMT, "Magnusfarce" <magnusfarce@earthlink.net> wrote:

>I'm thinking of picking up the "zoom mic" for my camcorder (Sony TRV-18).

>The microphone in question is the ECM-HS1 which sells for about $50 to $70.

>I like the idea of the mic's zoom function being synched to the camera zoom

>through the hot shoe. I assume that the overall sound will improve at least

>somewhat, but that's not the main reason for the microphone: some of the

>material I shoot will benefit from a directional microphone.

>

>Any comments about the quality and overall usefulness of this device? TIA.

Some people like it, and I have not tried it - but

it appears to work by adding its own (mono) slightly

directional output progressively more to that of the

built-in (stereo) mics as the lens is zoomed long.

I prefer that sound quality not change with lens

zooming, though others may find the effect useful...