>d_ruether@hotmail.com (Neuman - Ruether) wrote in message news:

<3e284010.10243004@newsstand.cit.cornell.edu>...

>> On 16 Jan 2003 06:02:48 -0800, ldk@ldk.com (Lee) wrote:

>> >I have read some pretty good comments about the quality of the Sony

>> >WCS-999 Wireless Microphone as an external camcorder mic solution for

>> >my Canon ZR-40.

>> >

>> >My question is can the lav mic be plugged DIRECTLY into the camcorder

>> >instead of the transmitter? Does the Mic require power from the

>> >transmitter that it wouldn't receive from the Camcorder? Would the

>> >impedence match?

>> >

>> >There are times I would simply like to have an external mic clipped to

>> >my hat, and wouldn't want to carry a transmitter in one pocket and a

>> >receiver in the other! :-)

>> >

>> >Even SONY couldn't answer this question and most stores don't carry

>> >the mic, preferring to carry it online. Does anyone have this

>> >combination and have you tried it?

>> If the mic is tiny, it is likely an "electret" type, needing

>> power. If it is not provided on the mic or in the mic cord,

>> it is likely provided by the transmitter (you can measure

>> the DC output at the plug input, if you are careful). Canon

>> camcorders used to provide a DC out jack for powering mics,

>> but probably no longer do. Check the mic input jack for DC,

>> and if present, if it is a similar voltage to the Sony. Most

>> Sony camcorders do have about 1.5 volts DC on the mic inputs

>> (the Canon voltage was higher) to power mics, so lavaliere

>> mics often work with these straight-in, but I suspect you

>> will need to rig an in-line power supply (battery) for using

>> the lav on the Canon...

>> David Ruether

On 16 Jan 2003 22:06:09 -0800, ldk@ldk.com (Lee) wrote:

>Great answer, David. Thanks!

>

>Can you clarify for me, there are three leads (sections) in a stereo

>mini plug; which pair would carry the DC voltage? Does such a current

>interfere with the audio signal?

>--Lee

The tip and ring are left and right "hot", as I recall,

and the plug body is ground; the DC should appear on both

"hots" relative to ground, to power two mics... The DC can

be a problem with electronics that are not capacitor-coupled

at the input, and it can contribute to the "crunchy"

sound you get if you move the plug in the jack and the

connection is not excellent - but otherwise it is just DC

added to AC, and it generally does not affect the sound

unless it is amplified in the preamp, or causes one side of

the audio waveform to clip too early due to excessive

DC offset. Also, I think some Sony camcorders may use

what happens to the DC to signal input connection choices,

and some gear may upset this...