Camcorder mic attachment & device to see cable tv on cell phone

[Knightmessenger]

I have a Hi8 camcorder (TRV-615) that I'd like to put an enhanced mic on the top part. But I want the attachment to be omnidirectional and in stereo. Most mics are I've seen are in mono, my camera records in stereo and I don't want to lose that feature. I want omnidirectional because I talk behind the camera too and I don't want to lose my voice to no longer be picked up. Basically I just want the same type of mic built into the camera but at a higher quality so it doesn't make that horrible noise when there's wind outdoors.

I got a brochure for a device that will let you watch whatever is on your home tv remotely. So you could get your channels from your house on a wireless connection at your laptop or cell phone. My analog portable tv is going to die in February and I'd like something to replace it. The new portable digital tv's are too expensive and far more stuff is on cable anyways. So it wouldn't be worth it. But this device I'm referring to can send you cable as well which would be sweet. Does anyone know what I'm talking about? And what cell phone would be reccomended for displaying the tv signal?

[JohnnyMalaria]

An external mic won't help your wind problem (hmmm) unless you put a windscreen on it. It will help cut down on mechanical noise from the camcorder as long as there is some kind of damping between the two.

[filmboss80]

To answer your first question: Your camcorder's built-in mic is omnidirectional, stereo, and mounted either on top of -- or in front of -- your camcorder. It should pick up your voice just fine. To mount another omnidirectional mic on the camera might be somewhat redundant, with the only advantage being a windscreen/windsock that can reduce but not completely eliminate wind noise.

Markertek.com has a number of stereo microphones at pro, prosumer, and consumer levels.

With a bit of an expenditure, you could get a camcorder mountable stereo mic mixer from Beachtek.com and put one mic on one channel (I would really suggest a unidirectional / shotgun mic) and a headset microphone (for your voice) on the other channel.

The cheapest solution would be to tape a piece of foam over your camcorder's built-in mic to reduce wind noise.

[Knightmessenger]

The built in mic is in the front of the camera. It's not bad but I want something that's a little better.
Would the foam block out other sounds that I want. I know the camera has a wind screen function but all it does is drastically lower the volume of the low frequencies. Not very effective. Would foam be better?

[JohnnyMalaria]

All the foam will do is help reduce wind noise. It works by deflecting the wind so it can't reach the microphone. Other sounds will make it through.

[Knightmessenger]

Thanks for the idea. I'll have to give it a try.

[Soopafresh]

Have a look at this:

http://www.micover.com/store/