[Jason King]

Here's a question for ya! I'm looking to buy a miniDV cam and the one I'm most interested in states that the audio mic input is unbalanced.

Well, I have no idea what that means and if it's better to have a balanced input. I have an external mic from an old cam that I will probably use most of the time and I'm curious how it will be affected by this.

Thanks again for all the help!

[ValVashon]

I'll try and keep this short and simple since it's past my bedtime, so I apologize to any purists out there if there's anything I left out. Balanced audio is audio with three wires- hot, neutral (or return) and a ground; most commonly it is used in professional applications (such as with the TV satellite truck I operate). Unbalanced audio is consumer stuff- in this case your mic probably has two wires and terminates in some sort of mini plug. Get the appropriate adapter and you will be just fine. You will probably never find a mini DV cam with balanced audio- that's reserved for professional formats, such as Beta, Beta SX and DVC pro.

Val

[Jason King]

Thank You very much for the clearification! My little mic does, infact, have a miniplug. I was very worried about this unbalanced idea, but since it is normal, I feel safe again.

Thanks again

Originally posted by ValVashon:
<STRONG>I'll try and keep this short and simple since it's past my bedtime, so I apologize to any purists out there if there's anything I left out. Balanced audio is audio with three wires- hot, neutral (or return) and a ground; most commonly it is used in professional applications (such as with the TV satellite truck I operate). Unbalanced audio is consumer stuff- in this case your mic probably has two wires and terminates in some sort of mini plug. Get the appropriate adapter and you will be just fine. You will probably never find a mini DV cam with balanced audio- that's reserved for professional formats, such as Beta, Beta SX and DVC pro.

Val</STRONG>