How Do I Record Audio? No Mic?

[george3]

I got my system installed, but have not fired it up yet. I noticed that a michrophone was not included in the kit.

Do I supply that separately?
What kind do I get?
Which connector?

Thanks.

[tristancliffe]

What kit did you get?

[george3]

I got:

KIT-RK1
-PDR100 Solid State Video Recorder
-BulletCam System, 520+ lines
-camera mount, 4GB Compact Flash Card, cables, etc.

NO MIC

[tristancliffe]

The PDR100 has a built in microphone, which is what the kits use by default. It's not bad for most purposes, but if you require an external microphone mounted somewhere else on the car then you'll need to buy one. Sorry!

I use the PDR internal microphone without problems.

[RandallNoll]

George,

We encourage you to at least try the internal mic. From our and our customers' experience, the majority of the time it's BETTER than an external mic because it is shielded from wind noise, so you don't get the constant whoooshing in the background. The internal mic also has adjustable gain (sensitivity) so you can set it to the right level to pick up the sounds you want to hear.

Thanks!

[george3]

Oh, OK.
Where on the unit is the gain sensitivity located?
Is it at "OFF" or a preset level from the factory?

[george3]

I just may want to use an external mic.
What kind do I buy?
Radio Shack variety?
Which connector does it require on the end?
Thanks

[RandallNoll]

Oh, OK.
Where on the unit is the gain sensitivity located?
Is it at "OFF" or a preset level from the factory?
The gain is in the LCD menu:

CONTROLS
AUDIO INPUT CONTROLS
AUDIO GAIN LEVEL

I'd start with the INT MIC CLOSE PRESET and see how that sounds, then adjust from there.

[BroussalM]

I just may want to use an external mic.
What kind do I buy?
Radio Shack variety?
Which connector does it require on the end?
Thanks

Hi George

You get a very good quality of sound with the mic Sony : ECM DS 70P.
Original connector is ok, for the Mic in of the PRD.

But realy, try in first with the internal mic and "see" if you need an external one.
The button mic that you could see on others cameras kit are realy awful and absolutly unusable!

Regards
Michel Broussal

[george3]

Will do.
I'll try the internal mic first.
Thanks.