Digital Video - February 2008 - (Page 22) THE NEW 320 DUAL-CHANNEL WIRELESS MICROPHONE IN REVIEW HOLOPHONE H4 SUPERMINI wasn’t activated. Holophone regards the Zoom function as important enough to justify two activation switches — located on the back panel and left side panel — for easy access while shooting. The new 320UPR discrete dual-channel UHF receiver is smaller and lighter than all previous units. It has 240 user-selectable frequencies for each channel, stereo output, digital LCD displays with multi-function readout, and separate Power On/Off switches for each channel. It operates on just 2 "AA" batteries and has a unique dual-function DC jack. Optional NiMH batteries can be recharged while in the 320UPR, or the receiver can be powered from an external, optional power supply. Additionally, the 320UPR comes with both dual-plug XLR and a stereo mini-plug output cable, removable shoe-mount, and flexible high-gain antennas. Available initially in systems with 2 bodypacks (320ULT system), or 1 bodypack and 1 plug-in transmitter (320ULX system). with my large fingers, in the tight space beneath the SuperMINI. A well-oiled screw and a bit more room to maneuver could simplify this and help make a more secure connection. I also had to slide the tripod head’s horizontal adjusting plate backwards to compensate for the added pound on the front end. The 8”-tall SuperMINI also changed my camera operation a bit, by blocking the line of sight for my right eye and making the camera more awkward to carry by its handle. Once mounted, there were four audio-output options for the H4 SuperMINI using adapter cables: main stereo, L /R, LC/ RS, LFE/C, as well as the headphone jack. I mostly used the ‘main stereo’ output, which mixes all six channels down to a single pair. There are separate cables with miniplug, RCA and XLR SUMMING UP Holophone’s H4 SuperMINI is a welldesigned portable surround-sound recording system contained in a very compact and rugged package. This pickup and encoding device makes it feasible for a cameraman do double duty as a surround-sound recordist, at least under ideal conditions. Getting clean and usable surround recordings in the field, particularly outdoors, is fraught with challenges, but with the SuperMINI it can now be done by a small crew — one person, if necessary. With a bit of skill and VIRTUALLY ANY PRO WHO NEEDS TO CREATE 5.1 TRACKS NOW HAS A TOOL TO MAKE IT EASIER TO DO SO AT THE TIME THE VIDEO IS CAPTURED. outputs. Before plugging the dual XLRs under the right conditions, it enables the into the camera I wound the 6’ ripcord capture of rich three-dimensional recordXLR cable around the H4 body to keep it ings that provide unity of time and place, from getting snagged while working. I with high quality matching ambient also snapped the optional (but recomaudio. This should be of considerable mended) foam windscreen on the value to pros of many stripes, whether in SuperMINI’s egghead for outdoor use. shooting independent features, docuFor headphones, I used a cheap stereo mentaries, reality TV programs, music pair from Radio Shack, keeping the level videos or special events. Virtually any pro in the midrange. who needs to create 5.1 tracks now has a Finally, I plugged an Audio-Technica tool to make it easier to do so at the time AT 897 shotgun mike into the center the video is captured. If the budget won’t mike (XLR) input on the side panel for accommodate a separate soundperson, directional pickup of the prime on-camthe videographer now has the tool needera subject. As I didn’t realize that the ed to wear two hats effectively. DV external center mike was switch-activated, my initial recordings used the Carl Mrozek operates Eagle Eye Media, onboard center mike rather than the based in Buffalo, NY, which specializes camera’s shotgun feeding the XLR. Using in wildlife and outdoor subjects. His the Zoom function, the forward reach of work appears on the Discovery Channel, the onboard center mike The Weather Channel, There’s an extended CBS, PBS and other netwas surprisingly good. This version of this is one reason that I didn’t works. Contact him at review on our site. notice the external mike eagleye@localnet.net. Visit DV online. 22 dv february 2008 www.dv.com Carrying case included ® P.O. Box 10, Franklin Square, NY 11010 (516) 328-7500 • FAX: (516) 328-7506 Systems pricing starts at $995 MSRP For full specifications, visit our website: www.azdencorp.com http://www.azdencorp.com http://www.dv.com http://www.azdencorp.com http://www.dv.com
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