I am looking to get a flash or HDD camcorder which is suitable for recording concerts, etc. Therefore, I think it would be best to have an external microphone jack, and to be able to set audio levels, including a meter to show the levels. (By the way, not at all interested in audio "features" like "surround sound" and "zoom mic", which seem like gimmicks to me.)

I don't need high-def. In fact, I would prefer standard-def. I don't have a HD TV, or Blue-Ray burner, and my PC is not so powerful. I would prefer to record in MPEG-2 (right away suitable for standard DVD), rather than AVHCD.

From what I've seen so far, I haven't found anything covering all aspects above.

I see that the new Canon HF100 and HF10 are supposed to have good audio options. They are AVHCD cams, however.

Also new from Canon,the standard-def FS10, 11, and 100. They include a microphone input, but from what I read, no audio controls. I'm not quite sure of the benefit of using an external mic, if one cannot control the levels? Has anyone here tried using one of these models, to record music?

Are there other options to consider?

Is high-def the only way to go, if I want decent audio features in a flash or HDD camcorder? Do they offer the option of recording to MPEG-2 as well as to AVHCD, or only the latter?

If one uses the internal microphone, with no audio controls, have people found that some brands provide better audio results than others, using the internal mic and AGC?

I'd still be interested in input on this.

From what I've seen so far, I don't see any HDD or flash cams that seem to have decent audio recording controls, other than the Canon HF100 and HF10.

Anyone tried others, where one can record a concert, etc., without clipping and distortion?

Quote:

Originally Posted by maiki I am looking to get a flash or HDD camcorder which is suitable for recording concerts, etc... I don't need high-def. In fact, I would prefer standard-def...

I tried out the FS100, filmed and viewed the footage on a pc. It's a very well-built camera The optical zoom is amazing.

It does, in fact, have an audio level meter that you can manually adjust. If you want to go standard def, this is a good one.

The only thing, in my short experience trying the camera, is that I think it's more suited for viewing on a pc from the hard drive or a DVD, rather than the internet. I couldn't get the standard def footage to look good on YouTube...but maybe you will have better luck with render settings...