Panasonic AG-HPX300 First Impressions Camcorder Review

Audio
	Product Tour	(Page 3 of 12)	Compression & Media

Audio Features

The AG-HPX300 does not include a built-in microphone, so if you want to record audio with the camcorder you'll have to use an external mic. Panasonic sells the AG-MC200G and AJ-MC700P shotgun mics that fit with the AG-HPX300's onboard microphone holder and connect via the XLR input on the front of the camcorder. There are two more XLR inputs on the back side of the camcorder, which can be switched from line or mic input. A headphone jack and built-in speaker are also located on the AG-HPX300. In the front of the camcorder, on the right side are two audio-output pin jacks for outputting audio signals recorded on channels 1/2 and 3/4.

The optional shotgun microphone.

A wireless receiver can be connected to the AG-HPX300 for use with a wireless microphone. The receiver can be attached at the back of the camcorder, just above the battery compartment. In the audio control panel, you can switch the audio source for each channel between front (the mic-in XLR input), rear (the 2 channel mic/line XLR inputs), and wireless receiver. The audio control panel also +48V phantom power switches that can be used to provide power to microphones connected via XLR input. In all, the camcorder is capable of recording 4-channels of audio.

Some VCR playback buttons are mixed in with the audio control panel.

The audio panel features two audio level adjustment dials for controlling audio levels on Ch1 and Ch2. Beneath the two dials are switches for selecting what channels are being monitored and whether the channels have auto or manual level control.

An optional wireless mic receiver.