Adding Microphone Input to JVC Everio Camcorder
For consumer camcorders, JVC Everio hard disk camcorders have great picture quality, recording capability, and convenience when editing. This article was written specifically for JVC Everio models, but uses the same basic technique for any camcorder. Note that disassembling most camcorders voids all warranties.
After picking up some videography skills through a number of online articles, I learned that the professional (and decent sounding) dialogue/location audio came from an external microphone. There are a number of work arounds, such as using a seperate device. Instead of investing $200 - $500 in a digital recorder, here is something else you can try - under $5 with just a little bit of engineering techniques.
Supplies
- 1/8" Mic jack (found at RadioShack or DigiKey)
- Lock pick Philips Screwdriver
- Wire cutter/stripper
- Drill
- Soldering Iron
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First, locate the screws and remove the bottom panel. Toward the front of the camera, you will find four colored wires that connect the onboard stereo mic to the recorder (amplifier). Cut and strip all four small mic wires so that the jack can be wired in between.
Follow the directions that came with the mic jack. Solder the apropriate wires (left - white, right - red, and two common [ - ] wires black) to the correct terminals on the jack.
When a microphone is plugged in, the camcorder switches direcly to the external mic. When the input is not used, the switch changes back to the camcorder mic.
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The mic jack sticks out of the panel nearly 0.1 inches. Place the bottom panel on the camcorder dock and drill a hole through into the dock as shown. If you place the jack farther toward the center, there will not be room for a tripod mount. Also, make sure the hole is large enough for the barrel to fit.
The Final Output
After testing the audio, the results were surprisingly good. The audio level was fine, and the amount of noise (e.g echo, camera hiss) was a lot better even with a cheap PC microphone.
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