ePresence A/V Guide

Below are some of our recommendations for audio/visual equipment to use with your ePresence system.

1. Audio/Visual? Overview and Recommendations

1.1 Camcorders

Any camera or Mini DV camcorder that has a RCA/Composite output (also called Analog output) will work with our Capture Stations. In small rooms, or in situations where the Capture Station and camcorder will be relatively close to the speaker, there is generally no need for any additional audio input separate from the camcorder’s built-in microphone. If you’re looking for particularly excellent video quality, one of our customers has recommended the following camcorder for being great in low light conditions, etc:

Panasonic PVGS320 Mini DV Camcorder $550 at Henry’s:  http://epresence.tv/go/58

If one external audio microphone is required (e.g. a lapel mic for the speaker), another customer has recommended the following camcorder for having excellent video quality plus a built-in external microphone input:

Canon HV20 High Definition Mini DV Camcorder $700 at Henry’s:  http://epresence.tv/go/59

1.2 Audio Capture Device

If more than one microphone is required, having a USB Audio Interface is the most affordable and easy audio set-up we can recommend. This small interface connects to our Capture Station and can handle 2 microphone inputs. It also has a built-in audio limiter, so it does not require an operator as in the case of using an audio mixer.

Edirol UA-25 See Roland's website:  http://epresence.tv/go/65

1.3 Microphones

In all cases, we recommend wired microphones. Although less convenient than wireless mics, we have found wired mics are the only way to really guarantee audio quality. (Many of the affordable wireless options out there tend to create buzzing, for example.) We recommend the following set up with a microphone for the audience and a lapel mic for the speaker:

Shure SM58-LC $109 at Studio Economik:  http://epresence.tv/go/61

Audio Technica PRO 70 $128 at Studio Economik:  http://epresence.tv/go/62

If a table top microphone is required instead, one of our adopters has had very good experiences with Shure Microflex (MX-series) table top mics and we were quite impressed with the audio quality:

Shure Microflex (MX-series) From the Shure website:  http://epresence.tv/go/63 One model from Vistek:  http://epresence.tv/go/64

1.4 Accessories

Please keep in mind that I have not included here recommendations for a tripod for your camcorder (generally $50-60) and a mic stand. Both of these items are easily found everywhere and prices vary.