Recommend Boom Mic setup?

[ChrisA]

That's because TV is radio with pictures.

A large percentage of information is transmitted through the sound portion.

Not really. A good way to estimate the information content of a file is to look it's size after it is compressed. This is not an exact measure because there are many ways to compress a file. We are just talking about a rough order of magnitude here.

Technically by almost any measurement method much more information is sent in the video than audio.

I think the reason we are tolerant of video glitches is that our eyes don't need great temporal accuracy. We are used to glancing away and then back at physical objects or blinking our eyes and our brains are built to remember that objects don't disappear when you are not looking. So if a video glitch happens it is not disturbing. Our brains are quite good at filling in the missing visual bits.

Audio is not that way there is no way for our brains to fill in a missing audio segment so we notice the missing bits.

Our senses are rigged to work in the natural world. Vision tells us about a world that changes slowly enough that mostly if we miss something we can look again but in the natural world audio is gone if you missed it the first time around.

 

[hakukani]

Not really. A good way to estimate the information content of a file is to look it's size after it is compressed. This is not an exact measure because there are many ways to compress a file. We are just talking about a rough order of magnitude here.

Technically by almost any measurement method much more information is sent in the video than audio.

I think the reason we are tolerant of video glitches is that our eyes don't need great temporal accuracy. We are used to glancing away and then back at physical objects or blinking our eyes and our brains are built to remember that objects don't disappear when you are not looking. So if a video glitch happens it is not disturbing. Our brains are quite good at filling in the missing visual bits.

Audio is not that way there is no way for our brains to fill in a missing audio segment so we notice the missing bits.

Our senses are rigged to work in the natural world. Vision tells us about a world that changes slowly enough that mostly if we miss something we can look again but in the natural world audio is gone if you missed it the first time around.

Sorry I meant more information Communicated. Not file size.

Try watching a news program with the sound off. You can't really tell what's going on. Next, try, try 'watching' with your eyes closed and the sound up. Much more is information is communicated.

 

[KeithPratt]

Funy thing is that when peole watch video they will put up with all kinds of poor video quality, poor lighting and not with poor sound. Even uneducated viewers will notice every audio defect and let the video glitches go by.

This gets passed around a lot but I'm not convinced in it as a stand-alone concept. I think if you're watching something that uses audio more heavily than visuals to communicate it's true, but if you're watching something that's more visual you'd have a major problem if the picture was really poor.

 

[hakukani]

This gets passed around a lot but I'm not convinced in it as a stand-alone concept. I think if you're watching something that uses audio more heavily than visuals to communicate it's true, but if you're watching something that's more visual you'd have a major problem if the picture was really poor.

Really? name one. Only one.

I get most of my news from NPR. Most folks back in the day got good info from radio. TV is BS.

 

[KeithPratt]

Really? name one. Only one.

One what?

 

[akdj]

"fantastic for recording gunshots and explosions. not so much for dialog."

I disagree totally! Sorry...but the SM58 is an incredible vocal mic...the Beta, even better. Whoever mentioned an SM58 on a stick is on to something. I've used this concoction many dozens of times in a pinch. The OP is not filming a major production...just capturing some banter...the '58 is an excellent choice. Ergonomically it's going to be totally different than a true shotgun approach. But, at less than a C-note, it will be the best possible sound in that price category, IMHO. Another 50 bucks at Home Depot/Lowes and you'll be set! The only drawback I see is that is DOES need phantom power. But, if you have access to the DVX, you'll be fine.

Someone else mentioned rentals. That's actually your answer, on a budget. If you are in a market with others in the business, call around and see what you can rent a boom and Lav system for, from them. You could probably even hire a decent audio tech for the day (with his/her gear) for 2-300 bucks.

Here is an excellent comparison on reasonable priced video mics. Ken is very well respected...and you can even check out his "high end" mic comparisons to see (hear) the difference.
http://www.kenstone.net/fcp_homepage/review_shotgun_mics.html

Also, as far as the SM58 direction...you can even use that mic as a hammer on stage if you forget your toolbox Seriously durable and heavily used for decades...one of the great mics on the market, IMO.

J

 

[salientstimulus]

I disagree totally! Sorry...but the SM58 is an incredible vocal mic...the Beta, even better. Whoever mentioned an SM58 on a stick is on to something. I've used this concoction many dozens of times in a pinch. The OP is not filming a major production...just capturing some banter...the '58 is an excellent choice. Ergonomically it's going to be totally different than a true shotgun approach. But, at less than a C-note, it will be the best possible sound in that price category, IMHO. Another 50 bucks at Home Depot/Lowes and you'll be set! The only drawback I see is that is DOES need phantom power. But, if you have access to the DVX, you'll be fine.

Just to clarify, the SM58 does not require phantom power...