On drums...

Did I buy the wrong one? I bought the Q3 thinking that was what the H4 morphed into. Now I see that's not true.
Somebody help.

You mean you weren't expecting video? I think the Q3 uses the H4 technology, or at least the same mics.

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Gregory

Checked out the reviews. If you're looking for a recorder, the H4n is more sophisticated, with two balanced mic inputs that don't occlude the on board system. None of the reviewers seemed interested in the recording aspect as much as the video, which they said was okay but not great, but that the sound was much better than any of the other pocket videos. Sounds like ZOOM did not make a video camera on top of the H4n, but rather made a good pocket video camera with better than average recording ability.

There is an external line in, but no word whether it cuts off onboard circuitry.

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Gregory

Got it straightened out, thanx Greg.
I just toyed with it a bit. Really cool device.
It does cut out the mics using the external line.
Still heaps of fun. Gonna have a blast with this.
It will also edit.

Sent my second Q3HD back for a full refund because it kept freezing like the first one did. Only way to turn it off was to rip the batteries out the back in the end!
Hope they sort this problem out because it was a great machine except for being terrible in low light levels.

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Ron

Hell Ron, sorry to hear that. Mine has worked flawlessly.

Hey Kelly

It all started after I filmed an entire Dillinger Escape Plan gig in Glasgow one night. After holding it and filming for maybe 45 minutes it got ridiculously hot in my hand and then would not turn off. Pulled the batteries out and started again and it was fine. After that on and off it would record for about 10 seconds then freeze requiring a restart each time involving the batteries being removed. Maybe they are not meant to be used for such long periods of filming. Both of them had the same problem by the way. Shame as the sound quality was epic!

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Ron

Does the unit generate heat normally, and if so, did holding it in your hand while it was running prevent it from cooling?

I have done a fair search on the net, looking for complaints of overheating, but nothing shows up. Freezing is more common, but not a regular complaint. Most complaints were directed at the video quality in low light levels.

What has the company said about the problem?

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Gregory

That it was a HOT night in Glasgow?!?!



Sorry - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Hot_Night_in_Paris

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=elE_1DCDyps
I love this project...

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Goki - short from Goran

Let the good drums roll!!!

I don't doubt me clutching it firmly in the middle of a VERY energetic gig had something to do with the unit being a little warmer than usual but having used it to film my own gigs sitting on a tripod untouched for an hour it was still roasting by the end of filming. I maybe had a faulty unit but I doubt it as it all happened twice. I did not contact Zoom themselves as I bought it through Amazon UK. They gave me a full refund right away for both units. Still have not found an alternative unfortunately. Before that I tried the Kodak Playsport and would you believe had to get a replacement for that too as it also froze a few times on me in Italy while recording a jazz festival. I got a replacement camera free of charge and sold it right away. It as also TERRIBLE in low light and far worse than the Zoom. The Zoom too is pretty poor though in low light situations. Considering most gigs are in low light it is a bit of a let down. Hopefully in the future somebody will at long last get it right! Can't speak highly enough of how well it copes with audio though. Really impressive.

The new Olympus version looks alright but why why why did they put the lens on the top edge of the camera?!?!?! I get the idea alright but I don't like it. It too gets poor reviews for low light level situations which is not surprising.

So the quest continues to find a nice portable HD camera that can cope with low light and also picks up really good quality audio.........



Nice one Goki

I love Susudio!!!!!!

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Ron