WTF? Why would anyone want something like this? I think it's a total waste of time, money, and hot-shoe space. Just buy an MP3/WAV recorder and run it satellite...

Almost all of them record better spec audio than cameras, have AGC switchable, various filters, can be placed independently of the camera (VERY important for high quality cinematic sound recording, interviews, camera moves, etc.), can record 5in1 on the fly, occasionally come with HQ mics, and typically cost less than $200. I think the only kind of DSLR shooters who would be interested in the on-camera sound facilities would be lamer home movies of the kids or those who don't know any better. I mean, sure, it CAN be done, but why would you want to limit yourselves so drastically? And this device does what? Just turn off the ACG - who cares?

My opinion... this is a tool that improves the worst option available to make it still the worst option available - only editable (by flooding the left channel with white noise). And wanna charge the price of a full recording unit for it?

Yeah, yeah, I know some of you will say you disagree and point to a video that doesn't sound too bad and tell me that it was recorded on-camera. All I can tell you is to read up on audio recording, editing, and look at what any budgeted production does. ;)

For example, just from one company:



all of which can also use or power external mic(s) and turn off AGC.

http://www.g4tv.com/videos/20629/gadget-pr0n-zoom-h2-recorder/
http://cgi.ebay.com/ZOOM-H2-Handy-Stereo-Recorder-Portable-H-2-2-Track-1GB-/180663444727?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2a106164f7
http://www.zoomh2.net/
http://www.zoom.co.jp/english/products/h2/

Etc.

I dunno what you mean by primer. You mean like a tutorial?

Also how do you know the preamps are better if you don't know what preamps are being used on the recorders? All 3 of the above for example have preamps. Really good preamps cost thousands.. check out the Sony products for some examples.

>I dunno what you mean by primer. You mean like a tutorial?

Under primers I mean examples of such recorders.
You post did not have them at the time :-)

As for Juicedlink preamps. I do not have DS214, but I have DT454.
And its preamps are way better than preamps in Zoom H4n and Tascam TR100 (and both have best preamps in this range).
DS214 is good and fast solution is you have camera that can record decent sound (with preamps turned to minimum) like GH2 or Canon cameras with ML.
I really do not like extremes like "I think it's a total waste of time, money, and hot-shoe space". As all people are different, their tasks are different and your knowledge is never complete. So, do not go to extremes.

Thus this site is "personal view" :)

GH2 has live audio metering during recording. It wud be super if u can do MF and monitor audio metering on H4n at the same time. I can't. JuicedLink or ART Dual Pre can last for many hours while supplying phantom power to condenser mic. Usually I turn it on and forget about it during entire shooting. Keep the preamp next to the camera so that I can do the live audio monitoring. Perfect sync.

The ext recorders do have many pros. But I think in-camera recording works better for one person run-n-gun style.

I'm just waiting for Panasonic to update the firmware that disables AGC completely. You know... AGC level ZERO!!!

Either way is fine. Who knows? I might get next gen zoom recorder :)

BTW get a deep pocket...

There's a credible engineer named John Faihurst that did some comparison with the Juicedlink option and some of the various Zoom h4n type recorders. Using a 5d, he got the best results from the Juicedlink, no doubt because of the nice preamps.