Zoom Q3 video recorder and sound recorder

Keira-WitherKay

hi ya all, about 3 weeks back i bought the zoom Q3 video camera..................

1st impression is.............what this dinky little plastic thing is what i just dropped just under 4 K for ????????? but oh did that change

as always i think recording gear is bought for purposes........... and my purpose was to get a "handycam" that i could get video on my website / you tube ect ect so i browsed around and even asked here on forum.......... and someone ooops sorry i forget who , suggested this.........
so i looked at it and wow i was suitably impressed on paper............. and i spoke to stuart(also a forum member) at marshall music who only had good things to say about it .............

the bonus of this over say a sony handycam is that the video feature is quite basic ............ but and this is the deal maker the unit has a stereo onboard studio grade condenser mic............. and has been marketed and designed as a camera to do exactly what i wanted ........... to get my video's out ..quick and easy but not with distorted sound.................

http://www.zoom.co.jp/english/products/q3/ all you techno heads can check out the specs here .......at the website............

so my take on this is that this unit is what every band needs ...to record gigs/rehearsals even guitar lessons........... quick easy one button operation(once it's set up) and it's digital so everything goes to a memory card can take up to 16 hr's of vid if you have the correct memory ...only comes with 1 hr memory card tho ......

AND THE BONUS is that it has the function to switch off the video and be an audio recorder......... so basically a high quality stereo condenser in a small package that can record anywhere .......battery life is incredibly long too......... about 4-6 hrs on rechargeable..........

cool well below is some video i shot of a rehearsal last monday ......... AND THE GREAT THING IS IT SHOT INDOORS WITH NO EXTRA LIGHTING and the results are perfect for my needs.................

sure aspiring steven speilbergs ignore this product ............. but for everyone else it's lightweight compact and great sound and easy to use what more would i want .....ok maybe a coffee maker as a feature ..........

below is some footage of the rehearsal shot with th Q3.....it was just propped up on a tripod and left to run.......(also comes with all software to edit ..well basic editting.one needs to buy the advanced software to make serious edits

Skywalker

Hey Keira

Yeah I remember posting a link to the Zoom site. Your vids look and sound great. The Q3 is packed with features though my only gripe would be the plastic casing. I suppose though that if taken care of, it doesn't really matter what it's made of right? Just as a matter of interest what did you end up paying for it? I'm now seriously considering getting one of these. I can't believe the video and audio quality. Like you said it would be gret for recording practices and live shows.

Keira-WitherKay

Skywalker wrote: Hey Keira

Just as a matter of interest what did you end up paying for it? I'm now seriously considering getting one of these. I can't believe the video and audio quality. Like you said it would be gret for recording practices and live shows.

hi yes thanks for that "point' to the link cos it definitely sold it on me................

i got mine thru stuart goodwin at Marshall music for R3700 ...... but that was a very good price and not sure if they'll match it .. i was told retail went up to just under 6 K (prob due to world cup) just as i bought ........ and i saw online i could get it for 3 something but they had a 21 day waiting list .. i wanted it same day which stuart organised.......... so kudo's to stuart for always doing his best to get product asap........

so yah maybe if you willing to wait you can get it via an online store which i think quoted R3200 but then add in postage/shipping to that ...so prob back to 3700 so in my mind also taking the 7 - 21 day delivery time stated clearly on site i opted for buying from stuart at Marshall music.......... and got it next day

but if you willing to shop around maybe you can get it cheaper ,

but if not speak to stuart at Marshall music , he's my "go to guy" when i buy new.............. no fuss and honest advice on products............

but yeah i love the unit ............ and every band should have one........... cos it is so useful to keep an eye on how you progressing in rehearsals and even how you do shows...

and the easy "point and shoot" no worries re sound/focusing /lighting ect ect makes it a hit with me......... and as you see the results indoors with no extra lighting is great and the sound is clear ,in stereo and not a hiss or distortion ( i leave it on the auto sound setting)

DonovanB

This recorder is like having your head in the room, with the video and two ears right there. ha ha.
It gives the right quality for YouTube and looks great for that application. The Zoom recorders are great for practicing. You need to get placement right if you are using a full drum kit though.