Zoom Q3HD Video Recorder Offers HD Video, High Quality Sound
Dec 3rd, 2010 | By James Lewin | Category: Digital Video Recorder 
Zoom has introduced a new portable video recorder, the Zoom Q3HD, that offers both high quality sound and 1080 video in a portable package.
The Q3HD uses the same microphone capsules as Zoom’s H4n Handy Recorder, a portable digital audio recorder. With two on-board, studio-quality condenser mics configured in a wide 120° X/Y pattern, the Q3HD gives you true stereo imaging.
The Q3HD also displays audio meters, allowing you to quickly monitor and set your levels. Set the gain to High or Low to record in soft or loud environments. Or use the Q3HD’s Auto Level to automatically set the right recording level.
The suggested price for the Zoom Q3HD is $299.99. Details below.
Features:
- Built-in stereo condenser microphones with 120° X/Y configuration for true stereo imaging
- Video resolution of 720p at 30 or 60 fps or 1080p at 30 fps
- WVGA (standard definition) at 30 or 60 fps is also available for smaller file sizes
- Get up to 45 minutes of 720p at 30fps video with 2GB SD card
- Accepts up to a 32GB SDHC cards for 7 hours of 720p at 30fps (Audio at AAC192 kbps)
- Large 2.4-inch 320 x 240 color LCD display
- Built-in NTSC/PAL TV and HDMI output
- 4x digital zoom
- Video format: MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 (MOV)
- Audio formats: 44.1/48/96kHz 16/24-bit WAV (PCM) or AAC up to 320kbps
- Auto Record Level automatically sets audio levels during recordings
- Uses two standard AA batteries or NiMH rechargeable batteries
- USB 2.0 with built-in cable
- Windows and Mac OS compatible
- Built-in speaker and tripod mount
- Includes HandyShare editing and, YouTube uploader software, Apple Quicktime, 2GB SD card, two AA batteries
- Optional accessory package (APQ-3HD) includes soft shell case, windscreen, AC adapter, HDMI cable, AV cable and tripod
I recorded a few demo’s with the new zoom Q3HD. I really like this device. Both of these were shot with the audio set at PCM 24/96 (the highest quality settings). The gain was set to auto.
Live Rock Show. Video shot at 1080, shrunk to 720 for youtube:
Piano. This video was shot at 720. The crazy light flares are causes by the overhead light directly above the camera. I’ve been very happy with the picture quality overall:
And again: No external mic input!
I really can’t believe how many pocket camcorders miss this feature. When you can integrate this as standard to digital SLRs that output HD video, I cannot tolerate the idea that there’s not enough space in these mini machines to accommodate this.
Zoom, you of all people should be embarrassed at this oversight. You’re the goddarn leaders in portable audio in my book. But clearly you’ve missed the boat – and a big opportunity – here.
Good point.
Why is it that you always have to pay so much extra just to get a mic input? DSLR’s have the same problem.
On further inspection it appears there’s a Line In port. Whether or not this enables you to plug a mic straight in remains to be seen. At least it’s a cause for optimism. I’m waiting to hear back from Zoom on this. If it’s good news, I’ll report back…
Wrong.
While there is no XLR input (they do offer that on the H4N) The Q3HD does have a headphone sized stereo mic input or line-in jack. I’ve used it and it works great. With that said, the whole point of using this thing is to use the built in microphones.
Wrong again, you can use the line in input to use simple dynamic mics(i know it wont help much), but you can simply plug an audio interface where you can plug as many condensers as this interface can handle assuming that it sends phantom power to it’s preamps.
Check this video, the guy used the Zoom Q3HD with 2 Shure condensers. Hope that helps.
What do you think of the Q3HD overall?
I’m tempted by this because it looks like a fairly affordable step up from what you can do with an iPhone.
We have some sample of the ZoomeQ3HD posted on our YouTube Site.
http://www.youtube.com/thealterkakers
This is a great audio/video recorder.
We have some Q3HD video samples here.
http://www.youtube.com/thealterkakers
We’ve posted a new video shot with the Q3HD. The sound quality is awesome! Some of the video was shot in low light, sorry about that. http://www.youtube.com/thealterkakers#p/a/u/0/QdT5kh-e7Z4
I have emailed Zoom and they confirmed that the line input is just that, so won’t accept mic inputs.
A real shame that an audio company (who have included a video recorder in their audio recorder) have omitted a mic input. Whilst the inbuilt mics are great, they aren’t suitable for interviews in noisey environments where the microphone needs to be right under the mouth of the person being interviewed.