High Tech Granpappy
February 13, 2010 5:39 PM Subscribe
What audio or video recording device should I buy my moderately technologically savvy 80 year old grandfather?
My grandfather will be turning 80 this April and he continues playing in a Irish folk band. Since he lives far away, I want to get him either a camcorder or an audio recording device for his birthday, and perhaps a domain name so that I can selfishly listen to what hes up to. I was originally thinking that a zoom h2 would be a good idea, but it doesn't have a very simple interface. Another thought was a flip cam but I suspect the internal mic and sound quality will be really low. I don't think a video camera with an external microphone is a good idea, because I'm trying to keep things simple. To be fair, my grandfather has a facebook, we skype to talk, and he scans in and emails me handwritten letters from my nana, so he's pretty up on technology. Any suggestions?
My grandfather will be turning 80 this April and he continues playing in a Irish folk band. Since he lives far away, I want to get him either a camcorder or an audio recording device for his birthday, and perhaps a domain name so that I can selfishly listen to what hes up to. I was originally thinking that a zoom h2 would be a good idea, but it doesn't have a very simple interface. Another thought was a flip cam but I suspect the internal mic and sound quality will be really low. I don't think a video camera with an external microphone is a good idea, because I'm trying to keep things simple. To be fair, my grandfather has a facebook, we skype to talk, and he scans in and emails me handwritten letters from my nana, so he's pretty up on technology. Any suggestions?
Response by poster: Its kind of counter-intuitive that the simpler sound recorders with less features would be more expensive. Do all of the video recording devices have really shoddy internal mics?
posted by quelindo at 6:02 PM on February 13, 2010
posted by quelindo at 6:02 PM on February 13, 2010
I know professional sound recording type people who love the Zoom. It is easy to use in the same way that my digital camera is easy to use if I want it to be. You don't have to have little fingers. It can also be utilized in a more complicated fashion. I never do that!
posted by snowjoe at 6:28 PM on February 13, 2010
posted by snowjoe at 6:28 PM on February 13, 2010
i like the edirol r-09 more than the zoom, but, i think an even better option is a canon digicam, perhaps the sx20is.
the stereo mics do a surprisingly good job with acoustic instruments and vocals.
flash memory makes it easier to xfer files and upload.
the camera might allow more spontaneity. (no setup, just hit record)
(tip: when recording video and audio simultaneously on separate gear, video the screen/display as you hit record, makes it dead simple to sync it up later.)
posted by kimyo at 1:10 AM on February 14, 2010
the stereo mics do a surprisingly good job with acoustic instruments and vocals.
flash memory makes it easier to xfer files and upload.
the camera might allow more spontaneity. (no setup, just hit record)
(tip: when recording video and audio simultaneously on separate gear, video the screen/display as you hit record, makes it dead simple to sync it up later.)
posted by kimyo at 1:10 AM on February 14, 2010
Tascam DR100 has a slightly larger display area than the ones mentioned above. How is his eyesight? Most of the handheld DARs have *tiny* little displays.
posted by fourcheesemac at 3:52 AM on February 14, 2010
posted by fourcheesemac at 3:52 AM on February 14, 2010
Sanyo Makes an HD Xacti camcorder with an external Mic input. Xacti is very easy to use and has a switch for simple and advanced mode. The on screen menus are pretty big the button labels can be a little hard to read.
I like the Zoom H2 the buitl-in mic is OK once you have all your settings straight the record process is pretty simple.
If price is not an issue panasonic makes a nice camcorder that records to SD and has a decent built in shotgun mic as well as an available XLR adapter accessory.
Sorry for lack of links and specific model numbers but maybe this will head you in the right direction.
posted by jmsta at 8:53 AM on February 14, 2010
I like the Zoom H2 the buitl-in mic is OK once you have all your settings straight the record process is pretty simple.
If price is not an issue panasonic makes a nice camcorder that records to SD and has a decent built in shotgun mic as well as an available XLR adapter accessory.
Sorry for lack of links and specific model numbers but maybe this will head you in the right direction.
posted by jmsta at 8:53 AM on February 14, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
Built-in stereo mics, designed for the field recording person, not the "let's add a cool reverb" home musician. Burly, big buttons, easy to use, simple interface.
posted by Aquaman at 5:49 PM on February 13, 2010 [1 favorite]