Use a Shotgun Mic
If you are not happy with the current audio recording quality of your digital video camera, you might want to opt for an upgrade. Most cameras allow you to add an outside microphone; if you want to increase the recording quality from all directions of the microphone you should connect a shotgun mic. The shotgun mic is capable of recording all audio in the given area (like the spray of a shotgun shell).
Instructions
1. Check the top of the digital video camera to see if there is an available connector for the shotgun microphone. There is often a removable slot on the top of the camera that allows the mic to easily slide into place. If not, you need to have a boom mic operator hold the shotgun mic in the recording direction.
2. Attach the XLR to 3.5mm adapter onto the end of the cable running from the microphone. Most shotgun microphones use an XLR cable to connect to outside devices. XLR cables are about a half-inch wide and the connector on the end has three large metal pins. Home-based cameras do not have XLR ports, but they do have 3.5mm ports for smaller microphones.
3. Plug the 3.5mm adapter into the "Microphone In" port on the video camera. This can either be located on the side of the camera or on the back.
4. Power on the video camera. Push the "Menu" button on the camera and navigate to "Audio Recording." Select to record with an outside device instead of the built-in microphone.
5. Press the "Record" button and the camera records both the video and the audio from the newly attached microphone. Point the microphone in the direction you want to use it. Avoid regripping the microphone while recording because the slightest movement to the microphone handle is going to be recorded.
Tags: video camera, button camera, digital video, digital video camera, have ports