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Please note this is an archived topic, so it is locked and unable to be replied to. You may, however, start a new topic and refer to this topic with a link: http://www.banjohangout.org/archive/395911
stonebroke - Posted - 02/22/2024: 18:16:08
What's a good video recorder with good sound that won't break the bank? I've recorded very little of what I've done over the years and would like to record some so when I kick the bucket the kids and grandkids will have something. I have nothing of my fathers and sure wish I did.. My camera, like most these days, has the video feature where you can record but the audio is not very good..
Edited by - Texasbanjo on 03/17/2024 04:28:59
banjoy - Posted - 02/22/2024: 22:10:22
I own three of these and haven't had time to play around with them yet, but the Zoom Q2n-4k is tiny, cheap, takes hi-def video up to 4k, and has built-in X-Y stereo mics and can record audio in WAV format up to 24-bit/96 kHz which is all remarkable.
Zoom is a well-known company and makes digital audio recorders for the novice all the way up to movie industry professionals. Their audio quality is hard to beat on any of their line.
On my Zoom Q2n-4k's I have a 256gb card in each camera and have them set to 1080p true hi-def video (plenty of resolution, 4k is overkill) and audio set to 16-bit/41.1 kHz which is the same audio resolution as commercial audio CDs, so plenty good enough. At these settings, I can record over 22 hours of hi-def video and audio on each card. That's insanely good. It interfaces with the computer, just plug it in and it show up like any hard drive, copy files over and there ya go, free up your memory card and you're good to go another 20 hours.
These can be bought used for about $150. I bought two off eBay and I just picked one up on Goodwill's auction website for $61. They list for $300 new. I would suggest buying the memory cards from WalMart online, way cheaper than in-store prices. The 256 gb cards is about $30 from there.
Awesome little camera, easy to use and it's made for musicians. Here is a link to current offerings on eBay.
ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=zoom+q2n-4k
Edited by - banjoy on 02/22/2024 22:17:00
phb - Posted - 02/23/2024: 01:05:58
I use a cheap webcam to record videos and then overlay the sound from a Zoom audio recorder. I think this combination really is the cheapest you can use. Banjo videos usually aren't about the visuals.
Dan Gellert - Posted - 03/16/2024: 15:05:47
I'd probably use the same setup I do for giving online lessons: the built-in camera in either my old MacBook Air or my even older iMac, along with my Blue Yeti USB mic.
mikehalloran - Posted - 03/25/2024: 17:48:42
quote:
Originally posted by banjoyI own three of these and haven't had time to play around with them yet, but the Zoom Q2n-4k is tiny, cheap, takes hi-def video up to 4k, and has built-in X-Y stereo mics and can record audio in WAV format up to 24-bit/96 kHz which is all remarkable.
Zoom is a well-known company and makes digital audio recorders for the novice all the way up to movie industry professionals. Their audio quality is hard to beat on any of their line.
On my Zoom Q2n-4k's I have a 256gb card in each camera and have them set to 1080p true hi-def video (plenty of resolution, 4k is overkill) and audio set to 16-bit/41.1 kHz which is the same audio resolution as commercial audio CDs, so plenty good enough. At these settings, I can record over 22 hours of hi-def video and audio on each card. That's insanely good. It interfaces with the computer, just plug it in and it show up like any hard drive, copy files over and there ya go, free up your memory card and you're good to go another 20 hours.
These can be bought used for about $150. I bought two off eBay and I just picked one up on Goodwill's auction website for $61. They list for $300 new. I would suggest buying the memory cards from WalMart online, way cheaper than in-store prices. The 256 gb cards is about $30 from there.Awesome little camera, easy to use and it's made for musicians. Here is a link to current offerings on eBay.
ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=zoom+q2n-4k
I don't consider the Zoom Q2n-4k to be the end all and be all as many do but it is very good and transferring files to a Mac or PC through a card reader cannot be easier. A couple of things:
Although the maximum card size is 1TB, the Zoom Q2n-4k requires a firmware update to use a card larger than 256GB. I bought mine used and the vendor included a 1TB card that was useless till I went to my local Best Buy and bought a smaller card for the sole purpose of upgrading the firmware.
The Q2n-4K holds two batteries — depending on your resolution and audio, this may not be enough. Zoom has a nice battery box that screws to the bottom and triples your capacity—not bad for $39. Zoom external battery box for Q2n-4K
Rechargeable NiMH batteries give longer record times than alkaline but not as long as lithium. If you use your recorder a lot, NiMH will swve you a lot of money. You can go nuts researching which rechargeable batteries are the good ones. There's a Samsung factory in Korea that appears to be the source for all the highest rated AA cells including these: 1,800 mAh is good, 2,000 is better but these 2,400 mAh Amazon Basics Rechargeable AA Batteries are considered the best bang for the buck out there. I have been quite happy with their performance. Make sure that you use with an NiMH charger.
banjoy - Posted - 03/26/2024: 09:33:36
mikehalloran
I had totally forgot about making this post. The first thing I always do with anything like this is update the firmware, it's currently up to 2.1 I think. All three were still at 1.0. Easy and free to update.
As far as power goes, these little things will run fine with a USB to AC adapter, no batteries needed if an AC outlet is nearby. But out in the field those 2 AA's won't last long especially if max-ing out the audio and video definition. They can even overheat and shut down when recording at full definition. For me, 4k is overkill as is 24bit/96khz audio ... overkill
These have their limitations, but for what they cost, and what you get in return in quality, it's hard to ignore...
(As always, I appreciate your thoughts on tech stuff as I know you know your stuff way better than me!)
Edited by - banjoy on 03/26/2024 09:34:56
banjoy - Posted - 03/26/2024: 12:02:44
Also meant to mention for these things, a card reader is not necessary. Plug in USB to your PC or Mac and it reads the files directly from the camera. Super easy.
mikehalloran - Posted - 03/26/2024: 12:24:54
quote:
Originally posted by banjoymikehalloran
I had totally forgot about making this post. The first thing I always do with anything like this is update the firmware, it's currently up to 2.1 I think. All three were still at 1.0. Easy and free to update.
As far as power goes, these little things will run fine with a USB to AC adapter, no batteries needed if an AC outlet is nearby. But out in the field those 2 AA's won't last long especially if max-ing out the audio and video definition. They can even overheat and shut down when recording at full definition. For me, 4k is overkill as is 24bit/96khz audio ... overkill
These have their limitations, but for what they cost, and what you get in return in quality, it's hard to ignore...
…
No argument. When I received mine and the seller had thrown in a 1TB card, it didn't work. I then called Zoom North America at ?1 (631) 542-5270?—yep, they answer the phone (!) Before I was finished explaining the problem, the guy told me to buy a smaller microSD card, update the firmware and I would be good — and he was right.
The Q2n-4K replaces the older Q2n. There are a number of minor differences besides the obvious lack of 4K resolution. The biggest, IMO, is that there is no update that allows cards larger than 256GB. For the needs expressed in the OP's question, I wouldn't turn down a really good deal on the older Q2n.
With street price new at the $200 level for the Q2n-4K at Guitar Center (not including microSDXC card), there's no way would I pay over $100 for the Q2n. Plenty of bargains on Class10 cards out there, too.
