There are three basic types: mono, stereo, and multi-channel or “surround sound.”
Stereo Microphone
A stereo microphone records two channels of sound, not one.
Multi-Channel Microphone
Some high-end camcorders offer multi-channel audio recording.
The best way to think about a multi-channel orsurround sound recordingis to picture a basic home theater set-up.
You have three speakers up front, by your TV, and a pair of speakers in the back.
In the best action movies, you’ll hear sound zipping around your head.
All things being equal, you’d be better off finding a camcorder with a stereo microphone.
A zoom microphone, however, can focus audio collection directionally while youzoomthe lens.
Zoom microphones are generally available on higher-end camcorders.
Again, the effectiveness of these technologies varies.
That’s why you’ll find microphone inputs on them.
These inputs allow you to attach accessory microphones for higher-quality audio.
High-end projector camcorders tend to have much better built-in speakers for audio playback than non-projector models.
