We are looking for comments and suggestions on digital hardware that is suitable for education use :

---

Digital Cameras

---

Please add...

 

 

---

Digital Camcorders

---

 

Mustek SD Card Camera/Camcorders:

 

We haven't tried these yet but know people who have ... and if you need a way for students to record an experiment .. or produce a digital record for a project ... these might be worth considering...

 

http://www.3wisemonkeys.co.uk/products.jsp?cat=14

 

DLF are currently considering the DV 9300 ....

 

 

CANON

 

Canon MD101. around £150

Entry level DV camcorder.

 

Canon HV20

 

Full HD, with 25p mode.

Great Image quality.... but onboard mic sound not so great.

 

We also tried with a Rode stereo video mic and sent it back as it still picked up camera motor noise. It would probably be better with a shotgun style mic... but be aware of the length of the mic, as it may end up in shot if mounted directly on the camera.

 

 

 

 

SONY

 

JVC

 

 

PANASONIC

---

Microphones

---

 

USB microphones:

 

Samson Q1U Dynamic USB Mic

 

Around £32.

 

Solid, simple to use and sounds good .. and at this price seems to be good value.

DLF bought one recently and will update this report with use.

 

Logitech USB Mic

 

please add comments

 

Samson CO1U USB mic

please add comments

 

Samson CO3U USB mic

please add comments

 

PodcastAlley forums have quite a lot of information and opinions about USB mics and portable recorders.

http://www.podcastalley.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=101

---

Portable Recorders

---

 

Zoom H4

Price : around £250

 

This is what we currently have at the DLF.

Sound Quality is good, but the plastic case is not as robust as I would like and the battery/SD card compartment seems pretty flimsy.... so would need to think hard before handing over to students.

 

Edirol R-09

Price : around £250

 

 

M-Audio Microtrack 24/96

Price : around £250

 

Comments:

Phantom power only 30v - so non-standard and will not work with all powered Mic's.

Battery built in ... so swapping out batteries not possible ... and when it stops holding a charge?

 

Marrantz PMD 660

Price : around £375 inc VAT

 

Comments:

Solid machine?

Perhaps expensive compared to the new Fostex below.. only time will tell...

 

Fostex FR-2LE

Price : around £399 inc VAT

 

Comments:

This is probably one to consider if you can afford it - not available at the time of writing but on spec this looks to be the best machine here... ( is now available .. but DLF went with the H4- cost was the major factor).

 

 

Mini- recording studios

 

Boss Micro BR

Price : around £180

---

New Visual Music making tool

 

Tenori-On

 

http://tenori-on.co.uk/shop/index.php

---

Desktop 3D Scanner

 

This small scanner brings 3D laser scanning to the desktop at price that makes it possible to consider for small projects - $2,500. Is PC only at present :-( ... but bootcamp is your friend.

https://www.nextengine.com/indexSecure.htm?gclid=CKeQ1J3PzZACFQ6ZQwoddAv5Wg

 

---

Show Control System + Software

 

LanBox

Low cost midi based show control system. Own software and will work with MAX and others, worth a look and appears to be inexpensive.

http://www.lanbox.com/products/products.html

---