topic Re: VIXIA HF R800, external mic not working in Camcorders

VIXIA HF R800, external mic not working

YSG — Mon, 08 Jan 2018 11:57:34 GMT

Hi everyone

I have a HF R800 mainly to record lectures, I also have a regular external mic,

when i plug in the mic, it stops to record audio, if I unplug the mic then the machine does record audio

also the mic works on other machines

please advise

Thank you

Re: VIXIA HF R800, external mic not working

lewhulse — Mon, 08 Jan 2018 13:55:54 GMT

I am also experiencing the external mic issue. I purchased a TRRS lapel mic, but apparently the external mic port is a TRS port. I then purchased a TRRS to TRS adapter, but that was a waste of money since the expernal mic still didn't work. I just received a TRS lapel mic but that doesn't work either.

I do have a TRS external Takstar SGC 598 mic and tested that on the Canon. The Takstar mic works. So my conclusion is that the external mic port on the camera is a TRS plug and apparently you must purchase a mic that is battery powered. The Quick Guide that comes with the camera explains nothing about the external mic requirements. I cannot find any simple instructions as to which type of external mic is required with the HF R8000 camera.

Re: VIXIA HF R800, external mic not working

cmill71 — Tue, 09 Jan 2018 01:02:00 GMT

I have the VIXIA HF R600 and my external Rode Mic does not work as well. When I plug it in there is no sound recording and it does not show levels. If I slightly pull the jack out I get visual mic levels but it records audio faint in the background and with a lot of static. I purchased this camera within the last year but this is the first time I have tried to use the external mic. The microphone works wth a USB adapter so I know it is not the Mic.

Please advise Canon.

Re: VIXIA HF R800, external mic not working

Richard — Wed, 10 Jan 2018 05:38:03 GMT

Hi YSG,

Thanks for posting.

Your camcorder will accept just about any microphone with a 3.5mm stereo plug. Because of the wide variety of microphones, we don't have specific recommendation for a brand or model of microphone, nor do we offer support for third-party accessories such as this.

Microphones should meet the following specifications: 3.5 mm stereo minijack -64 dBV (with 600 Ohms microphone)/5 kohm or more. Because this camcorder cannot provide "phantom" power for the microphone, an "active" microphone (requiring external power) must supply its own power.

Re: VIXIA HF R800, external mic not working

mcrawlins — Thu, 11 Jan 2018 18:11:12 GMT

I've had the same problem with two different third party mics via Amazon, and a Sony. The question I have is not just powered or not, but does this require TRS (3 pole), or TRRS (4 pole)? The documentation doesn't say, and it's not helpful because there isn't a "standard" 3.5 mm stereo plug.

TRS - Tip, ring, sleeve - so 3 pole
TRRS - Tip, ring, ring, sleve - ergo 4 pole

Or does the R800 accept both styles?

Re: VIXIA HF R800, external mic not working

MangoMan — Tue, 23 Jan 2018 04:46:32 GMT

Yes, I'm having the same problem. I purchased the Vixia HF R800 and I've returned it twice for failure of the mic jack. The third one doesn't work either. I've tried 2 unpowered/ passive mics that I've used on other camers, computers, and cellphones. With the Vixia I just get static unless I pull the jack out just the right amount then I get static and a tiny bit of intended sound. This appears to be a serious design flaw if three out of three are bad. I'm very dissapointed, I kind of expected more from Canon. The external mic jack is a requirement for me. Could you please fix and inform your valued customers when it is taken care of?

Thanks.

Re: VIXIA HF R800, external mic not working

mcrawlins — Tue, 23 Jan 2018 16:12:03 GMT

I found a mic that works. 4 pole, TRRS powered. Go to Amazon and look for lavalier vixia R800. I would copy the link in here but can't get to it on my tablet.

Re: VIXIA HF R800, external mic not working

YSG — Thu, 25 Jan 2018 13:45:07 GMT

Did you use it for a HF R800?

[link removed per forum guidelines]

Re: VIXIA HF R800, external mic not working

lewhulse — Thu, 25 Jan 2018 12:09:43 GMT

Yes. The Lav mic in the amazon.com link does work with the HF R800's external mic port. No static or any other type of interference.

Re: VIXIA HF R800, external mic not working

Fruguy101 — Mon, 19 Feb 2018 03:20:03 GMT

I have this camera. Before I bought it, I confirmed with Canon that it will not power a microphone such as the Rode VideoMicro or other non-battery operated mics.

I use the Takstar SGC-598 with my R800. You can find it for less then $35 on Amazon. It works perfectly with my HF R800.

Re: VIXIA HF R800, external mic not working

dpdeghi — Mon, 19 Mar 2018 17:30:25 GMT

Thanks for that!

Question: How are you mounting this microphone on your camera or mic stand, since the mic looks like it comes with a "hotshoe" mount?

Re: VIXIA HF R800, external mic not working

dpdeghi — Mon, 19 Mar 2018 17:37:18 GMT

This camera needs a self powering (condenser) microphone. You can also go to the link below and obtain a much better "User's Guide" than the one that comes with the camera.

User Guide Link

Re: VIXIA HF R800, external mic not working

Fruguy101 — Mon, 19 Mar 2018 21:20:04 GMT

I use a cold shoe bracket to hold the mic and camera on my shoulder rig at the same time.

Re: VIXIA HF R800, external mic not working

BreaMark — Thu, 22 Mar 2018 21:45:55 GMT

Without offending . . . your answer is way too tecky. I'm just a simple guy trying to get my Canon product to work. I too have returned a Vixia HF R800 camcorder because I thought the device was broken. My previous Kodak camcorder DID work with an external microphone that wasn't powered. So I still sit here not getting a simple honest answer to how to make the external MIC port work.

I would like to run a mic cord to the front of the meeting room, or get a remote mic, but I'd prefer not having to try over and over again.

I did find that a TRRS headset for my Galaxy phone worked on it. So my next test is a TRRS to TRS male by female adapter.

Re: VIXIA HF R800, external mic not working

BreaMark — Tue, 03 Apr 2018 18:16:52 GMT

I found a very reasonable Wireless Lavalier MIC set that seems to work very well. I don't know if this allows me to post URL's so I'll paste the description on Amazon.

Wireless Camere Lavalier Microphone Filmmaker Kit, EACHSHOT COMICA CVM-WM100 Professional UHF 48 Channels 100m Distance Omni-directional Mic for Canon Nikon Panasonic Sony, Camcorder ,Smartphone.

I was even able to plug the wired microphone that would not work on the Canon camera into the transmitter and it also worked and sounded great. It does take 2 double "A" batteries in both the receiver and transmitter and I don't know how long they will last, but they can be switched out very quickly.

Best of luck.

Re: VIXIA HF R800, external mic not working

mcrawlins — Tue, 03 Apr 2018 18:29:36 GMT

The mic jack requires a powered microphone - meaning it has a battery. Unpowered will not work.

The jack requires a TRRS male plug (tip, two rings, and shield body). TRS (Tip, ring, shield) will not work.

I found one that works on Amazon. The brand name is not listed. Apparently forum rules prohibit links to product on Amazon or other retaliers, so I can't post the link. However, if you search for this term you should find it:

External Lavalier Microphone with 20' audio cable + Accessory Bundle for Canon VIXIA HF R500-R600-R700-R800 HD Video Camcorder

Re: VIXIA HF R800, external mic not working

eddie1261 — Thu, 05 Apr 2018 18:11:01 GMT

"We don't support" is a BS answer. Perhaps YOUR cameras come wired improperly right out of the box. This many people should not have an issue recording with an external mic. I bought this camera BECAUSE it has an external mic jack, and here you are spitting in the face of peopel who did the same thing I did.

Tell us what mic DOES work. IS there even ONE mic that works? Likely one you sell for $1000?? I tried 3 that I know work becuase I use them on my iPad and Droid tablets. One is a TRS and the other is an TRRS.

Just walking away and saying "we don't support it" is HORRIBLE customer care.

Re: VIXIA HF R800, external mic not working

eddie1261 — Thu, 05 Apr 2018 18:26:42 GMT

Fruguy101 You use a cold shoe bracket mounted where and how? On this tiny camera?

Re: VIXIA HF R800, external mic not working

travelinggypsy — Mon, 18 Jun 2018 14:43:22 GMT

I recently purchased this camera and bought a lav microphone. The first time I attempted to use the microphone no sound recorded. Of course I Googled, You Tubed,etc. I set the internal microphone to manual, made sure the battery for the external lav microphone was installed correctly and it works great. This is the external microphone I am using, bought it off Amazon $20

Canon Vixia HF R800 Camcorder External Microphone Vidpro XM-L Wired Lavalier microphone - 20' Audio Cable - Transducer type: Electret Condenser

Re: VIXIA HF R800, external mic not working

travelinggypsy — Mon, 18 Jun 2018 14:45:36 GMT