VIXIA HF R800, external mic not working

[YSG]

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

[lewhulse]

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.

[cmill71]

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.

[Richard]

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.

[mcrawlins]

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?

[MangoMan]

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.

[mcrawlins]

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.

[YSG]

Did you use it for a HF R800?

[link removed per forum guidelines]

[lewhulse]

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.  

[Fruguy101]

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.