Zoom's high-fidelity Q3 pocket camcorder ships to America
By Darren Murph 
posted Oct 15th 2009 5:27AM
posted Oct 15th 2009 5:27AM
Zoom Announces Availability of the Q3 Handheld Video Recorder with HD Audio at Nationwide Retailers
Q3 provides amateur videographers with professional studio quality audio that no other handheld video recorder can match
Hauppauge, NY – October 13, 2009 – Zoom, makers of award-winning professional audio recording devices, are excited to announce the much anticipated availability of the Q3 Handy Video Recorder. Unlike other handheld video camcorders, the Q3 records stereo sound with two condenser microphones, which allow users to capture crystal clear HD audio with their movies. The ability to capture audio at 24-bit/48 kHz is especially important for users planning to upload their footage to video share sites like YouTube, which compress video but now allow files with stereo audio at 44.1 kHz, which is CD quality.
"While it can be difficult to discern the difference between High Quality and High Definition videos on sites like YouTube, High Definition audio makes a big difference in the viewing experience," says Mark Wilder, Samson Director of Marketing. The Q3 Handy Video Recorder allows you to capture audio that your audience can easily identify as superior quality and is unmatched by audio captured on any other handheld camcorder."
Powered by 2 AA batteries, the Q3 will record for up to two hours in true stereo and clear 640 x 480 resolution refreshed at 30 frames per second. The Q3 features a brilliant 2.4-inch 320 x 240 resolution LCD that displays audio level meters, a battery indicator and time elapsed. The Q3 accepts up to a 32 GB SDHC card to deliver up to 16 hours of movie making capacity. Users can easily upload videos to a computer with the clever flexible USB cable for immediate editing and sharing.
Q3 provides amateur videographers with professional studio quality audio that no other handheld video recorder can match
Hauppauge, NY – October 13, 2009 – Zoom, makers of award-winning professional audio recording devices, are excited to announce the much anticipated availability of the Q3 Handy Video Recorder. Unlike other handheld video camcorders, the Q3 records stereo sound with two condenser microphones, which allow users to capture crystal clear HD audio with their movies. The ability to capture audio at 24-bit/48 kHz is especially important for users planning to upload their footage to video share sites like YouTube, which compress video but now allow files with stereo audio at 44.1 kHz, which is CD quality.
"While it can be difficult to discern the difference between High Quality and High Definition videos on sites like YouTube, High Definition audio makes a big difference in the viewing experience," says Mark Wilder, Samson Director of Marketing. The Q3 Handy Video Recorder allows you to capture audio that your audience can easily identify as superior quality and is unmatched by audio captured on any other handheld camcorder."
Powered by 2 AA batteries, the Q3 will record for up to two hours in true stereo and clear 640 x 480 resolution refreshed at 30 frames per second. The Q3 features a brilliant 2.4-inch 320 x 240 resolution LCD that displays audio level meters, a battery indicator and time elapsed. The Q3 accepts up to a 32 GB SDHC card to deliver up to 16 hours of movie making capacity. Users can easily upload videos to a computer with the clever flexible USB cable for immediate editing and sharing.
I've go to say I'm digging the industrial look of the device. I wonder if the video quality is comparable to the flip mino hd.
See this system here? This is Hi-Fi... high fidelity. What that means is that it's the highest quality fidelity.
Flip's got a better quality no doubt(1280 x 720 @ 30 fps) but the looks
http://dealbit.com/p/Electronics/502394/B0023B14T0/Flip-MinoHD-Camcorder-Chrome
The nice thing about this is you finally get a decent display for the level meters and other functions. The older Zoom recorders work fine, but the display was a PIA to read. I'd get this for that reason alone.
hey engadget, sorry bout asking here, but how come the new bamboo add on the site gets in the way? its on the left side and its half outside the screen, i cant seem to close it or move it. is this just a problem on my computer?
i cannot recommend ClickToFlash more!
And hey Engadget, there's no such thing as "HD audio". If you want to be credible, don't use bullcrap terms.
@Information Central: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intel_High_Definition_Audio
"this bugger!?"
Engadget goes Australian for a moment.
No line in like the zoom h4 unfortunately.
did anyone else think this was a pc case at first
Ya know.. when I woke up at 5am, I thought the casing read "2004", which of course it does not; but hey that's EXACTLY when these specs for this price came from. Pass.
Not a potential buyer for a camcorder but I´d love to get myself a PC case with a design like that.
Sweet. I can bootleg a concert and have the batteries die halfway into the second song.
Audio codec reference:
8kHz is what normal phones use with the G.711 codec (think AM radio sound). Newer office phones use the G.722 codec 16kHz and is considered wideband audio (think FM radio sound).
The Polycom Siren 14 codec uses 32Khz and Siren 22 codec uses 48KHz are high fidelity.
This camera uses a 48KHz codec so it sould sound really food.
Too bad the camera is low res. 720p/60fps would have been perfect. Oh well. :/
Yes, sounds really food!!!!!!!!
This was Amazon's Deal of the Day weeks ago. Stop reporting old news like it just happened.
The key here is low light situations. I think this is an interesting take on the stereo recorder (which is it's primary function; video is a bonus) but since most shows are indoors at clubs, low light sensitivity is key.
All the similar priced competition blows in low light, HD or not.
I thoughtthis was a pc case =0