Looking for camcorder mic suggestions

[MONK]

I've got an older Sony HDR-XR200 camcorder. The camcorder works well and I don't shoot nearly enough videos to purchase a new one. If you've watched any of my videos, you know traffic around my house is LOUD. I'm looking for an external microphone that will help. Ideally, I'd get a wireless lapel mic but my particular camcorder doesn't have a 1/4"/3.5mm plug. An external mic can only be run by the hot shoe. Sony makes a hot shoe compatible shotgun mic which may work but I want to see if anyone knows of a better solution before I go that route. I'm not willing to spend a ton of money. The few videos I shoot aren't money makers and I'd rather spend my money on bills and/or my bike.

Thanks.

 

[RayBJ]

I had the shotgun mic on a previous Sony camcorder. I don't think that solution will help you with the traffic noises. They focus the pick-up forward but there's still plenty of side & rear noises. A wired or BT mic will be much quieter than open-air focusing.

 

[MONK]

I had the shotgun mic on a previous Sony camcorder. I don't think that solution will help you with the traffic noises. They focus the pick-up forward but there's still plenty of side & rear noises. A wired or BT mic will be much quieter than open-air focusing.

I was kind of afraid of that which is why I didn't order one yet. Since Sony seems to have been the ONLY camcorder mfg to offer the hot shoe compatible audio, there's not much out there aftermarket. Everything I've looked at needs to be plugged in to a 1/4"/3.5mm jack. I don't have one. I DO have an A/V R port but honestly, I don't even know what that's for. (I should probably partner w/Mr. Google on that, eh?)

Thanks.

 

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

I was kind of afraid of that which is why I didn't order one yet. Since Sony seems to have been the ONLY camcorder mfg to offer the hot shoe compatible audio, there's not much out there aftermarket. Everything I've looked at needs to be plugged in to a 1/4"/3.5mm jack. I don't have one. I DO have an A/V R port but honestly, I don't even know what that's for. (I should probably partner w/Mr. Google on that, eh?)

Thanks.

Any hot shoe to 3.5mm adapters out there anywhere? Maybe you can fashion a HS adapter.

 

[MONK]

Any hot shoe to 3.5mm adapters out there anywhere? Maybe you can fashion a HS adapter.

Great idea but it appears there was only (1) adapter out there but it doesn't seem to be available any longer.

 

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

I thought maybe I could find something for you, but you are, indeed, pretty much SOL. The only thing I could find are some listings for the sony ecm-hst1 and ECM-HGZ1 shoe mounted mics on eBay. There are wireless mics available on eBay, the ECM-HW2, but they are $300+. Shoe adapters are available, but they are all cold shoes, i.e., have no electrical connections.

 

[MONK]

Well, I appreciate that you took a little bit of time to try to help. I think I'm SOL, too. Either I buy an upgraded camcorder (which isn't likely), I move to the country (which is more likely but not any time soon), I use my phone (just bought a new one that should be here in a couple of weeks...maybe it will filter out traffic sounds better) or I stop making videos (most likely scenario).

Thanks, again.