Video cameras and gunshots

[drbob]

Has anyone had an experience with a video camera having its microphone ruined due to a range visit? Will gunshots have a deleterious effect on video cameras in this way?

I ask because my dad is convinced that this is why our last video camera crapped out. We went to the range and after that it seemed that the camera would no longer record sound.

[Pvt. Cowboy]

Um, yes.

Don't tell your dad.

[69Mach1]

I've had my sony Cyber-shot, which takes video, recording right next to my rifle when I'm shooting. I have not experienced any problems. Anything is possible though. You could cover the mic with some tape before heading out to the range next time.

[xxdabroxx]

ear plugs for your camcorder, that's a new one.

[mif_slim]

Heres a video of mines that I shot with with the camera right next to the gun...nothing happened:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XlgKICDJbjI

[MrSlippyFist]

I've had my sony Cyber-shot, which takes video, recording right next to my rifle when I'm shooting. I have not experienced any problems. Anything is possible though. You could cover the mic with some tape before heading out to the range next time.

+1 for the cybershot, took mine to the middle-east on a 14 month vacation where there was plenty of fireworks and celebratory gunfire. Bought it in 2002 an it's still going strong.

[MrSlippyFist]

Heres a video of mines that I shot with with the camera right next to the gun...nothing happened:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XlgKICDJbjI

Auberry range? I know that piece of metal!

[mif_slim]

Auberry range? I know that piece of metal!

Yup. Shuusshhh.

[spectr17]

Camcorder mics are not damaged by loud gunshots. I've shot a ton of video around ranges and the SHOT show media day and no harm.

Water and dust are the biggest threat to a mic on a camcorder.

Also check your user settings, on some cams you can turn down the mic gain or even turn it off.

[uzigalil]

They have a gate and limiter built in most cameras that will limit the db level or close of if it gets to high or low.

[ocabj]

I've got quite a few videos with the camera behind and in front of the firing line (on an unmanned tripod, of course): http://www.youtube.com/ocabj

No microphone damage.

[Turbinator]

No mic damage here, either. I think most microphone circuits probably cut off if the sound level gets too high - just a guess.

Turby

[drbob]

Thanks all.

My dad was thinking that maybe the quick pressure spikes in the air might have knocked around internal parts: Like a bad sautering job on a circuit board or a spring that picked up acoustical energy and broke somehow.