Recording microphones are common place these days.� They are on our phones, iPods, mp3 players and even on pens.� But usually these microphones don?t result in the best audio quality from their built-in�mono microphone.� That?s where Samson?s Zoom H1 Handy Recorder comes in.
The package includes the Zoom H1 Handy Recorder with a preloaded 2GB microSD card, a AA battery and instruction manuals.
The Zoom H1 is made of�plastic and feels extremely lightweight.� It has a professional look but it does feel like a toy.� There?s a slight creaking when being lightly twisted or held tightly.� We will go into that later on in this review.� On the front of the device is a single record button and the display.� And you might be able to see a rec/peak LED light on top of the display which comes in very handy since it will start flashing when the input source (mic or line-in) is above the recommended recording level.
On the left side are the 3.5mm line-out, volume buttons and the microSD card slot.
On the back are the lo-cut, auto level and file format switches.� There?s also a standard tripod mount and the AA battery compartment.
On the ride side are the 3.5mm line-in, input level, forward, play/mark, rewind, delete and power/lock.� There?s also a mini usb port for transferring the recordings to the PC or MAC.
The most important part of any type of recorder is of course the microphone.� The Zoom H1 has stereo X/Y microphones on the top surrounded by a plastic cage which is used for adding in a windscreen.� The H1 has an optional accessory pack which includes the windscreen, AC adaptor, USB cable, mini tripod, padded case and a mic clip adaptor.
On the bottom is a small speaker which doesn?t play as loud as I hoped for.� The speaker is fine for a small quiet room but it surely isn?t loud enough to hear in a convention hall.
The display shows the input levels, remaining recording time, file format and bitrate.� The Zoom H1 records Broadcast WAV (BWF) at 96kHz/48kHz/44.1kHz at 16-bit or 24-bit and MP3 from 48 to 320kbps.� A single AA battery lasts for 10 hours of recording time.
Samson Zoom H1 Basic Product Overview
Now for the actual audio test.
I used 3 recorders: Sony IC Recorder, Samson Zoom H1 Recorder, and an Olympus Recorder.� I also used a Kodak Playtouch for a video demo audio from portable camcorder.� All audio samples are taken on their highest bitrate setting.� All the recordings are done in a soundproof room.� The speakers are playing at the same volume for all the recordings.� There has been no post editing of the audio and video.
Video and audio source direct from Kodak Playtouch
I would like to upload the audio sample from the Olympus recorder but it?s way too distorted and fuzzy to even give a good comparison with the Zoom H1.
In my opinion, the Zoom H1 does a pretty good job at providing a stereo recording experience.� It did provide a far better recording verses the Sony and Olympus recorders but only a little bit better than the recorder on the Kodak Playtouch.� The Zoom H1 is far from a professional recorder that you might use at a concert show, but it?s perfect for the amateur recording for a blog or press conference.� It?s priced at $99 from B&H.
Product Information
| Price: | $99 from B&H |
| Manufacturer: | Samson |
| Retailer: | B&H |
| Pros: |
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| Cons: |
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