Travel Technology - Could you recommend a LAV mic and online shop?

I'm looking to purchase a few Lavalier mic systems and really have limited knowledge on them. I was hoping someone here could recommend a few systems and an online store that is trustworthy and highly recommended.

The camera's we are using are the Sony HVR-Z7U models:

http://www.amazon.com/Sony-HVR-Z7U-Professional-Video-Camcorder/dp/B00138TS4C/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1249011878&sr=8-3

As far as the mic system goes, I've heard Lectrosonics is a very good brand. I just want to make sure I don't get steered in the wrong direction and pick something based on the logic that expensive=best.

Of lesser importance is a shotgun mic so if you have any knowledge on those, I'd greatly appreciate any input you could provide.

Perhaps you can tell me what you plan to do with your camcorder and microphones (eg. application), so I can give you a better recommendation. Also *where* do you plan to use this combination (what countries). What are you using for audio now, and what is it that makes you wanting more?

Lectrosonics among one of the best wireless microphone systems out there, lots of broadcasters use them, along with similar counterparts from Sennheiser and Shure. There are also some great options for shotgun mics, but usually they are better used on a pole outside the field of view with a separate audio operator listening on a set of headphones. You can mount them on the camcorder, but it does get a bit unwieldy.

I do not recommend you shop online for such specialized equipment, frequency coordination and support are very important when you're dealing with this level of professional wireless equipment, many online stores usually are not up to snuff on these issues. There are a few dealers in the NYC that can help you with a decent audio setup, and would be more than happy to ship it to you.

Oh and what kind of budget?

Oh, so you weren't inquiring about a mic for LAVatory usage? :D

Perhaps you can tell me what you plan to do with your camcorder and microphones (eg. application), so I can give you a better recommendation. Also *where* do you plan to use this combination (what countries). What are you using for audio now, and what is it that makes you wanting more?

The whole set up is for an travel/food show in the vien of No Reservations with Anthony Bourdain. Countries that are 100% include: Egypt, Italy, France, Japan, Germany, Russia, Hong Kong and various places throughout the US. I'm wanting better sound quality than what we are getting now. What's being used now are shotgun mics mounted onto the cameras...as you can imagine it's not getting the results that I want. I want to be able to record audio from the person/people on screen clearly without too much outside noise bleeding in.

Lectrosonics among one of the best wireless microphone systems out there, lots of broadcasters use them, along with similar counterparts from Sennheiser and Shure. There are also some great options for shotgun mics, but usually they are better used on a pole outside the field of view with a separate audio operator listening on a set of headphones. You can mount them on the camcorder, but it does get a bit unwieldy.

I'm planning on just using the shotgun mic for recording ambient sounds. You are certainly right about them getting a bit unwieldy mounted straight on the camera...in fact I'd dare to say that that's a gross understatement. As you said, I'm guessing for ambient sounds having the shotgun mic on a boom and monitored from a seperate sound guy would be the best set up and it's what I'd like to do.

I do not recommend you shop online for such specialized equipment, frequency coordination and support are very important when you're dealing with this level of professional wireless equipment, many online stores usually are not up to snuff on these issues. There are a few dealers in the NYC that can help you with a decent audio setup, and would be more than happy to ship it to you.

Could you recommend a few dealers in NYC please? Support is definately key since wireless audio like this is certainly new to me.

Oh and what kind of budget?

Budget isn't really an issue for the equipment -- I want to be able to get the best setup for my needs, cost aside.

Could you recommend a few dealers in NYC please? Support is definately key since wireless audio like this is certainly new to me.
There's always B&H. They have very knowledgeable sales agents, particularly in their pro systems departments. Not sure how much post-sales support they'll offer, but they have a pretty broad selection of systems.

The whole set up is for an travel/food show in the vien of No Reservations with Anthony Bourdain. Countries that are 100% include: Egypt, Italy, France, Japan, Germany, Russia, Hong Kong and various places throughout the US.Well, that's probably the clincher here, getting a wireless system that is legal to use in different countries--this requires expertise and knowledge on what frequency band would cover the majority, if not all the countries you plan to use this system in. Not to mention the possibility that you may need to get a license to use your wireless gear in certain countries. This is why I recommend you stick with a dealer that has that level of expertise, and is able to get that information together for you.

I'm wanting better sound quality than what we are getting now. What's being used now are shotgun mics mounted onto the cameras...as you can imagine it's not getting the results that I want. I want to be able to record audio from the person/people on screen clearly without too much outside noise bleeding in.

I'm planning on just using the shotgun mic for recording ambient sounds. You are certainly right about them getting a bit unwieldy mounted straight on the camera...in fact I'd dare to say that that's a gross understatement. As you said, I'm guessing for ambient sounds having the shotgun mic on a boom and monitored from a seperate sound guy would be the best set up and it's what I'd like to do.
Yeah, camera mounted microphones are great for ambience and backup, but doesn't give you the quality and intimacy you're looking for. You can go one of two directions: close mic everyone on camera using miniature lavalier microphones that are wired or wireless (wireless being prefered if the talent moves around a lot), OR using shotgun microphones that are mounted on telescopic poles that are close enough and aimed at the talent outside of the camera's field of view (the trick is not to cast a shadow or accidentally have the mic in the camera's field of view). The first is relatively easy to do if you're a one man crew, the second requires an separate audio tech.

Could you recommend a few dealers in NYC please? Support is definately key since wireless audio like this is certainly new to me.
The challenge there is finding a tech there that knows the intricacies of using wireless systems abroad. It's even more of a challenge now in North America since the operating bands are becoming increasingly crowded due to the white space nonsense that the FCC foisted on us because they are so willing to sell precious bandwidth to the highest bidder.

Production Radio would be my recommendation for you in terms of support, they're top notch in knowledge and experience, and will get you what you need. They do a lot of rentals to all the major broadcasters and movie production gigs in the NYC area, but their work goes all around the world. They also do a lot of sales as well.
http://www.productionradio.com/enter.htm

Bexel is one of the bigger broadcast production dealers/rental houses with offices throughout North America, they would be my second choice. A few years ago they bought out a company named Systems Wireless, one of the leaders of production audio in North America.
http://www.bexel.com/contact/location/16

B&H Photo and Video is a great place if your level of support required is low and you're on a budget. They would be what I consider a online/mail order house, with a very large store in NYC. YMMV with them, especially for support with wireless systems being used in international locations.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/

For a store: I've had excellent experience with these guys (http://www.microphonesolutions.com/) (actually, their earphonesolutions.com department, but it's all the same company--I've never bought microphones from them, but if they're anything like their earphone sister-store, I'd be fully comfortable contacting them both for recommendations, pre-sales info, honest reviews, great prices, and good follow-up support. Otherwise, I've had your normal, everyday service with B&H (http://www.bhphotovideo.com), Musician's Friend (http://www.musiciansfriend.com/), Sweetwater (http://www.sweetwater.com), and BSW (http://www.bswusa.com). (B&H is a treat to visit in person when in NYC, though!)

As far as a recommendation for a microphone itself, I've been highly, highly impressed with the quality from DPA Microphones (http://www.dpamicrophones.com/en), a Danish company. You'd need to supply your own wireless transmitter/receiver system (I used a Shure ULXP4, but I deal with installed systems [concert-type stuff]). It's not a cheap solution--$1,765 for the DPA 4053 plus $600 for the Shure ULXP4 receiver and ULX1 transmitter--but I don't think you can do much better in terms of sheer sound quality. WAY overkill for a portable camera setup, though. ;)