review for off cam external mic set up/requirements

[mikemck]

greetings to all, very good board here, thank you.
My need is for a setup to do instructional videos in makeshift home/office setting. Already know from testing my brand new HV20 , I don't want the sound captured by built-in mic.
What I've learned so far:

1) mini mic jack needs something called a phantom power supplier.

2) can't use a cheap Radio Shack clip-on mic because I didn't have
the phantom power unit. Already tried, gets no sound recorded on tape.

3) users manual calls for -57dbv (600 ohm mic) / 5k ohms or more (pg.102)
what ever that means -

doesn't make any mention of requiring a phantom power unit.

4) have found audio websites that sell phantom power supplies,
some as stand alone, some as part of mixer? what ever that is.

5) I only need mono and want the sound to at least sound like I'm
not standing in a large cave (echo chamber) 50 feet away.

6) Most posts here seems to be centered around on camera mic setups
and not a mic that would sit on/near my work becch where I will be
doing the demos.

7) so my questions for the experts here is:
Do I really need a $2,000 mic that plugs into a phantom power unit
that finally plugs into the mini mic jack?

Thank You in advance for your help,

Mike in Sun City Az ( just an old guy just trying to get by, learn something new)

[Vector]

what you really need is a mic that has a battery in it. Easy to find shotgun mics that have the powered option on them, especially the cheaper ones. I'm eyeing the Rode NTG2, looks pretty nice. If you want a lav mic, they make them with power boxes. Think i saw one on amazon.com.

http://www.amazon.com/AUDIO-TECHNICA...1694693&sr=8-8

Also, most consumer stereo mics are powered. Hope you find a solution soon, audio always gets the best of us!

[Terfyn]

Most mics sold for camcorders at the lower end of the market are condenser mics with their own power supply. (AA battery in my case) Maplin in UK sell a mono mike which is quite directional.

[mikemck]

Went down to Circuit City last night and bought the
AUDIO TECHNICA ATR-35S Lavalier Microphone
for $29 and change , Well it works very well at least for my
purpose, THANK YOU VICTOR !
Went to Radio Shack today and picked up a mono
to stereo adapter for around $3 and now I get audio
on both speakers.
only problem is now, I got the microphone volume
adjusted just fine when I record in auto mode, but
when I changed mis-stream to the P mode, the sound
level went down a bunch. I will have to figure this out
now, maybe I have to manually adjust the mic volume in both
modes separately some how?
Anyway thank to this great board. I love my HV20. Just have to eliminate
operator error day by day. Also bought a copy of PS 11 plus and now
it looks like I have to upgrade my computer, its always something.
Mike
ps I'm still curious about that phantom power thing, is that only for more expensive mics?