Special offer

Wireless Mic Demo for Real Estate with KODAK PLAYTOUCH - Recommendation and Review

By
Services for Real Estate Pros with Eastman Kodak Company

 

Many of you have been asking me over the last few months about wireless microphone options for the new Kodak Playtouch and your trusty Kodak Zi8s.  While we don’t officially sell a wireless microphone  (yet) at the Kodak store, I did want to demo one for you which I think is a great choice and will certainly make your life easier when doing narrative marketing videos.

Why Wireless?

  • It’s easy and inexpensive
  • It frees you to be more mobile in the shot and make things more interesting from a playback point of view
  • It’s really convenient and you tend to trip less (so that last one is for me…it’s kinda personal…whyareyoulaughing?.....okayokay I’m a klutz sometimes)

The microphone that I use is manufactured by the same company that builds the generic ATR 3350 wired  microphone we sell on the Kodak Store  (20% off applies to that product).

 

 

The company is Audio Technica and the wireless microphone is actually their bundle kit called the ATR 288W.

It has a lavalier mic, a transmitter, a receiver, an antenna, a wired handheld mic, and cables.  You need two 9V batteries and a KODAK PLAYTOUCH and you’re good to go!

Here’s a video overview of the mic setup and some sample video!  The range is about 100 feet with really crystal clear audio, note also that I am recording around a fountain and you can barely hear it in much of the video.

NOTE:  This is really a quick, raw edit I did.  Forgive the brevity of the video, I just wanted to demo the range of the wireless, so please don’t beat me up too badly that the production isn’t as good as some of my others.  :-)



  It’s gets a little scratchy in some parts because I step behind the fountain creating a little interference.  But for most of you, you’ll be shooting close or in a more serene environment.  I think you’ll find it an excellent tool, and pairs really well with the KODAK PLAYTOUCH’s microphone capability.  I bought mine on Amazon, but if you Google it on Google Shopping you can find it at multiple places.

 

Posted by

ActiveRain Members Save 20% at the Kodak Store          Follow Kodak on Twitter          Watch Kodak Videos

Jeremy Blanton
Myrtle Beach Homes Blog - Myrtle Beach, SC
Myrtle Beach REALTOR®- myrtlebeachhomesblog.com

After doing some investigation, I found the ATR288W is on an awesome sale right now at Amazon!  It's normally $250 and right now you can pick it up for $112! Here's a link to the sale.

Feb 21, 2011 05:03 AM
Chris Bezaire
Cape May Chris - Cape May, NJ
Real Estate Agent - Cape May

I use the sony wireless wcs-999. It has worked great for me. Obviously I will also be using the wired mic that I won through the ActiveRain/Kodak Video Challenge!!!! :) Thanks again.

Feb 21, 2011 05:59 AM
Kim McAllister
Eastman Kodak Company - Rochester, NY
Kodak Real Estate Solutions

Jeremy -  Hi! The remote is for the Zi8 but it will Start/stop the Playtouch for recording

 

Chris - Thank you for the comment and feedback on the alternative mic!

Feb 23, 2011 02:55 AM
Kim McAllister
Eastman Kodak Company - Rochester, NY
Kodak Real Estate Solutions

Hi D. Lee,

 

Honestly, I don't why the volume levels are different - it does vary from mic to mic, and I've never found a satisfactory answer.  That's why I tried different solutions and posted the ones that have worked really well for me.  The ATR 288W  is just awesome - it's worth the money if you're going to do a lot of real estate videos!

Aug 11, 2011 08:29 AM
Ann Nguyen
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Truckee, CA
Lake Tahoe Truckee Homes For Sale

I have been reading about the Playtouch and are contemplating buying it...so now it's great to read about the wireless mic for its companion. Thanks for the review!

Aug 12, 2011 05:53 PM
Mark Taylor Mortgages
and for 1st Time Buyers, Move Up Buyers & Investors - Scottsdale, AZ
602-361-0707 #MarkTaylor #Awesomerates NMLS#207897

Agents this is the only way to go - I teach youTube classes and i have bought all other products and demo them in my class - just go and do as mark says and you will be blown away - see all the video i have taken using the playtouch and a wireless mike www.youtube.com/themortgagemoment hiyt subscribe for my property video tips series I am doing

Aug 13, 2011 03:09 AM
Mark Taylor Mortgages
and for 1st Time Buyers, Move Up Buyers & Investors - Scottsdale, AZ
602-361-0707 #MarkTaylor #Awesomerates NMLS#207897

Mark Dont forget the adapter they need for the input for the wired mic set up for the plug to fit into the port

Aug 13, 2011 03:13 AM
Mary Richards
Reece & Nichols Realtors - Kansas City, MO
Mary Richards

Thanks for the review.  I already have the Zi8 and am researching a mic.  Great information for my search!

Aug 13, 2011 04:19 PM
Kim McAllister
Eastman Kodak Company - Rochester, NY
Kodak Real Estate Solutions

An Nguyen - You're welcome - hope it helps you!

Mark - Thanks for the kudos and your messages - please share a video as well on this blog if you would be so kind, it's always good for the agents to see as many examples as possible.  I did see your email and will respond as well!

Hi Mary - I think you'll dig this one!  It's worth the money and the value of having great, crisp audio on your marketing videos cannot be overstated.  I've often said 60% of a good video is good audio.  You can have a great video but if the audio sucks people tend to turn it off instantly in my experience (definitely holds on YouTube).  But if you have a mediocre video but your audio is good, they tend to listen and watch it anyway!

I think that's the major advantage the Playtouch will bring over other video and smartphone solutions for agent marketing at the present time.

 

 

Aug 14, 2011 05:54 PM
Terkel Sørensen
Real Estate Places - Temecula, CA
Realtor, 951.805.0773 , Bank owned and Short Sales

Hi Kim,

thank you, I have been looking at the cams you have for some time. I still just use my trusty point and shoot, but the mic issue is a deciding factor. I'll have to fold one of these days. This info definitely helps. 

Oct 11, 2011 05:07 PM
​​Elise & Glenn Groves, Mortgage Brokers ​First Priority Financial, Inc.
First Priority Financial Inc., NMLS# 3257, ​Elise NMLS #255824, Glenn NMLS# 1124642 - Santa Rosa, CA
Mortgage Broker,Banker, FHA, VA, Conv, Jumbo - Pur

Kim - thanks for the review.  I already have a wireless Azden Pro mic for myZi8, but did end up ordering the wide angle lens from your link.  I am excited to get that neat little lens for $25!  Awesome.

Oct 11, 2011 06:17 PM
Hector Reyes
Hector And Associates - Adelanto, CA
Southern California

thanks for this review. I will put it on my list to Santa!

Oct 11, 2011 07:09 PM
Paul Jonely
Exit Realty Nexus - Saint Paul, MN

Paul Jonely, EXIT Realty Nexus, Minnesota

 

Looks like another great use of technology!

Oct 12, 2011 02:15 AM
Dan Weis
Comey & Shepherd Realtors - Cincinnati, OH
Cincy Real Estate Advisor

If I'm standing next to someone and talking with them using a playtouch, will the wireless microphone pick them up okay too...or what do you recommend?  thanks!

Oct 12, 2011 05:44 AM
James Loftis
RealEstate911.com - West Palm Beach, FL
RealEstate911.com

Hello Mark,

  Thanks for the information , I will be looking into the Kodak system.

Oct 12, 2011 09:50 AM
Frank Rubi
Frank Rubi Real Estate, LLC - Metairie, LA
FrankRubiRealEstate.com

Kim, thanks for this post. I just bought two Kodak playtouch. One is a replacement for my Flip. The other a Christmas Gift. It is so easy to use. I am impressed. I will now order a wireless microphone. Great information. 

Oct 21, 2011 05:55 PM
Barbara Altieri
Better Homes and Gardens RE Shore and Country Properties - Shelton, CT
REALTOR-Fairfield County CT Homes/Condos For Sale

Kim -- I just bought the Playtouch Zi10 and will definitely look into this.  I had found another mic but think it was wired.  Not a good setup. This seems worth the investment. Thanks.

Oct 22, 2011 01:23 AM
Joy Daniels
Joy Daniels Real Estate Group, Ltd. - Harrisburg, PA

Thakns for your post - will definitely add it to my christmas list too! :)  THank you

Oct 22, 2011 01:41 PM
Kerry Lucasse
eXp Realty - Urban Nest Real Estate Group - Atlanta, GA
Your Urban Nest Atlanta Real Estate Consultant

Thanks so much for all of the great tips.  I am looking for a decent microphone for my computer and it is tough trying to figure it all out!

Dec 22, 2011 02:32 PM
Anonymous
Sherry Jean Ramstead

My husband and I are just starting to do a video blog with the two of us.  Do you know if there is a way to attach 2 lapel mikes to our Kodak Playtouch?

Jan 04, 2012 05:58 AM
#56