Zoom, makers of professional audio recording devices, has launched
the Q3 Handy Video Recorder
(http://www.samsontech.com/products/productpage.cfm?prodID=2020&brandID=4).
The US$249 device is designed for musicians, videographers,
educators, live music fans and anyone "looking for great audio on
their videos." The Q3 also includes HandyShare software for editing
and uploading videos to YouTube.

"Portable camcorders are very popular today; however, one significant
feature that's been missing is professional audio quality," says
Scott Goodman, President of Samson Technologies. "With our
outstanding audio technology and studio-quality microphones onboard,
the Q3 is the best sounding video camcorder you've ever heard."

With two condenser microphones on-board, the Q3 uses the same X/Y
pattern that gives recording pros the best stereo recording possible,
he adds. You can record audio at 24-bit/48 kHz for "high-definition"
quality audio on your video. With the Q3's directional microphones,
you can "focus" the mics on your sound source similar to an "audio
zoom" function. T

The Q3 also features a 2.4-inch LCD display that includes audio level
meters, battery indicator, time elapsed and video display. It accepts
up to a 32GB SDHC card delivering up to 16 hours of movie making.
Users can upload videos to their computer with an USB cable. Powered
by 2 AA batteries, the Q3 will record for up to two hours in stereo
and true 640 x 480 resolution refreshed at 30 frames per second.