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Sony ECM-AW3 Wireless Microphone - Silver (Discontinued by Manufacturer)

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125 ratings

| 54 answered questions

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Uses Microphone Input Jack
Capture crisp, clear audio from up to 150 feet away
IInteractive Communication
Two-way communication, up to 150 feet from the camcorder
Shoot while still talking to each other
Microphone and receiver unit are equipped with earphone jacks
Continuous operating time: approx. 3 hours

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Consumer Alert

Most users do not need a license to operate this wireless microphone system. Nevertheless, operating this microphone system without a license is subject to certain restrictions: the system may not cause harmful interference; it must operate at a low power level; and it has no protection from interference received from any other device. Purchasers should also be aware that the FCC is currently evaluating use of wireless microphone systems, and these rules are subject to change. For more information, call the FCC at 1-888- CALL-FCC (TTY: 1-888-TELL-FCC) or visit the FCC’s wireless microphone website at https://www.fcc.gov/cgb/wirelessmicrophones.

Product Description

Interactive communication with your subject with the ECM-AW3 wireless microphone

Product information

Product Dimensions

4.68 x 2.99 x 9.8 inches

Item Weight

3.2 ounces

ASIN

B002DUCRXS

Item model number

ECM-AW3

Batteries

1 Product Specific batteries required. (included)

Customer Reviews

125 ratings

3.6 out of 5 stars

Best Sellers Rank

#1,058 in Professional Video Microphones

Is Discontinued By Manufacturer

Date First Available

June 16, 2009

Manufacturer

Sony

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Customer reviews

5 star		35%
4 star		16%
3 star		26%
2 star		14%
1 star		9%

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Top reviews from the United States

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Big Boomer

Good wireless mic

Reviewed in the United States on June 23, 2013

Verified Purchase

The limitation for this mic is that it does pick up ALL sounds within range. We used it outdoors about 1/4 mile from a major highway and, although none of us was conscious of much road noise during the shoot, the mic got it all.

I've had good results putting the mic in the thin "wind shield" and then clipping it near the throat of the talent inside clothing. The subject's voice is strong and ambient sounds were more muted.

This mic is a big improvement to using the camera's mic.

Carry plenty of extra batteries. Use the ear bud to check the subject's mic level. There is no warning that the subject's mic will cut out. So when you cannot hear them in the ear bud, it is time to replace the batteries of both units. 60 - 70 minutes of being turned on using Eveready alkaline batteries is about the limit I discovered (the remote mic must be unclipped and removed from the wind shield to access the on/off switch). So if you will have the units on for extended time, you must be prepared to replace the batteries every hour or so. I have not tried other types of batteries which may give longer use. Battery time might be a factor to consider before making your purchase.

2 people found this helpful

Helpful

M. C. Linn

Wonderful item! Opens up all kinds of possibilities

Reviewed in the United States on April 7, 2013

Verified Purchase

We're getting more involved with video and have quickly come to realize that audio is one of the weakest links. Getting decent audio into the camera can be a pain, especially if you're moving around or in anything but a nice stationary environment.

(if you're in the market for a camcorder make sure it has an external mic input. These are getting harder to find, one more cost control measure I'm sure).

The audio from this mic is crisp and clear and the range is amazing. It's really sensitive so placement on the subject is important but once that's worked out it is fine.

I didn't realize how useful the 2-way communication could be, either. The range is so good you can easily have your subject too far away to easily communicate with -- so you just use the 2-way link that is now set up.

Battery life is not that great as others have reported but batteries are readily available, unlike the proprietary ones that plague most devices these days.

The one design issue I find involves the battery -- the cover for removing and replacing the battery is a pain to use. It gives you very little room to actually remove the battery, has a wire attached that would no doubt render the unit inoperable if it were to break or weaken -- and you have to be careful not to do just that when replacing the battery. Leave battery management to the calmest and most steady-handed member of the crew and you should be fine.

The bottom line is I expect to get a variety of great videos with this that would be difficult if not impossible to do otherwise. Five stars, although I will come back and remove one (or more) if that battery thing gives me trouble. I think it'll be ok but I hope Sony improves this design at some point.

One person found this helpful

Helpful

SocraticMethod

Beware short battery life - Unacceptable for Remote Use

Reviewed in the United States on October 2, 2013

Verified Purchase

I bought these from Amazon a little more than two years ago, and I periodically forget how frustrating they are to use, try to make use of them, and get frustrated all over again.

The are beautifully designed; their sound quality is amazingly good for something so small; and their distance of transmission and reception is quite remarkable.

Then why do I give them only one star? Because the whole concept of their design is flawed IMHO based on their intended use - the batteries constantly run out in the middle of use. Not once have I been able to complete any intended sound project without them stopping due to loss of battery power, and this is a critical deficiency because, by definition, one intends to use this pair for REMOTE transmission, meaning that you as the operator are going to be away from one or the other or both of the units when they stop working and signal a loss of power! Meaning your project is going to be aborted without your knowledge it has occurred and on many occasions this means that the precious sounds you intended to preserve for posterity are instead lost forever!

I have other portable equipment which requires only a little more space in order to enclose three (3) batteries instead of only one. Three batteries seems to make a huge improvement in the time between power loss. One little battery is obviously not adequate for remote use, yet the product continues to be marketed this way, which is very unfortunate. They claim three (3) hours of continuous use but I have never gotten anything near that!

3 people found this helpful

Helpful

Stephen D Pearl

Know its limitations and you'll be fine. Expect greatness, and you'll be disappointed.

Reviewed in the United States on July 16, 2013

Verified Purchase

The beauty of this pair is exceptional audio quality. The tragedy is poor body isolation on the microphone, meaning that every scratch, scrape, and shuffle comes through the line. If all you wanted to do was mount the mic on a stand and never touch it, you'd be in great shape. Great audio pickup. Great audio quality on the wireless frequency. The ability to jack in and live monitor on the receiver is a plus.

Oh yeah... The body of each unit is a LOT larger than it appears in the photos. There is nothing discrete about the microphone. If you think that you will inconspicuously attach it to your shirt, think again. It's silver. It's big. It looks like a giant silver thumb hanging from your shirt.

But it's the lack of body isolation that makes this a non-starter for a worn microphone system. You could get around the size by discretely tucking it inside a shirt if it weren't for all the body scrapes.

One more "oh yeah..." There is no way to mount this duo, so it's not designed for hot-shoe or tripod purposes.

Caveat Emptor.

2 people found this helpful

Helpful

Top reviews from other countries

Martian Invader

AW3 Not a good buy ........... get the newer improved AW4 instead

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 13, 2014

Verified Purchase

UPDATE : OCT 2014
-------------------

The new ECM-AW4 now has a mic input on the transmitter to connect a lavalier so it's a much improved version that overcomes some of the negative comments that I have put here. Also, it's black, which looks better. The new AW$ version is much better and a significant improvement.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

The AW3 :

Well it works, but it is very 'hissy' and "tinny" sounding - loads of pink noise.
It will be ok if there's backgound ambient noise to drown out the hiss.
It's also a bit big, but you can see that for yourself and there is lots of contact noise.

Also, there is no socket to plug in a lavalier mic instead of the inbuilt mic - this shows a lack of thought as it should be a necessary function - a deal killer ?
I would have expected this facility at this price.

It's usable, but don't expect particularly good results.

I think for a Sony branded product it's disappointing.

My advice would be to pay the extra, or save up to pay the extra, and get a Sennheiser G3 system - well worth the extra and like chalk and cheese in terms of sound quality and usable distance coverage.

I bought this as a stand-by in case of a problem with my Sennheiser - I should have dipped into my pocket and got another Sennheiser.

Mr. Martin J. Neave

Even better than expected

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 21, 2013

Verified Purchase

I film on a professional basis frequently doing interviews or filming lessons of teachers at work. The microphone was bought to pick up teachers/instructors from a distance avoiding background noise from busy class rooms and gymnasiums. I was expecting 'line of sight' communication but it actually works well through walls and on different floor levels. The quality of sound reproduction is extremely good and far better than a fixed microphone as teachers can move perfectly normally anywhere in the classroom and still I get crystal clear reception.

Delivery time was also very quick and the tracking system helped to know when to expect delivery.

DollyDiva

Excellent addition for Video Camera

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 2, 2014

Verified Purchase

These are light weight which is excellent, as when clipped on clothes does not drag down, sound quality is excellent.

Roger

Sony ECM-AW3

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 4, 2014

Verified Purchase

A very good answer to the Videographers nightmare of "clicks" on the sound track due to hands on the camera during takes. The range of the microphone is very good too. Quality for voice or background excellent.

Stegs

Good but big

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 4, 2014

Verified Purchase

I like it mostly, good sound quality, but the microphone is big. Try concealing it in a t-shirt - not possible

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Sony ECM-AW3 Wireless Microphone - Silver (Discontinued by Manufacturer)

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