Sprint 5 Testing Results

What follows is an overview of SWN's research into peripherals/accessories that may be used to maximize the quality and impact of android devices when used for Electronic News Gathering (ENG).

I will list the devices tested, every device listed will be tested. Each device will have a letter code. In the list of peripherals I'll use the letter code to note which devices worked normally with each peripheral. Where certain devices do NOT function I'll try to note what the malfunction is and whether it may be solvable by a future update to the firmware/software. For testing purposes, I am determining whether the peripherals interact with the default media recording apps provided with each device.

Based on testing thus far, it appears the best devices for use with external mic are:

Samsung Galaxy Camera, HTC One V, & Sony Xperia U.

The bad news is:

  • Galaxy Camera is very new, and in limited supply, also expensive ~$500
  • HTC necessitates micro sd card for installing unknown sources
  • Sony Xperia U has no microSD slot for expandable storage, limited to 2GB.

Devices Tested

MOTOROLA

Milestone OS 2.1-update1 - A

LG

G2X OS 2.2.2 - B

SAMSUNG

Galaxy Wifi Player, OS 3.2.5 - C
Galaxy Nexus OS 4.1.1 - D
Galaxy Camera OS 4.1.1- E
Galaxy S2 OS 4.0.4 - J
Galaxy S3 OS 4.0.3 - K

SONY

Xperia U OS 3.2.7 - F

HTC

Wildfire OS 2.2.1 - G
One V OS 4.0.3 - H

Peripherals

ECZ990 plus StarTech MUYHSMFF Headset splitter http://www.amazon.com/StarTech-com-MUYHSMFF-Headset-Splitter-Adapter/dp/B004SP0WAQ

for:
  • VIDEO recording

E, F, H, J, K

  • AUDIO recording

B, C, D, E, F, G, H, J, K

ECZ990 plus SESCOM IPHONEADAPT2: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/772175-REG/Sescom_IPHONE_ADAPT_2_2_0_61_0_cm_iAdapt.html

No functionality

Joby Griptight Mount + Ballhead + Joby Gorillapod http://www.amazon.com/Joby-JM3-01WW-GripTight-Stand-Black/dp/B009GHYMB6/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1360802172&sr=1-2&keywords=joby+griptight

A, B, C, D, F, G, H (E, the Galaxy Camera, doesn't need mount, works fine with other peripherals)

Cowboy Studio L bracket http://www.amazon.com/Cowboystudio-Photography-bracket-Standard-Mounts/dp/B0044TNPJQ/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1360802284&sr=1-3&keywords=cowboy+studio+bracket
+ Heavier Joby Kit http://www.amazon.com/Joby-GorillaPod-SLR-Zoom-Flexible-Tripod/dp/B002FGTWOC/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1360802201&sr=1-3-fkmr0&keywords=joby+griptight
+ ECZ990 http://www.amazon.com/AZDEN-ECZ-990-Cardioid-Camcorder-Microphone/dp/B00006JPD9/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1360802382&sr=1-1&keywords=ecz990

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