Recommendation for a Microphone for Natural Ambient Sound for an Outdoor Hikvision Camera that Overlooks a City Skyline

AMP

BIT Beta Team
Apr 15, 2015
70
53
Covington, KY
Hi all,

I have a Hikvision DS-2SE7C432MW-AEB camera that overlooks the Ohio River and the Cincinnati skyline, and I livestream it 24/7 on YouTube at Cincinnati Skyline, Ohio River, Brent Spence Bridge - Livestream from Covington, Kentucky
CincyVision Screenshot.jpg

This is what the Hikvision DS-2FP2020 microphone looks like mounted in the dead cat windscreen, and it mostly protected overhead from rain.
Hikvision Microphone Mounted.jpg

Here is what the microphone looks like.
Hikvision DS-2FP2020 Microphone.png


The microphone is being provided 12V power from a AC adapter per directions which are screenshotted below. I have it wired as they show in their instructions:

Hikvision DS-2FP2020 Wiring Instructions.jpg
Hikvision DS-2FP2020 Wiring Instructions other version.jpg


It works fine and really doesn't sound bad to me, but was wondering if anyone had any recommendations of what might be a solid upgrade in sound quality. The sounds that one would typically hear are road noise from the bridge you can see, an accident/crash once in a while on that bridge, birds chirping, Cincinnati Reds fireworks from about 1.25 miles away, rain and thunder during thunderstorms, helicopter flying overhead, and any other ambient outdoor sounds. So I'm looking for a microphone that most accurately reproduces the sounds of that sort of stuff if one were standing on my balcony looking at the view. Not overly concerned about it being outdoor rated since it's pretty well protected by the overhang, but it will be exposed to both hot/humid summer and cold winter temps. I've used this indoor microphone for a couple of years and no issues with it being mounted outdoors like this. It would be most convenient if the microphone takes 12V power like the existing one. I have also tried the Hikvision DS-2FP2021-OW, but felt that their indoor one that I am using sounded better.

Anyone have any recommendations for a microphone that would best be suited for this? Would like to keep the price below a couple hundred bucks unless there is a compelling reason to go higher.

Thanks,
Aaron
 
This Mic works well, I have two of them outside for a couple of yrs now, no problems.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Broachoski
Be sure to keep in mind, the audio codec you choose in the camera can affect the quality.

Well yes, I'm using AAC. Thanks for the suggestion, that seems like budget microphone, looking for something that would be considered a pro upgrade. My mic works fine too, but looking for something considered a little higher end.

In the specs of the Microseven M7WP-MIC , "There are built-in digital voice processing circuits and a microprocessor chip". I'm not looking for something that processes sound, (like noise cancellation or voice amplification or enhancement), I'm looking for something that best captures natural ambient sound as accurately as possible. I'm giving the Louroe Verifact B a shot, but still would like if anyone out there has done any setup to is focused on the most accurate representation of sound. Although maybe I'll try the M7WP-MIC anyway too because it's pretty cheap, and it's on Amazon so I can send it back without a fuss if I want