The Holophone H3-D 5.1 channel surround-sound microphone was shown recently at NAB, and it’s an innovative and unique product that I find very interesting. There is an article on the H3-D and it’s big brother the Super-MINI over at Studio Daily that gives a good overall rundown of what the microphones have to offer.

The Holophone H3-D offers true 5.1 surround capture, with the convenience of no external mixing (or thought, for that matter). It features 6 individual directional microphones for true surround sound capture, all contained in a nice, compact, camera-mountable form factor. Those directional channels are then mixed into a single stereo output. To some extent, that methodology is contrary to why you would want to capture 5.1 sound in the first place, but for those that desire convenience and instant results, this mic delivers in spades. The mic connects to your camera using a single XLR which requires phantom power. $1,695 at your local Holophone retailer.

For those that require output of 6 individual channels for further mixing, the Holophone Super-MINI is another, slightly higher-priced audio capture option. This model can also be mounted on camera or elsewhere. Like the H3-D, it features 6 individual directional microphones for true surround sound capture. But unlike the H3-D model, each channel of directional sound is output individually, via three stereo 3.5mm jacks. The damage to your budget is just a little higher, at $2,495.