iKlip A/V provides a steady platform and a quality sound to smartphone video

Truth be told, smartphone camera technology is quietly surpassing high-end consumer video cameras in both quality and usability. Why--- because of the sheer number of smartphones in the hands of an overly demanding consumer base. Ease-of-use, light management, focal control and automated post production are all proving to be valuable tools for professional videographers. But still, camera stability continues to be a problem with smartphones when it comes to motion-blur. Tripods can help tremendously with video output even though most smartphone applications have yet to perfect in-process auto-zoom. A stationary smartphone posted within prime target range of the subject, positions smartphone video as a strong rival to even the best cinema cameras on the market. But---and this is a big “but”, video presentations with poor audio will render the final output close to worthless. Enter iKlip A/V by IK multimedia! These gadget makers, who have focused on clever audio and video products for years, continue to get better by the day and this time they have nailed it with their wireless-microphone integration to smartphones. iKlip A/V’s price point is reasonable and the design features are cool. A wireless microphone receiver is stationed upon a broadcast mount via XLR; with a hardwired connection directly to the smartphone by way of a 1/8” TRRS audio cable. The unit also includes volume control and a headphone jack feature for precise audio quality control. Hand-holding the unit still is not foolproof against blur motion, but when mounted on a tripod the iKlip A/V is a complete win. The audio quality is impressive, lending yet another use for those relatively expensive LAV wireless microphones which are normally hiding in the bottom of your camera bags waiting to be uesed. From a cost standpoint, the offering does not include a wireless receiver which can run the gamut of prices.

This review was done using a Sennheiser G3 Ew-100 wireless system and the performance was outstanding. Notes for improvement: might be to include a travel case and a more robust wireless receiver mount, to prevent the wireless receiver from slipping off the mount. Suggestions might be to include a rubber skid pad or adjustable shoe connection. A recommendation to the user: is to remove the plastic attachment when the unit is not in use, to avoid damage from stepping or sitting on the unit. Oh, yeah---it should also be mentioned to make sure to turn the unit off when not in use! Since the iKlip A/V has phantom power, the use of standard microphones broadens the product’s usability even more. The adjustable iKlip can be expanded to hold a variety of smartphone and---“no” (in case you are wondering) a standard video camera cannot receive the audio signal from the A/V unit! You can’t have it all, but you sure can have a lot with this nice product offering! Good job iK Multimedia!
The following video what shot entirely with an iPhone 5