H3-VR — Zoom

Description

The Zoom H3-VR is a portable handheld recorder positioned in the category of recorders and VR audio devices. It features a built-in Ambisonic microphone array and acts as both a recorder and an onboard Ambisonics encoder/decoder, designed for capturing 360-degree audio for VR, AR, and mixed-reality projects. The device records Ambisonics up to 24 bit/96 kHz and also offers stereo binaural and standard stereo recording options, with onboard decoding to export Ambisonics B-format files directly. A key part of its design is onboard processing that handles encoding and decoding without needing a computer, and it provides live monitoring in stereo binaural or through Ambisonics playback during playback. It supports USB 2.0 Audio Interface Mode to serve as a USB mic for computers or iOS devices, and its 360-degree capability is complemented by software for post-production to convert Ambisonics into stereo, binaural, or 5.1 surround formats. The H3-VR is compact and designed to be easily positioned on location, with a 6-axis motion sensor for automatic mic position detection and level adjustment to align audio with video. Power is supplied by two AA batteries (over 11 hours) or USB bus power, and it records to SD cards up to 512 GB. Typical use cases include VR/360 video shoots, live streaming in 360 degrees, and conference-style capture when used with compatible adapters.