Zoom H3-VR 360 Virtual Reality Audio Recorder

Whether you're a game developer, filmmaker or musician, virtual reality is the undeniable future of content creation. While 360-video is exploding in popularity, the ability to easily create 360-audio has lagged behind...until now. The Zoom H3-VR virtual reality audio recorder is the complete solution for capturing and processing spatial audio for VR, AR and mixed-reality content. With a built-in Ambisonic mic, recorder and decoder, the H3-VR puts 360-audio in the palm of your hand.

A New Way to go from A to B
In the past, capturing VR audio required a dedicated Ambisonic mic, a separate recorder and a computer for encoding the audio from raw Ambisonics A format to VR-ready Ambisonics B format. Now, with the H3-VR, all of the encoding and decoding is done on board, saving time, money and effort at every step.

Audio For Every Reality

Ambisonics Audio for VR
The H3-VR's 4-capsule Ambisonic mic captures precise 360-degree VR audio recordings up to 24 bit/96 kHz. And without ever connecting to a computer, the onboard decoder allows you to export Ambisonics B-format files directly.

Binaural 3D Stereo
The H3-VR also records stereo binaural WAV files up to 24 bit/48 kHz. Stereo binaural provides a hyper-realistic spatial recording that enhances 2D productions with 3D audio.

Standard Stereo
The H3-VR even offers standard stereo recording for recordings that will be played out of speakers rather than headphones.

5.1ch Surround for Video
Free to download, ZOOM Ambisonics Player software can easily convert Ambisonics audio to a 5.1ch surround file that is pre-aligned to the proper speakers, and is exported to your video or audio editor for syncing with standard video.

Live Streaming 360
The H3-VR also enables you to live stream events in 360 degrees so that wherever your fans are, they'll have access to the best seats in the house.

Fits Anywhere. Captures Everything.
The H3-VR's compact, conical design captures audio from multiple angles without getting in the way of the camera or the action.

6-Axis Motion Sensor
Auto Mic Position and Level Detection make placing the H3-VR simple. Whether positioned upright, upside down, endfire or endfire inverted, the H3-VR automatically calibrates so your audio and video are already aligned for post.

360 Post-Production Made Easy
The H3-VR's companion ZOOM Ambisonics Player software takes the work out of post-production by easily converting your Ambisonics files to Stereo, Binaural, 5.1ch surround and more. Play, trim, re-orientate and export your audio files in minutes.

Full Features

• 4 built-in mics arranged in an Ambisonic array
• Full-sphere surround sound recording
• Single-knob gain control of all input levels
• Onboard Ambisonics A to B decoding
• Three recording modes: Ambisonics, Stereo Binaural or Standard Stereo
• Record up to 24bit/96kHz
• Stereo binaural monitoring of Ambisonics signal
• Headphone output and line output
• Slate tone
• Extensive metadata
• Auto Mic Position Detection using 6-axis gyroscope (upfront, endfire, upside-down, endfire inverted)
• Level Function to ensure precise angle placement
• Wireless iOS remote control available through the BTA-1 Bluetooth adapter
• Onboard Ambisonics playback with audio rotation
• Accurate internal clock with .5ppm discrepancy
• USB 2.0 Audio Interface Mode
• Zoom PC/Mac post-production software to play, change a direction, and convert to binaural, stereo,and 5.1ch surround file
• Powered by 2 AA batteries or USB bus power
• Records to SD card up to 512GB

What's in the Box

- H3-VR Handy Recorder
- Foam windscreen
- Dual mounting bracket
- AA batteries

Specifications

Recording Media: Cards compatible with microSD/microSDHC/microSDXC specifications (Class 4 or higher)

Recording formats:
Ambisonics A, Ambisonics B (FuMa/AmbiX)
WAV 4ch poly (supports BWF and iXML): 44.1 kHz/16-bit, 44.1 kHz/24-bit, 48 kHz/16-bit, 48 kHz/24-bit, 96 kHz/16-bit, 96 kHz/24-bit
Stereo
WAV stereo (supports BWF and iXML): 44.1 kHz/16-bit, 44.1 kHz/24-bit, 48kHz/16-bit, 48 kHz/24-bit, 96 kHz/16-bit, 96 kHz/24-bit
Binaural
WAV stereo (supports BWF and iXML): 44.1 kHz/16-bit, 44.1 kHz/24-bit, 48kHz/16-bit, 48 kHz/24-bit

Display: 1.25" monochrome LCD (9664)

Motion sensor: 6 axes (3-axis gyro, 3-axis acceleration)

Built-in Ambisonic mic:
• 4 matched unidirectional condenser mics
• Maximum sound pressure input: 120 dB SPL
• Mic gain: +18 +48 dB

LINE OUT:
• Connector: 3.5 mm stereo mini
• Maximum output level: −10 dBu (1 kHz, 10 kΩ load)

PHONE OUT:
• Connector: 3.5 mm stereo mini
• Maximum output level: 20 mW + 20 mW (into 32Ω load)

USB: Connector: microUSB
Mass storage operation
• USB 2.0 High Speed
Audio interface operation
• 2 in/2 out (stereo/binaural input), USB 2.0 Full Speed
• 44.1 kHz/16-bit, 48 kHz/16-bit
• 4 in/2 out ( Ambisonics A/FuMa/AmbiX input), USB 2.0 High Speed
• 44.1 kHz/24-bit, 48 kHz/24-bit

Power:
• 2 AA batteries (alkaline, rechargeable NiMH or lithium)
• AC adapter (ZOOM AD-17): DC 5V/1A (supports USB bus power)

Estimated continuous recording time using batteries: 48 kHz/24-bit, FuMa Rec Mode
• Alkaline batteries: about 11.5 hours
• NiMH batteries (1900 mAh): about 11.5 hours
• Lithium batteries: about 24 hours

External dimensions: 76 mm (W) 78 mm (D) 123 mm (H)

Weight (main unit only): 120 g