For news broadcasts, handheld and lavaliere microphones are most common. A handheld microphone is used to conduct interviews and pick up the sound of voices as a reporter holds the microphone. Lavaliere microphones are the small microphones that are often clipped to the lapels of the person being interviewed.
Pickup patterns for television microphones include omnidirectional, cardioid and supercardioid. Omnidirectional microphones pick up sound from any direction, cardioid mics pick up sound that is directly in front of them in a heart shaped pattern, and supercardioid mics pick up audio that is directly in front of the microphone.
There are two popular microphone constructions used in television: condenser and dynamic. Dynamic microphones use the vibration of a diaphragm to produce sound; condenser microphones use the charge that is produced by plates inside.
Wireless lavalieres are often used in tv interviews to provide flexibility and comfort to guests. They require battery power and are often less reliable than wired microphones.
Do not rely on a camera's microphone. Use external microphones to ensure good audio quality.