You've done 90% of the research already, so all I can offer is: Yes, you are on the right track.

(1) You don't necessarily need a powered mic, but a powered mic is guaranteed to work and often have a higher output anyhow. The deeper answer involves dynamic vs. condenser mics, but, basically, battery powered handhelds will work (and so will most unpowered handhelds) and unpowered lavaliere mics will not (just for example).

(2) Some mics get their power over the wire via a special "phantom power" connection. This will be stated in the tech specs. These mics will not work with your system.

(3) Other than mics that require phantom power, all other mics can be adapted to work with your system. It could be as complex as XLR > Miniplug > Y-adapter to RCA. You do probably want to send the mono-mic to both channels.

RadioShack will definitely have what you need, with the advantage that you can take it back if it doesn't work or just plain sucks.

Now, the question is, how much money do you want to spend? For $25, you can probably get a reasonably good handheld (Sony FV2200), probably with a miniplug output. (I'd avoid the $10 mics.) For $100, you can get a professional model with XLR that will need to be adapted (Sure SM57/58) that will literally last you FOREVER (you can hammer nails with the thing).
Source(s):
http://www.videopia.org/index.php/read/articles-mainmenu-229/186-microphone...

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