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Home: Video University Forums: Audio For Video:
Anyone else have sync problems with H2?

LarsCA
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Nov 2, 2007, 2:11 AM

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Anyone else have sync problems with H2?	Can't Post

I used my Zoom H2 for the first time last week for line in recording off the DJ's soundboard and to my horror discovered that it only stays in sync for about two minutes. My iRivers stay in sync for the duration of their recording abilities (8+ hours!). Does anyone else have this problem? I'd like to hear from as many H2 users as possible to give me an idea if A) It's just my unit that has this problem so I should take it back and demand a replacement, or B) Many of you have the same problem so I should take it back and demand a refund. ((Or C) They won't refund me my money or give me a replacement so I'm up the creek. Pirate

)

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So many toys, so little time. And no money so it doesn't matter anyway...

Mark Foley
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Nov 2, 2007, 3:59 AM

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Re: [LarsCA] Anyone else have sync problems with H2? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Although my H2 is not very good on sync as compared to my other recorders, I doubt there is a fault with the recorder, rather it is working as designed. Any time you have two recording devices that are not time code capable or able to slave to one another, you will never have perfect sync. Although I find 8 hours on your iRiver a little bit hard to believe, if in fact they stay in sync it is by chance and not design.

If you search the forum on iRivers, you find some people have problem with sync, while others don't...once again, there is no fault on the part of the recorder, as they were not designed to hold sync with another devices.

You could try to return it from where you bought it...however, be prepared to get a rejection if you tell them it doesn't keep sync....

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Mark

MLiebergot
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Nov 2, 2007, 6:06 AM

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Re: [LarsCA] Anyone else have sync problems with H2? [In reply to]	Can't Post

I agree with Mark.
But I have to also ask you...what recording setting did you use, MP3 or at least 16/48 WAV?

Michael

Cameras: I do use them.
Audio: Yes, it does come with audio if you like.
Software: I am learning...
Support: I need all that i can get.
Computer: MAC BABY!

Ron Priest
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Nov 2, 2007, 9:30 AM

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Re: [LarsCA] Anyone else have sync problems with H2? [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

)

Ding, Ding, Ding (I'm up) Hi Lars

Hey, what NLE are you using? You should be pretty easy to stretch or shrink your H2 timeline to match your video. I use the rate tool in Premiere Pro. I lay the audio clip from the H2 (H4, iRiver or whatever) on the timeline above my cameras video/audio making sure the beggining of the H2 audio matches with the audio from the camera. Then find a distinct ending point of the H2 clip which can be matched up to the cameras audio and truncate the H2 clip at that point. Then use your rate tool to stretch or shrink your H2 clip to match the auidio from your camera. You can then look at the properties of that H2 clip and see what rate percent of that H2 clip is now at. You can usually use that same percentage rate to all your other clips from the H2 that you need to stay in sync, assuming it was recorded at the same setting. Hope this helps..... 3 dings is all you get Wink

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LarsCA
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Nov 2, 2007, 9:41 AM

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Re: [MLiebergot] Anyone else have sync problems with H2? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Short answer: MP3.

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So many toys, so little time. And no money so it doesn't matter anyway...

LarsCA
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Nov 2, 2007, 9:45 AM

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Re: [Ron Priest] Anyone else have sync problems with H2? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Ron: I was thinking along those lines last night, but I had been up for 20 hours straight and couldn't quite manage to put 2 and 2 together. That's a good idea.

I guess the point with posting this thread, to me, was to see if anyone else using the H2 had the sync problem just as bad as me? 2 minutes, that's all I get. Then you can tell it's sliding out of sync.

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So many toys, so little time. And no money so it doesn't matter anyway...

Mark Foley
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Nov 2, 2007, 9:55 AM

Post #7 of 14 (1243 views)
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Re: [LarsCA] Anyone else have sync problems with H2? [In reply to]	Can't Post

I would suggest staying away from using mp3 compression when recording (unless it is simple vocal capture). Try to use 24bit as this will give you the great dynamic range. Cards are pretty cheap nowadays...cram the biggest one in there you can afford Sly

The transcend 8gb works great

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Mark

MLiebergot
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Nov 2, 2007, 10:02 AM

Post #8 of 14 (1239 views)
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Re: [LarsCA] Anyone else have sync problems with H2? [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

Short answer: MP3.

There's part of your problem right there.
You are starting off with diffent sample rates (forget iRiver MP3 audio, you got lucky), with the camera audio being the higher of the two.
If you record at least at 16/48 WAV (same as you camera audio), then you should be a lot closer to syncing up the audio, not to mention being better quality (less compression and more dynamic range).
Now the audio won't sync up exactly accurately, as Mark said each device has a different internal clock.
But it should be much closer than you are currently experiencing.

Michael

Cameras: I do use them.
Audio: Yes, it does come with audio if you like.
Software: I am learning...
Support: I need all that i can get.
Computer: MAC BABY!

Ron Priest
Veteran

Nov 2, 2007, 10:05 AM

Post #9 of 14 (1239 views)
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Re: [LarsCA] Anyone else have sync problems with H2? [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

I guess the point with posting this thread, to me, was to see if anyone else using the H2 had the sync problem just as bad as me? 2 minutes, that's all I get. Then you can tell it's sliding out of sync.

Yup.... we all have experienced it.... the thought that we just got ... taken. Get ya a Edirol R-4 and you'll never have to worry about sync problems again... as a matter of fact, it will solve many audio problems.
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LarsCA
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Nov 2, 2007, 11:58 AM

Post #10 of 14 (1228 views)
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Re: [MLiebergot] Anyone else have sync problems with H2? [In reply to]	Can't Post

I'll try 16/48 WAV next time. Thanks.

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So many toys, so little time. And no money so it doesn't matter anyway...

LarsCA
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Nov 2, 2007, 12:00 PM

Post #11 of 14 (1227 views)
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Re: [Ron Priest] Anyone else have sync problems with H2? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Yeah, well the Edirol R-4 is $1400! If I can save $1200 by having to resync every so often, for now that is huge to me. Maybe one day when I actually make a bit of a profit doing videography I can afford something like that Sly

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So many toys, so little time. And no money so it doesn't matter anyway...

Ron Priest
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Nov 2, 2007, 12:03 PM

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Re: [LarsCA] Anyone else have sync problems with H2? [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

Maybe one day when I actually make a bit of a profit doing videography ...

Who in the heck ever told you, that you could make a profit in videography? It's like a drug, once you get what you want, you have to keep buying more and more stuff to get even higher and higher and better and better.... there is no end, and there is no profit!! Unsure

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LarsCA
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Nov 2, 2007, 12:19 PM

Post #13 of 14 (1222 views)
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Re: [Ron Priest] Anyone else have sync problems with H2? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Believe me, I know! But we all have our dreams...

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So many toys, so little time. And no money so it doesn't matter anyway...

RT Steele
Veteran

Nov 3, 2007, 10:12 AM

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Re: [Ron Priest] Anyone else have sync problems with H2? [In reply to]	Can't Post

there is no end, and there is no profit!!

Hey, except for one battery, I've been "new gizmo" free all year. I actually need to figure out how to lose money this year. Laugh

Even at that, I could probably make more money recycling cans and raising chickens on this side. If only those 2 occupations would be indoors. Unsure

- RT