Home Free Library Store
Free Catalog

We're proud to have B&H Photo sponsor the VideoUniversity Forums.
Click Here To Shop B&H


Save with a Two Year Membership

To post in the forums see the Forum Guidelines.

Join or Renew Today.
New Benefits for all VU Members
Forum Guidelines and FAQ
Main Index Search Posts
Who's Online Log In

Smug Mug offers unlimited storage for video and photos. No ads. Start your FREE Trial.

Home: Video University Forums: Audio For Video:
My H4n, H4 sync test

 
 


Chris H.
User


Oct 9, 2009, 9:44 AM

Post #1 of 10 (400 views)
Shortcut
My H4n, H4 sync test Can't Post
I have used a Zoom H4 for over a year now. I recently purchased a H4n. My H4 has never stayed in sync for the duration of a wedding ceremony. I have ended up breaking the clip into several different sections and nudging it over to keep it in sync throughout the ceremony. Not a big deal, but still somewhat tedious. I haven't used my H4n yet for a ceremony but I was curious if it would stay in sync better so I performed a test.

I set my hmc150, zoom H4, and H4n on a shelf in my living room. I hit record on all of them and clapped. I let all three of them record for 60 minutes. At the end of 60 minutes I clapped again. I recorded both the H4 and H4n at 48 khz. I loaded the files into Vegas and lined up the first clap. At the end of 60 minutes the H4 was out of sync with the hmc150 by 17 frames. The H4n was only off sync by 1 frame.

Hopefully this will save a little bit of work in post. I'm looking forward to trying the H4n next week at my next wedding next weekend.
Chris Harvey
www.digkeepsakes.com


Brackish
Veteran


Oct 9, 2009, 11:19 AM

Post #2 of 10 (396 views)
Shortcut
Re: [Chris H.] My H4n, H4 sync test [In reply to] Can't Post
In Reply To
I was curious if it would stay in sync better so I performed a test.

I set my hmc150, zoom H4, and H4n on a shelf in my living room. I hit record on all of them and clapped. I let all three of them record for 60 minutes. At the end of 60 minutes I clapped again. I recorded both the H4 and H4n at 48 khz. I loaded the files into Vegas and lined up the first clap.
 That sounds almost exactly the same as a test I have previously described here on VU. Seventeen frames off in an hour is quite a lot. One frame off is very good. Wonder if they started using better time-keeping components in the N model.




------------------------------------------------------------


Scott Brooks
Veteran


Oct 9, 2009, 6:20 PM

Post #3 of 10 (387 views)
Shortcut
Re: [Chris H.] My H4n, H4 sync test [In reply to] Can't Post
Chris ... thanks for the info. My Zoom H2 is waaaaay off in a matter of minutes. While I'm happy with the quality I was very disappointed how quickly it drifted. Still ... my fault. It was the wrong tool for the job that I was using it on. For vocalists or musicians ... it's been very good.

I'm considering the H4n, but also the R44. The problem with the R44 is that I don't think I'm smart enough to operate it. Blush I hate to admit it, but I think it's the truth. I just don't know my audio like others do. The H2 is pretty easy to operate. I don't know about the H4n.

I have a program at a theatre coming up at the end of October that's being done in the round. It's a very small venue, but audio is sometimes an issue. I'm not sure which way to go ... the H4n or the R44.

Thanks again. Nice to know this one is holding sync for a longer period of time.


Kenneth
Veteran


Oct 10, 2009, 6:32 AM

Post #4 of 10 (374 views)
Shortcut
Re: [Scott Brooks] My H4n, H4 sync test [In reply to] Can't Post
There's nothing to the R44. You set the hz and bit rate and decide how many channels you want. Then you just set your levels.
......................................................................
Philadelphia Wedding Video
The Kenneth Stillman Blog
Same Day Edit


Tim A
User

Oct 10, 2009, 6:52 PM

Post #5 of 10 (366 views)
Shortcut
Re: [Chris H.] My H4n, H4 sync test [In reply to] Can't Post
That's good to hear Chris! I have an H4n on the way. Looking forward to capturing multiple audio sources knowing there all in sync with each other.

__________________________________________________________________



Scott Brooks
Veteran


Oct 20, 2009, 1:21 PM

Post #6 of 10 (331 views)
Shortcut
Re: [Tim A] My H4n, H4 sync test [In reply to] Can't Post
I just received the first of two units that I plan on using this weekend. Boy ... those guys that said the manual is a mess weren't kidding. I'm working my way through basics right now. Hopefully I get far enough along to know what I'm doing for the show.


Tim A
User

Oct 20, 2009, 1:45 PM

Post #7 of 10 (330 views)
Shortcut
Re: [Scott Brooks] My H4n, H4 sync test [In reply to] Can't Post
I'm sure you won't have any problems. Recieved mine on Wednesday, used it at the wedding Saturday. Everything went great. Much easier to use than the H2. Can't wait to edit knowing I'll have three different source tracks already in sync.

__________________________________________________________________



Scott S
Veteran

Oct 30, 2009, 11:41 PM

Post #8 of 10 (279 views)
Shortcut
Re: [Chris H.] My H4n, H4 sync test [In reply to] Can't Post
The H4N looks like the best little recorder ever made....


Chris H.
User


Oct 31, 2009, 5:48 AM

Post #9 of 10 (273 views)
Shortcut
Re: [Scott S] My H4n, H4 sync test [In reply to] Can't Post
Here's an update. I just edited my first Catholic wedding using the H4N. It was one hour, six minutes long. I am using Vegas and also used the beta version of Plural Eyes.

I didn't have to adjust the H4n at all. I used to have to split my H4 audio up and nudge it over every once it awhile. Much improvement.
Chris Harvey
www.digkeepsakes.com


Brackish
Veteran


Nov 1, 2009, 8:18 AM

Post #10 of 10 (246 views)
Shortcut
Re: [Chris H.] My H4n, H4 sync test [In reply to] Can't Post
In Reply To
used the beta version of Plural Eyes.
I'm not familiar with that program. It doesn't do any stretching of the
audio clip, does it?




------------------------------------------------------------