Video University: Video University Forums: Sony DV and DVCAM Forum: PD 170 Sound may be defective unit

VideoUniversity.com
Home	Free Library	Store
Free Catalog Please support VU by making your B&H purchases and links through this B&H ad. Doesn't cost a penny more.

See The New VU Postcard Catalog

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

Home: Video University Forums: Sony DV and DVCAM Forum:
PD 170 Sound may be defective unit

lpierce
Novice

Oct 20, 2007, 7:44 PM

Post #1 of 8 (1432 views)
Shortcut

PD 170 Sound may be defective unit	Can't Post

I just made the dive in the world of the Sony PD-170, ( just got it Friday) In checking all the functions, I seem to be lost on understanding the audio recording section , and not sure the unit may be defective. I seem to be getting low level on the recording using the microphone supplied, and get very low audio level out from the speaker even when the volume on the LCD screen is up all the way. I had the ch 1 & 2 levels set around the mid point, but playing the recorded video thru a TV monitor using the RCA cables seems like the audio volume output is still low and must increase the volume more than a normal level on the tv.

I'm not real sure that I have the setting set right I'm using those by the manual I don't understand the 48 volt setting but thats another question for another day> I don't know how to determine if the unit is defective or not is my first priority. Output volume is way lower than the prosumer camera I was using

if anyone has any other ideas or other places to look for the answers I would really appreciate it

Larry Pierce

Brackish
Veteran

Oct 20, 2007, 7:57 PM

Post #2 of 8 (1430 views)
Shortcut

Re: [lpierce] PD 170 Sound may be defective unit [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hey, Larry.

Congrats on your new cam - 'bout the best
event cam you could get. (Great not having
to bother people with a bright light such
as what you have to with some of those ... ummm ....
other cams. Sly

)

For one, get those levels dancing up higher than the
mid-point - more toward the high end. I'm referring here
to when you are watching the meters on the LCD.
Are you monitoring with headphones? How does it
sound on the headphones? The mic that comes with
that cam is not especially sensitive.

Are you using any editing program? If so, capture
the footage and see how the waveform of the audio
looks - fat and healthy or real thin.

If you need any more help just give a holler.

----------------------------------------------
when all the birds are singing in the sky now that the spring is in the air with the flowers everywhere

lpierce
Novice

Oct 20, 2007, 8:14 PM

Post #3 of 8 (1426 views)
Shortcut

Re: [Brackish] PD 170 Sound may be defective unit [In reply to]	Can't Post

Thanks for your reply... Headphones with the wireless my mic sounded good . I have not captured any footage to the computer I will soon and report it to you, what do you think about the Low level at the internal speaker ?

Larry

Brackish
Veteran

Oct 20, 2007, 8:36 PM

Post #4 of 8 (1423 views)
Shortcut

Re: [lpierce] PD 170 Sound may be defective unit [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

what do you think about the Low level at the internal speaker ?

It's not very loud anyway.

You're new to VU, Larry? Have you been following on for
a while?

----------------------------------------------
when all the birds are singing in the sky now that the spring is in the air with the flowers everywhere

lpierce
Novice

Oct 21, 2007, 1:24 PM

Post #5 of 8 (1403 views)
Shortcut

Re: [Brackish] PD 170 Sound may be defective unit [In reply to]	Can't Post

But it should be louder than a whisper that you need to be next top the speaker to hear would you agree ?

been lurking for a few years just joined.. as a paid member

Larry

MLiebergot
Veteran

Oct 21, 2007, 2:25 PM

Post #6 of 8 (1401 views)
Shortcut

Re: [lpierce] PD 170 Sound may be defective unit [In reply to]	Can't Post

In order to get a fairly accurate audio monitor level, your audio monitor level should be at or around the half way point.
If you crank up the audio all of the way, and just listen with your ears and neglect to watch you audio meter level from time to time, then you risk having your recorded audio too low. If your monitor audio is set to low, you risk recoding distorted audio, as you will most likely think that the audio you are hearing is too low, and turn up your recorded audio level.

The monitor audio is the same level set for your headphone output.
Solution, set your monitor audio level to half way, listen through your headsets, watch the level meters from time to time, and not through the built in monitor.

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!

Brackish
Veteran

Oct 21, 2007, 5:26 PM

Post #7 of 8 (1397 views)
Shortcut

Re: [lpierce] PD 170 Sound may be defective unit [In reply to]	Can't Post

Where are you setting the switches on the left side of the
cam: Record Channel Select, Input Level, and +48V phantom power?

----------------------------------------------
when all the birds are singing in the sky now that the spring is in the air with the flowers everywhere

(This post was edited by Brackish on Oct 21, 2007, 5:27 PM)

lpierce
Novice

Oct 21, 2007, 6:57 PM

Post #8 of 8 (1389 views)
Shortcut

Re: [Brackish] PD 170 Sound may be defective unit [In reply to]	Can't Post

record channel 1&2, input mic level, 48v on have also tried just channel 1