Hi Marc--
Greg provides a very interesting assessment of the Sony camcorder pre
weakness. Also encouraging to learn the BBC is behind the mod!
http://www.gregjwinter.com/modification2.htm. A 13dB lessening of
noise and increase in headroom seems very substantial. I know a few
videographers who strap a HiMD and Rolls onto their camcorders for an
awkward, "double-system" work-around now. Low noise performance in
camcorders could make one much more interested in the 12bit 4 channel
recording offered by recent models. Rob D.
At 7:14 PM -0500 3/1/06, Marc Myers wrote:
>Hi Rob
>When the Sony DV camcorders were evaluated by the BBC some years ago,
>the picture was deemed OK for broadcast but the audio was not. They made
>a modification which then require an outboard preamp or mixer. The mod
>is available through Greg Winters
>http://www.gregjwinter.com/modification2.htm.
>The web page explains what's done but once the mod is made you switch to
>line in and bypass the audio circuits of the camera almost entirely. If
>you are using the VX2000/2100/PD150/170, its the ultimate improvement in
>audio.
>
>You do then need a good preamp or mixer. In practice, the Beachtec is
>not horrible. I agree a Rolls or a Soundcraft are better devices.
>Marc
>
>Rob Danielson wrote:
>> At 6:57 AM -0500 3/1/06, Marc Myers wrote:
>>
>> <snip>
>>
>> > you are better off
>> >recording audio on manual using the line input and controlling the sound
>> >with a good quality preamp like the Soundcraft or Beachtec products.
>> >These portable preamps also offer phantom power, a real advantage.
>> >>
>>
>> Hi Marc--
>> I've also been surprised by the poor noise performance of some of the
>> Sony camcorder mic pres-- especially with the older, VX-2000 model.
>> Yet, the engineers at Sony built high quality into their very
>> inexpensive HiMD audio recorders showing there are factors beyond
>> price paid. I've been surprised at both good and poor results with
>> Panasonic and JVC camcorders so I'm not not ready to make
>> generalizations about pre quality being better with certain brand
>> names. The specs on the newer model Beachtek preamp I was looking at
>> the other day seemed quite noisy, no better than -100dB signal to
>> noise as I recall. I believe the most popular Beachtec unit (for XLR
>> balanced->unbalanced stereo miniplug applications) uses the ~1.7
>> volts from the camcorder's power in plug (PIP)-- a tall order in
>> delivering adequate, steady power. We have about six of these which
>> we are now replacing with Rolls BP-244 units. If one has phantom
>> mics with low self noise, using an Art Phantom II or Rolls PB244 for
>> phantom portable powering, one should be able to obtain quality
>> matching that of all but the most expensive portable pres. That's
>> where I'd start if trying coax better audio performance out of one's
>> camcorder-- but, as usual, one must invest first in low noise mics,
>> about 14dBA self noise might be a good target. Rob D
>>
>>
>> >
>> >>
>> >> Is it possible to record high quality sound from the
>> >> newer 16-bit digital video cameras?
>> >>
>> >> I recorded this with a Panasonic DVX-100A using the
>> >> stock microphone. The audio is uncompressed, exported
>> >> from Final Cut Pro.
>> >>
>> >> http://www.jake-richardson.com/videotest.htm
>> >>
> > >> Jake r.
>---------------------
> >
>
>
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