I bought a brand new DVC30 from B&H Photo about a week ago, and had ordered the XLR adapter and MC100 mic a week or so earlier new on Ebay with warranty (a previous camera deal on Ebay had gone sour, hence ordering the mic before the camera... no money lost). However, after attaching the mic to the camera, I cannot get a signal and don't know why. I supposed it was a plug-and-play system, but I looked through the manuals of both devices and checked the menu on the camera numerous times with no success. Am I doing something wrong to get the signal from the mic?

I've already contacted the Ebay store that I bought the adapter from and they said if I want to send it back they'll send a new one, but it'd be better for me if this one just worked (volleyball tournament this weekend to go shoot).

Thanks for any help,
"Simmons"

make sure you have phantom power selected if your mic needs it. When you plug in the adapter, your camera will automatically recognize it.

I've done that to no avail. Guess I'll be sending the thing back then. Thanks for the info.

-Simmons

Ken, before you send the mic and the AG-MYA30 back, test it with another mic and/or another mic cable. And, test your mic on another camera.

/Roger

I'm guessing you've cranked the little wheels all the way open.

After double checking the phantom power, I'm also guessing you've tried both xlr connections. One has the ability to switch between line input and mic input.

If you don't have any way to test the mic and cable, maybe you can take it to a local Guitar Center and just ask them for help. If it's slow they'll probably help, then just buy another xlr cable to make them happy. You can never have enough anyhow...

I think i pretty much thouroughly tested the thing. Tried a different mic, tried the pana mic on summat else, tried every combonation of switches and input 1/2 and what have you under the sun. I'm positive it's busted. Thanks for the suggestions though. Luckily I don't have to send the mic back... just the adapter.

-Simmons

Greetings:

I am looking for a mic for my DVC30, and am considering the Rode VideoMic Shotgun (see: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=363083&is=REG&addedTroughType=search ). Just wondering if anyone has this mic, and any comments about it? Also, how long will the battery last in it?

Thanks in advance for any input.

Jon

I don't own a Rode Videomic (yet), but probably will fairly soon (when I get around to ordering one from B&H). From all I've read though, it should be an excellent choice for you, if you need a shotgun mic for your DVC30.

Thanks, Robert. Let me digress here and ask another related question. Initially I was going to purchase the mic that Panasonic makes for this cam, but read on this forum that it is only so-so.

I don't know if the Panasonic mic fell short of other user's needs because of what they were using it for (if use even makes a difference). There are things I like about the Pana mic (less expensive - by the time you add the batteries and charger to the Rode - and, more important to me is the weight - 2.9 oz compared to over 6). I carry mine for hours on end, and a few oz's can make a difference.

So let me pose this question to the group of experts on this forum: Would the Panasonic mic be up to the challenge of recording the sounds of nature (rivers, birds, breeze)?

Thanks, and best regards,

Jon

I'm not sure what Panasonic mic you are referring to.

The Rode Videomic uses a 9 volt alkaline battery, and a fresh one should last 100 hours, so it's not exactly a huge expense.

I doubt that a mono super-cardioid would really be ideal for picking up the ambient sounds of nature you mention. You might consider an Audio Technica AT822 stereo microphone for that (higher pricetag than the Rode though).

Actually, Nady makes what appears to be a clone of the AT822, that can be purchased for about $100 (virtually identical specs and they look so much alike, you almost wonder if it might not be the same mic just sold with different branding on it). I will have one here in a few days to compare with my AT822 and find out how similar the sound really is.

Thanks Robert. I look forward to hearing your observations on the comparison.

Jon

I bought an audio Technica AT897 short shotgun for my DVC 30. It works and sounds great. Can run it without the battery with the Panasonic XLR adapter.

Robert I was looking at that nady mic, it does seem from other sources that it is the at822 to some extent. Let us know how those tests turn out.

I would consider the xlr adapter. I held off for a long time but finally caved in and haven't regreted it. It's a much cleaner mic pre and it's so much easier to adjust. It also allows many more options to your audio.

Hang on hang on..

are u using teh Panasonic Balun with XLRs or are u usin the 3.5mm plug??

dude stay away from the Rode Video mic.. youll get more noise from the mic than u would from your enironment. A while agi we were discussing this mic in the events and weddings forum..
If u want to go Rode, i would recommend the NTG1. Will work perfect with ur Balun.

I bought an audio Technica AT897 short shotgun for my DVC 30. It works and sounds great. Can run it without the battery with the Panasonic XLR adapter.

Thanks Frank. What type of environment are you shooting in? (i.e. more comparable to ambient nature sounds or interviews?) Oh. I just did a quick search and found that it has "excellent sound rejection from the sides and rear of mic". This probably wouldn't be good for my application.

Still interested in Robert's comparison.

Jon

The mic level on my dvc30 is very low compared to my GL2. Is there a good way to raise the sensitivity? I messed with the settings but it didn't seem to do much.

Hi

The levels ARE low on the DVC30, it's a known problem. I received my DVC30 three weeks ago and I was not impressed of the internal mic.
You can raise the levels by press and HOLD the menu button for a few seconds. Then the volume level menu will appear.

I have an external mic (Rode NTG-1) and the XLR adaptor to the DVC30. It's not a cheap setup but with this configuration I have very good sound.


Regards,

/Bo

The mic levels on the DVC30 are known to be weak, they did this to reduce handling noise. It will work fine for ambient sounds and it picks up highs very well but for vocals it's not directional so it's usless. If the xlr box and ntg-1/ ntg-2 or at 897 mics are a bit too much and you want to record voices or sound from a single source look at the videomic, you'll notice the difference. To get better audio than the video mic you'll need to spend the bucks for what Sundvall has or more.

My 'phones' mini jack on my DVC30 is no longer working, and the mini jack for the mic input has always been touchy and finicky (have XLR adapter, so no big deal). But has anyone else had problems with there mini jacks on this cam?

A couple a days ago i replaced my 3.5mm plug to my Beachtek XLR adapter with a rigid one from Neutrik. All of a sudden my camera changed audio input from my Beachtek XLR adapter to the original adapter, AG-MYA30, back and forth when i used the new 3.5 mm plug.

The dimensions on the Neutrik plug was a hair smaller than the original 3.5 mm plug on the Beachtek XLR adapter and thus caused my camera to change the input back and forth. So yes, the camera seems to be sensitive about the dimensions on the plugs. Even very very small differences seems to make the camera to be touchy and fincky.

Now, the original 3.5 mm plug from my Beachtek is back on the adapter and everything works o.k! :)

/Roger

Quick question (just need to be sure), im shooting with a dvc30 with xlr and external mic. I put the +v48v phantom on, do I need to use the attenuation switch? The shooting will primarily be interviews.

Thanks

..don't use the +48V phantom power, unless the mic calls(needs) for it.. All condenser mics require a power supply, whether it's a battery, or phantom power from a camera or sound board..
if your mic has it's own battery, you shouldn't need the phantom power from the camera...

..attenuation is designed to knock a strong audio signal down, to where it's usable for your purposes... example, if you're taking an audio source(line level) from a sound board, you'll need to reduce that to a mic level, so your DVC30 can use it, without being heavily distorted..

..from your description, using an external mic, it sounds like you don't need the attenuation on... :)

I have a Panasonic DVC30 with an XLR Mic adaptor. This adaptor has a setting for phantom power. I was wondering if the on-camera lights that have the XLR connector can be powered by this adaptor.

NO. most lights are 12v, phantom power is 48v. also the amount of current that a light draws is MUCH higher. you would most likely damage the camera attempting it.

And xlr power is 4pins not 3 as with audio, so unless you modify the connectors it won't fit anyway.

I will be getting my DVC30 here shortly and will be using it to film offroad racing here in the southwest US. I have been searching for answers but need a few clarifications.

I want to use a decent camera mounted mic (I.E. Rode), what do I need exactly to accomplish this on this camera? I have seen the Panasonic XLR adapter for this camera, do I need that to run a new mic?

I will be shooting these trucks, buggies, and bike from as close as 10 feet, and to as far away as 100 feet. What would be a good mic for me to use? I am looking in the $100-$200 range.

I have been shooting for 5 years using various digital8 camcorders(I know, but the dust sucks and destroys cameras! I have figured out a cover that will protect my DVC though!) The image quality is fair at best. I notice the biggest problem is color. We are shooting in the day time (from sun up to sun down) 95% of the time. We are in the desert which means tan colored dirt, and brightly painted race vehicles. Now when I looked at my footage, everything seems to meld together. The sky isnt a vibrant blue, the trucks look bland, and the dirt takes over it seems. What can I do to make my shots look better? I was thinking of a polarizing lens?

Thanks for your help!

Get a XLR to mini adapter for your DVC. Guitar Center has one for 30 bucks, plus look at BH Photo Video.

A polarizing filter can definitely help bring color contrast out of haziness; I use a Tiffen with my DVX. If you do a lot of outdoor shooting, it comes in very handy. Just keep in mind it's not a cure-all. It'll help, but it's hard to get video to see vibrant colors in a dusty, murky environment.

I've been using the Rode NTG-2 for six months, and i'm very pleased with both sound and build quality, especially considering the price.
I shoot both action sports and news, in every type of weather.
A setup i use often: http://www.chma.net/pana2.JPG

I can't help much on the filter side, but I always carry a ND filter og two to control the light when shooting extreme sports with my dvc30.

I've used the Rode VideoMic with my DVC30 for a few months and think it's a good mic. I'd buy it again. Here's a link to a short documentary I did using the set up, along with a wireless lav mic used about half the time:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M0JNohHaqM4

hi all,

i am deciding between these 2 cameras and i dun have any intention to buy that XLR thing for the DVC30 because its too ex.

for guys who are using these 2 cameras, what do you use to record your sound with that small mic jack that comes with the camera?

i am shooting mostly human convo and a little ambient sound for my short films. if i can ever connect a lava mic and/or a shot gun somehow to these cameras that would be good enough too

cheers

Hi

I have the Pana Gs400 and I use Rode Videomic and it is really good.
Not the smallest mic but as I said very good.

Cheers

Hans

hey,

is that mic a stereo mini jack one? if it works on your camera I should think it works on the DVC30 too?

cheers
rolento

Hi

Yes it will work with your DVC30

Here is a link to the mic with all the info

http://www.rodemic.com/?pagename=Products&product=VideoMic

Cheers

Hans

hi Hans,

are you using the GS400 primarily as your main camera? what kind of projects do you do with it?

I am deciding between the GS500 and DVC30, althought the latter has a slightly bigger CCD, it costs almost double of the GS500 and i dunno if its money well spent.

i reckon beside the lack of physical manual control on the GS500(can be accessed in the menu), its CCD is still better than the GS400? if so, i guess picture quality to costs ratio for the GS500 is better than the DVC30?

cheers

Hi Ong

Yes at the moment the Gs400 is my main camera and i like it very much and one of the reasons is that it shoot real 16:9 (anamorphic) and so does the 500 and the picture are REALLY good.

The gs500 has the same CCD as the 400, the main difference is that the 400 is a mooe "manual camera"

If I was in the same situation as you are I would not buy the DVC30 one of the reason would be that it does not shoot 16:9 anamorphic, it has fake 16:9 and as I said the picture is perfect with the Gs400/500 and you can get it for half the cost of the DVC30

I will buy my first HDV cam this summer but I will keep my gs400

Cheers

Hans

Ps You can´t go wrong with the GS serie DS.

Hi Ong!

IMHO DVC30 is a much more solid choice than the GS500. You get a lot more PRACTICAL manual control with the DVC30 than the GS500. It is also better in low light.

The GS400 is also a lot more functional than the GS500. It has a lot of the important controls physically accessible on the body, whereas the GS500 has most of them inside the menu. Most importantly, THERE IS NO HEADPHONES JACK on GS500. How are you going to monitor you sound??? This alone made the GS500 a no-no for me.

DVC30 is labelled by Panasonic a "broadcast quality" camera. GS500 will also do the trick image wise (as will GS400), but it will be much more time-consuming to control it real-time. IMHO the GS400 was the BEST budget choice only to be surpassed by the HC1 (and not in all areas...). At the moment, there is nothing like those two in the market (at that price range).

It all goes down to what you are planning to shoot of' course but if you have the budget, you may wish to consider the DVC30. Otherwise, I would try to find a used GS400 in good condition (for a hands-on review of GS400, you may wish to look at http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?p=551804#post551804 ).

Oh! And on the microphone question, I use the "Tiny-Mike". It is really small and I am very happy with it but it is more expensive than the Rode Videomic...

Thanasis

P.S. On the matter of 16:9 vs 4:3, keep in mind that the DVX100 was also a 4:3 camera. This did not stop people from doing filmouts with the camera and love it! But of' course, it is always better to shoot native 16:9, if you have to deliver at 16:9.

I was curious to know whether there are any DVC30 owners who have had success using an XLR adapter other than Panny's proprietary AG-MYA30G? I am looking for a less-costly alternative to the AG-MYA30G to provide +48V phantom power to an AT825 mic.

The Beachtek DXA-4P looks like it might do the trick and as there is currently a used DXA-4P being offered in the this board's Classifieds section I'd like to jump on it. But I was hoping to first hear from someone who has successfully used this adapter with their DVC30.

Many thanks for any input~

Mike

The problem I see with using anything other than the Pany unit is you lose a true balanced mic/line input to the camera. All the 3rd party XLR adapters have to use the mini-stereo input which is not balanced and to me would add to the probablity of having audio problems, plus I don't know if the voltage and current supplied through this connection would be enough for a true phantom power mic.

I personally would encourage you to pop for the Panasonic unit.

Jeff

plus I don't know if the voltage and current supplied through this connection would be enough for a true phantom power mic.

Only the Beacktek DXA-6 and DXA-6vu supply phantom power, and they use 9 volt batteries. I would definitely get the Panasonic XLR adapter. It has it's own mic clamp, and draws phantom power from the camera's battery.

I asked this question before but never got a clear answer.

I want to run a shotgun mic on my DVC30, and I'm looking at the Rode VideoMic.
It says it uses a mini AV jack for the audio output to the camera. So does this mean I do not need the Panasonic XLR adapter to run this mic?

I asked this question before but never got a clear answer.

I want to run a shotgun mic on my DVC30, and I'm looking at the Rode VideoMic.
It says it uses a mini AV jack for the audio output to the camera. So does this mean I do not need the Panasonic XLR adapter to run this mic?

No, you don't need xlr for it.

Another question:

On the Rode VideoMic, when I want to check my levels, how is this done? Will my audio 'bars' on the viewfinder reflect the microphone recording even though it is not the stock one?

Yes they will.