VCR suggestions, cheap Sharp gave audio white noise at DVinfo.net

Henry Bradford · April 29th, 2003, 02:35 AM

Can any one shead any light on this. I went out and purchased 3 Sharp VC-H960U VCR's to provide me with the decks to do multiple video tape recording. I own an XL-1 with the MA-200 Dual XLR Microphone Adapter & Shoulder Pad. I also have a Behringer Eurorack MX1604A Compact Mixer.

Here is my delima. I've resigned myself that these cheap-o Sharp VCR's are crap based on the video quality, what I'm trying to figure out is why when I am using my Mixer to monitor sound, and I have XLR output going to the XL-1 and RCA out to the VCR chains I get an ungrounded buzz through the entire system. Unplug the RCA outs to the VCR, no noise. (I noticed this when out on a shoot, the VCR's killed my sound, but I needed to make tapes of the dailies.) I bought these VCR's because of the price and sound features, but it seems that the RCA outputs are not grounded. I want to be sure this may be an isolated issue before I give up on this model. Please let me know what your thoughts are.

Frank Granovski · April 29th, 2003, 03:11 AM

I have some very old Sharp VCRs. They work just fine. I'm not sure if you know this but when you AV-out from your video camera, you will not hear any sound from the camera. But the sound will still be recorded onto the VHS tapes. (Just a stab in the dark.)

Dylan Couper · April 29th, 2003, 08:28 AM

I use 3 $70 JVC VCRs for my small run duplication. Never had a sound problem. Maybe it's your cables.

Henry Bradford · April 29th, 2003, 08:29 AM

What I was doing was running mics to the mixer to split the signal to send sound to VCR's through RCA outs, in to the inputs on the VCR's and to the camera through XLR (Mic) main outs from the mixer to the XLR inputs on the XL1. I'm going to try to experiment with another VCR to see if I get that same problem. I'm just not sure why it was happnening.

I also thought it was my cables, but these are those high dollar "Monster" cables I am using. I may have to do a poor man's exchange and switch them out where I bought them.

Jeff Donald · April 29th, 2003, 11:29 AM

Can you explain your wiring in more detail? You might have a problem there or your audio might be out of phase.

Henry Bradford · April 29th, 2003, 11:42 AM

Here is my wiring setup;

Mixer:
Input - Boom mic, XLR
Output - 1, XLR, Lft channel, main out. Two RCA's, LF/RT Channels, "Tape out"

XL1:
Input - XLR out from mixer, into XLR input.
Output - Video, RCA, split with "y" cable, One signal to preview monitor, second signal to VCR chain.

2 VCR's, 1 VCR/TV combo:
VCR1:
Input - Video from XL1 into video input. Tape output from mixer into LF/RT channel RCA's input
Output: 1 channel video, two channels audio, RCA

VCR2:
Input: 1 channel video, two channels audio, RCA
Output: 1 channel video, two channels audio, RCA

TV/VCR Combo
Input: 1 channel video, 1 channel audio, RCA, LF.

April 29th, 2003, 02:35 AM	#1
Henry Bradford New Boot Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 10	VCR suggestions, cheap Sharp gave white noise Can any one shead any light on this. I went out and purchased 3 Sharp VC-H960U VCR's to provide me with the decks to do multiple video tape recording. I own an XL-1 with the MA-200 Dual XLR Microphone Adapter & Shoulder Pad. I also have a Behringer Eurorack MX1604A Compact Mixer. Here is my delima. I've resigned myself that these cheap-o Sharp VCR's are crap based on the video quality, what I'm trying to figure out is why when I am using my Mixer to monitor sound, and I have XLR output going to the XL-1 and RCA out to the VCR chains I get an ungrounded buzz through the entire system. Unplug the RCA outs to the VCR, no noise. (I noticed this when out on a shoot, the VCR's killed my sound, but I needed to make tapes of the dailies.) I bought these VCR's because of the price and sound features, but it seems that the RCA outputs are not grounded. I want to be sure this may be an isolated issue before I give up on this model. Please let me know what your thoughts are. __________________ HEB

April 29th, 2003, 08:28 AM	#3
Dylan Couper Wrangler Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Vancouver, British Columbia Posts: 8,314	I use 3 $70 JVC VCRs for my small run duplication. Never had a sound problem. Maybe it's your cables. __________________ Need to rent camera gear in Vancouver BC? Check me out at camerarentalsvancouver.com

April 29th, 2003, 08:29 AM	#4
Henry Bradford New Boot Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 10	What I was doing was running mics to the mixer to split the signal to send sound to VCR's through RCA outs, in to the inputs on the VCR's and to the camera through XLR (Mic) main outs from the mixer to the XLR inputs on the XL1. I'm going to try to experiment with another VCR to see if I get that same problem. I'm just not sure why it was happnening. I also thought it was my cables, but these are those high dollar "Monster" cables I am using. I may have to do a poor man's exchange and switch them out where I bought them. __________________ HEB

April 29th, 2003, 11:29 AM	#5
Jeff Donald Warden Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 8,287	Can you explain your wiring in more detail? You might have a problem there or your audio might be out of phase. __________________ Jeff Donald Carpe Diem Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Where to Buy? From the best in the business: DVinfo.net sponsors

April 29th, 2003, 11:42 AM	#6
Henry Bradford New Boot Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 10	Here is my wiring setup; Mixer: Input - Boom mic, XLR Output - 1, XLR, Lft channel, main out. Two RCA's, LF/RT Channels, "Tape out" XL1: Input - XLR out from mixer, into XLR input. Output - Video, RCA, split with "y" cable, One signal to preview monitor, second signal to VCR chain. 2 VCR's, 1 VCR/TV combo: VCR1: Input - Video from XL1 into video input. Tape output from mixer into LF/RT channel RCA's input Output: 1 channel video, two channels audio, RCA VCR2: Input: 1 channel video, two channels audio, RCA Output: 1 channel video, two channels audio, RCA TV/VCR Combo Input: 1 channel video, 1 channel audio, RCA, LF. __________________ HEB

April 29th, 2003, 03:11 AM	#2
Frank Granovski Outer Circle Join Date: May 2002 Location: Hope, BC Posts: 7,524	I have some very old Sharp VCRs. They work just fine. I'm not sure if you know this but when you AV-out from your video camera, you will not hear any sound from the camera. But the sound will still be recorded onto the VHS tapes. (Just a stab in the dark.)