AIS (Active Interface Shoe)

[Bob McInnis]

Anyone have schematic or pinout information on Sony 183064611 and/or Active Interface Shoe? I'm trying to build an Active Interface Shoe plug with a simple stereo input jack so I can use the camera with an external mike.

I've bought a part from Sony called an Encapsulated Cable which is basically a AIS plug with 7 wires coming off of it--pink and purple are twisted together, as are the black and white wires. The remaining three are grey, yellow, and blue.

Can anyone help me decide which ones are left and right? Thanks! You can see a picture of it here:

http://www.camerahacker.com/Forums/D...ero_input.html

Thanks!

[Jerome Cloninger]

Why not just convert the AIS shoe into a standard shoe and use a normal mic, then plug the mic into the mic input on the camera (under the memory stick slot)?

Here's how to convert the shoe: http://www.jcdv.com/shoeadapter.htm

[Bob McInnis]

Originally Posted by Jerome Cloninger

Why not just convert the AIS shoe into a standard shoe and use a normal mic, then plug the mic into the mic input on the camera (under the memory stick slot)?

Here's how to convert the shoe: http://www.jcdv.com/shoeadapter.htm

Thanks for the reply. Actually, I have a Sony dcr-hc42, which has no mic input (can you believe that?) but does have an Active Interface Shoe. There were discussions elsewhere in this group about AIS, so I thought I'd ask the quesiton here.

Really, I just want to clip a mike onto my lapel, and Sony only makes one AIS with a wireless lapel mike and I hear they don't look or sound very goold.

Any guesses what might hapen if I just attach the pair of twisted pairs to the L and R side of the mike and try it? Might that be why they're twisted together, to signify the two pairs for stereo? Thanks.

[Jerome Cloninger]

Originally Posted by Bob McInnis

Thanks for the reply. Actually, I have a Sony dcr-hc42, which has no mic input (can you believe that?) but does have an Active Interface Shoe. There were discussions elsewhere in this group about AIS, so I thought I'd ask the quesiton here.

Really, I just want to clip a mike onto my lapel, and Sony only makes one AIS with a wireless lapel mike and I hear they don't look or sound very goold.

Any guesses what might hapen if I just attach the pair of twisted pairs to the L and R side of the mike and try it? Might that be why they're twisted together, to signify the two pairs for stereo? Thanks.

Oh... I wouldn't just go hooking up wires, I'd be afraid of frying something.
I did a little research for you, check these links out:
http://www.fxsupport.de/08.html

and http://www.codycurtin.com/HC3.htm (look at the 5th pic, looks like he traced the audio to come out on those pins)

I have a ECM-HGZ1 mic and haven't used the darn thing except twice if you want to buy it and hack it. I'll let it go cheap.

[Bob McInnis]

Thanks Jerome,

I checked out that 5th picture and it seems there's a plug on the end that would help show which wires those two are. Mine has just loose wires coming out of it. Is there a way to tell which correspond to which? Thanks for the help!

Bob

[Jerome Cloninger]

Originally Posted by Bob McInnis

Thanks Jerome,

I checked out that 5th picture and it seems there's a plug on the end that would help show which wires those two are. Mine has just loose wires coming out of it. Is there a way to tell which correspond to which? Thanks for the help!

Bob

Take a voltmeter and test for continuity between the loose wire and the pin. Do this for each one and you'll know which pin goes to which wire. Make sure you orient the plug with the one in the picture and you'll then find the appropriate wires. Good luck.

[Bob McInnis]

FYI, here's my original pictures of the AIS plug I'm working with:

http://www.camerahacker.com/Forums/D...ero_input.html

Bob

[Jerome Cloninger]

Originally Posted by Bob McInnis

FYI, here's my original pictures of the AIS plug I'm working with:

http://www.camerahacker.com/Forums/D...ero_input.html

Bob

page not found. But I think I saw it. It was on the very bottom wasn't it?

[Bob McInnis]

Jerome,

I was confused, but now I get it. The connector at the end of the wires on Pic 5 is the same connector on the end of my wires. That's exactly what I was looking for. Thanks.

So, if I can ask one more dumb question: If I were just going to cut the end off of a long lapel mike lead (or a mini jack), I'd just attach the two wires from the lead to the two wires at 9 and 10? Is that right?

Thanks so much for your help!

[Bob McInnis]

Originally Posted by Jerome Cloninger

page not found. But I think I saw it. It was on the very bottom wasn't it?

Yes, that was it. I just edited the link to fix it, but it was the same one at the bottom. Thanks again!

[Jerome Cloninger]

Originally Posted by Bob McInnis

Jerome,
So, if I can ask one more dumb question: If I were just going to cut the end off of a long lapel mike lead (or a mini jack), I'd just attach the two wires from the lead to the two wires at 9 and 10? Is that right?

Thanks so much for your help!

Yes and no. You'll then need to determine the + & - of the mic. Chances are it is a mono mic so the two leads off the mic will be + and -. Normally, black will be the ground (-) off the mic.

You'll need to read into that thread more and determine which is the gound for the pinout. IF you mic is mono, then just put the hot wire on each 9 & 10 and it will basically put the signal on both channels... kind of "fake stereo" I guess.

This is all in theory and remember, anything you do to modify your camera in any way can void the warranty and I can't be held responsible.... BUT, this is what I would be doing if I were to attempt this.

[Bob McInnis]

Thanks for the help. I'll give it a try and let you know how it goes. You've been really helpful!

Bob

[Dick Wilder]

Bob -
How did that work out for you?
Dick.

[Bob McInnis]

Dick,

I haven't had a chance to try it out, but I'll post something here when I do.

[Adam Palomer]

Bob,

You might want to check the camera hacker post again. I've posted some information that might be useful.