VX2000 / Sound Drops Out at DVinfo.net

Mark Regal · March 4th, 2003, 07:44 AM

Hello Everyone:

I just purchased a VX2000 and found this board to be an invaluable resource when purchasing my purchase (although I sometimes feel I should have purchased the PD150!)

My issues is that the sound keeps dropping out. Should I just use manual audio settings? This does seem to help, but I want to make sure I didn't get a defective machine. Also the pixels seem to go in and out sometimes during playback. Don't know whether this is related to the lighting.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Mark

Mike Rehmus · March 4th, 2003, 09:08 AM

Mark

We need much more information to diagnose the problems you mention.

1. When does the sound drop out? Describe what you are taping and relate that to the audio performance. What happens if you try to record a steady sound?

2. Describe the lighting and what you mean by pixels going in and out. What happens when you tape an adequately lit scene?

Mark Regal · March 4th, 2003, 01:18 PM

Hey Mike:

The sound drops out in the course of ordinary conversation, i.e., the subject speaking to the camera at a short distance or myself speaking when operating. Steady sounds tend to go in and out as well when in auto mode.

I think what I'll do is upload a clip to my website when I get home later and post the URL. Would that be helpful?

Thanks

Mike Rehmus · March 4th, 2003, 02:35 PM

It may be. What other sound is playing in the background, if any?

Does this occur if you playback from the camera or another VTR or through an editing system?

Post a short bit if you can. In full-res avi format. Just make certain it contains both the audio and video problems at least once.

Mark Regal · March 5th, 2003, 12:24 AM

Here is the post.

www.mregal.com

Sorry for the length. The actual clip only runs 16 secs, but I couldn't snip it because my new PC (heresy, no Mac) doesn't have editing software yet.

(By the way, can anyone recommend a good video editing SW for the PC?)

Thanks

Harry Settle · March 5th, 2003, 10:02 AM

Although the whole NLE support system seems to be geared toward Premier, I really have enjoyed working with Vegas Video.

I have used VV 3.0 extensively, and have now upgraded to the new Vegas 4. The learning curve is easy, and the features are amazing.

Try the demo availeable at Sonic Foundry.

Mike Rehmus · March 5th, 2003, 05:14 PM

I looked at the video in Premiere.

You either have a bad tape or dirty heads.

Run the cleaning tape for 5 seconds (no longer) and try recording again.

If it persists, change tapes.

What you are seeing is signal dropout, not pixel dropout. The blockiness tells you that the error correction in the compression algorithym could not correct the error because it was too great. The sound dropout is caused by the same problem.

If this is a new-from-Sony camera, then I'd suspect the tape.

What tape model and brand are you using?

Mark Regal · March 5th, 2003, 11:17 PM

Thanks for the diagnosis.

I just bought the camera and I am using Sony premium tapes.
I'll clean the heads and let you know how things turn out.

Regards,

Mark

Mike Rehmus · March 5th, 2003, 11:37 PM

Did you try another tape?

I assume that the problem shows itself when you play the tape in the camera, right?

Mark Regal · March 5th, 2003, 11:39 PM

Yes

Mike Rehmus · March 6th, 2003, 01:49 AM

If the store from which you bought it has a favorable return policy, I'd return it for another unit.

Mark Regal · March 6th, 2003, 03:20 AM

Sorry, I should have elaborated.

The playback in the camera is similar. I have not yet tried a new tape.

Has anybody had problems exchanging things to J&R in NYC?

Mike Rehmus · March 6th, 2003, 01:30 PM

My guess is that it is the tape. Try another new tape ASAP and then decide.

One thing to be wary of is the first minute or so of any tape. Mechanical damage can occur for a lot of reasons during the manufacture of tape cartridges.

That's another reason to but Bars and Tone on the first minute of any tape.

Really picky DPs will not use the first 5 minutes of tape.

Question: Do you normally tape with the camera on its side or was this? Inquiring minds and all that.

Mark Regal · March 6th, 2003, 05:31 PM

Thanks for the info. The sample I posted was from the very beginning of the tape. I'll try a new tape and let you know how it works.

Definitely the exception re: camera on the side. Just playing with the new toy!

Mark Regal · March 16th, 2003, 01:27 AM

Thanks Mike. I had the opportunity to try a new tape when we had our first child two nights ago. It (the tape and the baby) works beautifully.

March 4th, 2003, 07:44 AM	#1
Mark Regal New Boot Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: NYC Posts: 8	VX2000 / Sound Drops Out Hello Everyone: I just purchased a VX2000 and found this board to be an invaluable resource when purchasing my purchase (although I sometimes feel I should have purchased the PD150!) My issues is that the sound keeps dropping out. Should I just use manual audio settings? This does seem to help, but I want to make sure I didn't get a defective machine. Also the pixels seem to go in and out sometimes during playback. Don't know whether this is related to the lighting. Thanks in advance for your help. Mark

March 4th, 2003, 09:08 AM	#2
Mike Rehmus Wrangler Join Date: May 2002 Location: Vallejo, California Posts: 4,049	Mark We need much more information to diagnose the problems you mention. 1. When does the sound drop out? Describe what you are taping and relate that to the audio performance. What happens if you try to record a steady sound? 2. Describe the lighting and what you mean by pixels going in and out. What happens when you tape an adequately lit scene? __________________ Mike Rehmus Hey, I can see the carrot at the end of the tunnel!

March 4th, 2003, 02:35 PM	#4
Mike Rehmus Wrangler Join Date: May 2002 Location: Vallejo, California Posts: 4,049	It may be. What other sound is playing in the background, if any? Does this occur if you playback from the camera or another VTR or through an editing system? Post a short bit if you can. In full-res avi format. Just make certain it contains both the audio and video problems at least once. __________________ Mike Rehmus Hey, I can see the carrot at the end of the tunnel!

March 5th, 2003, 10:02 AM	#6
Harry Settle Major Player Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Bemidji, MN Posts: 276	Editing software Although the whole NLE support system seems to be geared toward Premier, I really have enjoyed working with Vegas Video. I have used VV 3.0 extensively, and have now upgraded to the new Vegas 4. The learning curve is easy, and the features are amazing. Try the demo availeable at Sonic Foundry. __________________ "DOH"!!!

March 5th, 2003, 05:14 PM	#7
Mike Rehmus Wrangler Join Date: May 2002 Location: Vallejo, California Posts: 4,049	I looked at the video in Premiere. You either have a bad tape or dirty heads. Run the cleaning tape for 5 seconds (no longer) and try recording again. If it persists, change tapes. What you are seeing is signal dropout, not pixel dropout. The blockiness tells you that the error correction in the compression algorithym could not correct the error because it was too great. The sound dropout is caused by the same problem. If this is a new-from-Sony camera, then I'd suspect the tape. What tape model and brand are you using? __________________ Mike Rehmus Hey, I can see the carrot at the end of the tunnel!

March 4th, 2003, 01:18 PM	#3
Mark Regal New Boot Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: NYC Posts: 8	Hey Mike: The sound drops out in the course of ordinary conversation, i.e., the subject speaking to the camera at a short distance or myself speaking when operating. Steady sounds tend to go in and out as well when in auto mode. I think what I'll do is upload a clip to my website when I get home later and post the URL. Would that be helpful? Thanks

March 5th, 2003, 12:24 AM	#5
Mark Regal New Boot Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: NYC Posts: 8	Here is the post. www.mregal.com Sorry for the length. The actual clip only runs 16 secs, but I couldn't snip it because my new PC (heresy, no Mac) doesn't have editing software yet. (By the way, can anyone recommend a good video editing SW for the PC?) Thanks

March 5th, 2003, 11:17 PM	#8
Mark Regal New Boot Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: NYC Posts: 8	Thanks for the diagnosis. I just bought the camera and I am using Sony premium tapes. I'll clean the heads and let you know how things turn out. Regards, Mark

March 5th, 2003, 11:37 PM	#9
Mike Rehmus Wrangler Join Date: May 2002 Location: Vallejo, California Posts: 4,049	Did you try another tape? I assume that the problem shows itself when you play the tape in the camera, right? __________________ Mike Rehmus Hey, I can see the carrot at the end of the tunnel!

March 5th, 2003, 11:39 PM	#10
Mark Regal New Boot Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: NYC Posts: 8	Yes

March 6th, 2003, 01:49 AM	#11
Mike Rehmus Wrangler Join Date: May 2002 Location: Vallejo, California Posts: 4,049	If the store from which you bought it has a favorable return policy, I'd return it for another unit. __________________ Mike Rehmus Hey, I can see the carrot at the end of the tunnel!

March 6th, 2003, 03:20 AM	#12
Mark Regal New Boot Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: NYC Posts: 8	Sorry, I should have elaborated. The playback in the camera is similar. I have not yet tried a new tape. Has anybody had problems exchanging things to J&R in NYC?

March 6th, 2003, 01:30 PM	#13
Mike Rehmus Wrangler Join Date: May 2002 Location: Vallejo, California Posts: 4,049	My guess is that it is the tape. Try another new tape ASAP and then decide. One thing to be wary of is the first minute or so of any tape. Mechanical damage can occur for a lot of reasons during the manufacture of tape cartridges. That's another reason to but Bars and Tone on the first minute of any tape. Really picky DPs will not use the first 5 minutes of tape. Question: Do you normally tape with the camera on its side or was this? Inquiring minds and all that. __________________ Mike Rehmus Hey, I can see the carrot at the end of the tunnel!

March 6th, 2003, 05:31 PM	#14
Mark Regal New Boot Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: NYC Posts: 8	Thanks for the info. The sample I posted was from the very beginning of the tape. I'll try a new tape and let you know how it works. Definitely the exception re: camera on the side. Just playing with the new toy!

March 16th, 2003, 01:27 AM	#15
Mark Regal New Boot Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: NYC Posts: 8	Thanks Mike. I had the opportunity to try a new tape when we had our first child two nights ago. It (the tape and the baby) works beautifully.