re PD170p zoom noise. Please help.
 

OK, I have to be truthful and admit that describing the noise as 'motorised grinding' in a previous post, was excessive. I was quite upset by the threat of yet another sound issue with a new camera.

The sound is noticeable on record and playback when mic is plugged and active. Would seem then to be 'camera noise' picked up by the mic.
It's a motorised hum/buzz kind of sound. Not really noticeable with background noise, though is evident when indoors and zooming on a silent shot.
Loud enough to register 'a bar' on cameras audio-meter

Does anyone know from first hand experience if this is normal?

Was at the store this morning. They had a bit of a test, thought it was normal - though they did not test in silence. They asked me to come back when they have more 170's in stock and compare the cameras then.

All else seems fine.

Any advice would be really appreciated.

Thanks

It is normal. That is what the NR setting in the audio menu is all about.

As long as I don't use full-speed zooms, I never hear the camera in the audio.

Thank you Mike.
I always appreciate your advice.
Actually NR ON/OFF setting seems to make no noticeable difference.
(am sitting in office tinkering with cam now)
It's definately the mic picking up the 'zooming motor'. If I remove the mic from bracket and rest it elsewhere - hey presto! no zoom sound picked up at all.

Your saying that this seems normal is a weight off my mind.

Thanks.