ANY way to get 4 channels into a PMW-300? at DVinfo.net

Anthony Nalli · January 9th, 2014, 10:56 PM

I was very excited when I read the PMW-300 had 4 channels of audio despite 2 XLRs. I was hoping that there was some sort of Aux audio IN where I can fashion 2 more lav receivers. Alas that's not the case. But has anyone manage to figure out a way to get 4 audio channels into the 300?

Anthony

Brent Kaplan · January 10th, 2014, 12:32 AM

i dont think so, I tried.

Anthony Nalli · January 10th, 2014, 12:39 AM

I don't quite get the point of having 4 channels when only 2 inputs can be used then.

Brent Kaplan · January 10th, 2014, 01:30 AM

well I guess Sony is thinking that the camera mic left and right is great fro ambient sound and 1 and 2 channels for external but that sucks compared to a good stereo shotgun and 2 xlrs.

If you want we can start a pmw-300 gripe thread I have a few.

Andy Wilkinson · January 10th, 2014, 03:11 AM

Tell me more Brent - I just bought one! Get it on Tuesday.

1. I know about the silly position of the shoulder pad release catch (i.e. inaccessible with a tripod plate on the camera…silly Sony).

2. Back on sound, I've heard that the onboard mic is particularly awful on the PMW-300 in that it picks up all the handling noise (but to be honest I was not expecting much from any in-built mic).

I have read that you can assign channels 1 & 2 or 3 & 4 to be fed from it (at different levels) but I do agree it seems silly to have 4 channel recording capability with only 2 (XLR) inputs. My guess is I'll just carry on using the 2 XLR channels in the same way I always have, but at least now in 24 Bit to give me a bit more headroom in post.

Doug Jensen · January 10th, 2014, 07:00 AM

You might find this video I produced a few months ago helpful.

Andy Wilkinson · January 10th, 2014, 08:42 AM

Thanks Doug! Very useful and clear.

Brent Kaplan · January 10th, 2014, 01:53 PM

well here are a couple of things that I dont get.

1. 1/4 / 20 thread mount on back handle and a hot shoe in the front. now they send you a kit to make the rear a hot shoe but no way to make the front a 1/4 /20 mount. plain dumb not to make both 1/4-20 and if they want provide hots hoe kits

2. the viewfinder release and lock is a pain to get to and doesnt always stay tight ( also the viewfinder cable is a pain )

3.They changed the battery communication once again, so most ( not all) Aftermarket batterys with dtap's dont work with out tricking the camera with a voltage adapter. Pure nonsense and if Sonly wants you to buy sony batterys add a dtap to camera or battery. Its ridiculous

4. I would love to see some Db marks in the viewfinder, why they dont or cant do this I dont know.

5. tripod plate thing you know

6. why cant we have no camera intergrated mic but a connection up front for the shotgun mic and 2 xlrs.

thats all for now, I like the camera but they come so close to being great.

Andy Wilkinson · January 10th, 2014, 02:18 PM

Good thoughts Brent. I will add mine when I have had some hands on time.

I have owned a few cams that are so close to being great apart from some really silly design and/or marketing department choices so I guess the PMW-300 will be no different.

Why don't these camera manufacturers listen!

January 9th, 2014, 10:56 PM	#1
Anthony Nalli Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 53	ANY way to get 4 channels into a PMW-300? I was very excited when I read the PMW-300 had 4 channels of audio despite 2 XLRs. I was hoping that there was some sort of Aux audio IN where I can fashion 2 more lav receivers. Alas that's not the case. But has anyone manage to figure out a way to get 4 audio channels into the 300? Anthony

January 10th, 2014, 12:32 AM	#2
Brent Kaplan Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Los Angeles,CA Posts: 166	Re: ANY way to get 4 channels into a PMW-300? i dont think so, I tried.

January 10th, 2014, 12:39 AM	#3
Anthony Nalli Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 53	Re: ANY way to get 4 channels into a PMW-300? I don't quite get the point of having 4 channels when only 2 inputs can be used then.

January 10th, 2014, 01:30 AM	#4
Brent Kaplan Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Los Angeles,CA Posts: 166	Re: ANY way to get 4 channels into a PMW-300? well I guess Sony is thinking that the camera mic left and right is great fro ambient sound and 1 and 2 channels for external but that sucks compared to a good stereo shotgun and 2 xlrs. If you want we can start a pmw-300 gripe thread I have a few.

January 10th, 2014, 03:11 AM	#5
Andy Wilkinson Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Cambridge UK Posts: 2,853	Re: ANY way to get 4 channels into a PMW-300? Tell me more Brent - I just bought one! Get it on Tuesday. 1. I know about the silly position of the shoulder pad release catch (i.e. inaccessible with a tripod plate on the camera…silly Sony). 2. Back on sound, I've heard that the onboard mic is particularly awful on the PMW-300 in that it picks up all the handling noise (but to be honest I was not expecting much from any in-built mic). I have read that you can assign channels 1 & 2 or 3 & 4 to be fed from it (at different levels) but I do agree it seems silly to have 4 channel recording capability with only 2 (XLR) inputs. My guess is I'll just carry on using the 2 XLR channels in the same way I always have, but at least now in 24 Bit to give me a bit more headroom in post. __________________ Andy K Wilkinson - https://www.shootingimage.co.uk Cambridge (UK) Corporate Video Production

January 10th, 2014, 07:00 AM	#6
Doug Jensen Vortex Media Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 3,417	Re: ANY way to get 4 channels into a PMW-300? You might find this video I produced a few months ago helpful. XDCAM ESSENTIALS Episode 6: Recording Four Channels of Audio on Vimeo __________________ Vortex Media http://www.vortexmedia.com/ Sony FS7, F55, and XDCAM training videos, field guides, and other production tools

January 10th, 2014, 08:42 AM	#7
Andy Wilkinson Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Cambridge UK Posts: 2,853	Re: ANY way to get 4 channels into a PMW-300? Thanks Doug! Very useful and clear. __________________ Andy K Wilkinson - https://www.shootingimage.co.uk Cambridge (UK) Corporate Video Production

January 10th, 2014, 01:53 PM	#8
Brent Kaplan Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Los Angeles,CA Posts: 166	Re: ANY way to get 4 channels into a PMW-300? well here are a couple of things that I dont get. 1. 1/4 / 20 thread mount on back handle and a hot shoe in the front. now they send you a kit to make the rear a hot shoe but no way to make the front a 1/4 /20 mount. plain dumb not to make both 1/4-20 and if they want provide hots hoe kits 2. the viewfinder release and lock is a pain to get to and doesnt always stay tight ( also the viewfinder cable is a pain ) 3.They changed the battery communication once again, so most ( not all) Aftermarket batterys with dtap's dont work with out tricking the camera with a voltage adapter. Pure nonsense and if Sonly wants you to buy sony batterys add a dtap to camera or battery. Its ridiculous 4. I would love to see some Db marks in the viewfinder, why they dont or cant do this I dont know. 5. tripod plate thing you know 6. why cant we have no camera intergrated mic but a connection up front for the shotgun mic and 2 xlrs. thats all for now, I like the camera but they come so close to being great.

January 10th, 2014, 02:18 PM	#9
Andy Wilkinson Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Cambridge UK Posts: 2,853	Re: ANY way to get 4 channels into a PMW-300? Good thoughts Brent. I will add mine when I have had some hands on time. I have owned a few cams that are so close to being great apart from some really silly design and/or marketing department choices so I guess the PMW-300 will be no different. Why don't these camera manufacturers listen! __________________ Andy K Wilkinson - https://www.shootingimage.co.uk Cambridge (UK) Corporate Video Production