Iriver Sync Problem
 

Hi, when I use an Iriver 895 with A pd170 and bring the footage to the editing board, the audio from the iriver goes out of sync with the pd170 footage every 15 minutes. I can fix this, but is this normal?

Is there a way to stop this by changing an iriver setting?

Or,

Is there a way to stop this by buying something else to replace the iriver?

I have not had any sync problems with a variety of iRivers.I use 5 of them.
The method I have adopted is I set the iRiver to 44k 160kb mono or 320kb stereo (depending on your mic).
I transfer the iRiver file using the Manager , convert to mp3.Then load it into Sound Forge ,tweek the audio and export as 48k 16bit.
Drop it on the timeline and line it up.
If for whatever reason your audio is still going out of sync , just stretch it to match.
I know there was a problem if I left it as a MP3.If you judge the sync by ear(not the waveform), my computer was doing some converting while playing the 2 files back and it would sound out of sync.If I prerendered before viewing, it was ok.

Thank you Jack for answering.

Maybe I had the sync problem because I didn't convert the mp3 file to a 48k 16 bit wave file before putting it into the timeline. I used the 44k 160kb mp3 file that the iriver software made and put it directly into a DV 48k timeline.

I'll do a test to see if this makes a diiference.

Yes, this is normal.

Dave what causes this?

Is it because I am not converting the mp3 file to a wave file with the same properties as the edit timeline?

No, nothing like that. It's just the way they are.
They don't keep perfect time, like you might
find with a watch. They use cheaper components
that are "good enough" for how most folks
use them.

I see. Thanks for explaining.

Richard, I'm wondering if you tried what I suggested and did that work?
I have heard a lot of others say they have sync problems and yet doing it my way I don't.
Are you judging sync from the timeline or after rendering?

The iRiver only records in MP3? Can't you record in PCM?

If it doesn't, then the PD170 may be much better, because it's PCM, no compression of any kind.

I tried converting the mp3 file to a wave file and matching the properties, but the sync problem still occurs. I notice it every 15 minutes.

The Iriver 895 only records Mp3. I do use the pd170's audio, but for events I usually use more than two mics, so I use 2 895 Irivers.


Is there a similiar device to an Iriver that does not do this?

Not that I know of.

Then the iRiver and/or camera is not reliable to keep sync for more than 15 minutes.

Why not use a mixer and feed it all on the PD170. Or better yet use another HD or CF recorder, like the Microtrack 24/96, Roland R-09 or Zoom H4?

Probably those above, recording in PCM.

But the problem may also be in the PD170. Can you check using two cameras and see how sync behaves?

Thank you Carlos for your help. The Pd170 keeps in Sync with many other cams. It is only the Iriver.

I'll check out the other recorder solutions.

I have done a forum search and see that there are a few others who have noticed this problem with the Iriver 895.

Thank you.

My experience as well.