Albert Wong
March 7th, 2005, 11:02 PM
OK -- so after reading these boards for months -- I finally took the plunge and bought a used pd 150 for what I thought would be a bargain price. The serial number is 1015821 -- which I think is the "after the hiss problem was solved". Anyhow, I am getting a noticeable low audio hum when I listen to the audio (through my headset) -- I do not know if this is the same thing as the hiss or not.
Also, the hum is so loud, when I press the audio level button to check the sound levels -- even when the camera is recording in a silent room -- I get "two bars" rather than 1. That is to say, instead of the getting a single bar under negative infinity, I get two bars (I guess that would put it at -38 decibels rather than negative infinity).
I am using the original microphone that came with the pd 150.
I am operating in Agc mode. Input level is mic. Using + 48v on input 1. Going into input 1. Doesn't matter if I record to Channel 1 or Channel 1 plus Channel 2.
Here is something important: when the camera is on STANDBY or actually recording (and the tape mechanism is engaged) the hum sound is present. However, when the camera exits STANDBY (and I think the tape mechanism disengages) the hhum sound pretty much disappears -- the audio level bars (in a silent room) return to one bar from two bars -- (although to be honest, it still sounds kind of "large cave" windy).
Here are some other things:
if I put the "wind" option to "on" the humming/windy sound diminishes significantly -- and the audio level bars return to one bar from two bars. (Mind you, this is inside, when there's no wind present)
Also, if I choose the menu option of "MIC NR" on -- the humming sound diminishes -- although this might not be ultimately a good decision because of interference with dialogue (Alanbarker.com).
Finally, and this is kind of weird, but when I press the base of the microphone (where the standard Sony shotgun microphone wire leaves on its way to the xlr) I can make the humming sound louder but only when the tape mechanism is engaged (i.e., in standby or record mode).
Are all of the pd 150's this way? Is this something that I just have to live with?
Anybody with any experience with this -- please help! Thanks!
Albert Wong
Also, the hum is so loud, when I press the audio level button to check the sound levels -- even when the camera is recording in a silent room -- I get "two bars" rather than 1. That is to say, instead of the getting a single bar under negative infinity, I get two bars (I guess that would put it at -38 decibels rather than negative infinity).
I am using the original microphone that came with the pd 150.
I am operating in Agc mode. Input level is mic. Using + 48v on input 1. Going into input 1. Doesn't matter if I record to Channel 1 or Channel 1 plus Channel 2.
Here is something important: when the camera is on STANDBY or actually recording (and the tape mechanism is engaged) the hum sound is present. However, when the camera exits STANDBY (and I think the tape mechanism disengages) the hhum sound pretty much disappears -- the audio level bars (in a silent room) return to one bar from two bars -- (although to be honest, it still sounds kind of "large cave" windy).
Here are some other things:
if I put the "wind" option to "on" the humming/windy sound diminishes significantly -- and the audio level bars return to one bar from two bars. (Mind you, this is inside, when there's no wind present)
Also, if I choose the menu option of "MIC NR" on -- the humming sound diminishes -- although this might not be ultimately a good decision because of interference with dialogue (Alanbarker.com).
Finally, and this is kind of weird, but when I press the base of the microphone (where the standard Sony shotgun microphone wire leaves on its way to the xlr) I can make the humming sound louder but only when the tape mechanism is engaged (i.e., in standby or record mode).
Are all of the pd 150's this way? Is this something that I just have to live with?
Anybody with any experience with this -- please help! Thanks!
Albert Wong