HPX500 Audio problem

[Brian Leid]

I have been hearing a faint beeping/chirping sound on channel one when using an external mic. The noise is only present on channel one. The same mic on channel three using the rear xlr input is clean.
I did a search online for similar problems and found one where they heard the same noise, but it was attributed to a bad P2 card. I have tried all 8 of my cards and it is consistent.

Has anyone else experienced this problem or know of a solution?

Brian

[Barry_Green]

The beep is well known and it's being worked on, but no news as of a fix or anything yet.

So your're finding it with an external mic only on channel one? Do you find it happening with a P2 card only in slot one, or do you hear beeping if it's recording to a slot other than one?

[Brian Leid]

The beep is consistent with all slots and all cards and only on channel one.

[Brian Leid]

The noise I am hearing is now consitent on all audio channels. I called Panasonic tech support and they had not heard about this problem and offered no ideas. Their response was to send the camera in for them to look at.

[Tom Plapper]

I've read on dvxuser that there is also a beeping problem with the HVX with 16Gig cards.

[tmnt]

I hope panny really are taking this seriously. I really need to buy a 16gb card but am a little hesitant because of this problem.

[Brian Leid]

The problem I am having is happening on 16 and 32gb cards.

[EditingFX]

Don't have he problem w/ my 500, but - was it always there, or did it just start? Curious as to whether those w/o the problem should be on guard.....

[Brian Leid]

It wasn't always there. It happened a few weeks ago and then went away until last week. Up until yesterday it was intemittent.
I am working with another tech at Panasonic who, so far, is very helpful.

I will post more information as it becomes available.

[Noel Evans]

Thanks for the info Brian. But lets hope theres a definitive reason and Pana can put the issue to rest.

[Erik Olson]

So the beeping isn't apparent in the audio monitor during actual recording? It only becomes audible during playback from the P2 card?

e

[Brian Leid]

The beeping/chirping is audible during the recording.

[ullanta]

Please, anyone who can, please try the following controlled test:

Just put on your headphones, set your inputs for line in, set your gains to max with nothing connected, and hit record!

See if you hear a difference in sound when recording to P2 cards stops/starts. If you can, please characterize the sound, and tell us of any differences between audio channels, card slots, cards, etc. We've got, so far, beeping for 16GB cards, and modem-like squealing for 4GB cards (on the HVX). I find the noise to be most repeatable/audible with settings above.

Please try this test and report, so we can get a clearer picture of what's going on.

Thanks,
Barry

P.S., on my HVX at least, the beeping is physically audible if you're near the camera... can anyone else confirm this?

[smelni]

I dont have this issue at all on my HPX500

[valladao65]

The noise I am hearing is now consitent on all audio channels. I called Panasonic tech support and they had not heard about this problem and offered no ideas. Their response was to send the camera in for them to look at.




Its getting just a little bit annoying that Panasonic continues to:
A. NOT inform their tech support of the issue
or
B. deny its presence with so many people reporting it to them

In any case, at least we have people attempting to figure it out.
I've heard from more than one person on this forum that the problem comes and goes - I hope that means that we'll eventually be able to pin it down.
I have not been able to get rid of the bepping on the hpx500 that Im using. I'll do some of the requested tests next week to see if I can help.

Mike

[Brad Neal]

I faced a similar problem with Nikon. A few years back (and to some extent, to this day), many of the Nikon Pro cameras had a horrible back-focusing problem, i.e. you focus on a person standing in front of a bookcase, but instead of the person being in focus, the bookcase was tack sharp and the person out of focus.

Everyone that called into Nikon tech support was greeted with the same response: "Nope, this is the first time we have ever heard of any back focus issue - please send it in to us for inspection".

Nikon new very well that there was a focusing problem, and a big one. But they chose to play dumb in order to avoid the expense of a recall. Very frustrating and very disappointing.

-Brad

[ullanta]

I've posted 2 polls to collect data on the problem. Please, folks, perform a simple test to help us diagnose this problem.

For HPX500 Users: http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=120659

For HVX200 users: http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=120658

Please post to both with the appropriate information if you have/use both cameras!

[ProfessorU]

Don't forget to ask people what firmware version they're using.

[Barry_Green]

Its getting just a little bit annoying that Panasonic continues to:
A. NOT inform their tech support of the issue
or
B. deny its presence with so many people reporting it to them

Really? In another thread Jan just told people with beeping HVXs who to contact.

If someone has an absolutely repeatable case of the "beeps" on a 500, let's tell 'em how we got it. I cannot replicate the beep on the HPX500 I've been using, and it's really irritating because there's nothing more annoying to a computer programmer than an intermittent bug! We need absolute repeatability to guarantee it's fixed. So I don't know if they have what they need or not, but if someone has evidence and repeatability I'm sure it wouldn't hurt to send Jan a PM.


I have not been able to get rid of the bepping on the hpx500 that Im using. I'll do some of the requested tests next week to see if I can help.

If you can't get rid of it, then this would be a great time to send Jan a PM and ask her if there's any way you can help them track it down.

[ullanta]

I cannot replicate the beep on the HPX500 I've been using, and it's really irritating because there's nothing more annoying to a computer programmer than an intermittent bug!

Hey Barry! Not to be a nudge, but have you tried the controlled test? It'll help us rule a lot of factors out of your intermittent situation...

-Barry

[tmnt]

Jan's advice found here http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=120530&page=4 sounds pretty scary. Looks like it's a hardware problem as cameras have to be sent back. I live in Australia and that's out of the question for me. So what do I do, never move up from my 8GB cards for fear of this problem I can't afford to fix (US camera).

ps I was very close to buying a 16gb card today.

[Jan_Crittenden]

Guys, Gals,

We are investigating and just recently got a sample, it is not on all cameras that we can tell. I will post what you should do once we have a solution for those of you that have the problem.

Thanks,

Jan

[Jan_Crittenden]

Jan's advice found here http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=120530&page=4 sounds pretty scary. Looks like it's a hardware problem as cameras have to be sent back. I live in Australia and that's out of the question for me. So what do I do, never move up from my 8GB cards for fear of this problem I can't afford to fix (US camera).

ps I was very close to buying a 16gb card today.

Hi,

If you have the problem it is there even with the 4 and 8GB cards. So if you do not hear it now then there you go. If you do, contact Panasonic in your country of origin and they will fix it. For those in the US send an email with all the particulars including where you live and they will tell you what to do. But keep in mind this post in in the HPX500 forum and the solution has been found for the HVX200 at this point. The HPX500 is still under investigation.

Thanks,

Jan

[jcoxshooter]

But keep in mind this post in in the HPX500 forum and the solution has been found for the HVX200 at this point. The HPX500 is still under investigation.

Thanks,

Jan

So was it software or a hardware issue?

[Jan_Crittenden]

Hi,

I have no idea. Sorry.

All I know is if you have the problem then you need to send it in.

Thanks,

Jan

[Crazy_Ideas]

I get approx. 4 beeps per second, starts and stops only when I hit record.. and I find it only when I raise the channel 1 audio knob all the way, the channel 2 knob does not make a difference..

[valladao65]

[quote]Really? In another thread Jan just told people with beeping HVXs who to contact.


I saw that after having posted my comment, as this was the first time I saw Panasonic chiming in. Although the fix is only applicable to the HVX200 at this point, I'm glad to see they're really addressing the issue.


If you can't get rid of it, then this would be a great time to send Jan a PM and ask her if there's any way you can help them track it down.

I'll have access to the 500 on Thursday and Friday this week where I'll try all the different things people have suggested and I'll definately fire off an email to Jan to see if I can help get this thing figured out.

I hope I'm not sounding too whiney...I *really* don't want to be one of those people.

Mike

[Brian Leid]

The tech I am working with seems to think it is a problem with one of the boards in the camera. Mine is going back today.

[Jan_Crittenden]

There is no need to do this. This issue has been identified, and the resolution is in the works. Once the engineers so go, I will be back.

Best,

Jan

[Barry_Green]

Okay, so, are we to interpret correctly that not only has the cause been identified in the 200, but it's also been identified in the 500? And that no further assistance is needed by tthe community to track this down, right?

If I'm reading this properly, it means that an announcement about the 500 should be coming shortly, "as soon as the engineers say 'go'". Thanks!

[valladao65]

For the 500:
Jan told me to hold tight and not do anything as the "issue has been identified and the engineers are working on a solution."
She said she'll post on the forum what to do when the 'fix is read'.

good luck all...
Mike

[Brian Leid]

I just got my 500 back from Panasonic. They replaced a "PC Board w/ component". No more chirping.

[valladao65]

Hey Brian..

congrats on that!

One question...was the chirping being laid to the P2 cards in your case?

I see where it is for some and not for others (like me)...it'd be nice to know we have the same issue which could be fixed.

Thanks!
Mike

[Brian Leid]

Mike,
Yes, the chirping was being laid to the P2.
I was told that the PC board from my camera has been sent to the factory for further testing.
I am sure Jan will provide more information once that testing is complete.

Brian

[Jan_Crittenden]

I believe there are two different issues.

Best,

Jan