Audio quality of HVX

[mrroper]

Everyone seems to be concerned with the image but how about the sound? How is the audio on the HVX cmpared to other cameras and how are the four channels monitored/ controlled.?

[Emanuel]

Here it is a good thread departure!

C'mon guys!...Can you help us?

[Barry_Green]

The HDV cameras all use compressed MPEG-1 Layer II audio, at 384 kbits. The HVX uses full uncompressed 16-bit 48khz PCM audio.

In 4 channels, the XLH1 actually divides the audio up even further, so it ends up being 192 kbits. The HVX uses, again, full uncompressed.

[Emanuel]

Thanks Barry!

Hey people!...any thoughts?

[mrroper]

Barry,

Thanks for the reply.

Do you know if all four channels can be monitored and controlled separately, Or are they there just to meet the HD spec?

Since they are all uncompressed is there any reason to record audio separately? As far as quality goes.

[MattC]

Barry thanks for that info, but how does it sound? LOL!! My problem with the audio on the DVX was that the preamps were noisy. I assumed that was due to older technology since the audio on the XL2 (a newer camera) is noticeably cleaner. Does the HVX live up to my expectations of much cleaner audio due to new components?

[MattC]

MrRoper,

There could be, and probably are, many reasons to record your audio seperately if you want really great audio. I don't think ANY camera can compete with a dedicated audio set-up with a good recorder and a good mixer with good pres. But, we might get pretty good/usable audio out of it.

Matt

[Ernest_Acosta]

Hey MattC, I thought the DVX had good pres, but I always like a mixer to send to the DVX. Currently I use a Shure FP31 (old version), but whenever I shoot shorts I use a Sound Devices 302. Excellent pre-amps and monitoriing. I think that is a good question regarding monitoring all 4 channels and level control. I know it was mentioned that someone is designing an adapter that goes on the light shoe on top of the HVX which would enable you to use two more XLR connections to channels 3 and 4.

[MattC]

Good is relative. When the DVX came out it had the best pres of any comparable camera - actually the audio section of the DVX was almost a paradigm shift, no one believed you could get audio "that good" in a small camcorder. That doesn't mean it was great audio though, just that it was far and away better than anything that had come before it (in a small camcorder), and in fact it was ok. The XL2 (a much new camera in certain respects) has better audio. That should be expected if for no other reason than the development of better technology in the years between the release of the two cameras (better components available to the camera manufacturers at lower cost). Does that mean the XL2's audio is great? No, it's just a bit better (quite a bit, I feel). My assumption is that the HVX will take advantage of the same new technology and deliver cleaner pres than the DVX had, which should be at least comparable to those on the XL2 if not better.

I just wanted to know what Barry thought of them.

Matt

[doccutter]

Let's just remember the pd150 audio fiasco... Blech! I hope panny had time so they don't make the same mistake. My pdx10 souded much better!

[Barry_Green]

Can't comment on how good it sounds because the one I'm using is not a finished model.

I haven't delved too deeply into the audio side yet, but as near as I can tell you get control over two channels, and the other two come from the internal mic. Don't know if it uses auto-level-control for the internal mic or not.

[aquafox]

Does anyone know if it's possible for a third party device to use the internal mic channels and provide two more XLR plugs with level controls? And if it is (I sure hope so), if this kind of device is in the works?

[Barra]

Hi, anyone know what the audio recording does when shooting at 60fps?
I'm wondering if it too is recording faster, i.e. so that when played back at half the speed it will sound clear and quality in slow motion....

[Barry_Green]

Does anyone know if it's possible for a third party device to use the internal mic channels and provide two more XLR plugs with level controls? And if it is (I sure hope so), if this kind of device is in the works?
I certainly hope someone is developing such a product. It would require modifying the camera (prying the microphone off), but I bet several of us would do it!

[Barry_Green]

Hi, anyone know what the audio recording does when shooting at 60fps?
I'm wondering if it too is recording faster, i.e. so that when played back at half the speed it will sound clear and quality in slow motion....
The audio is recorded in real time. If you play the clip back at the same rate it was shot in, the audio plays back too. If you play the clip back at a different frame rate than what it was shot at, the audio doesn't play. However, it is recorded, it's on the card and you can import it and use it, you'd have to figure out how to make it applicable to the off-speed video though.