Camera purr and ticking.

T

tonetone

Member
I recently bought a DVX100B PAL and have put just 3 hours on the heads.

When I got the Oktava MK-012, BBG/Jammer, KSSM, Boom Pole, closed headphones, and good XLR cables I decided to test everything out.

Unfortunately I've discovered even when no microphone is attached the following:

With tape inserted there is a low pitch purr with a ticking every second plus a quieter high pitch whine. If I turn the audio levels to 3 o'clock or more it virtually disappears but can still be heard faintly.

But of course the Oktava then picks up a lot more of the enviormental noise which defeats the purpose of having a hyper-cardioid head. (Tested indoors in an urban environment. Traffic can be heard outside when levels increased.)

With the tape removed the low pitch purr is a few tones higher, ticking sound gone, and the high pitch whine is slightly lower, louder, and oscillates every two seconds.

Obviously I'm not happy about this. But is this normal? Like everyone here I've bought this camera and audio set-up because I want good results from anything I make which in my case will be mostly short films and maybe something longer.

What should I do? Is there any way around this? Or is my DVX100B faulty? Will it be covered under the 2 year warranty?

I'd be hugely grateful for any help or advice with this.

Thanks,

Tony
 
are you mounting the Oktava to cam? can you hear these noises with your ear with no aid whatsoever [headphones, amp, etc]? do these noises download to the computer to your nle? did you buy the cam from a panasonic certified dealer?
this doesnt sound normal, so you got me worried
 
Oktava is not on camera. Can hear it though headphones only when monitoring.

Yes it can be heard in Premiere when uploaded. (No headphones needed.) Although it is not very loud, it is there.

Bought camera from http://www.proav.co.uk/ a completely legit supplier. Camera was factory sealed when I went to their offices and picked it up.

Without Oktava plugged in, or any mic, and with just headphones on, the camera is making these noises.

I've used several xlr cables, different mics, and different headphones. All with the same result.
 
Is this just in a completely quiet situation or is it loud when you set the levels to close mic people talking normally about 18" from the mic (boomed)? I wonder if you jst have the mic cranked up really loud.
 
i can hear [unacceptable] noises with just my headphones on...i think because the headphone amp on dvx is terrible, are you able to monitor through your rca's out on cam to headphone...you'll need an amp
 
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The test was in a completely quiet room. Oktava about 18" from mouth. Even with -10dB attenuator, although mic level lower, can still be heard.

It is definitely the camera that is making the noises. The equipment I have is what I listed. I do not have a mixer. Or rca's.

When I increase the audio input level past 3 o'clock the purr virtually disappears. But of course the Oktava then picks up everything, even sound from outside.

The purr and other noises records to tape, so the purr is not just an in camera monitoring thing.

With onboard mics the sound is thinner with a little hiss as expected but slight hum. With Oktava and other mics (off camera), the sound is fuller, warmer, no hiss, but lying in the background is this purr. Not very loud but it is there. Because it's constant, to an untrained ear someone might not hear it, but when trying to do some proper audio work it's noticeably there.

This must be wrong? On such good equipment? Or is every DvX100B doing this?
 
If I were you, I would try multiple posts on differnt forums on dvxuser here...for example 'technical' [whats that click] Later tonight you should have some solid leads...this may be a camera issue vs audio!

Sorry, I dont have an answer for you...wish I did!
 
Every DVX has tape noise and a slight hum but they generally can't be heard unless the mic is mounted on or is near the camera. If the mic is mounted away from the camera then unless the DVX is making extremely loud noises (meaning very bad and signs of a defect noise), it should not be picked up by the mic. If that is the case, you probably have a issue.

As suggested this question might do better in the technical section and maybe if you posted a MP3 of the noise it would help to diagnose good sounds from bad.

Cheers
 
you don't want to use the pad for te oktava with normal dialog only really loud situations like a concert when you want to avoid clipping the pres.
 
Thanks for replying.

I will post this in the Technical section and hopefully find the answer and possible solution. Although at this point I think I may have a faulty camera since no one else seems to have the same sound.

Hi Again.

I posted over in the Technical section as advised but no one has replied.

I have just one question I'd really like answered:

Does anyone else here have this kind of noise on the DVX100B?

Even a simple yes or no would be enough so I'll know whether to get in touch with the supplier who sold me the camera and get it sent back to Panasonic for inspection.

Thanks,

Tony
 
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Are you setting your levels correctly? You mention turning up the DVX inputs "and then you can hear everything"... but an Oktava will pick up a lot of audio. Your issue could possible be having your levels way too low, and recording in an iffy acoustic space?

(Still, that 1-second clicking seems odd...)
 
I have found the source of the camera purr.

Thanks to everyone and bwest for the feedback and pointing me towards the other thread which encouraged me to do a more thorough audio test where I would turn everything on and off while recording and monitoring sound. Things like the Auto Focus etc etc.

The LCD window when open is causing the camera purr.

Here are the audio test results:

By ear can hear a whirring noise like an old movie camera when DVX100B is on, to about a foot and a half.

Felt no vibration of camera on hand or on desk. Turned everything on and off. Made no difference.

With headphones on and no tape in, could hear hiss, low static hum oscilatting. With LCD window open can hear 2 hums. This second hum is like a purr.

Switched to VCR mode. Camera completely silent through headphones.

By ear with tape loaded can hear high tone up to 2-3 feet from camera. Adjusting AF or MF etc etc makes no difference. No vibrations.

Headphones on with tape loaded can hear the low static hum oscilatting (now quieter), high pitch tone, clicking sound every second.

With LCD window open, purr noise. With LCD closed, no purr.

Pressing record brings another high pitch tone. (Operating noise)

I've found the hiss of the on-board mics masks a lot of these sounds. When camera set to CH2 with no mic attached these noises are very noticeable. After a few minutes idling high tone goes off. (Possibly heads not on tape any more)

I set the Oktava MK-012 up about 8' from camera pointing in the opposite direction. With LCD closed no purr recorded to tape nor any other noticeable unwanted noise. With LCD open purr is recorded to tape. I'm not sure how the purr is being recorded to tape but it is.

The strange thing remains that when I turn the audio input levels up past 3 o'clock the purr can be barely heard. Yet when I put them to 12 o'clock (normal level) the purr is very noticeable.

So it looks like this is a fault with my DVX100B. I think I'll get in touch with the supplier. Hopefully the 2 year warranty will cover this and I will have my camera back soon as I was about to start shooting a few shorts.

And I definitely want the option to shoot handheld, so having the LCD window open will make that a lot easier.

Has anyone else noticed this purr from the LCD window before? Or is this just a fault on my camera?

I hope this info on the more thorough audio test is of some help to someone here.

Thanks for everyone's feedback.

Tony
 
Tony, I've noticed audio issues when using the LCD on some comsumer camcorders (sometimes even the viewfinder), but never on anything prosumer or better. I've always assumed it was poor shielding. Like Mike said, I'd contact your dealer or Panasonic.
 
I've been on lots of shoots with DVX100a and b, almost always with the LCD open with no noticible noise. Sounds like your camera needs to go in for a check.

Phil
 
I have to admit this issue has me curious. If you can post up some files of the noise.

Cheers
 
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