Questions on HMV150 audio & remote

D

Dale7

New member
I'm seriously considering purchasing this camera (when they are available at B&H) but I have a few questions:

1. Why are the XLR inputs high impedance, rather than low impedance, which is what any pro XLR mic would be?

2. Does anyone know if the XLR inputs are balanced or unbalanced? (I need to know this in order to get the right kind of cable for my wireless receiver.)

3. Does anyone know if the "super-mini" 2.5mm remote jack can be used with a LANC zoom start/stop controller?

Thanks for your help!
 
Hi
1 and 2 I don´t know but there is no problem with Roede NTG2.
3 Just bought Bebob Zoe-DVXL remote see www.bebob.de
which operates HMC 151 zoom, rec on/off
Aje
 
The XLR input are the same as the ones on the DVX100. You have a Line/Mic switch to switch between both inputs. So, you connect a microphone (that is low impedance) or a line signal from a mixer.

Line input is 0 dBu and the mic input is -50 dBu/-60 dBu (menu selection)

I don't know if it's balanced or unbalanced, but usually, a XLR to XLR cable is balanced. So, I presume that the connection is balanced.

About the controller connections, yes, you can connect a zoom with start/stop controller to the 2.5mm mini jack. You can also control the iris and focus with the 3.5 mm mini jack. Look at the Manfrotto and Varizoom for the DVX100b and HVX200.
 
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1) Where do you see the specification of high impedence? I'm not sure what the actual impedence of the XLRs is, but it is certainly within the range useful for most mics. I'd guess in the 1500-3000 Ohm range. Remember, you want mics to be low impedence, and the preamp input to be a higher impedence for optimal signal flow (most modern condenser mics aim for around 50 ohms of output impedence, though some go up to 200ohms. Dynamic mics tend to have higher (and much less regular) output impedence. This is all a much-debated topic, but I think the most common conventional wisdom says that for dynamics (especially ribbons), the input impedence of the preamp should be at least 5x the output impedence of the mic. So, the HMC input impedence is certainly "high" compared to the mic, but not likely what would be called "high-Z" for a guitar input (typically in the mega-ohm range). (Mind you, before anyone complains, impedence matching for special coloration can break these rules... this is for a clean, unmodified signal).

2) The XLRs are balanced.

3) The remote jack does NOT work with LANC. The HMC has two remote jacks, both of which use proprietary Panasonic protocols (based on rsistance rather than serial data transmission like LANC). There are a number of controllers available, but LANC controllers will not work. Mind you, I've seen some of the Panny-specific controllers sloppily called "LANC controller for Panasonic DVX100", etc., but that's incorrect. If it's a Panny-specific controller, it's not LANC.

I recommend the Manfrotto controllers for the Panny cameras!

-Barry
 
Me, I had some issues with a Manfrotto controller. The zoom was zooming even at center position. I had to open it and adjust it. But at the end, the adjustment was not enough.

So I recommend a Varizoom controler for Panasonic cameras.
 
"1) Where do you see the specification of high impedence?"

I have a pdf file of the operating instructions...it is in the specifications.
Thanks Barry for your explanation of the impedance issue. Very helpful.

"2) The XLRs are balanced."

"3) The remote jack does NOT work with LANC. The HMC has two remote jacks, both of which use proprietary Panasonic protocols (based on rsistance rather than serial data transmission like LANC). I recommend the Manfrotto controllers for the Panny cameras!

Thanks also for your answer to the LANC question. I have a Manfrotto 521 that I use with my Sony VX2000 and I thought that might work with the Panny but apparently it won't."

:dankk2:
--Dale
 
SPrimeau said:
Me, I had some issues with a Manfrotto controller. The zoom was zooming even at center position. I had to open it and adjust it. But at the end, the adjustment was not enough.

So I recommend a Varizoom controler for Panasonic cameras.
Click to expand...

Interesting... I've had a similar problem with the VariZoom "stealth" controllers (though not with their "rocker" controllers). I like the feel of the Manfrotto controllers better... I especially like the one integrated with the tripod bar... it lets you use a much wider range of hand positions than any other I tried...
 
I don't have the VariZoom "stealth" controller, but the VZ RockPZFI
with zoom, focus and iris controls.

My Manfrotto is a 521p.

Dale, the 521 is only for Canon and Sony, you need the 521p or the 522p.

Look here.
 
Nice comparison chart. Thanks Sylvain!
I'm leaving on a five-week trip tomorrow. Will be interesting to see the prices & availability of the HMC150 when I get back.
 
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