Computer Audio Output to HV30

[Andrew McCarrick]

Anybody know anyway to get audio from a sound card into a Canon HV30? I only have a stereo speaker output or a headphone output. I also have a Zoom H2 recorder and a Zoom R16 recorder, as alternatives if necessary.

 

[Steve House]

Anybody know anyway to get audio from a sound card into a Canon HV30? I only have a stereo speaker output or a headphone output. I also have a Zoom H2 recorder and a Zoom R16 recorder, as alternatives if necessary.

There are several ways you could get audio from the computer into the camera but first, what are you going to do with it once it gets there? Do you want to shoot new video using the incoming audio as the soundtrack instead of recording through the microphones; do you want to replace an exisiting soundtrack with the incoming audio from the computer; or do you want to dub music into an existing soundtrack, mixing the computer audio with the soundtrack that is already there? If it's one of the latter objectives, there's better ways than recording in the camera.

One of the issues is going to be avoiding overload when you send a high line level signal from the computer output to the much more sensitive mic input on the camera. Do you own any other audio gear, like inline pads or a mixer, that can help with that?

 

[Paul V Doherty]

You need a stereo 50dB attenuator and the necessary Adaptors to convert your soundcard output (XLR, RCA, 6.5mm, etc) to the HV30's stereo 3.5mm mic input.
Obviously you'll need to lock the HV30's mic level using the manual controls.
You could also buy a Beachtek convertor.

 

[Andrew McCarrick]

There are several ways you could get audio from the computer into the camera but first, what are you going to do with it once it gets there? Do you want to shoot new video using the incoming audio as the soundtrack instead of recording through the microphones; do you want to replace an exisiting soundtrack with the incoming audio from the computer; or do you want to dub music into an existing soundtrack, mixing the computer audio with the soundtrack that is already there? If it's one of the latter objectives, there's better ways than recording in the camera.

One of the issues is going to be avoiding overload when you send a high line level signal from the computer output to the much more sensitive mic input on the camera. Do you own any other audio gear, like inline pads or a mixer, that can help with that?

The only mixer I own is the Zoom R16, which is more of a recorder/post-mixer. I was basically looking to do a telecine kind of thing, and record a video from my computer screen with my HV30 and tap the audio output of the computer to get the audio in with the video.

 

[Gregg Juke]

Isn't that more or less "reverse telecine?"

Lots of ways to get video and audio out of your computer, but again, it's hard to understand "why?" (Which would impact the answer anyone would give you; it depends on what you're trying to accomplish, your budget and time allotment to accomplish it, and the final product-- is it just an experiment, or would it have to be high-quality?)

GJ

 

[Steve House]

The only mixer I own is the Zoom R16, which is more of a recorder/post-mixer. I was basically looking to do a telecine kind of thing, and record a video from my computer screen with my HV30 and tap the audio output of the computer to get the audio in with the video.

So you're recording sound with video just like any other shoot. The issue you face is getting the line level, most likely -10dBv 'consumer' line level, output from the soundcard down to much lower mic level signal to feed to the external mic input on the camera, and also blocking the 'plug-in power' voltage on the mic input from going back up the line. The camera manual says the mic input has a sensitivity of -57dBv, so you need to get about 45dB attenuation. One way would be to build a stereo patch cable with a 3.5mm TRS plug on each end that has an attenuating resistor network in each side. Diagrams and resistor values will turn up if you do a google search. A better way would be to use a small mixer that offers the option of mic level outputs. One that comes to mind that would work well would be a Mackie 802 which sells for around $200 (the somewhat cheaper 502 doesn't offer switchable output levels). Feed the soundcard output to the stereo RCA 'tape input' on the mixer with a stereo 3.5mm to dual-RCA Y-patch cable, set the mixer's XLR output level to 'mic', and send the XLR outputs of the mixer to the camera's external mic input with one of these - http://www.trewaudio.ca/store/product.php?productid=147 (While it's not really very useful for field use since it needs AC power, a small, inexpensive mixer like that is a fundamental piece of gear to have around IMHO, just for these sorts of situation.) That approach gives you proper levels, monitoring, manul control of your recording level, etc.