Help - on camera mic barely working

E

e-steve

Well-known member
Hey guys,

So suddenly I noticed today that my on camera mic isn't picking up anything -- I can tap it, and get a VU reading, but other than that with the level knob maxed out, not even one bar.

I checked the input/mic switches and they are both set to MIC (I tried flipping almost everything).

Is there something I'm missing? Do I need to send it in for repair? :(

Thanks for any input...

Thanks,
Steve
 
Well first of all, welcome to DVXUser.com.
Regarding the on camera mic, there are a couple of things to check. Double check your input selectors and make sure they are all set to on camera mic. After that run a couple of seperate tests or recording and see if you get any sound. If that doesn't work go ahead and turn the unit off for 24 hours with no battery or power running into it. Power back on and see if it works (you would be amazed at how many problems this actually solves). If none of these solutions are working then you will want to contact Panasonic and get it serviced.
 
Was it working ok before? What mic? What camera? Have you switched out the cables? Is it battery powered (have you changed the battery)?

Best
 
Thanks guys.

Sorry for the quick post without much info.

I've had the DVX100 for about 3 months now, and the mic has been working just fine. While I don't typically worry too much about the on-camera audio, I usuallly set it to pick up ambient audio and leave the rest to my G2.

Strangely, today I hooked up as I normally do, the G2 XLR to my input 1 and left the settings for Channel 2 as normal (on camera). The weird thing is that I didn't get any audio levels on the OSD and I didn't hear much ambient audio - I usually hear a pin drop in the room with my headphones on.

So I messed with the Input/Mic switches, the input switches, the levels -- just about anything obvious...with no luck. I will try keeping it off without battery power and see if that helps.

I take pretty good care of the camera, so I'm surprised the mic went out due to normal use. Hopefully it corrects itself...

btw - when I hook an external mic the audio comes through loud and clear.

Thanks again guys...
 
If it is the on camera microphone and it has gone out, but you are using an external mic source, then I wouldn't worry about it. What does it matter if the mic doesn't work if you're using an external audio source anyway? The on camera mic is garbage.

If you need it to work then I would go ahead and send it in for repair. If you have checked your inputs and they are correctly set and you're not getting any sound, then odds are you have a problem. I would contact a local repair organization, see if this is something that they have experience with, or run a search on DVXUser and find repair locations. Contact them, sometimes it might be as simple as resoddering a wire or you might need to send it in.

Furthermore, since you said it was a DVX100 that you have had for three months, which leads me to believe you purchased it used, the warranty may not be valid. Think about how important the onboard microphone is for you and your needs. Personally, I wouldn't worry about it as long as the inputs are properly functioning.
 
Thanks for the input - I did purchase the camera new, so it should be under warranty. I guess I like to use the on camera mic for ambient sounds more than anything -- what does everyone else do with their mic setup? Do you have 2 mics hooked up to the XLRs?

I like having the on-camera microphone as opposed to a shotgun mounted on it because it is easier to pack away with out having to dismantle too much.

Thanks again guys!
 
I'm amazed you found a DVX100 three months ago, I thought they were all DVX100a's that that point.

For the ambient audio acquisition there are some cheap XLR mics you can purchase, but if you want the on camera mic to work check around. If you call Rush @ EVS he can point you towards who they use for their repairs (www.evsonline.com)
 
Hi fellas, here they are:

Digitron Electronics
7801 E. Telegraph Rd.
Montebello, Ca. 90640
323-887-0777
(Attn. Simon)
 
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