What would a spec for XLR inputs of -50 dBu or -60 dBu mean???

[j1clark@ucsd.edu]

On looking at the XLR input spec for the DVX100 camcorder series, (and other camcorders), there is a spec for the audio input of -50 dBu or -60 dBu selectable.

However, how does that relate to say a mic output's sensitivity, or max output?

The LINE spec is listed as 0 dBu, which to me would suggest the peak input level. But the -50 dBu doesn't suggest a 'peak' input level at all...

 

[Noiz2]

It's what it expects as it's nominal level I believe. It's not peak. Your thinking digital 0 but this is an analog level. In the good old analog days zero was what you wanted to live around and most gear can hit +20 or more with out distorting. But that is a different yardstick. Anyway hotter mics would probably be set on the -50 and dynamics and such could use the 10dB boost of setting it to -60

 

[j1clark@ucsd.edu]

It's what it expects as it's nominal level I believe. It's not peak. Your thinking digital 0 but this is an analog level. In the good old analog days zero was what you wanted to live around and most gear can hit +20 or more with out distorting. But that is a different yardstick. Anyway hotter mics would probably be set on the -50 and dynamics and such could use the 10dB boost of setting it to -60

Thanks.

I found a small blurb in the DVX Book (the DVX manual is useless in terms of explanation...), that gives the same use, but there was not much more of an explanation .

I personally hate manuals that don't have some explanation of 'why', or alternatively some set of examples of usage... like ... suggest use -60 dBu for dynamic mics...