Unsound Audio: What's Wrong with the Sony HVR-V1U?

A documentary, demonstrating a serious audio flaw in the Sony HVR-V1U camcorder.More information can be found at www.basspig.com/CameraAudioTests.htm

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• High
• Sony
• DEFINITION
• Camcorder
• HDV
• Basspig
• V1U
• HVRV1U

[PARRAVISION]

I agree! there's a problem! I called sony and they said there is a roll off point, this is what the tech said, so I want to start a class action law suit, email me through youtube, as soon as I get 20 or sony owners of the v1u im calling an attorney

[basspig]

I am no longer an owner of the V1U--I sold both of them and am now using Sony's PMW-EX1, which is fabulous on all fronts.

But those who DO have the V1U I think are entitled to some redress from Sony for calling it "20-20KHz" in the original specs, which they later changed to "not specified" for a reason..

[Chadfish]

Hey Basspig.

Looks like you need to find a guy to create a mod for the camera. Then you can make a killing like Greg Winter with the VX2100.

You should just sell the audio mod and make a killing.

Chadfish

[basspig]

It's no longer my problem. For me. I sold both of my V1Us already. :-)

[C20rules]

Of course digital audio has no limits at low frequencies - but the preamp circuit that handles the signal from the microphone has. Even if it gets digital - you still have to handle the analog signal before it passes on to the ADC - and it's that part the manufacturers doesn't care very much about

LOL - I agree fully about the dialog sound, it's just awful. But even recorded sound effects, like vehicles, ambient sounds and some explosion sounds etc. is really bad

[basspig]

You're looking at this from inside the old paradigm of 1-7/8IPS tape with linear track audio. Forget that model. This is DIGITAL audio. There is NO reason the low frequency response can't be flat to DC--it's just a bitstream!

As for the movies, dialog audio has to be the worst--it sounds like it was recorded through a toilet paper roll core.

As for camera audio, I'm pleased to report our new EX1s are DAT-quality and every bit as clean as the best portable digital recorders.

[C20rules]

Btw - my advise to those who want good sound - buy a digital sound recorder. Built in sound IS always crap - more or less.

A good recorder that records uncompressed 24 bit 96 kHz wave sound doesn't cost more than the cheapest consumer cameras.

I use the M-Audio Microtrack II - but there are many models out there

A little more work to put the soundtrack in sync with the picture - but well worth it.

[C20rules]

Bad reproduction of low frequencies is a problem in general - even movies and TV-productions in general have "bass roll off" below 150-300 Hz on recorded sounds

(digitally created music or sound effects is another thing), but this one has to be outrangeosly awful if it's such bad compared to others.

A big problem is the wide spread use of directional microphones - they don't pick up bass wery well other than on an open space, close to the sound source.

[PARRAVISION]

thats odd? you dident sync using time code or slate.

[PARRAVISION]

there's a problem with the audio

I have this camera and Sony admitted there's a roll off to me today