> The MKE sounded great and eliminated a lot of surrounding noise but
>the only thing is it picked up some of my motor noise when I zoom in and
>out. I tried it without the XLR-PRO and the same thing happened. Even
>the built-in mic of VX1000 didn't pick up as much as the MKE. Is this
>happening to all of you too? Any workaround?
This has to do with the internal wiring of many Sony camcorders. When you
plug something into the mic input, the metal housing of the camcorder actually
becomes a microphone- directly inputing vibration (including zoom motor noise)
to tape.
This doesn't happen with Panasonic or Canon camcorders. The XLR-Pro does
help minimize it, but it's nearly impossible to eradicate it at this point.
To test this, while you have the system set up and plugged into the
VX-1000, rap your fingers on the body of the camcorder and see if you can hear
it in the headphones.
> I'm kinda picky on audio and I found there's a slight ground noise
> when I point the VX to a certain direction. Any thoughts on this also?
For less ground noise, point it at the sky.. :)
Try adjusting the ground-lift switch on the XLR-Pro.
Move away from the dimmer packs or other big AC supply. :)
> I even got the Sony XV-M30 monitor and an add-on bracket. Now the
> whole unit is pretty heavy. Anyone has any suggestion on how to ease-up
> all the weight during shooting?
Doctor, it hurts when I hit my head against the wall like this, "bam.
bam. bam."
Sir, the stop banging your head against the wall and the pain will go
away.
A) if the audio through any add-on gives you grounding problems, and zoom
noise, don't use it. B) if you are not holding the camcorder above your head,
don't use the monitor. Then the camcorder will remain as light as when you
started.
I hope you don't mind the ribbing. It's Friday. :)
> Can anyone suggest a shoulder rest which works best for this
> situation? One that can allow overhead, mid-level, etc. shots?
Sony made one at one point in time. I have it but after I add everything
I need to make this work like a professional unit should, it looks like
something Dr. Frankenstein built. (I'm getting into the October spirit.) When
I look at all the workarounds I need, all the accessories, add ons and
compromises that must be made to ger consumer and prosumer gear to do things
professionally... and then I factor in how I look when I use the Frankenstein
rig, and the troubles I have dealing with all the extra wires and dozens of
little connections that could fail... I realize that a $10,000 DSR-300 is
actually not that expensive.
That said, I should not that I don't have one yet. So...
Sony made one at one time. The don't offer it any more according to their
web site. The Wondercam is made by Videosmith, who I work with and know.
They're in Philly, like me. But IMHO, its an ungainly rig.
However, when I was at Videosmith (which is actually a rental company)
last to drop off some issues fo Filmadelphia Magazine, I saw they had another
shoulder rig- that was nearly identical to the one I have by Sony. It's black,
much smaller and offers more places to discreetly tuck stuff as opposed to the
Wondercam.
The main difference is that it didn't have the Sony grip that allows you
to trigger the VX-1000 and operate the zoom (in the second slowest speed) via
Lanc control. Whern I spoke with them about this, they said that Sony still
offered the controller grip through their parts department.
The number for Videosmith is 215-238-5070. Ask for Chris Cerasoli because
that's who I was talking to about this. If you want to use my name to refresh
his memory, that's fine. Ask about the smaller Black shoulder grip for the
VX-1000.
Anthony
________
Anthony Burokas, Media Technician, IEBA Productions, Inc., Phila. PA
+ Digital Video Consulting and Integration + DV/ DVCAM Sales +
V: (215) 632-3283 + Fax: (215) 612-0663
Go to: <A HREF="http://ieba.com">IEBA.com</A> to find out more.
"Ok, so what's the speed of dark?"