I'm trying to get my camcorder set-up for an upcoming track event and need some AV help. here's my set-up:

Sony miniDV camcorder (model TVR-27)
-remote mini camera (RCA video and separate power 12V source)
-remote microphone (normal headphone jack)

I want to record the video from the remote camera as well as the sound from the microphone...using either the RCA cables or S video, I can record the video signal, but the camcorder won't record the audio input (either from the microphone jack or if I hook up the microphone to the audio RCA portion)
*it makes sense that the camcorder won't pick up the audio while using the RCA cables b/c the RCA's won't give the 12V source the microphone needs to operate.

I just tried using the S-video and microphone jack, but that didn't work.

The microphone works while video taping in the normal mode w/o the remote camaera.

Anyone have a suggestion?


thanks for any help!

 

So you're having problems with the remote micropone but not the video.

It is probable that the jack on the camcorder is designed for line level inputs - like another recorder dubbing a video/audio signal into your camcorder. These are normally RCA type jacks. Microphones do not (normally) use RCA jacks. Line level is a 0 dB where microphone levels are about -50 to -70 dB below that.

So if you're trying to connect a microphone level audio signal into a line level input you're going to need a pre-amplifier to boost the signal up - or just use a cheap microphone mixer to do the same thing.

When the camcorder detects the video signal at the line level jacks it's cutting off the camcorders external microphone signal and looking at the line level audio inputs. See if your camcoder has the ability to do audio over-dubbing where you would be dubbing a video take and using the camcorder's microphone to narate the action - this mode will do what you want to do.

 

wow-thanks!!