OT: Sony Z1 help please.

TeeJay wrote on 5/16/2008, 6:29 PM
Hi, I have a Sony Z1 and a Sony A1 and i'm trying to use either one as a record deck but have been unsuccessful getting stereo audio with my vision feed. Here's the setup.

On occasion I use my Z1 to take a feed from an A/V console that sends a multi cam signal into my Z1 using its VCR mode but for the life of me, i cannot get any audio signal. I have tried the 3 way A/V cables and always only seem to get the right channel.. Ultimately i would like to use the S/Video Input in conjunction with the XLR Inputs but i am getting no sound regardless of what i have tried...
It is possible that the Z1 is simply not capable of doing this but if anyone knows anything about this, it'd sure be an enormous help,

Thanks,

T

Comments

richard-courtney wrote on 5/16/2008, 8:00 PM
3-way A/V (the one that is an 1/8" plug with 4 sections?)
sometimes if not pushed all the way in short out an audio channel.

I have a PD170 and there is a menu option the selects the side RCA jacks.
Put your camera in VCR mode and then check the menus.

Could you be in an audio dub mode that only accepts ch 2 audio?
TeeJay wrote on 5/16/2008, 9:02 PM
Yeah, i had a PD170 before the Z1 and used to do this all the time, that's why i am so perplexed as to why i can't get it happening with the Z1...
Steve Mann wrote on 5/16/2008, 9:47 PM
I'm confused by your "3-way A/V cables"... Please elaborate
TeeJay wrote on 5/17/2008, 6:17 PM
The 3 way A/V has a mini jack (tip and 2 rings) and RCA connections on the other end, being white (left channel), red (right channel) and yellow (video).

Using these cables, i've only been able to get one side to work and i've tried a couple of sets of cables. I guess i'm just hoping to hear from someone that owns a Z1 to know whether it is possible or whether my input just may be faulty....
JJKizak wrote on 5/18/2008, 6:06 AM
The XLR inputs on the Z1 require an external battery as with a mic. But I am not sure if the "mic" requires the battery or the "XLR" input needs the battery. All I know is "no battery, no sound"
JJK
Steve Mann wrote on 5/18/2008, 9:33 PM
"The 3 way A/V has a mini jack (tip and 2 rings) and RCA connections on the other end, being white (left channel), red (right channel) and yellow (video)."

Now I am really confused. Do you want to record audio through the XLR or through the RCA R/W inputs?

Is the three-way A/V cable you are using for the iPod? The cable looks the same but it is wired differently. I can't recall if it is the red/yellow or the white/yellow that are swapped in the iPod cables. Try both.
TeeJay wrote on 5/19/2008, 6:22 AM
The 3 way cable came with the Camera and it is typically used to view footage from the camera into a TV or VCR, but in the case of my old PD170, it also worked in reverse and allowed audio and vision to feed the camera in VCR mode, essentially using the cam as a recording deck...

i was stating that i can't get stereo audio in with either these cables or using the XLR inputs. Don't need em both to work, just happy for either........
richard-courtney wrote on 5/19/2008, 9:36 AM
The 3 way does look like this:


Note: four sections on the 1/8" plug.
Tip-left ring-video ring-ground Sleeve-right


.

Does the Z1 have a record channel select for the XLR
"CH1 == CH1*CH2" like the PD170 has?

Any chance your rec level control is all the way down?
Set them both to max level.

I few years ago I had static electricity damage the XLR circuit
while swapping corded mic cables. Might need to send it in for
repair.
MarkWWW wrote on 5/19/2008, 12:12 PM
It's worth knowing that as well as the Sony version you've illustrated there is another version of this lead, intended for use with Panasonic camcorders, where the wiring is the opposite way round, like this:


http://www.maplin.co.uk/module.aspx?ModuleNo=29308&doy=18m5

Is it possible that the lead TeeJay is trying to use is of the wrong (Panasonic) flavour?

Mark
richard-courtney wrote on 5/19/2008, 1:28 PM
Tee Jay said:
"On occasion I use my Z1 to take a feed from an A/V console that sends a multi cam signal"

Is this console a video switcher?
Any chance the console is not programmed correctly to route both audio channels?

If you swap the red and white audio plugs does the problem move?

Any chance the audio "pan" controls are pointing to one side and not centered?
teaktart wrote on 5/19/2008, 7:29 PM
Isn't an XLR a mono input signal?

Could there be a menu setting for mono vs. stereo input?

If you are using the yellow/red/white RCA cables then your are dubbing in standard definition ? And downconverting on the fly?

Have you tried to connect the two cameras with 4pin firewire instead for dubbing and keeping the HDV without downconverting?

If all else fails you could convert the mono into stereo via Sound Forge....
Steve Mann wrote on 5/19/2008, 9:02 PM
"Isn't an XLR a mono input signal?
Could there be a menu setting for mono vs. stereo input?"

I don't have my Z1 handy right now, but if I recall, there is a menu setting for which inputs to use and what levels. (Line or mic)

XLR is balanced mono. Stereo is a consumer term because most consumers can't understand two channels of audio. (Like, what's playing on Channel two, dude?"

TeeJay wrote on 5/20/2008, 6:28 AM
Yep, XLR is balanced Mono.........

Anyway, i definately have all channels set correctly and trim controls set to manual and confirmed that i have them turned up. Set to Line level and I've since tried a variety of audio feeds to eliminate the send as being the cause.
Again, i'm coming to the conclusion that the XLR Inputs only work in "camera" mode, not VCR mode but was just hoping someone else with a Z1 can confirm this?

As for my 3 way cables, I have 2 sets and while 1 is definately from an old Panasonic camera neither give me 2 channels of audio. I get only the right side regardless of which RCA is plugged in which leads me to believe that maybe the input is "fried"...