Thursday, February 20, 2014

Is there a setting on a digital camera to prevent sound distortion during video recording?




J


Is there a setting on a digital camera to prevent sound distortion during video recording (where there is loud bass in the environment such as a concert)?

When I take video with my Canon SX260 digital camera, the sound gets distorted when there is loud bass in the environment. For example, sound in the video always gets distorted when I shoot video at concerts.

This video on YouTube is exactly what happened to my Canon SX260:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgK57t9_g7Q&list=UUyXqYTlNZEVOowEg6hPG18g&index=1

Thanks



Answer
Your Canon PowerShot SX260 is aconsumer point&shoot camera designed to capture still images. Capturing video (and audio) is a "convenience feature".

Read the manual:
http://gdlp01.c-wss.com/gds/7/0300007147/01/pssx260hs-sx240hs-cug-c-en.pdf
There is no setting or option to change/control the audio gain. Your reported symptom is a common one - but not unexpected. If you get a camera designed for video (and audio) capture, there may be some sort of audio gain control. I am not aware of any point and shoot camera that has any sort of audio gain control. All will be overpowered by loud audio.

Your SX260 is about $300. For around the same $ the Canon HF R200 has audio gain control. Read the manual: http://gdlp01.c-wss.com/gds/3/0300004613/01/HFR20_21_200_IM_N_EN.pdf
See Page 75.

If you do not want to replace the SX260, then you can record the audio separately using a digital audio recorder with manual audio gain control. I like (and use) the Zoom H2. The H1 is less $ (and less featured). You can easily synch the externally captured audio with the video when you edit - after synching, mute the poor audio captured by the camera.

Can I record Videos on a digital camera? If yes, then which type of cameras?

Q.


Answer
Yes, most digital cameras take videos now. You have to be careful though because there are variations:

1) Sound - some will record sound with the video, some don't.
2) Length of video - some cameras limit the files to 20-30 sec files, some are unlimited, until you fill up your memory card.
3) Type of file - not as big of a deal.. some will record in .mpg, some in .avi, some in .mov.. in case you have a preference.

For #1, usually the sales people won't even know the answer so you'll have to play with it to find out.. look for a mic/speaker on the camera. For #2, try looking in the details for the camera online for this. For #3, if it matters to you, this will also be in the online descriptions.

I hope this helps! Let me know if you have more questions..




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