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Audio track from Panasonic HC-V770 very low
New member and first post. Been using Vegas Platinum for several years. Recently bought a Panasonic 770 and when I import the files into Vegas the audio track is almost flat. I have to raise the volume and add a FX volume filter to make is acceptable.
Whats up with the Audo? Files from my older Panasonic TM90 are just fine, but this 770 camera has issues. I’ve tried converting to mp4 with Freemake and Handbrake. No luck.
Other than sending the camera back to B&H and getting a Canon is there something I’m missing?
Comments appreciated.
Rick
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17 Replies
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Knowing nothing about your specific camera, are you sure you haven’t set the audio record level to manual with a very low gain. If it’s set to auto-gain, have you tried simply “playing” the recorded files in your PC’s media player such as Windows Media Player or VLC? If they are all “low”, then you may have a problem with the camera itself.
wwaag
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My Panasonic HC-V770 encodes video using the MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 codec, and was told, this codec is not suitable for editing in most non linear editors including Vegas, Adobe Premiere and Apple. This problem seems to be found throughout the Panasonic camcorder product line.
While the Panasonic video format can be opened in Sony Vegas, the audio level is almost nonexistent and requires an audio FX to raise the volume, thus introducing white noise.
I’m a little frustrated with Panasonic. Every function is set to auto, with no modification to the Audio in the camera. A friend said to get out of the Panasonic line and into Canon.
I just can’t believe Panasonic would allow such an issue.
Comments appreciated.
Rick
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My Panasonic HC-V770 encodes video using the MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 codec, and was told, this codec is not suitable for editing in most non linear editors including Vegas, Adobe Premiere and Apple. This problem seems to be found throughout the Panasonic camcorder product line.
While the Panasonic video format can be opened in Sony Vegas, the audio level is almost nonexistent and requires an audio FX to raise the volume, thus introducing white noise.
I’m a little frustrated with Panasonic. Every function is set to auto, with no modification to the Audio in the camera. A friend said to get out of the Panasonic line and into Canon.
I just can’t believe Panasonic would allow such an issue.
Comments appreciated.
Rick
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My Panasonic HC-V770 encodes video using the MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 codec, and was told, this codec is not suitable for editing in most non linear editors including Vegas, Adobe Premiere and Apple. This problem seems to be found throughout the Panasonic camcorder product line.
Whoever told you this does not know what they’re talking about. The vast majority of consumer cameras use the MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 codec as well as many prosumer products. I have a couple of Sony Handycams that use this format and there is no problem editing in Vegas. I also have a number of Panasonic products including a ZS3, ZS20, and FZ200 that record with that codec and they all work just fine in Vegas. Both the ZS20 and FZ200 record at 1080 60P and there has never been a problem with low audio. Something is either wrong with your particular camera or the way you have it set up.
There is also the odd chance that something is amiss with your PC. Suggest you upload a short 5 sec clip to something like Dropbox so someone have a look just to confirm that there is a low volume problem with your clip and not your PC.
wwaag
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Thanks for your response. I’m pulling my hair out on this. I’m running Win7 on my Home computer and Work computer with both having. Attached is a screen shot of a short file in Vegas P11. The audio blips on the audio line are me speaking rather loudly, talking to my wife’s cat.
I know very little about file formats, but I don’t believe I should have to artificially raise the audio thru a converter. I’ll upload a Vegas file with my old TM90 and the new 770 pasted in. Both cameras in Auto.
Attached is a screen shot of a short test I just made. You can see how flat the audio is. From my 770 in full auto.
9985_fullscreencapture418201642655pm001.jpg.zipComments appreciated.
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Here is a Dropbox link. Files from the Panasonic HC-770 and the Panasonic TM-90. Past them into Vegas and see the flat audio on the 770.
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/ogbo69st21m10ge/AAB8XGhssHYXFc3hWebj6GXFa?dl=0
Comments appreciated.
Rick
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Downloaded your files and I can confirm that there is indeed an 8db difference between the two audio files. There was no problem loading these 2 files into Vegas. At least you know it’s not your system. When I normalized each to the same volume, the noise from the 770 seemed to be much greater. Since you set it to Auto, either the camera is defective or it’s a design problem. I did see on B&H that someone else had complained of low audio volume. I guess my inclination would be to ask for a replacement and if it’s the same, then try something else. BTW I liked your black cat–reminded me of one we had many years ago.
wwaag
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I want to update my findings. Specifically its Panasonic’s interpretation of their AVCHD and MP4 file formats that reduce the audio when pasted into a video editor such as Vegas, Adobe Premiere or Camtasia. The audio line/level is almost flat and requires artificial amplification. Bummer. My older TM90 does not exhibit this problem and neither does the Canon G20 which I borrowed yesterday.
I love Panasonic products and this is rather frustrating. Video from the 770 plays nicely from the camcorder itself when plugged into a TV. However the background white noise is very noticeable when played on computer with Windows Movie player or the TV. The 770’s predecessor the 750 (which I sold) also had even poorer audio in all respects and most likely Panasonic somehow pumped up the 770’s amplification. Bad Panasonic!!! Just fix the problem and stop trying to put a band-aid on it. I sent my 750 to Panasonic for repair, they said it was fine so I traded it in to B&H (lost $200) and got the 770. Feel ripped off. Comments appreciated.
750 poor low audio, X920 and 770 both have the same audio issues. With all 3 having the same low audio line when pasted into a editor.
Move on to Sony? Cannon? Hard choice.
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Rick,
The bottom line, regardless of which you choose (I like Sony) is that the audio is NOT going to be terribly good. This is a common problem, even for those using DSLRs or prosumer camcorders. Just make sure that your camcorder has a microphone input and also a headphone output so you can “hear” what the camera is recording and learn to use manual gain. A better mic can help, but an even better solution is to simply use an external recorder such as a Zoom H1 or better attached to your camera. You’ll have to sync audio during editing, but the quality of your recordings will be significantly better. My preference is to run the headphone out from the recorder directly into the mic input to make syncing even easier.
wwaag
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Thanks for the response. B&H said I could exchange the Panasonic 770 for something else. I’m considering the Canon G40, it has a 26mm lens which I’d use inside the home at holidays and birthdays. Wish there was a way to convert Panasonics codec into something that doesn’t flatten out the audio.
Comments appreciated. Rick
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