4 channel adapter, I don’t get it…

[David C jones]

I know Sony never did. The only camera/deck that had four inputs was the BVV-5 Betacam SP dockable deck. All their one-piece cameras only had two inputs (but recorded to four audio tracks). That setup you have looks like it would be extremely back heavy.

[James Cordell]

I just don’t get how we have an adapter and apparently no one makes them anymore. It’s actually not to bad. Although it does add a little extra weight that adapter only weighs maybe a pound and half.

[Jan Crittenden livingston]

Hi,

That 4 channel adapter was made by Panasonic to work with that camcorder. You might think that it was easy to make, but I don’t believe that is true as it took almost a year from the time we knew the factory was going to make it to the time it was delivered. Anyhow so that is why you can’t find them as we made it for that camera.

Hope this helps,

Jan

Jan Crittenden Livingston
Product Manager, HPX500, HVX200, DVX100
Panasonic Broadcast & TV Systems

[David C jones]

That’s actually the first adaptor like that, I’ve ever seen! And I’ve used or am familiar with all Panasonic and Sony cameras. Most new Panasonic/Sony cameras now have the ability to control (independently) all four channels, which is nice. I checked Panasonic’s website and couldn’t find anything like that. My only suggestion is to try Ebay or The Broadcast Store (on-line). There’s got to be someone out there trying to unload one.

[James Cordell]

So does that mean that no other versions were made for other Panasonic cameras? It says your with Panasonic but but you might know the answer anyway. Does that mean there is a far chance that other brands don’t even have any kind of adapter?

Is there some other way that I am overlooking to get four channels of audio into a new camcorder (HDX900 or XDCAM HD) other than an external mixer or recorder. And if using a external mixer, how do you even send the four seperate channels to the camera if the mixer most likely just has two outputs. Gahh these seems so confusing for some reason. I don’t get how other shows do this. Are most shows that need more than two people mic’d using a external sound recorder? Thank you for the information on the model we have, that is good to know.

[James Cordell]

David, So how does this independent control work? Can you physically plug in 4 separate mics? If you can’t plug in four seperate mics than how do the 4 channels get put into the camera? I tried to look at the manual for the HDX900 (online don’t actually have the camera, research) and there was like page and a half on the audio setup.

[Jan Crittenden livingston]

Hi,

The Adapter allows for two addional mics to be plugged in and controlled. Keep in mind that not only does the adapter have to work but there has to exist within the camera a channel for the audio from the adapter to make it into the recording. So just having one of these doesn’t get you there, Having one of these and a camera designed to work with it does.

Hope that helps,

Jan

Jan Crittenden Livingston
Product Manager, HPX500, HVX200, DVX100
Panasonic Broadcast & TV Systems

[Ron Lindeboom]

If there were another model made that was available for sale by any other company, Jan would know. Jan knows everything.

When I grow up, I want to be just like her — well, except for the girl part.

;o)

I may be goofing around here but I am QUITE serious that if Jan tells you there is no other source available, there isn’t.

Ron Lindeboom
creativecow.net

[Jan Crittenden livingston]

[James Cordell] “So does that mean that no other versions were made for other Panasonic cameras? It says your with Panasonic but but you might know the answer anyway. Does that mean there is a far chance that other brands don’t even have any kind of adapter? .”

That is exactly what I am talking about. There is not another Panasonic camera made that has this feature(adapter), our other DVCPRO50 camera that had four channels of audio, actually had more inputs on the body, that would have been the AJ-SDX900.

[James Cordell] “Is there some other way that I am overlooking to get four channels of audio into a new camcorder (HDX900 or XDCAM HD) other than an external mixer or recorder. And if using a external mixer, how do you even send the four seperate channels to the camera if the mixer most likely just has two outputs. Gahh these seems so confusing for some reason. I don’t get how other shows do this. Are most shows that need more than two people mic’d using a external sound recorder? Thank you for the information on the model we have, that is good to know.”

On the HDX900, you could put 2 mics into a break out from the stereo mic input, a 3rd mic into one of the back inputs and the 4th has to go in via the wireless pocket receiver area. This was the same with the SDX900 standard def camera.

You cannot get there with the mixer idea. Short of using the HDX900 as above, a slaved audio multitrack recorder would have to do.

Best,

jan

Jan Crittenden Livingston
Product Manager, HPX500, HVX200, DVX100
Panasonic Broadcast & TV Systems

[James Cordell]

Well that is refreshing to hear because I have been chasing my tail trying to dig up something for a while now.

I have a question though. Let’s say I have the HDX900. I plug two mics into the back inputs and use this from Lectrosonics Dual CH. Slot Load for the other two channels. Does it look like this could work?