On Sat, 06 Apr 2002 22:54:34 -0500, SEE-SIGFILE@rcn.com (Jay Rose) wrote:

>> Also, anyone with credible links to this 'hiss' issue please post
>> them.

>I have heard lots of credible stories about poor dynamic range, and seen
>some measurements (properly taken, using THD+N) that suggest there is a
>problem. I've also heard from people who are perfectly satisfied with
>their sound.
>
>After NAB, I'm supposed to be working on an article for DV Magazine that
>will do serious tests on the VX2k, the XL1s, and (for comparison) a Beta
>camera and mini and pro MD recorders. I plan to test both with lab
>equipment, and using some procedures that can be replicated by DV readers.
>Then -- if they give me enough pages -- I'll put it into context of how
>much noise is acceptable under various circumstances. Consider that a
>wedding videographer is recording noisy environments for poor-quality
>playback, a filmmaker trying to capture subtleties of dialog for
>projection, and a broadcast shooter has other things to worry about.
>
>It may take a while to gather all this info, and DV has a 3-month
>production cycle, so don't expect the article until late summer or fall.

There is a good WAV file comparing AGC-on and
off (manual-level, centered) with the PD150, at:
www.dvinfo.net/sony/audio/audiofiles.htm, though
which-is-which appears to be mislabeled. Played
back at normal levels used for editing, and keeping
in mind that the tone is at -14db and that no
material is recorded that would normally mask at
least some of the "hiss", this appears to be a
good representation of the "problem" - though with
normal recordings with ambient sound, high-sensitivity
mics used with manual level-control turned down, the
use of the unusually-quiet AGC, or with comparing it
with most other Mini-DV camcorder audio, the "problem"
"fades" somewhat...;-) It is too bad that the full
dynamic range possible with the 16-bit 48KHz Mini-DV
audio format is not available in most video cameras,
but it should be noted (as you do...) that it would
not be used in most audio recordings associated with
video even if it were...