8mm Forum: Projector Sound Through Line Out

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Posted by Austin Whitehead (Member # 4585) on December 31, 2014, 03:00 AM:

Recently bought a Eumig Mark S 807D on Ebay to transfer my old films. Performs well and doesn't chew up film like my ancient Mark S. However when I connect a Din to mini jack lead from the projectors line out socket to the camcorder I get the noise of the projector as well as the correct sound. Any ideas why this should be? I know it can be damaging to the camera to connect into the mic. socket from line out but it doesn't appear to be doing any damage (so far!)

Posted by Martin Jones (Member # 1163) on December 31, 2014, 03:11 AM:

What Camcorder have you?
Connecting projector Line Out to Camcorder Mic In will NOT damage your Camcorder, but the incompatibility in levels usually leads to distortion. However, this will depend on how effective the Camcorder Automatic Gain Control on the Mic. Input is.

Posted by Austin Whitehead (Member # 4585) on December 31, 2014, 03:53 AM:

Thanks for your reply Martin, the camera is a Panasonic X920. The sound is not actually distorted but I am still hearing the noise of the film passing through the gate of the projector as well as the films sound. I can live with it in louder passages but it is annoying during quieter parts of the film.

Posted by Steve Klare (Member # 12) on December 31, 2014, 04:40 AM:

Sounds like a case of chatter.

There is a roller and flywheel inside there to smooth out the intermittent motion through the gate before the film passes over the sound head.

If you run a film you should be able to see this roller pressed onto the film and spinning. If you stop everything and listen, you should be able to hear the flywheel spin for easily 30 seconds.

Posted by Martin Jones (Member # 1163) on December 31, 2014, 05:11 AM:

I don't have one of your Camcorders but here is a thought....

On pages 80 and 81 of your FULL manual (on the camera CD or here

https://dlc.panasonic-europe-service.com/EUDocs/GetDoc.aspx?did=230987&fmt=PDF&lan g=en&src=3 ) it says your camera has TWO internal microphone systems, 5.1 and 2ch Stereo.
This defaults to 2CH Stereo when an External Mic is plugged in. If this requires the use of a special MIC (i.e. one that consumes power)then the 5.1 system may be picking up the projector sound still.
Only an idea. But check that 2CH is selected in the Menu to ensure 5.1 is turned off.

Page 81 gives other sound menu options.... "Auto" is probably what what copes with the high sound levels from Line Out.

Hopefully, experimentation here with menus will solve the problem. If not, try physically covering any Microphone "openings" with sound absorbent material when using an input jack.

[ December 31, 2014, 06:27 AM: Message edited by: Martin Jones ]

Posted by Vidar Olavesen (Member # 3354) on December 31, 2014, 05:46 AM:

It is not dangerous to have line out into mic in, IF the volume is very low. You can blow it by using to much volume, just be careful

I have the exact same problem with my GS-1200 to Sony DV camera ... I was trying to find a mic off (as I assumed it was recording with the on camera mic

Posted by Steve Klare (Member # 12) on December 31, 2014, 05:57 AM:

So if he connected everything up, DIDN'T run the film transport and sang a little song he will be able to hear himself upon playback?

Posted by Maurice Leakey (Member # 916) on December 31, 2014, 06:02 AM:

I bought a Eumig 807D brand new many years ago and experienced "sound chatter" on most of my package films. I eventually adjusted the position of the sound head very slightly and most films were then OK, but I never got rid of the problem entirely, it seemed to happen on loud sound passages.

Posted by Austin Whitehead (Member # 4585) on December 31, 2014, 06:36 AM:

Thanks everyone for your replies. I've also tried connecting the line out to the line in socket on a Tascam recorder but can still hear the unwanted projector noise. I'll keep experimenting and report back.

Posted by Gary Crawford (Member # 67) on December 31, 2014, 07:48 AM:

Yes, Maurice...that clatter /flutter is common for many Super 8 machines. The old standard 8 system had the sound heads 56 frames down from the intermittent claw movement at the aperture, but Super 8 system put the heads only 18 frames down...and so the capstan and roller had to be REALLY good to smooth out the movement of the film. Many times it doesn't get totally smoothed and you get that annoying clatter/flutter. I found that it can be sometimes reduced by cleaning the rubber roller and capstan...and the heads also. But on some machines that doesn't work. Also...in the early days of Super 8, and to some extent today, sound on films is recorded on projectors....so if there is any clatter on that recording machine, it is doubled on projectors that may have the same clatter. But I'm sure you know all this, but I feel verbose today.

Posted by Martin Jones (Member # 1163) on December 31, 2014, 07:51 AM:

If you get the same on a different recorder, it's not tyhe camcorder to blame.

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