Hello BillyBoy,

Where is Kellys site, I think I have a similar problem.

I thought everybody knew where Kelly's (Chienworks) video share site was. <wink>

http://www.vegasusers.com/vidshare/

Chienworks yes - didn't recognise the kelly ref though.

Thanks as always.

Hooked up my analog video camera in place of the vcr and when I play and capture a tape, I don't get the humm. Checking out Kelly's site now.

Check for a ground loop causing low frequency (60Hz) hum. Once you took the AC powered VCR out of the system and put in the battery powered camcorder, the hum went away. Good indicator that you may have a problem with your power source grounds (earth).

Can't tell you how to verify it (other than what you did), or fix it (other than what you did), but these things exists. VERY common in stereo multi-piece outfits. One VERY common recommendation is to buy an ISOBAR surge suppressor with LARGE lsolation filters between plugs. Worked for me in my stereo. Computer stores carry them. The are superb surge suppressors, and even better isolation filters.

I have them all over the house. About 6 years ago the main transformer outside my house was hit by lightning. Blew 7 surge suppressors. Did NOT harm either computer, the refrigerator, microwave, two tvs, or any stereo component. Figured they saved me 5 thousand or more when they died. Gave them a NICE funeral. Replaced every one with new Isobars. New models even have telephone line isolators.

Thanks for the advise, I'll try getting a diff. surge protector.

Generally you'll get some sort of lower frequency hum from all sorts of recording devices - it's rare not to find audio filters that don't have a removal preset for it. That said, as above you've probably got a ground loop or impedence prob. that might be helped by all the prior suggestions.

If it doesn't help, check out the Jay Rose columns, forums, &/or books at dv.com... He's had a couple of articles in the past dealing with this, how to built or buy a cheap device that will better match tape output signal voltages etc. with your PC's input.

At the PC level might check out other things plugged into your sound card, try muting the various devices in the mixer or using the std volume controls & try lowering the volume setting for the selected recording device. Don't know what you're using for a soundcard, but a soundcard (or tapedeck upgrade) might be a potential solution.

luck
mike

There is some great info here.

One of the odd things I found is that when you enable the microphone record in the mixer by default this also enables a +20Db boost to the signal.

This creates permanent hiss through your speakers - try removing that with Vv/Sf

I am sure you have a ground loop situation. You can try to fix it or rather test it by using a 2 prong AC adapter for all components in the chain that may get rid of it. This is not a permanent solution though even if it works because this will eliminate grounding on your equipment and thus expose you to a risk (slight) of electrocution. Sounds great huh?

The better solution is to buy a ground loop eliminator device that you insert between what you are recording from and what you are recording to. The device I use is actually between my PC soundcard output and my powered monitors where I was picking up a ground loop. It is a line level shifter and ground loop eliminator by Ebtech. This device has 2 features. One it raised the output of my minijack output which is -10dBV to +4dBu which is more suited for the input my monitors want. It basically raised the gain somewhat. Two it cuts virtually all of the ground loop noise. They have a box that has only the loop eliminator if your going between 2 devices that are matched like tv/vcr and camera which yoou describe. I got mine at musiciansfriend.com but you can get them at any decent music store or site. Here is the link for the ground loop eliminator alone.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/sid=030212114054064233204252910973/search/g=home/detail/base_id/36853

Here is the link for the one with the line level shifter and ground loop eliminate combined.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/sid=030212114054064233204252910973/search/g=home/detail/base_id/38212

I don't see many people taking about this solution on the video forums but this really does work almost every time. There are other ways but you have to isolate the cases of your equipment or other things that aren't worth the trouble. Most people could use a few of these at different points in the chain of devices that could be introducing a ground loop.

I appreciate all the help, this is a great forum. After trying many combinations of outlets, cables etc., I have found that the problem seems to lie in the cable that runs from my "cable box" to the "vcr". When I leave it unhooked from the vcr, there is no humm during preview or capture of video. When I reconnect it, the humm is back while previewing and capturing either video or tv signal. I'll try a better shielded cable first, if this doesn't work I'll go to the ground loop fixes. Thanks again for the help.

Great info Redeye. It's obvious you come from an audio backround as I. Another couple of thoughts to add:
1. The Sound Blaster Live and Audigy cards are infamous for noisy inputs ESPECIALLY if you use the mic in. You are much better off buying a basic pro sound card like from M-Audio, Terratec, or the like. It will cost you under $200 and the inputs are quiet.
2. Pay attention to your cord routing. Keep your power cords away from your audio cords. You will run into noise if you allow a power cord to paralell and next to an audio cord. If a power cord is to be near an audio cord have them intersect at right angles to minimize contact.
3. Alot of video editors use a Mackie 1202 VLZ mixer. Mackie mixers are wonderful. I own a 1402 and I swear by it. Mackies are QUIET and are totally neutral in it's sound. the pots and faders are sealed from dust so you never get crackleing when you use them.

Hope this helps.
jack

RE: the ground loop adaptor.. ouch! I think I'll stick to the build your own variety for lunch money. ;?b

I mean, no offense & it is nice, but like a lot of that stuff the cost of materials is probably around $5.00 - $10.00 retail.

FWIW: as an example, in the 3/03 issue of DV, Jay Rose shows how to convert from balanced to unbalanced using 3 - 5 resistors ($0.50) + the cost of the jacks. Know the box does more, but don't have the specs right at hand on similar. Guy's cool, check him out.

mike

Just had to share this with you it made me laugh.

I was having the same problem and have been following this thread - really good stuff.

I have been re-routing cables for two days, have replaced some with better quality cables, I have unplugged and plugged in power cables in different places - I had resigned myself to the fact that it was going to cost me money.

5 mins ago I moved the VCR/TV one inch to the left on my workspace and the problem went away - move it back it appears again.