[LouiseDawson]

Hello everyone, I'm a bit euphoric after a technical question regarding VHS conversion to dvd was answered on one of the other forums, so I hope I get the same success to the question I'm just about to post!!

I have a little Canon handheld video camcorder, and I have recently purchased the Dazzle Instant DVD Recorder. I assume I have the right cables to do the job, as so far I HAVE actually managed to successfully convert the camcorder tapes to DVD HOWEVER, there is a loud humming noise which is audible during the conversion process, and unfortunately also on the finished dvd. I am using a 3.5 jack from the camcorder to the red and white audio port on the front of the Dazzle, and then an s-video lead between the Dazzle and the camcorder. All no problems with this in itself, preview shows fine on the software during the copying process, audio is audible, but the problem is the loud humming noise which then also transfers to the dvd. I have tried moving the Dazzle and the camcorder as far from the computer as the cables will allow, but this has not made a difference.

It does render the audio on the finished product pretty much useless. Does anyone know of a way to eliminate the humming noise? Any suggestions really appreciated.

[senu]

The humming noise is most likely due to an incorrect use of the cable, or even more likely a dodgy cable as you have done the right thing in moving the kit away from each other
It is impossible to remove afterwards,
I would suggest you Try another cable

[MarkE19]

The other possibility is that the hum is motor noise picked up from the camcorder by it's mic - Canon consumer camcorders are well known for this.
If the camcorder has an external mic input then you could try using a separate mic moved away from the cam to stop it picking up the noise.

What models is the Canon camcorder? You say you are captureing the video via analogue connections but if it is a miniDV cam then you can get better quality by captureing via firewire. If HDD or DVD then you can use USB. Both of these connections keep the video as digital at all times and should help to give better quality.

Mark.

[senu]

The OP is transferring recorded tapes though. Unless the hum was present in the original recording, it is during the transfer process that it is being generated in which case it wouldn't be the microphone picking the motor noise
However it may still be motor noise picked picked up somehow by poor earthing hence my thoughts about the cable
Sometimes the camcorder AV jacks ( which have an earth, a video and stereo audio) when used by some audio only 3.5 jacks dont behave "well"
In this case the OP is using s-video for video , and the AV out for audio only.
This can also happen if the audio is inadvertently taken from a headphone out as there is an impedance mismatch

[LouiseDawson]

Hello again guys, thanks for your replies. I'm a bit of a novice about this stuff. Still trying to figure out what best to do from your answers. The camcorder itself is a Canon MV5 Digital Video Camcorder PAL - DM-MV5 E, DC 7.4V.

I wonder if I am using the wrong cable then, at the moment I'm using the s-video cable and a 3.5 jack into the "AV out" yellow port on the camera both connecting to the front of the Dazzle. There is, however, another port above the AV out, labelled as "DV out". It has a rectangular shaped port. Should I be using this instead of the AV out? If so, could someone please tell me two things, 1. What is the name of the cable if I were to ask for it in an electrical shop and 2. if I AM to use the DV out instead of the AV out, would I still need to use the s-video cable too?

Sorry for all the questions, but I really do appreciate your help. You guys are WAY better than the support staff on the phone who don't seem to know their products all that well.

[senu]

Originally Posted by LouiseDawson

I wonder if I am using the wrong cable then, at the moment I'm using the s-video cable and a 3.5 jack into the "AV out" yellow port on the camera both connecting to the front of the Dazzle. There is, however, another port above the AV out, labelled as "DV out". It has a rectangular shaped port. Should I be using this instead of the AV out?

Yes
DV out would be the very best one to use as you would be transferring the contents (video and audio) of the tape directly to a PC.
By using Dazzle ( which was designed more for analogue sources like VCR or older Hi8 camcorders) you are losing quality and also introducing problems such as you have now with the audio
DV ( firewire) is the "correct" way to capture digital video data from tape. If you computer has a firewire port, that is all you should need. Dazzle ships with a cut down version of Pinnacle studio which should suffice as software to control the capture process. Transferring like this is keeping everything digital unlike What you are doing now .
Im not sure what dazzle is converting the video to but DV AVI is a bit greedy of HDD space ; 1hr = 13Gb
However you are not confined to use Dazzle at all if you use DV out ( firewire) . Software abound, including the Free Windows Movie Maker to Freebees like WIN DV Most video editng software are capable
Another would be THIS If all you want to do is capture and make DVDS Have a think about this.
You do not need Dazzle, the audio or s-video cable.
In Fact many settop DVD recorders have firewire -in and it is this that you would ideally be using to transfer the DV tape to a settop Recorder

If so, could someone please tell me two things, 1. What is the name of the cable if I were to ask for it in an electrical shop and

A firewire cable.. 4 pin to 6 pin ( if a desktop) or 4 pin to 4 pin if a Laptop

Not al laptops and desktops have built in firewire : You should have a look a yours and see that it has something similar to the camcorder socket, ot a 5 sided one a little bigger than USB
If a desktop does not it is a simple matter of fitting one It is a PCI card say for £10

2. if I AM to use the DV out instead of the AV out, would I still need to use the s-video cable too?

No DV out carries a much superior video signal and audio as well

Sorry for all the questions, but I really do appreciate your help. You guys are WAY better than the support staff on the phone who don't seem to know their products all that well.

You are welcome. I'm aware you got the Dazzle for VHS to PC ect but it is neither necessary nor desirable for digital transfer
The newer HDD models all use USB..

[LouiseDawson]

Oh my God, you are brilliant and sooooooooooooooooooo helpful. I cannot thank you enough, seriously. My new laptop has the firewire port so I just need to purchase the cable and bypass the whole Dazzle experience! Will keep it for converting the VHS!!!

Honestly, thank you thank you thank you xxxxxxx

[senu]

You are welcome.
There is advice though that says you

[LouiseDawson]

Your last message seems to have been cut short S3Stuff.....

[senu]

Originally Posted by LouiseDawson

Your last message seems to have been cut short S3Stuff.....

Indeed .. seems to happen a bit more often lately
S3stuff is the link to my ( out of date) flickr site not my name!

What I was going to say with firewire is that
The way to connect it is to
First Connect cable to PC, then to camcorder
If you must use AC ( rather than battery) with camcorder, only connect it after the PC and camcorder have been connected
I have connected up a few hundred times with no issue but firewire is said to be sensitive to static and the above advice is meant to reduce any issues with damaged camcorder ports on the camcorder
I do have my firewire cable permanently connected to the PC but this is obviously impracticable with a laptop

I mention this as you haven't used Firewire before and It is maybe good to know from the outset how to use it "trouble free"
It isnt a terribly common problem as such but it crops up enough times to make talking about it important before you go onto Google it and read horror stories!

HTH

[LouiseDawson]

Thank you Senu, you have been a complete star