Monitor audio during import of S-VHS tape through Canopus

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Level 2

168 points

Monitor audio during import of S-VHS tape through Canopus

I cannot seem to find a method to monitor the audio inputs in real time. I am recording an S-VHS tape through my Canopus ADVC-55 A/D converter. I am using the S-Video input and the audio inputs. As soon as I stop import, the audio is there and plays back just fine but I would like to regulate and monitor the audio as it is being recorded. I can watch the film but I can't hear the audio - any ideas? Thanks.

2 x 3.2 GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon, Mac OS X (10.5.5), 8 GB 800 MHz DDR2 FB-DIMM

Posted on Dec 1, 2008 8:33 AM

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Answer 1

J Keller

Level 4

2,750 points

Dec 1, 2008 8:59 AM in response to rosindabow

It should be possible to monitor audio (although I've never used that converter), but changing the audio volume at the source (tape player) or on the computer will not change the volume of the recording. Once into iMovie, you'll be able to do some limited volume adjustments to the clips.

Is the audio there once the clip has been converted and saved in iMovie?
John

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Answer 2

rosindabow Author

Level 2

168 points

Dec 1, 2008 9:22 AM in response to J Keller

Yes, the audio is there. It truly is a matter of monitoring the audio as it is coming in. Like I said, I can see the picture but I don't hear audio until it's done importing. I'm importing 45 minute clips in real time, so it is a bit disconcerting not being able to hear the audio as it it coming in. Is there somewhere inside iMovie I can make adjustments? Thanks.

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Answer 3

J Keller

Level 4

2,750 points

Dec 1, 2008 9:30 AM in response to rosindabow

My computer isn't here with me, so I can't check things directly. Double-check your iMovie preferences to see if there's anything to change there. Also check your Canopus manual to see if that's the source of the audio monitoring problem.
John

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Answer 4

rosindabow Author

Level 2

168 points

Dec 1, 2008 9:39 AM in response to J Keller

Nothing that can be adjusted in the iMovie prefs - and the Canopus is a straight through box - no controls - just converts and passes video so it is available to be recorded via the firewire port. It shows up just fine in iMovie. I'll contact Canopus to see if they have any thoughts.

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Answer 5

Klaus1

Level 9

52,879 points

Dec 1, 2008 10:37 AM in response to rosindabow

I don't have the Canopus ADVC55 but I do use the ADVC110.

Presumably you are connecting the video to the Canopus via the S-Video cable, and the audio via RCA cables, and the Canopus to your Mac via firewire?

You should see and hear the video in the iMovie window as it imports in real time.

Are there DIP switches at the back of the Canopus and have they been set correctly?

Are your audio settings in Audio MIDI setup set as 44100 Hz and 16bit?

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Answer 6

rosindabow Author

Level 2

168 points

Dec 1, 2008 10:48 AM in response to Klaus1

Yes I am importing in the exact method you described. Does it have to be done at 44.1K and 16bit to get real time audio? I have a pro system that I can record at every sample rate up to 96K 24bit and right now it is set to 48K, 16bit. This is an ADVC-55 so it has no throughput like your ADVC-110. I want to monitor the audio directly from inside iMovie. How should I set the dip switches? Thanks.

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Answer 7

Klaus1

Level 9

52,879 points

Dec 1, 2008 11:01 AM in response to rosindabow

This is an ADVC-55 so it has no throughput like your ADVC-110

I don't quite understand. It has a throughput in terms of it importing analogue video/audio and exporting digital video/audio.

How should I set the dip switches?

According to the instructions in the Canopus manual.

Try importing with your audio set at 41 KHz/16 bit, which is what iMovie prefers. A different setting can knock the audio out of synch. But I notice that the Canopus (well mine anyway) is switchable between 48KHz/16 bit and 32KHz/12 bit, so probably your setting is OK. But is was the setting in the Mac's Audio MIDI Setup that I was referring to. You will find that utility in the Utility Folder of your Applications Folder.

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Answer 8

rosindabow Author

Level 2

168 points

Dec 1, 2008 11:10 AM in response to Klaus1

Klaus1 wrote:
This is an ADVC-55 so it has no throughput like your ADVC-110

I don't quite understand. It has a throughput in terms of it importing analogue video/audio and exporting digital video/audio.
It does not have audio/video outputs on the box like the 110 does. It only has the 6pin firewire to get into the computer
How should I set the dip switches?

According to the instructions in the Canopus manual.
Cannot find the manual at the moment - I have tried contacting Grass Valley
Try importing with your audio set at 41 KHz/16 bit, which is what iMovie prefers. A different setting can knock the audio out of synch. But I notice that the Canopus (well mine anyway) is switchable between 48KHz/16 bit and 32KHz/12 bit, so probably your setting is OK. But is was the setting in the Mac's Audio MIDI Setup that I was referring to. You will find that utility in the Utility Folder of your Applications Folder.
Can you change any of the setting for importing audio within the iMovie app? I know how to work with Mac's Audio MIDI setup - use it all the time. Thanks!

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Answer 9

Klaus1

Level 9

52,879 points

Dec 1, 2008 3:04 PM in response to rosindabow

Can you change any of the setting for importing audio within the iMovie app?

No, because it is the settings for the source that count, i.e. either on the camera or, as in this case, the converter.

But I am still at a loss to understand exactly why you are not getting the sound through on iMovie as it imports.

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Answer 10

rosindabow Author

Level 2

168 points

Dec 1, 2008 6:28 PM in response to Klaus1

Klaus1 wrote:
Can you change any of the setting for importing audio within the iMovie app?

No, because it is the settings for the source that count, i.e. either on the camera or, as in this case, the converter.

But I am still at a loss to understand exactly why you are not getting the sound through on iMovie as it imports.

Me too. That is the reason for this post. It should work - I can see the movie as it is being imported but I just cannot hear the audio. Playback - no problem - if you can think of anything else, I'm all ears. Thanks.

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Answer 11

Klaus1

Level 9

52,879 points

Dec 2, 2008 3:36 AM in response to rosindabow

You are on Leopard which may do things differently, but this is how my Audio MIDI setup looks:

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Answer 12

rosindabow Author

Level 2

168 points

Dec 30, 2008 11:53 AM in response to Klaus1

For all those reading this post, I received this bit of information from Grass Valley (Canopus) tech.

No Audio during capture, iMovie 08:
It has come to the attention of many users of iMovie that it will not output sound during capture. It will play back sound fine however. This apparently is something different in iMovie 08 from previous versions. A user on the apple forums somewhat explains this: <http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=6033707&#6033707> <http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=6033707&#6033707>
Apple also has an article online that says to turn up your volume on your camcorder: <http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=305880>
Since the ADVC does not have it’s own audio ability, you cannot listen to audio during capture. We suggest going to _iMovie HD(06)_.

I got iMovie HD(06) - haven't tried it yet - will post back when I do.

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