Question about dv cam sound mode.

[[H]eckel]

Ok, there are two different sound modes to choose from on my sony tcr-drv22 minidv cam. I'm assuming that is a standard for minidv. Anyway, the default was set to 12 bit sound. The first thing I did was change this to 16 bit because it seemed like the thing to do. What am I sacrificing by setting this to 16bit? While working with Premiere, it has the same type of settings in the available presets so I am also assuming that this is a significant choice in one way or another. If someone could just take the confusion out of this for me, i would much appreciate it.

It seems that I read somewhere, that if 12 bit sound was chosen, that another audio channel was reserved on the tape or something along those lines. Am I on the right track at all? What do you all use or recommend?

Thanks in advance for the help.

 

[Shadowkahn]

you're sacrificing recording time because it will use more tape to record the same information, but the information will have a higher quality. I personally always record on the top setting on whatever camera I'm using. 60% of good video is good audio.

 

[[H]eckel]

Originally posted by Shadowkahn
you're sacrificing recording time because it will use more tape to record the same information, but the information will have a higher quality. I personally always record on the top setting on whatever camera I'm using. 60% of good video is good audio.

I'm not talking about SP or LP modes. I realize that is what happens there. But unless I'm just really confused, 12 bit or 16 bit sound has nothing to do with the ammount of tape that is being used. I'm pretty sure it just gives you the ability to add in another channel of sound later or something along those lines. Supposedly, you can record more audio on to the same video at a later time if you use 12 bit. I guess I'm just more curious to know what option most other dv cam owners use and why they chose that one.

I agree with you on the top quality though. It's not worth it to me to skimp on something like that just for a little extra recording time.

 

[Stereodude]

Originally posted by Shadowkahn
you're sacrificing recording time because it will use more tape to record the same information, but the information will have a higher quality. I personally always record on the top setting on whatever camera I'm using. 60% of good video is good audio.

It doesn't change what you can fit on the tape.

The DV format allows for 4 channels of 12 bit sound @ 32kHz or 2 channels 16 bit sound @ 48kHz. I use the 16 bit myself.

 

[[H]eckel]

Originally posted by Stereodude
It doesn't change what you can fit on the tape.

The DV format allows for 4 channels of 12 bit sound @ 32kHz or 2 channels 16 bit sound @ 48kHz. I use the 16 bit myself.

Thanks for the input. I guess the only real choice to make here is whether or not you plan on adding any more sound channels on the dv tape itself. It seems that after the tape is captured on the computer, anything could be done to the sound with an editor.

 

[Methodical]

Affirmative. 12bit audio allows for 4 channels on the tape. The "quality" difference is negligable for me. Ive never been able to notice much difference.

SP and LP in DV have the exact same quality. LP has a higher odd of dropouts though.

the best DV recording format is DVCAM, available on Sony professional-end camcorders. Locked audio, better track pitch = no audio drift, no dropouts, same quality.