Audio Tips

• unclear sound
  If there is no clean sound:

  1. Check all cables.
  2. Check input levels (mic/line).
  3. Check the input gain level (in a mixer, the channel that the audio source is coming through).
  4. Check the source of the audio output (microphone, CD player, cassette player, tuner, and/or other source).
  5. Check speaker connections.
• feedback problems
  Feedback problems can occur if:

  1. The mic level is set very high (adjust as necessary).
  2. The amplifier outputs are too loud (adjust accordingly).
  3. The mic(s) and speaker(s) are placed too close to one another, or the mic is directly facing the speaker/monitor. To solve this:
     1. Place the speaker in front, away from mic's pick up range.
     2. If you can't move the speaker, change mic's placement so the face of the mic is away from the speaker's front.
  4. The equalization of the room with PA system is not set properly (treble/high Hz, vs. bass/low Hz).
     1. If the feedback sounds high and shrill, it implies that the room is bouncing the higher frequencies. To avoid this, bring down the treble (high) of the amplifier/equalizer/mixer to a point where the feedback is eliminated.
     2. If there is a low and rumbling feedback, it means the room is bouncing back the lower frequencies. Bring down the bass frequencies.
     3. In instances when there is access to a 31 band equalizer, check the different zone frequencies, find the room frequency response, and eliminate the zones that are giving you problems.
• humming/ground problems
  If there is a humming/ground problem:

  1. This problem is often related to AC power. If a system uses more than one AC source and the sources are not from the same circuit, it can cause humming. To eliminate this, use a ground lifter on the AC outlet.
  2. If the audio line is placed in a high-density voltage zone, the 60Hz from the AC source may leak into the system and cause humming. Make sure while placing mic cables that they do not cross the AC lines.

Video Tips

• video connections
  1. Between TV/Monitor and VCR (with RF cable)
     1. The RF cable must go from output on the VCR to input on the TV.
     2. If the VCR is connected to the TV/Monitor with an RF cable and there is no signal passing through, check that both the VCR and the TV are set to the same channel, usually Channel3. (Note: Located in the back of the VCR, there is a switch which allows you to change between CH3 and CH4.
     3. Check to make sure that the RF cable is in good condition
  2. Between TV/Monitor and VCR (with RCA cable)
     1. One RCA cable must connect video output on the VCR to video input on the TV;
     another RCA cable must to from audio output on the VCR to audio input on the TV.
     2. If there is no signal going through, check that the TV/Monitor is set to external input using input selection on the remote control.
     3. Check the condition of both RCA cables being used.
     4. If the signal is weak or fuzzy, it is usually due to intermittence in the cable.
• video taping setups
  1. Taping with the camera alone
     1. For use of an external audio feed, most of our camcorders have a mic input (for a mini connector).
     2. Make sure that the input is a mic level signal. If it is a line level signal, the recorded audio signal will be distorted.
     3. To change from a line level signal, use a mixer or a line-to-mic converting adapter.
  2. Taping with a camera into the VCR
     1. Setting the camera as usual, take the video output from the camera (either in the back of the camera or from the power supply unit) and connect it to the video input of the VCR.
     2. Make sure to set the VCR input in Line mode. (For some VCRs, you will need to use the remote control to do this.)
     3. Run the audio source signal ( Line level ) from the mixer to the audio input of the VCR.
     4. It is a good practice to have a monitor/TV in order to make sure that the audio and video signals go through to the VCR. Connect the video and audio outputs to the monitor; if you see and hear the signals, you are ready to press the record button on the VCR for videotaping.
     5. If you don't see any signals, put a video tape in the VCR, play it for few seconds, and stop the VCR, so the signal goes through the VCR's line input (this feature applies to Mitsubishi VCRs).
     6. When videotaping or doing simulcast, the words "Auto Haas" may begin to blink on the monitor. In order to turn it off, you will need to press the Pause button and the display button on the camera simultaneously for few seconds
  3. Video Taping Tips
     1. Camera Location:
        1. Always set the camera in a location where you can get the best visibility of the subject, with an unobstructed view.
        2. If you have a large area to cover, you should be as far away as possible in order to get the entire scene in the frame. Make sure, however, that you do not place the camera so far back that one can barely see the subject even when the camera is zoomed in all the way.
        3. Make sure that you have access to an AC outlet that will not cause an inconvenience to others in the room.
        4. Set the tripod as high as necessary to achieve clear visibility.
        5. Make sure that the tripod is stable and balanced, and firmly lock the joints.
     2. Zooming/Panning:
        1. If you have a fixed subject or one with little movement, you should put the camera's focus on manual, zoom in all the way to your subject, check the focus, and zoom out as much you need to in order to frame the subject. This will give the best results for focusing.
        2. In some situations you may need to follow your subject or frame some other subject. You should pan from one location to another in the smoothest way possible, or follow the subject as closely as possible. To do so, adjust the tripod's rotating head so that it is neither too tight nor too loose. When you pan, you shouldn't use too much pressure in moving the tripod's head.
        3. Use the camera's zoom feature when you need to see more detail or you need to get a larger view of the scene, then zoom in or out according to your needs. Zooming must also be done smoothly; try to do it in a continuous manner.
        4. Panning or zooming too fast may result in a bumpy, unclear, disturbing picture
     3. Framing the Subject:
        1. It is extremely important that the subject is well framed. You should avoid leaving too much head room, so that you see the subject in the bottom of the screen, or framing in such a way that you lose part of subject on the top of the screen.
        2. To get the best results you should place the camera so that you get most of the subject without needing to zoom in or out all the way.
        3. If your subject is a speaker at a podium or table discussion, you need to frame the speaker from the chest up (so you see the speaker from the head to the chest, and you don't have too much head room).
        4. If you are taping more than one subject, use your judgment to frame all the people you need to , by zooming out.

General Tips

• misc
  1. Make sure that all connections are secure and in their proper places (input/output).
  2. Check that all equipment is plugged in and turned on.
  3. Test each cable to see if they all work.
  4. Check the settings on the equipment.
  5. Check that all bulbs in projectors are working.
  6. Make sure that all line/mic levels match one another.
  7. In the case of humming, ground the left power outlet for all affected equipment.
  8. Secure the input connection on data/video projectors
  9. Make sure that all batteries are charged
  10. In dealing with cables, be sure to use the correct genders.