Video8 Garbled Audio

[LinkDude]

I'm currently working on converting some old Video8 tapes to digital, however the tapes all have the same issue where audio is replaced by barely intelligible screeching and humming. (Example attached.) I converted this same tape with this same camera a few months ago and did not have this issue. My current setup is a Sony CCD-TR7 -> Panasonic DMR EH-55 -> HDMI Splitter (For HDCP stripping) -> El Gato Game Capture HD however the same issue happens when I connect the camera directly to the TV as well. I tried cleaning the heads on the camcorder with a microfiber cloth and isopropyl alcohol but it didn't make any difference (or I did it wrong). Any help would be appreciated.

[redwudz]

Maybe the audio head is separate? Anyway, others here probably know better than I and may respond.

[JVRaines]

There is no separate audio head in 8 mm video. The audio is FM-modulated and laid down with the video signal. Bad audio suggests a tracking problem — but Video8 does not have manual tracking control. Perhaps a tape guide has gone out of alignment, a common problem.

[LinkDude]

There is no separate audio head in 8 mm video. The audio is FM-modulated and laid down with the video signal. Bad audio suggests a tracking problem — but Video8 does not have manual tracking control. Perhaps a tape guide has gone out of alignment, a common problem.

How would I be able to tell if this was the problem and what could I do about it?

[johnmeyer]

I'm currently working on converting some old Video8 tapes to digital, however the tapes all have the same issue where audio is replaced by barely intelligible screeching and humming. (Example attached.) I converted this same tape with this same camera a few months ago and did not have this issue. My current setup is a Sony CCD-TR7 -> Panasonic DMR EH-55 -> HDMI Splitter (For HDCP stripping) -> El Gato Game Capture HD however the same issue happens when I connect the camera directly to the TV as well.

Since the same camera worked a few months ago, the first thing I would check are the audio cables.

Next, I looked at the manual for your camcorder:

TR7 Manual

There is an input/output switch. That needs to be set correctly.

Page 54 shows a very important switch labeled "Hi-Fi" sound. It is a three position switch. I'd try all three positions. I'm not a 8mm video expert, but it looks like there are two different types of sound that can be recorded, and if this switch is in the wrong position, you probably won't get anything. I'm betting that this is your problem.

[LinkDude]

I'm currently working on converting some old Video8 tapes to digital, however the tapes all have the same issue where audio is replaced by barely intelligible screeching and humming. (Example attached.) I converted this same tape with this same camera a few months ago and did not have this issue. My current setup is a Sony CCD-TR7 -> Panasonic DMR EH-55 -> HDMI Splitter (For HDCP stripping) -> El Gato Game Capture HD however the same issue happens when I connect the camera directly to the TV as well.

Since the same camera worked a few months ago, the first thing I would check are the audio cables.

Next, I looked at the manual for your camcorder:

TR7 Manual

There is an input/output switch. That needs to be set correctly.

Page 54 shows a very important switch labeled "Hi-Fi" sound. It is a three position switch. I'd try all three positions. I'm not a 8mm video expert, but it looks like there are two different types of sound that can be recorded, and if this switch is in the wrong position, you probably won't get anything. I'm betting that this is your problem.

I don't think it's the cable because the same cable works fine with the VCR. I tried the camera again. This time the audio is there but is very quiet and still somewhat garbled. After trying another tape it went back to making screeching sounds but not as loudly as before. I tried what you suggested and flipped the switch. The first green position and position 2 produce garbled audio or quiet but still somewhat garbled audio. Position 1 produces no audio.

[johnmeyer]

Try moving both audio switches back and forth 8-10 times. Many "electronic" problems are actually mechanical and are caused by slight oxidation of connectors. These really small slide switches are notorious for getting finicky as they get older. Moving them back and forth many times will help to clean the contacts.

[JVRaines]

There is no separate audio head in 8 mm video. The audio is FM-modulated and laid down with the video signal. Bad audio suggests a tracking problem — but Video8 does not have manual tracking control. Perhaps a tape guide has gone out of alignment, a common problem.

How would I be able to tell if this was the problem and what could I do about it?

You would have to adjust the guides while a tape is playing and see if the problem goes away. However, you would need special tools and risk wrecking a good alignment. This really is a job for an experienced repair person.