How do I "turn off" microphone with canon hv20 ?

[yeswade]

Hello all - I just bought a canon hv20 and wanted to film something with no sound at all. I cannot figure out how to completely turn off the microphonbe and/or sound recording. The user manual has no info - or maybe I am just overlooking a simple solution? Can anyone help? Thanks!

[julitomg]

First, look for your camcorder´s manual audio level

http://www.camcorderinfo.com/content/Canon-HV20-Camcorder-Review/Auto--Manual-Controls.htm

Manual Audio Level Control - Manual audio level control is closer at hand on the HV20 than most consumer camcorders that offer this feature – buried in the menu. On the HV20, pressing the joystick during any Recording Program mode brings up the Set menu, and pressing down cycles through the options, labeled EXP (exposure), MIC (audio levels), and End Search. When you’ve reached MIC, pressing up on the joystick engages manual level control, and pressing left or right raises or lowers the audio recording level. Mic levels are displayed at the lower right corner of the screen, with markers at -40dB, -12dB, and 0dB.

and turn the volume all the way down, if that doesn ´t work for you for some reason, conect a 1/4" plug to mini plug adapter or something like it (or just a miniplug) into the external mic input, it should cancell the camcorder´s built in mic. Good luck

[yeswade]

Hi julitomg - thanks for replying to my query...

I did try lowering the audio level but still got sound - your suggestion of plugging in a mic cord sounds like my solution.

Thank you again for that option - being that i just bought this camera i imagine it will be a (short term) learning curve

[zoobie]

that's just the speaker volume
you can always mute the audio track in your editor...

[edDV]

I keep a mini plug in the kit to mute the mic while "blacking" the tapes. This is easier than altering record levels and eliminates possibility of forgetting to bring audio level back up for shooting.