Notices

Any word from AIM on audio fix for Smartycam HD/V2???

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 03-31-2015 | 07:46 PM
  #1  
Spyerx's Avatar
Spyerx
Thread Starter
Rennlist Member
 
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 16,730
Likes: 1,866
From: SoCal
Default Any word from AIM on audio fix for Smartycam HD/V2???

I love this thing, but I am so not happy with the audio. Is anyone? I downgraded to the .36 firmware after the .38 cause all sorts of audio issues.

Tried internal mic, get crackles and noise and distortion.
Tried an external mic ( I have the CAN external cable) and it gets way over-boosted and distorted, slightly better than internal.

Is there a magic mic that works best?
Is the CAN cable with the mic on it better?
Old 03-31-2015 | 08:34 PM
  #2  
jwasilko's Avatar
jwasilko
Racer
 
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 332
Likes: 28
From: Boston, MA
Default

I've avoided upgrading to .38 because of this. Curious what other folks are seeing.
Old 03-31-2015 | 08:38 PM
  #3  
Spyerx's Avatar
Spyerx
Thread Starter
Rennlist Member
 
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 16,730
Likes: 1,866
From: SoCal
Default

Right I should clarify. For me the .36 audio sucks too. .38 was worse.
Old 04-01-2015 | 11:34 AM
  #4  
sierralima's Avatar
sierralima
Instructor
 
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 130
Likes: 0
From: League City, Texas
Default

Originally Posted by Spyerx
I love this thing, but I am so not happy with the audio. Is anyone?
I'm not....
Old 04-01-2015 | 11:46 AM
  #5  
ir_fuel's Avatar
ir_fuel
Drifting
 
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 2,168
Likes: 5
From: Belgium
Default

SmartyCam HD
latest firmware (upgraded 3 weeks ago)

https://vimeo.com/122421098
Old 04-01-2015 | 12:02 PM
  #6  
ProCoach's Avatar
ProCoach
Rennlist
Basic Site Sponsor
 
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 19,273
Likes: 3,470
From: Durham, NC and Virginia International Raceway
Default

Spyrex, have you contacted your dealer or AiM Sports Technical support?
__________________
-Peter Krause
www.peterkrause.net
www.gofasternow.com
"Combining the Art and Science of Driving Fast!"
Specializing in Professional, Private Driver Performance Evaluation and Optimization
Consultation Available Remotely and at VIRginia International Raceway






















Old 04-01-2015 | 02:47 PM
  #7  
Spyerx's Avatar
Spyerx
Thread Starter
Rennlist Member
 
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 16,730
Likes: 1,866
From: SoCal
Default

Originally Posted by ir_fuel
SmartyCam HD
latest firmware (upgraded 3 weeks ago)
That sounds acceptable. A couple questions:
--What rev firmware is this?
--Are you changing any settings for audio?
--What MIC are you using (internal, can cable with mic, or an external mic)?
--Where do you have your Mic located (if external)?

Originally Posted by ProCoach
Spyrex, have you contacted your dealer or AiM Sports Technical support?
Not yet. I've had similar results with 2 units (first one had a lens issue).

A few posted here about issues with the .38 firmware, which I experienced (cutouts, crackling, etc).

I dropped down to .36, which is better, but external mic is way over-boosted/distorted and the internal mic still gets crackling and cutouts.

I'm going to test another mic to see if that is issue, and also try mounting in a different location in the car.
Old 04-01-2015 | 04:11 PM
  #8  
ir_fuel's Avatar
ir_fuel
Drifting
 
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 2,168
Likes: 5
From: Belgium
Default

Originally Posted by Spyerx
That sounds acceptable. A couple questions:
--What rev firmware is this?
--Are you changing any settings for audio?
--What MIC are you using (internal, can cable with mic, or an external mic)?
--Where do you have your Mic located (if external)?
- It's .38
- Default settings
- no external mic
- no special positioning. Just the camera as-is on the rollbar.
Old 04-01-2015 | 04:18 PM
  #9  
Spyerx's Avatar
Spyerx
Thread Starter
Rennlist Member
 
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 16,730
Likes: 1,866
From: SoCal
Default

Ok, appreciate that. I just talked to the guys at AIM. A few suggestions from them I'm going to try:
--First, the .38 firmware was really designed for the gen1 HD cameras. he suggested for mine which is a Gen2 to run the .36 version
--If using the internal mic, you can try leaving the door open to see if that is better.
--for an external mic, you need to get it placed somewhere that will get minimal wind noise + a consistent exhaust note - he suggested frunk, trunk, dash, side panels - the unit will dynamically adjust the audio, to a point, but at some point if it's too loud it gets over-driven

Anyway, got a few things to try - I'm pretty sure its not an issue with my camera, I think the car is just too loud combined with the wind noise in cabin at 100+ mpg and need to tone down the input - I may try some hackish type stuff like putting a small resistor on the mic in put to lower the power level ...

I'm determined to get this working. :-)
Old 04-01-2015 | 04:28 PM
  #10  
ProCoach's Avatar
ProCoach
Rennlist
Basic Site Sponsor
 
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 19,273
Likes: 3,470
From: Durham, NC and Virginia International Raceway
Default

Hmmm. That's interesting.

When I put .38 on several Rev1 SCHD's at Sebring a few weeks ago, that's what screwed it up for me. I went back to .36

On the new cams (Rev2), I have had NO trouble with the audio on .38, and I leave the internal mic on and the gain set to auto. I have had a fraction of the complaints from Rev2 customers (more than six dozen so far) than I have had from Rev1 customers (more than twelve dozen sold). I had to send back a little less than six percent of the Rev1 cams for defects, but no Rev2's...

Let us know!
Old 04-01-2015 | 04:56 PM
  #11  
Spyerx's Avatar
Spyerx
Thread Starter
Rennlist Member
 
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 16,730
Likes: 1,866
From: SoCal
Default

I don't recall the exact comment but he said something to the effect that .38 was meant to address the leveling on the rev1 internal mic as it was not as effective as the rev2.

Its possible my Rev2 issue with the Gen2 was an external mic issue, not a firmware issue.
Old 04-05-2015 | 09:50 AM
  #12  
amso3's Avatar
amso3
Three Wheelin'
 
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,860
Likes: 14
From: North Port, FL
Default

I have found that the audio is significantly different from one PC to another. I would test your video no your home TV and see if it the same.
Old 04-06-2015 | 11:24 PM
  #13  
CharleyH's Avatar
CharleyH
Rennlist Member
 
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 407
Likes: 10
Default

Does anyone know which version works better for th HD GP?
Old 04-06-2015 | 11:33 PM
  #14  
ProCoach's Avatar
ProCoach
Rennlist
Basic Site Sponsor
 
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 19,273
Likes: 3,470
From: Durham, NC and Virginia International Raceway
Default

Originally Posted by CharleyH
Does anyone know which version works better for th HD GP?
I have used .38 on over two dozen with no issues.
Old 04-07-2015 | 10:38 AM
  #15  
Spyerx's Avatar
Spyerx
Thread Starter
Rennlist Member
 
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 16,730
Likes: 1,866
From: SoCal
Default

Originally Posted by amso3
I have found that the audio is significantly different from one PC to another. I would test your video no your home TV and see if it the same.

Pc
iPhone
iPad
Mac

All same.

Went back and listened to some videos. .38 was definitely bad on my rev2. Internal or external mic had lots of craxkling and cuts

The .36 is ok. Internal mic not great. External is ok but need to find a mic with less output drive or find a quieter location or wrap in foam.

I built a franken-mic going to try this weekend.



Quick Reply: Any word from AIM on audio fix for Smartycam HD/V2???



All times are GMT -3. The time now is 04:37 PM.