Canon HF-G30/SM-V1 Microphone help?

chrisrr

Hi all,

Just bought the SM-V1 microphone for my new Canon HF-G30. Got the SD card with the mic and followed all instructions. The mic works but only in Stereo. There is the "S" icon in the display which I assume means it's picked up the new mic (Surround?), but no "5.1" icon. The cam has recorded only stereo on test videos.

I can't seem to find anything amiss in all the menu settings, except on nearly all pages and settings, the Audio is greyed out. The audio input volume setting does display but only displays 2 channels.

Is it possible that the suppliers (Adorama in the US) have not provided me with an SD card with the correct firmware that applies to this, very new, camera? You know, the microphone has been around a while and may not have the very latest firmware that is compatible with the new G30?) I noticed the firmware was a step up from the existing one, judging by the numerics - eg .....01 to .....02.

Any thoughts please?

I have written to Canon Support but their response will probably be a slow one.

Thanks in advance!

Cheers

Chris

rogs

You might need to confirm that you have set the camcorder mode to 'Camera' and not 'photo playback',as suggested in the SM-V1 instructions

According to the HFG -30 owners  manual (page 77) the update procedure that comes with the SM-V1 manual is wrong......

Just a thought?.....

chrisrr

Hi Rogs, thank you for getting back to me. Yes I did that, as per new instructions. I've since had a fiddle and managed to get 5.1 going. But I'm not 100 per cent sure why. I reset all settings to default, and the 5.1 came on. I think it's to do with the recording format needing to be in AVCHD vs MP4, or at least a lower/diff setting to 38mbps/50p, though I did check all that lot out initially and there doesn't appear to be any notes to that effect in the manual. I'll fiddle more later but it's frustrating that the manual doesn't warn you that 5.1 is only available when using specific grades of recording modes.

Thanks again for your response, and if anyone knows the definitive setup I'd be grateful.

Cheers

Chris

rogs

Actually the manual does tell you, but you've got to fish around for it!

Page178 tells you that MP4 mode only allows 2 channel mpg2 AAC audio... ....so it is AVCHD only for 5.1.

That means that you can't record video as 1080/50p with 5.1 audio....(1080/50p is only available in mp4 mode with this camera)....
so that's bit of a bummer!.....

chrisrr

Rogs you're a star! You nust have eyes like a hawk, thank you for that.

It is a bit of a bummer as I have been enjoying the freedom away from using AVCHD and all the messing around converting it to a format most things can read. Back to using ClipWrap I suppose, but it'll be good to hear the surround sound benefits - I hope.

Very many thanks for your time and help sir!

Cheers

Chris

chrishull3

Using one now,it records video avchd 24mbps and 50P 28mbps there is also 35mbps Mpeg4,i use my Rode stereo which works well with the HF-G30 so the problems mentioned are not a worry but loading Mpeg4 files to my externals is my problem,chrisrr interesting how you find Mpeg4 video to avchd 50P which i personaly have found to be the same as 24mbps after tests.

Edit loading Mpeg4 has to be via the cam usb connection for me anyway,cards dont seem to register,not that i will be using Mpeg4,even more space and no better quality.

Cele

Hi Crisrr,
i am writing to you because i purchased the canon Sm-v1 microphone but have accidentally lost the firmware in the sd card! Can you please send me the firmware via mail?

Livegig

Hiya Crisrr.I have the same problem.Canon do not sell the card on its own and neither do Canon retailers.Did you manage to get hold of the Firmware card?

Livegig

Hiya all, I use Canon Camcorders for filming live music and recently purchased second hand the Canon sm-v1 microphone without the firmware card and would appreciate anyone who either is able to sell or even let me borrow the card and I will pay return postage so I can install firmware to my Canon hf m 56 Camcorder.Thanks.

M Stewart

I downloaded my copy of the Firmware and the installation instructions from the Canon website.  If that doesn't work, get back to me - perhaps by a Private Message, and I could attach the files to an email.  I've found that only certain viewing set-ups actually give me 5.1 Sound, although stereo always seems to get through.  I've no such problems with the companion DM-100 Shotgun microphone which I use most of the time, and it simply works.