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Neuros MPEG-4 Recorder => Neuros MPEG4 Recorder - Feedback & Discussion => Topic started by: bobkart on September 30, 2006, 02:30:20 AM



Title: Audio hosed
Post by: bobkart on September 30, 2006, 02:30:20 AM
I've sent an email to support@neurosaudio.com about this, but I thought I'd share my situation here anyway.

I tested the audio recording (plus video of course) on my recently-acquired MPEG4 Recorder 2 this evening.

First problem, nothing was being passed through audio-wise.  I confirmed that I had good audio out of the source (DVD Player) by connecting it directly to the display.  But through the R2, silence.

Playing back a recording on a PC revealed two things, first, that audio was in fact coming into the R2, so the lack of audio passthrough is apparently on the output side, BUT, here is the worst of it, the audio captured was seriously bad.  The right channel was heavily distorted due to very high level.  Playback with the QuickTime Player had the little meter for the right channel nearly pegged.  Left channel seemed too quiet but it was hard to tell with the right channel boomingly distorted.  Listening to the audio straight from source to display confirmed that the levels were balanced between the channels and relatively low-to-medium levels, not something that should challenge the audio-capturing circuitry.  I also confirmed that the problem was not with my playback signal path by playing back a sample clip:  http://www.neurosaudio.com/support/video_table/VGA-640x480-Superfine.MP4 . . . no such audio problems playing back that clip.

Playback of captured files from the R2 gave nothing in the way of audio output.  So this is apparently another problem in addition to the badly distorted audio recordings.

This is an unfortunate situation and hopefully not indicative of the general level of Quality Assurance applied to this product.

Two minor problems I also pointed out to support in my email were:

 - Every 8-9 seconds the video output "hiccups" by jumping up/down a scan line or so.
 - Using a 2GB Memory Stick Pro Duo, remaining recording time is initially reported as 153 minutes despite the correct number being 119 minutes, which is subsequently reported upon re-entering the recording screen.  This is at maximum recording quality (VGA, Super Fine).


Title: Re: Audio hosed
Post by: bobkart on October 09, 2006, 10:38:39 PM
After a few back-and-forths with support, they've sent me a UPS return label.

Defective unit will be sent back tomorrow.  Hopefully the replacement works.


Title: Re: Audio hosed
Post by: bobkart on October 24, 2006, 07:59:37 PM
Got the replacement unit today.  Audio passes through fine.  Records too (plays back on PC).  And plays back from a recording through the unit as well.  Bass is a bit boomy, I guess my input signal level is on the high side.

The picture still hiccups every 10 seconds or so.  I guess that is a design problem then.

Last thing is the mis-reporting of time remaining, I'll keep my eye out for that.

I'm off to update the firmware now.