Can Sony Handycam TRV21 convert to stereo audio?
 

Hello,
(If you know there is an answer to this question somewhere please let me know, I did my best to search for it myself)

Wanted to start off saying that I am completely new here plus this is my first time asking a question online in general :unsure:

So basically I am trying to convert my family's old tapes to digital and I am doing so by using an elgato capture card. The camcorder my parents used was a Sony handycam TRV21 and I am able to connect it to the capture card and then into my mac.

My problem is that the audio outputs only on one side (mono not stereo). This is what is supposed to happen I'm sure because that's how the camera is. But I'm wondering if it's possible to make it stereo (or if that's something that I would even want to do).

After doing hours of research I'm led to believe that it might be possible because the audio is technically records stereo but is just made to output on one side. So, if there are any adapters/splitters or any other workarounds to simply just have the audio output on both sides, please let me know.

I know this may be me being picky, but for something as priceless as old family videos, I really want to make sure they're the best quality possible, especially before I go ahead and start recording all of them.
(I have provided pictures of my camera, it's audio inputs, the elgato recording setup that provides S-video, and the pdf of the camcorder manual)

This is something I've been wanting to do for so long. I greatly appreciate any help or any other tips :):salute:

Hi and welcome. Its a mono camera so any tapes recorded with it will be mono. If recording to a stereo digital setup, you could buy an inexpensive Y RCA adaptor to fill both left and right of the stereo recorder so the sound appears " in the middle" in between stereo speakers. But it will still be mono sound if it was shot in mono sound.

It would NOT be recorded as stereo with this camcorder. However, a Video8/Hi8 stereo recording is mono compatible, and would play as a mono signal on your camcorder. (However, a PCM audio rack that a few jigh end Hi8/Video8 devices can record, if present. would not play on your camcorder.)

Using a "Y" connector as suggested above will allow feeding the same signal to the left and right channel of a stereo system.

The splitter works!
 

The RCA splitter just came in today and everything is working smoothly.

I am very happy thank you so much for the help I appreciate it a lot. :D:D:D:salute: