Panasonic VHS-C camcorder stopped recording audio?
 

This is a Panasonic Palmsight PV-L857. I tested it and at first everything worked. But after I ran a few tapes -- with varying audio quality between recording speeds -- I suddenly realized that the camera is no longer recording ANY audio.

It still plays back audio on tapes. And if I record while monitoring through the headphone jack, I can hear the mic input. The mic is working 100%. Upon playback, no sound. Just silence. If I tap my fingers on the microphone while recording, I can hear a very faint, almost inaudible "thump" at max volume.

Has anyone here ever encountered this problem on a VHS-C camcorder?

If I had to guess, could be a setting switch somewhere, but no specific experience with that camcorder. What's your overall goal for the camera? VHS-C is kind of notorious for being just about the worst consumer format in terms of reliability and various playback issues, so I don't think it's recommended for "new recordings." If you want something more compact but still analog, you'd do a lot better with Hi8. Probably not the advice you're looking for, but that's my take.

Hi there -- I appreciate the reply. Initially this camcorder was going to be used to watch/capture old tapes. Some with little to no mold. Neither new nor "perfect."

The bonus goal was to actually capture some footage with it. I already own a mini-DV camera and two Digital 8 -- one fully working. So this one was never intended as a full "nostalgia workhorse." It was just nice to know that it was all working. I'm probable never going to go Hi8 since I already have those working D8 cameras.

There is no point to mess with video tape recording - no matter analog or digital. They all degrades so only point is to digitize tapes recorded before. VHS-C camcorders are commonly low quality. Better digitize those VHS-C from good VCR with line TBC (and frame TBC in chain of course). But in this case quality adapter matters. Get good Panasonic VHS-C adapter (that with serial number on it) otherwise you can damage tape easy. There were claims JVC VCRs handles VHS-C poorly.

Yep. :congrats:

People now getting into VHS-C, for recording, are often caught blindsided by the many issues with the format. It's not simply a "smaller version of VHS", but it has some pretty lousy differences. Everything from camcorder mechanics to tape grade/quality. And all VHS-C cameras eventually turn into tape-eaters (destroyed tapes), or tape-munchers at best (damaged/degraded tapes after playback).

It's really not worth the risk. In fact, you'd almost always be better off with a Goodwill/thrift VCR, vs. a VHS-C camcorder. And if you know anything about my advice, you know that's quite the statement. Goodwill/thrift VCRs are almost universally junk, but VHS-C camcorders are always sub-junk.

Also this. :congrats:

It's not the same. Digital8 is just DV on 8mm Sony tape. Hi8 is probably the best of consumer analog, to the degree that even 90s broadcast journalists would use it for on-site B-roll (war zone reporters, etc).

But I'm with you, I'll probably never shoot analog again. I was never much of a shooter anyway, or even an an editor. My specialty is conversion. But if I did decade to shoot on an "old camera", I'd probably grab my Canon ZR MiniDV. It's still SD 4x3, even if digital. Best of both worlds? :hmm: