ADVICE NEEDED: Background noise with Pentax K-x Video

kangeroo82 · 04-28-2010, 02:30 PM

I just got HD video going past the one minute barrier with my Pentax K-x and now want to focus on a different problem with this camera. That problem deals with the background noise that automatically exists with each video. This happened with both the 8GB Sandisk Extreme II SDHC card and the 16GB A-DATA Turbo SDHC (not recommended for HD Video). The noise, I think, is generated by the camera itself and I can't seem to shake it. I know it's probably better to use my external recorder and then sync it up later with premiere, but I was hoping to hear back from other K-X users to see if I'm not the only one with this problem.

**jbinpg** · 04-28-2010, 04:43 PM

Are you referring to sensor noise or audio noise?

**kiwi_jono** · 04-28-2010, 04:57 PM

As previous post asks.
If its audio, it could be that the SR (shake reduction) is turned on which makes a racket (but great if audio is not important).

Wheatfield · 04-28-2010, 10:13 PM

Ned Bunnel mentioned this in his blog around the time the K7 was introduced.
Apparently, the shake reduction is the culprit, and unfortunately, it cannot be turned off.
You might want to consider an external mike that mounts on the hot shoe.

kangeroo82 · 04-29-2010, 06:11 AM

Thanks everyone. I never really thought that SR would be the culprit, but it seems like from your posts that it is. I haven't heard of an external mounted mic for the k-x yet, but it sounds too expensive for my taste. Already spent enough money from all the goodies I heard about on this site. When I get back home, I'll see what I can do to find a cheap alternative. I do have my portable digital recorder, so maybe I'll just keep that one in my bag once (grad) school ends for the summer.

Entropy · 04-29-2010, 09:56 AM

K-x doesn't support an external mic. (K-7 does)

taurus9 · 04-29-2010, 10:15 AM

Originally posted by Wheatfield

Ned Bunnel mentioned this in his blog around the time the K7 was introduced.
Apparently, the shake reduction is the culprit, and unfortunately, it cannot be turned off.
You might want to consider an external mike that mounts on the hot shoe.

Not sure on the K7 but on the Kx, one can turn off Shake Reduction in movie mode. In fact, by default SR is off for movies and you have to go to the menus to turn it on.

kangeroo82 · 04-29-2010, 05:35 PM

Originally posted by taurus9

Not sure on the K7 but on the Kx, one can turn off Shake Reduction in movie mode. In fact, by default SR is off for movies and you have to go to the menus to turn it on.

I've just checked out all the suggestions and found out that there are two methods of Shake Reduction (photos and movie). I took both of them off and found out that the audio noise is softened a lot. I can still hear the audio noise, which is now bearable, but still there. I'm going to try and see if it's the playback speakers soon when I upload it to my computer.

kangeroo82 · 04-29-2010, 05:44 PM

I just checked my videos and it sounds fine on the computer. Thanks for the help everyone.

kangeroo82 · 04-29-2010, 05:53 PM

Quick question: Is noise reduction activated when using HD video on the K-x?

Wheatfield · 04-30-2010, 09:00 AM

Originally posted by taurus9

Not sure on the K7 but on the Kx, one can turn off Shake Reduction in movie mode. In fact, by default SR is off for movies and you have to go to the menus to turn it on.

Any Pentax with SR can have the SR disabled, but the mechanism is still in place and operating, except that instead of moving the sensor around it is keeping it stationary.
I believe the noise that the microphone is picking up is the buzz from the magnets, which are operating whether SR is turned on or not.

04-28-2010, 02:30 PM	#1
kangeroo82 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Arlington, VA Photos: Albums Posts: 128	ADVICE NEEDED: Background noise with Pentax K-x Video I just got HD video going past the one minute barrier with my Pentax K-x and now want to focus on a different problem with this camera. That problem deals with the background noise that automatically exists with each video. This happened with both the 8GB Sandisk Extreme II SDHC card and the 16GB A-DATA Turbo SDHC (not recommended for HD Video). The noise, I think, is generated by the camera itself and I can't seem to shake it. I know it's probably better to use my external recorder and then sync it up later with premiere, but I was hoping to hear back from other K-X users to see if I'm not the only one with this problem.

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04-28-2010, 04:43 PM	#2
jbinpg Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Prince George, BC Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,546	Are you referring to sensor noise or audio noise?

04-28-2010, 04:57 PM	#3
kiwi_jono Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Christchurch, New Zealand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,437	As previous post asks. If its audio, it could be that the SR (shake reduction) is turned on which makes a racket (but great if audio is not important).

04-28-2010, 10:13 PM	#4
Wheatfield Moderator Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: The wheatfields of Canada Posts: 15,986	Ned Bunnel mentioned this in his blog around the time the K7 was introduced. Apparently, the shake reduction is the culprit, and unfortunately, it cannot be turned off. You might want to consider an external mike that mounts on the hot shoe.

04-29-2010, 06:11 AM	#5
kangeroo82 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Arlington, VA Photos: Albums Posts: 128 Original Poster	Thanks everyone. I never really thought that SR would be the culprit, but it seems like from your posts that it is. I haven't heard of an external mounted mic for the k-x yet, but it sounds too expensive for my taste. Already spent enough money from all the goodies I heard about on this site. When I get back home, I'll see what I can do to find a cheap alternative. I do have my portable digital recorder, so maybe I'll just keep that one in my bag once (grad) school ends for the summer.

04-29-2010, 09:56 AM	#6
Entropy Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Owego, NY Posts: 976	K-x doesn't support an external mic. (K-7 does)

04-29-2010, 10:15 AM	#7
taurus9 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: British Columbia Posts: 120	Originally posted by Wheatfield Ned Bunnel mentioned this in his blog around the time the K7 was introduced. Apparently, the shake reduction is the culprit, and unfortunately, it cannot be turned off. You might want to consider an external mike that mounts on the hot shoe. Not sure on the K7 but on the Kx, one can turn off Shake Reduction in movie mode. In fact, by default SR is off for movies and you have to go to the menus to turn it on.

04-29-2010, 05:35 PM	#8
kangeroo82 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Arlington, VA Photos: Albums Posts: 128 Original Poster	Originally posted by taurus9 Not sure on the K7 but on the Kx, one can turn off Shake Reduction in movie mode. In fact, by default SR is off for movies and you have to go to the menus to turn it on. I've just checked out all the suggestions and found out that there are two methods of Shake Reduction (photos and movie). I took both of them off and found out that the audio noise is softened a lot. I can still hear the audio noise, which is now bearable, but still there. I'm going to try and see if it's the playback speakers soon when I upload it to my computer.

04-29-2010, 05:44 PM	#9
kangeroo82 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Arlington, VA Photos: Albums Posts: 128 Original Poster	I just checked my videos and it sounds fine on the computer. Thanks for the help everyone.

04-29-2010, 05:53 PM	#10
kangeroo82 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Arlington, VA Photos: Albums Posts: 128 Original Poster	Quick question: Is noise reduction activated when using HD video on the K-x?

04-30-2010, 09:00 AM	#11
Wheatfield Moderator Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: The wheatfields of Canada Posts: 15,986	Originally posted by taurus9 Not sure on the K7 but on the Kx, one can turn off Shake Reduction in movie mode. In fact, by default SR is off for movies and you have to go to the menus to turn it on. Any Pentax with SR can have the SR disabled, but the mechanism is still in place and operating, except that instead of moving the sensor around it is keeping it stationary. I believe the noise that the microphone is picking up is the buzz from the magnets, which are operating whether SR is turned on or not.