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General discussion

Muting sound for video ONLY recording

May 4, 2005 6:52AM PDT

Hello.

I have a Sony TRV-530 digital camcorder. I want to "convert" 8mm film footage to VHS so I can transfer it to a DVD but I dont want the sound of the film projector. I'm playing the old film onto a screen and then recording it onto my camcorder. Is there any way to mute the sound while recording?

Thanks for any help or suggestions.

Discussion is locked

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Couple of ways...
May 4, 2005 7:39AM PDT

8mm just isn't the same without the nostalgic sounds of the projector. Having said that, the software I use (power director) has a "mute video" checkbox.

Another less sophisticated way of doing it would be to tape up your microphone with gaffer's tape.

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Software?
May 4, 2005 9:44AM PDT

Interesting......how do you input directly into the software (computer) from the projector? I was planning on projecting it onto a screen and then videotaping that.

I had thought about taping the mic also, but was hoping there was another way?

Thanks!

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clarification
May 5, 2005 3:32AM PDT

Project your movies to a screen and videotape everything, sound and all.

Next dump the movie into the computer and use your favorite video editor to mute the soundtrack.

Add titles and music then burn to DVD. Easy. Happy

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The simplest way is to leave the audio cables unplugged.
May 4, 2005 2:48PM PDT

If you can't do that, you will need at least an audio editor which will allow you to adjust the audio levels.

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Microphone is built-in
May 4, 2005 10:47PM PDT

Hi.

The camcorder I have is the Sony TRV-530 which has a built-in mic, no cables or anything to disconnect. What I'm doing is projecting the old film onto a screen, then with the camcorder right next to it, I'm recording the movie on a digital HI 8 tape. I do have the option of then transferring the HI 8 tape into my computer and either editing the soundtrack, adding a new one or completely removing it, but I'm trying to step around that process as it's time consuming and computer space consuming. I dont know of any other way other than trying to tape and cover the mic?

Thanks for any other suggestions!

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I was assuming that you were going to the computer with it.
May 5, 2005 12:23AM PDT

If so, you could, in some interface scenarios, simply unplug the audio cables. Failing that, edit the file.

If you are not going to the computer, plug in an external mic, but do not turn it on. Plugging it in should disable the internal mic. Or, just plug in the appropriate cable with noting attached.

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THATS THE TICKET!
May 5, 2005 10:51AM PDT

Hi kidd.....

Thats exactly what I did...plug in an external mic and leave it off. It overrides the internal mic and VOILA!

Thanks everyone!