Re: Low Audio Recording Levels in Panasonic AG-DVC30

[jeremyGB] "My main question is: Is this camera defective?"

No, you're right that the levels ought to be around -12 db. That's a nice, comfy setting for DV, and the ABSOLUTE MOST you'd ever let it peak to is -4 db. Unfortunately, your particular camera is simply a right royal pain in the neck to operate.

One of this camera's known weakesses is that there are no audio knobs, just a stinkin' menu. You need audio knobs and a meter to set levels properly. I don't know about the meter, but I do know this particular camera has no knobs.

If you plan to do any serious shooting -- and you plan to use the audio -- and you don't want spend all day setting levels, you might want to think about a different camera. This thing's gonna drag you down.

If you have any acquaintances who have oohed and aahed over it, see if you can sell it to them, bite the bullet, and get what you need. Don't sell it to a friend, because they know where you live.