S3, high pitch noise in video

[Visual Reality]

My S3 is putting a high pitch ringing into video.

Anyone know what this could be?

[griptape]

A common defect in the camera. My camera doesn't do it, but I've read a lot of them do. My personal guess is that because it's stereo that's very close together, you end up with microphonic feedback.

[Visual Reality]

That is extremely disappointing because it is one of the #1 reasons that sold me on the camera :mad:

[mes444]

I just got my S3 and was reading over the larger booklet that came with it. On p.50 is has suggestions for setting sound and it says if you have the wind filter on and it's not windy, you can get some sound problems. I haven't used mine enuf to comment personally, but there are a few more suggestion in the booklet as well. Hope it helps.

[Visual Reality]

The Wind Filter didn't do anything on or off.

LCD screen on/off, no effect.
IS on/off, no effect.

The only thing that seems to have much effect is the sound sampling rate. If I turn it down to 22Khz its better, but I don't want to have to do that. Why have a Stereo sound capable recorder if you have to turn down the sound quality?

I use mic volume at its lowest, wind filter off, sampling rate 22Khz. It is still there but not as loud. Really disappointing because this never came up in all of my research before I bought.

The problem is its picking up on an internal camera sound. If you put your ear close you can hear it at all times. The mic is very sensitive and will pick it up.

[jonalta]

I got my S3 for about a year now.
I am not sure about the high pitch sound. But I do hear some sort of buzzing sound in some of my recordings. Much like the sound you hear during a very silent moment. But for me, this is only really noticeable on very quiet footage like inside a silent room, etc. Outdoor shots of people or traffic seems to be OK.
I think if your S3 is really producing such loud noise, you should have it checked while warranty is still active. Good luck

[truflip]

i have this issue as well.
I plan on sending it back to canon for check up when winter hits.
When taking outdoor videos its perfectly fine though.
Much as jonalta described

[Visual Reality]

I have sent a message to Canon support about the issue, and will post what I find.

[Visual Reality]

Here is the response from Canon Support.

Thank you for writing to us. We value you as a Canon customer and
appreciate the opportunity to assist you with your PowerShot S3 IS. I
am very sorry you are having an issue with the audio of your camera.

There are no moving parts in the digital still camera that can cause you
to get a high pitch noise while recording video.

The sound you are hearing may be within the normal function of the
camera. While the PowerShot S3 IS will have some noise due to the
mechanics of the camera itself, it is difficult for us to determine if
what you are hearing is within normal range without actually hearing it.
The camera may be picking up electronic noise from other surrounding
devices as well, such as radios, televisions, etcetera.

The only way for us to determine if your camera is functioning properly
would be for you to send it to the factory service center. Once there,
they can provide a hands-on evaluation and determine if the noise you
are hearing is within the specifications of the camera or if the camera
needs to be repaired.

The instructions for sending the camera into the Factory Service Center
for evaluation are in the response below.

Please mail your digital camera to the Factory Service Center shown
below. When shipping your camera, please be sure to remove the memory
card and batteries. You are not required to send any accessories or
manuals when shipping the camera. Be sure to include your name, street
address (no P.O. boxes, please), telephone number, and a letter
describing the issue with the product. Since it has been less than one
year since the camera was purchased, we ask that you also include proof
of warranty in the form of a copy of your sales receipt.

As we do not provide RMA numbers for service, we suggest using a
trackable and insurable service (i.e. UPS, Federal Express, Priority
Mail) to ship your camera. Please package the camera very securely in a
sturdy shipping box to prevent damage during shipment.

Please send your camera to the following address:

Canon Factory Service
1440 Chase Ave.
Elk Grove Village, IL 60007

Telephone: (800) 828-4040
Business Hours: Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 midnight ET, and
Saturday 10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. ET (excluding holidays)

Upon arrival at the Factory Service Center, your camera will be logged
in to our repair database and assigned a repair number. Next, the
camera will be examined and you will be advised of the findings. If the
required repairs are covered by the warranty, the repairs will begin
immediately, and you will not be contacted. When the repairs are
complete, the camera will be shipped back to you via Federal Express.
The length of time for the repair will be dependent upon the nature of
the repair and availability of parts, if needed. Usually, warranted
repairs are completed within approximately ten to fourteen business days
of the camera's arrival at the Factory Service Center.

All decisions regarding warranty coverage are made by the Factory
Service Center at the time of repair. If the repair entails something
that is not covered in warranty, a written estimate will be sent to you
at the address that you have provided. The repairs to your camera will
not begin until you approve this estimate and make payment arrangements.
If, after receiving the estimate, you do not wish to have the camera
repaired, please inform the Factory Service Center of your decision as
soon as possible. If you decline the estimate, the camera will be
shipped back to you unrepaired.

Once you have confirmed with your shipper that the camera has been
delivered, you are more than welcome to contact us for repair updates.
Please include your name, address, and telephone number, as well as the
serial number of the camera, in all repair status inquiries. If you
prefer to check the repair status by phone, please see the above contact
information.

Please note that our U.S. Factory Service Centers are unable to accept
packages from or return equipment to addresses outside the United
States.


We hope this information is helpful to you. Please let us know if we
can be of any further assistance with your PowerShot S3 IS.

Thank you for choosing Canon.

Sincerely,

James
Technical Support Representative

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