Topic: DJI Osmo Pocket 3 camera has 32 bit float audio - wow, times are changing!

[Ozpeter]

So why am I posting this here?  Well, it seems to me that the time really is coming when we will be able to do high quality concert recording, but with high quality video to go with it, using something no larger (in length) than a mobile phone.

https://youtu.be/K9ML0aN-6uo?si=m0AOy_9CsxHIK9Uq&t=526

In that review, mention is made of 32 bit float recording at 8:46 - but it's not totally clear whether this is in respect of wireless mic recording, or all recording.  I suspect the former.  It may mean that the supplied wireless mic (which can accept lavalier mics, so it has got a mono mic input) records internally in 32 bit float while sending a 'normal' stream to the camera.  It looks like the camera can support two such mics.  So one could imagine a scenario when you wear in-ear mics to keep the profile low, connected to a pair of the wireless transmitters with a splitter cable, thereby recording a stereo image in 32 bit float, synced to the camera.  In use the camera can look not unlike a mobile phone, so if it's the kind of gig where everyone has got their phone out, you wouldn't look too conspicuous.

This may all seem deeply irrrelevant to most readers here, but perhaps it will encourage one or two to find out more.

[wordgroove]

So why am I posting this here?  Well, it seems to me that the time really is coming when we will be able to do high quality concert recording, but with high quality video to go with it, using something no larger (in length) than a mobile phone.

https://youtu.be/K9ML0aN-6uo?si=m0AOy_9CsxHIK9Uq&t=526

In that review, mention is made of 32 bit float recording at 8:46 - but it's not totally clear whether this is in respect of wireless mic recording, or all recording.  I suspect the former.  It may mean that the supplied wireless mic (which can accept lavalier mics, so it has got a mono mic input) records internally in 32 bit float while sending a 'normal' stream to the camera.  It looks like the camera can support two such mics.  So one could imagine a scenario when you wear in-ear mics to keep the profile low, connected to a pair of the wireless transmitters with a splitter cable, thereby recording a stereo image in 32 bit float, synced to the camera.  In use the camera can look not unlike a mobile phone, so if it's the kind of gig where everyone has got their phone out, you wouldn't look too conspicuous.''

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incredible wow.. didnt know it had32 bit float audio]]''

thanks for letting us know

This may all seem deeply irrrelevant to most readers here, but perhaps it will encourage one or two to find out more.

[Ozpeter]

In another review it mentions timecode.  However, I don't begin to understand about timecode, so the practical implications go over my head.  But that might be interesting to some here too.   That is at this link -

https://youtu.be/pe-GRHcfOYc?si=f3DMK0yP-uOQNZa3&t=894

[wordgroove]

In another review it mentions timecode.  However, I don't begin to understand about timecode, so the practical implications go over my head.  But that might be interesting to some here too.   That is at this link -

https://youtu.be/pe-GRHcfOYc?si=f3DMK0yP-uOQNZa3&t=894

be good to sync to other angles
two pocket 3 filming diff location


Taz

[Ozpeter]

From DJI -

"You are able to get access to the time code function under the system settings, for the timecode usage, you are advised to use a third-party timecode synchronizer to sync devices from different directions then the timecode will now be synchronized. When using the TentacleSync Timecoder with the unit, you only need to use the synchronization function of the "Timecoder”. The synchronization function is used to synchronize a separate timecode in the product, and after the synchronization is completed, the Timecoder can be unplugged. "

[Ozpeter]

Response from a reviewer who has a good reputation -

"32 is in the audio interface, but Dji said it’s not ready at the moment."

Interesting!!

But does it have the multiple preamps required to do the job properly??

[wordgroove]

Response from a reviewer who has a good reputation -

"32 is in the audio interface, but Dji said it’s not ready at the moment."

Interesting!!

But does it have the multiple preamps required to do the job properly??

so will it be a firmwre upgrade?

[wordgroove]

i read an article where dji said the 32 bit float is just in the microphone - the wireless
how does that work?

[Ozpeter]

The wireless mic has inbuilt memory to which 32 bit float audio can be recorded directly.  It sends "normal" audio wirelessly to the camera.  It seems that the camera may be firmware upgraded to offer 32 bit float from its internal mics, not involving the wireless mic.  That's the holy grail as far as I am concerned.  We'll see...

[wordgroove]

The wireless mic has inbuilt memory to which 32 bit float audio can be recorded directly.  It sends "normal" audio wirelessly to the camera.  It seems that the camera may be firmware upgraded to offer 32 bit float from its internal mics, not involving the wireless mic.  That's the holy grail as far as I am concerned.  We'll see...

so trippy .... we cant use eternal mic for 32 bit... just that lil mic they provide

still a great camera i have pocket 2

i got the Osmo action 4 and the image quality is superior to even a iphone

Taz

[Ozpeter]

A postscript - FWIW DJI have confirmed that the stereo soundfield of the internal recording of this device rotates when the gimbal rotates, even though the three mics in the handle may be pointing in a different direction from the head.  This was also a feature of the previous model.  And to me, it's a pretty neat trick.

[guitard]

I have zero experience with DJI products, but after doing a bit of research, I ordered the DJI Osmo Pocket 3 Creator Combo.  Expected delivery is mid-January.  I videotape high school sporting events from the sidelines and want something that is small and non-obtrusive (looking), that still shoots high quality video while on the move.

[Ozpeter]

The latest FW allows the camera to record stereo audio in wav format from the 3 internal mics, while recording the external wireless mic to the video track, or an external usb-c mic.  So it seems you now have a four channel audio recorder with video.  Interesting!  I will test soon.

[Edit - yup, it's indeed now a four channel audio recorder with video.  The wave file created from its internal mics is 16bit, 48kHz.  The audio component of the video file created from an external USB-C mic (in my test, a Zoom M3 mic/recorder) is AAC LC 317 kb/s at 48Khz.  So the actual format of the audio files isn't spectacular but still usable.  However, the Zoom M3 can of course not only feed the camera but is can record 32 bit float internally at the same time.  So one way and another, you would get an interesting choice of options for the audio source(s) of the final edited production.]

[Another edit - it occurs to me that this would allow the Sennheiser Ambeo binaural mic as the external mic connected via a USB-C adapter feeding the video file's audio component.  In my experience, talking when recording in-ear binaural sound doesn't work that well, but with the Pocket 3 you could mix in the wave file recorded at the same time from the built in mics and get the best of both worlds.]

[Ozpeter]

I've made a crude demo of the 4 channel ability here - https://youtu.be/5y1lKZSmn-8 - note that the internal stereo mics don't sound good in this as I was speaking from behind the mics in a bathroom!  Normally they sound pretty good to me.

[voltronic]

But does it have the multiple preamps required to do the job properly??

That's the kicker. Unless it is a auto ranging multi-ADC setup such as those employed Stagetec, Sound Devices, Zoom, etc. then recording in 32-bit float format has no real benefits.

[Ozpeter]

But does it have the multiple preamps required to do the job properly??

That's the kicker. Unless it is a auto ranging multi-ADC setup such as those employed Stagetec, Sound Devices, Zoom, etc. then recording in 32-bit float format has no real benefits.

Yes, very true.  But someone has pointed out to me that when the creation of this wave file is enabled in the new option, the file gets created whether or not an external mic is connected.  I can see a benefit in that - the audio in video files is AAC and therefore (as I understand it) data compressed like an mp3.  When the video is edited, I imagine the audio content is decoded and re-encoded with some potential loss.  Having a wave file of the audio means that it could be used only in the final edit, and the AAC version would not then need to be used at all.  Now if they are going to implement 32 bit float on the internal mic system as rumoured, they would need to have that wave file anyway, so possibly this new wave file option is a precursor to having internal 32 bit float.  Does it have hardware to do the job properly?  I don't know.  But it could just about be argued that as there is no level control for internal audio even now, but doubtless some kind of AGC or compression is being used instead, having it not limited in that way when the audio is written to the wave file might make it worth having 32 bit float as the format ready for editing in a 32 bit float environment later?  Dunno...

[Ozpeter]

I have now used the new four channel feature to make a short test video combining the stereo mics of the camera recorded into a wave file on its card, and a binaural mic recorded onto the video file.  When editing, this enables me to crossfade from the binaural mics to the internal mics to avoid the odd sound of my own speech recorded onto mics in my ears.

My hearing is pretty shot these days but the result seems very acceptable.  Most of the ambient sound is low level and distant but it comes across well.

https://youtu.be/x51TtPutp0M

[guitard]

I have now used the new four channel feature to make a short test video combining the stereo mics of the camera recorded into a wave file on its card, and a binaural mic recorded onto the video file.  When editing, this enables me to crossfade from the binaural mics to the internal mics to avoid the odd sound of my own speech recorded onto mics in my ears.

My hearing is pretty shot these days but the result seems very acceptable.  Most of the ambient sound is low level and distant but it comes across well.

https://youtu.be/x51TtPutp0M

Very informative video - thanks.