Posted by Bill Farnsworth on 12/03/05 22:28

Sorry about not including the original post in this reply. I had deleted it
a while back.

You didn't mention if you are using a mono plug adapter on stereo cans
(headphones).
The symtoms you describe (pulling the headphone plug part way out to get
audio in both speakers) sure mimic the results you get from doing this on a
good number of consumer and pro-sumer Sony cameras.
I have also had this happen when using a mono hard wired or mono IFB
earpiece on some Sony cameras and tape decks that aren't in the Broadcast
line.
And another thing to consider is what the ohm rating is for each channel in
the headphone circuit. Your cans might be fine as stereo, but not as mono.

One thing that you can try before attempting to tear your camera apart, and
after determining that the resistance load is OK, is instead of using a mono
plug adapter or a hard wired mono plug, is to use a stereo plug and jumper
across the right and left (or 1 and 2) signal leads. Of course, if your
headset's stereo plug has a molded end, then you will have to cut the leads
and solder on a new plug. This will only cost you a couple of bucks instead
of $25.00 plus shipping from Sony for a new Sony mini socket.

Bill Farnsworth
www.billfarnsworthvideo.com

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