Lots of good comments, but none of them had anything to do with my original question.
Fair enough.
Crackling on audio - I haven't experienced that. I don't use cams with built-in mics. Based on reviews that built-cam mic/audio isn't well picked-up or recorded. So I use external mics with cams that have the ability to connect ext mics.
I like that approach. I can aim the mic, independent of how the cam is mounted. As a newbie, I bought some domes for outdoor use. (now regret that) The dome allows the cam to be mounted to a surface, and then aim the optics with a wide range of range/direction. The lens can be aimed across a wide range, while the cam body remains in the position determined by mounting. I enjoy the benefit of aiming my mic the way I want, regardless of the poisition of the dome mount. When I aim the optics, a built-in camera mic would NOT be similarly aimed. eg: mic aimed forward, (with cam body) but optics aimed down and left within the dome.
I looked at your cam model on0line, but I'm not sure if the mic moves as you aim the optics.
So your cam (with built in mic) has crackling on audio. Me, I'd try this:
- take a stab at replacing the internal mic. Probably not expensive.
- Research if an external mic could be connected (a hack)
Dahua IPC-HDW4300C camera that suddenly developed noisy audio. The noise presents itself as a snapping and cracleling superimposed over the audio.
Other ideas:
- You replaced the cam with an identical model, so this seems h/w related (and not winter wind). So something happened to the original cam.
- Spider/bug plugging the mic hole, so the cam cranked up audio gain?
- indoor testing of both cams showed what results? (compare and contrast) Give us more symptoms/clues...
I don't have cams with built in mics, or cameras with that form factor. So I'll throw my hunches your way, and slowly back out of the peanut gallery. Maybe someone else has more cloasely related experience, with better guidance.
Good luck in 2017!
Fastb