Topic: 16Gb CF fix for HDP2 in the works?

[spzkt]

Just came across this post to RAMPS from a few days ago, and thought I'd spread the good news.
Sounds like TASCAM has got this sorted but I'll be waiting for the firmware update to show up online before laying out $$ on a stack of 16Gb cards

Paul

Sujet : Tascam HD-P2 and 16GB compact flash cards
De : loco@andrews.lv (andrejs eigus)
Groupes : rec.audio.pro, rec.arts.movies.production.sound
Organisation : Aioe.org NNTP Server
Date : 22. Oct 2007, 19:55:36

just thought this information will be useful to owners of the Tascam HD-P2
recorder:

>Dear Mr. Eigus,

>It is possible to use as well 16GB CF-Cards, but the actual operation
>System gives you access to max. 8 GB of it. So there is actually no
>advantage of using a 16GB Card instead of the 8GB card. But it is planned
>to support the 16GB Cards with the next firmware updates, so there is no
>disadvantage of buying already a 16 GB Card and use actually just 8 GB
>of them.

>Best Regards


>Dirk Born
>Product Manager
>TASCAM Division

[spzkt]

Looks like the above is a red herring and a fix won't be happening any time soon:

http://taperssection.com/index.php/topic,82308.msg1243950.html#msg1243950

[danzz1234]

IMHO it's pretty crazy to trust 16GB of data in one card anyways.

Isn't it?

[spzkt]

IMHO it's pretty crazy to trust 16GB of data in one card anyways.

Isn't it?

I agree 100%. Personally I don't see the 8gb limit as a problem, having just moved from a sony MD with a 1GB maximum storage capacity. However there have been a number of peeps on TS who feel the 8Gb limit is a fatal flaw in the HDP2's design, to the point of selling their machines.

[CQBert]

Wait a couple of months when 32 and 64 gig CF Cards are available widely... they are very fast...

CQBert

[spzkt]

Wait a couple of months when 32 and 64 gig CF Cards are available widely... they are very fast...

CQBert

Having spoken to the guys at Frontier Design Group, it appears that the 8gb problem isn't related to hardware and should be fixable with a firmware patch. Guess we have to wait and see if/when that appears.

[JasonSobel]

thanks for following up with all this and keeping us updated.  after months of being ignored and then short, terse one line replies, I got tired of dealing with Tascam about the issue.  Hopefully the firmware update will come through.

[PeterE]

Hi guys,

Any new info on HDP2 firmware update to handle 16 GB cards?

Thanks,
Pete

[JasonSobel]

no new firmware yet for 16 GB card handling.  I haven't heard anything from them since January (but I haven't inquired since then either).  It's probably time for some more emails... 

[spzkt]

I've posted this to the HDP2 Team Board also but just so this thread is brought to a welcome conclusion I'll post the news here too. It's unfortunate the source most of us check for updates is still showing 1.05 as current -- TASCAM USA has been asleep at the wheel on this issue.

I discovered yesterday that the 1.06 firmware update was released at the start of December 2009 with a single feature enhancement:

<code>For Version 1.06 Software
New Features
Media with capacities of more than 8 GB can now be used for recording and playback.</code>

The update can be downloaded from www.tascam.de/en:

1.06 Firmware:
http://www.tascam.de/sw/hd-p2/HD-P2_v106.zip

1.06 Release Notes:
http://www.tascam.de/sw/hd-p2/HD-P2_v106.pdf

and an updated Tested Media List which includes three tested 16gb cards:

http://www.tascam.de/en/docs/HD-P2_TestedMedia_EN.pdf


I've installed the update successfully but don't have any 16Gb cards on hand to test.

cheers
Paul

[mattmiller]

Nice.  They  must have finally gotten sick of dealing with the e-mails about it for them to issue an update exclusively for the fix.

[dallman]

I installed the new firmware yesterday. The 8gb limit never bothered me a bit, but of course now I'm looking for a reasonably priced 16gb or larger card.

[yug du nord]

I installed the new firmware yesterday. The 8gb limit never bothered me a bit, but of course now I'm looking for a reasonably priced 16gb or larger card.

Hey bud let me know how it goes for you......  8gb has been fine for me too...   but if I find a decently priced 16gb card, maybe I'll give 24/96 a shot.  I've been happy with 24/48, but with the exception of HD storage space on the PC....  why not eh?

I haven't had any firmware issues, so I'm hesitant to change.....   

[macdaddy]

I haven't had any firmware issues, so I'm hesitant to change.....

+1

[OOK]

This firmwire came 2 years to late for me.  I pleaded with tascam customer service for this and the said they had no plans of ever doing it  ....So I sold my unit and bought  a SD702....Best thing I ever did........

This great for Tascam owners.............I hope you guys get atleast 32gig support......

peace OOk

[spzkt]

The only issue with 1.06 I've come across so far is that if I mount a CF using Firewire Dock then eject from the Mac desktop the HDP2 consistently shows [no media]. With 1.05 the HDP2 would recognise and remount  the CF 75-80% of the time.

I've reported the above issue to tascam europe support - Tascam US don't even acknowledge the existence of the update on their site so I don't expect they'll have much of a clue about issues with it 


I haven't tested with 16Gb+ CF but I'm on the lookout for "reasonably priced" options.

cheers
Paul

[dallman]

I installed the new firmware yesterday. The 8gb limit never bothered me a bit, but of course now I'm looking for a reasonably priced 16gb or larger card.

Hey bud let me know how it goes for you......  8gb has been fine for me too...   but if I find a decently priced 16gb card, maybe I'll give 24/96 a shot.  I've been happy with 24/48, but with the exception of HD storage space on the PC....  why not eh?

I haven't had any firmware issues, so I'm hesitant to change.....

All tests with my 8gb card show the deck handling and responding as it always has. I tried Firewire to PC and had no issues, but typically I just use a card reader anyway as it is much faster. My settings and performance seem exactly the same, so until I find a 16 gb nicely priced card, that is the most update I can give.

I never cared a bit about the 8gb limitation as 24/48 seemed fine to me. I have such a great comfort level with the deck, that I have no desire to change to any other deck. I can set up and break down with my eyes closed. BUT assuming the firmware allows good results with a larger card, I may as well go to 24/96 and see what happens. heck, there once was a time I thought I'd never go to 24 bit, and now, I'd never go back...

[spzkt]

I should be getting a Sandisk Ultra 16gb cf tomorrow so hopefully I'll get a chance to test it out over the weekend.  I was running with the Ultra II 8gb last week and had no troubles with the firmware.  I was using mono and stereo templates, and had recorded a 90minute dawn chorus at 24/88.2 with no hitches. As far as I can tell the deck is as solid with 1.06 as it was  with 1.05 - at least with 8gb cards.

cheers
Paul

[yug du nord]

I should be getting a Sandisk Ultra 16gb cf tomorrow so hopefully I'll get a chance to test it out over the weekend.  I was running with the Ultra II 8gb last week and had no troubles with the firmware.  I was using mono and stereo templates, and had recorded a 90minute dawn chorus at 24/88.2 with no hitches. As far as I can tell the deck is as solid with 1.06 as it was  with 1.05 - at least with 8gb cards.

cheers
Paul

thanks for the update...

[spzkt]

The 16Gb card finally turned up this morning and the HDP2 has been recording the sounds of the "backyard" (aka local park) at 24/192.

I was able to record with no problems until the disc filled at around 3hrs 50min so it seems like the 8Gb limit is definitely fixed.

cheers
Paul

[Taper Jeff]

Yeah, I was checking Tascam USA...silly me...It would have been nice to know about this over a year ago when they posted it on their European site.
Well I'm glad I finally have it now...I've had a Kingston 16GB card I bought in Dec. 2008!
I just installed it today...if I have any issues with it on this card I'll report back here so no news is good news.

I've posted this to the HDP2 Team Board also but just so this thread is brought to a welcome conclusion I'll post the news here too. It's unfortunate the source most of us check for updates is still showing 1.05 as current -- TASCAM USA has been asleep at the wheel on this issue.

I discovered yesterday that the 1.06 firmware update was released at the start of December 2009 with a single feature enhancement:

<code>For Version 1.06 Software
New Features
Media with capacities of more than 8 GB can now be used for recording and playback.</code>

The update can be downloaded from www.tascam.de/en:

1.06 Firmware:
http://www.tascam.de/sw/hd-p2/HD-P2_v106.zip

1.06 Release Notes:
http://www.tascam.de/sw/hd-p2/HD-P2_v106.pdf

and an updated Tested Media List which includes three tested 16gb cards:

http://www.tascam.de/en/docs/HD-P2_TestedMedia_EN.pdf


I've installed the update successfully but don't have any 16Gb cards on hand to test.

cheers
Paul

[Kevin Straker]

About 2 years too late!

 This exactly the reason I bought a 722. 8GB is not anywhere near enough space, unless you don't tape much or want to reformat the card after each show.