Topic: Tascam DR-70D 4-channel audio recorder (Part 4)

[stevetoney]

Instead of just discussing this ad infinitum, how about everyone start reporting their specific experiences with cards...which some people have already done.  Would someone be willing to start a database?  Here's at minimum what I'd suggest needs to be reported...

- Card Brand, Model and Size
- Card Age (New, Used)
- Number of channels recorded? (2 or 4)
- Fresh Format Before Use?  (Y/N)
- Good file or bad file?...and for bad files the specific issue (digi glitches or card read error)

After a bunch of data is compiled, there should be some patterns/trends show up that will help people out.

[tomuo]

How about a card that works in Tascam's DP-24, of which there are DOZENS listed as working? 
http://tascam-ca.com/product/dp-24/specifications/

Or is 24-channels a completely different data pattern than 4? 

The DP-24 has been around longer, and many of those cards that were previously tested are no longer available, hence there's no customer benefit to testing them now; also the DP-24 maxs out at 32GB, so we've still got to look at 64GB and 128GB SDXC cards.   The exFAT format for those cards is in someways slower than the regular FAT32 file system on up to 32GB cards.

(added) The DP-24 also doesn't record natively in WAV format, it uses a direct to SD card sector format.   It can export and import from WAV files, but otherwise the read/write access pattern is completely different from the DR-70D.

The DR-680mkII added SDXC support as well, but 32GB SD cards will be the sweet spot for price and performance going forward I think though.

[dallman]

The DR-680mkII added SDXC support as well, but 32GB SD cards will be the sweet spot for price and performance going forward I think though.

Regarding cards that work recording 6 and 8 channels in the DR680 and DR680MKII:

I used lots of different 32gb cards in my DR680 and never had an issue. I always format in the machine almost before every show, so as to have lots of storage space. I cannot imagine formatting on anything other than the machine I am about to use the card in either. I used 32gb cards Wintec found on Amazon mostly, and 32gb Emtec from Microcenter. No Issues

I moved to the DR680MKII recently and found these great deals for SDXC 64 and 128GB cards at B&H back in July. I have rotated these cards without issue and again always format in the machine, almost always before each show.

Sony 64GB SDXC MEMORY CARD CLASS 10 (40MB/s
B&H# SOSD64GB10Z : Mfr# SF64UYTQMN (on sale for 20.95)

Sony 128GB GB SD MEMRY CARD CLASS 10-40MB/S
B&H# SOSD128GB10Z : Mfr# SF128UYTQMN (on sale for 39.95)

[voltronic]

Instead of just discussing this ad infinitum, how about everyone start reporting their specific experiences with cards...which some people have already done.  Would someone be willing to start a database?  Here's at minimum what I'd suggest needs to be reported...

- Card Brand, Model and Size
- Card Age (New, Used)
- Number of channels recorded? (2 or 4)
- Fresh Format Before Use?  (Y/N)
- Good file or bad file?...and for bad files the specific issue (digi glitches or card read error)

After a bunch of data is compiled, there should be some patterns/trends show up that will help people out.

That sounds like a great idea.  I volunteer, since there's already a partial list on the FAQ - we just need to fill in the details on those cards.  I'm off tomorrow, so I can throw together a Google survey.

[jbosco]

Instead of just discussing this ad infinitum, how about everyone start reporting their specific experiences with cards...which some people have already done.  Would someone be willing to start a database?  Here's at minimum what I'd suggest needs to be reported...

- Card Brand, Model and Size
- Card Age (New, Used)
- Number of channels recorded? (2 or 4)
- Fresh Format Before Use?  (Y/N)
- Good file or bad file?...and for bad files the specific issue (digi glitches or card read error)

After a bunch of data is compiled, there should be some patterns/trends show up that will help people out.

That sounds like a great idea.  I volunteer, since there's already a partial list on the FAQ - we just need to fill in the details on those cards.  I'm off tomorrow, so I can throw together a Google survey.

Maybe add Firmware, sample rate and bits?

[morst]

Maybe add Firmware, sample rate and bits?

Power source, phantom mode, input settings, source settings, type of gear plugged in, temperature, pressure, time of day, time zone, contents of stomach, total savings and checking account, Tascam Trust Factor, heart rate, pulse, respiration, height, weight, body temperature...

Edit: Phase of moon

[voltronic]

Instead of just discussing this ad infinitum, how about everyone start reporting their specific experiences with cards...which some people have already done.  Would someone be willing to start a database?  Here's at minimum what I'd suggest needs to be reported...

- Card Brand, Model and Size
- Card Age (New, Used)
- Number of channels recorded? (2 or 4)
- Fresh Format Before Use?  (Y/N)
- Good file or bad file?...and for bad files the specific issue (digi glitches or card read error)

After a bunch of data is compiled, there should be some patterns/trends show up that will help people out.

That sounds like a great idea.  I volunteer, since there's already a partial list on the FAQ - we just need to fill in the details on those cards.  I'm off tomorrow, so I can throw together a Google survey.

Maybe add Firmware, sample rate and bits?

Agreed.

[voltronic]

Maybe add Firmware, sample rate and bits?

Power source, phantom mode, input settings, source settings, type of gear plugged in, temperature, pressure, time of day, time zone, contents of stomach, total savings and checking account, Tascam Trust Factor, heart rate, pulse, respiration, height, weight, body temperature...

Edit: Phase of moon

OK, we get it.  You're frustrated and unhappy.  Others here aren't satisfied with Tascam's customer service either, but Tom appears to be making an effort, and I don't mind giving him some additional data to work with.  A database like this is going to wind up benefiting us anyway.  Have a cookie and move on already.

[voltronic]

where is this cookie of which you speak? Do I have to earn TASCAM RESEARCH POINTS to enjoy it?

 

OK, we get it.  You're frustrated and unhappy.  ...

  Have a cookie and move on already.

I really can't tell if you're kidding or being a troll at this point.  If you have something constructive to contribute here, fire away.  Otherwise, I'm not going to engage any further.

[raoulduke]

Complaining that cards that are not on the list are causing problems can only get one reply, why aren't you using cards on the list

Check the PDF list here:
http://tascam.com/content/downloads/products/867/dr-70d_tested_media_list_r1_20150224.pdf

Note: Cards added to the tested list will always be cards that you can buy new now.

The DR-680mkII added SDXC support as well, but 32GB SD cards will be the sweet spot for price and performance going forward I think though.

It's not the end user's responsibility to see what media functions with the recorder. If you want me to be a beta tester, send me a free deck to test. I paid for mine with the expectation it functions to the stated specs printed in the manual. Tascam advertises the deck works with SD cards (64 MB to 2 GB), SDHC cards (4 to 32 GB) and SDXC cards (48 to 128 GB). I expect my recorder to function with name-brand, non generic cards that meet the minimum specs that are needed to write four channels at 24/96, which is at minimum a true class four card and most assuredly a true class 10. According to Tascam directly and their approved media list, it obviously doesn't work with all of these cards so can I return it to Tascam under warranty and request a refund since it isn't functioning to spec?

Also, I have some comments about the cards Tascam is recommending. Instructing us to buy anything under 16gb to couple with a four channel, 24 bit, 96 khz recorder is laughable and let's just pretend 4, 8 and 16gb cards aren't on the list because quite simply, that's insulting in the year 2015 and not realistic for the majority of applications that this deck is being used for.

So, that leaves us with two 32gb cards that are approved by Tascam and here's their current cost as of 9/22/15 at B&H Photo.

$74.95  -  32gb SanDisk Extreme Pro SDHC™ UHS-Ⅱ  Part # SDSDXPB-032G-A46
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1030992-REG/sandisk_sdsdxpb_032g_a46_32gb_extreme_pro_sdhc_uhs_ii.html

Discontinued  -  32gb Panasonic SDHC UHS-I (CLASS 10) R:90MB/s   Part # RP-SDUC32GAK
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1044453-REG/panasonic_rp_sduc32gak_32gb_sdhc_uhs_i_u3_card.html

Therefore, in reality your recommended list of cards for us real world users of this machine consists of solely one card, that costs $2.34 per gb. Does that sound reasonable to you when the street price of the 70d is $200 and the average name brand, class 10, 32gb card is selling for less than $0.50 per gb?

The solution is simple, instead of jerking us around have the engineers use some precious man hours and update the firmware so the recorder, ya know, records.

[capnhook]

 

[voltronic]

Survey is up.  You can find it here, and I also linked to it on the FAQ page.

You may view the spreadsheet of responses here as users complete the survey.

[2manyrocks]

Thanks for doing this. 

[stevetoney]

Survey is up.  You can find it here, and I also linked to it on the FAQ page.

You may view the spreadsheet of responses here as users complete the survey.

Wow, you're a badass!  Thanks and awesome!   

[Life In Rewind]

Making all those fields required might limit your responses.

I don't remember if I fresh formatted...

Also - seems like the last question should be first.

Maybe you really need 2 surveys.

A simple one for successes - and a 2nd, more thorough questioning for failed cards/recordings.