They FINALLY posted the OWNERS MANUAL!!!
http://www.fostex.com/support/pdf/fostex/fr2/fr2_owners_manual.pdfI been hitting this link all weekend, it actually has the file now, instead of being a dead link...
(now if I could only get Canon to post the 1D MarkII manual)
Rick
Edit: Additional info after reading manual:
Format on media is FAT32, not NTFS.
Max file size that deck will record is 2GB (note: callery reports that Fostex says latest update will allow 4GB filesize - what follows below is based on 4GB maxfilesize - manual has not been updated to reflect 4GB maxfilesize.)
Thus
228 mins @ 24/48 - 112 mins @ 24/96 - 56 mins @ 24/192
344 Mins @ 16/48
The unit has 5 seconds of "pre-record buffer" @ 24/96. From what I gathered in my reading, ALL input runs thru the buffer before being written to the card.
122 Minutes is OK - the equivalant of 2 hour tape. You can start a new file "on the fly" by hitting the record button, but nothing I read indicates that this is done in a "seamless/lossless" fashion, nor did the manual indicate anything with regards to whether the deck would AUTOMATICALLY start a NEW FILE when it hits 4GB (or just STOP), or how the deck reacts when it runs out of space on the media. It would be HIGHLY ILLOGICAL (as Mr. Spock is fond of saying) for the unit (heh heh heh, did he say UNIT?) to just STOP. And a 5 second buffer "should" be more than sufficient to start a new file without a gap.
Conclusion(s): If the deck is only capable of 112 minutes of recording @ 96/24, and does not do a "gapless/lossless" start of a new file - down to the FRAME, where at least you could paste it together without a click as a Wave64 or other larger audio format for editing, before dithering/resampling down to 44.1 for mastering - then the deck may be somewhat limited for the kind of recording we do here. Also, if the deck doesn't start a new file automatically when it hits 4GB, it's going to be an inconvenience at best, and a DISASTER at worst. The current lack of media much bigger then 4-5GB is going to be a hinderance also.
Not having a cover for the top controls, is also an accident waiting to happen, if you're running in a bag, or in a situation where any of these controls could be hit by accident. There is no "button lock/hold button" on this deck - though the only way to stop recording is by hitting the rec-standby key.
In light of the capacities above, I don't think this deck was designed with US in mind, but rather broadcast/production (like anyone really makes anything for US?). Is it usable? Yeah, sure. Are there limitations? Um, a couple of glaring ones - the main one being 112 minutes @ 24/96, which actually isn't much for a non-linear recording system.
I'm still really interested in hearing about how "musical" the input section is, as opposed to the current crop of Pre's (V3/MiniMe/etc) as a means of reducing the "rig" to mics/cables/deck.
If I've still gotta haul all the rest of my crap, and want better than 2 hour interruption-free recording - I might as well keep using the JB3 (or D-10) for the time being.
AGAIN NOTE: If maxfilesize had been increased, it comes down to availability/cost of LARGER than 4GB media (112 mins @ 24/96 w/4GB maxfilesize) and how good the input section is. It's still more cost effective, if you already own a pre-a/d and plan on keeping it, to run a JB3.
I'm still really interested in this unit, 'cause it's a neat toy, and firmware upgradeable means they can fix alot of the shortcomings/bugs as time goes on.
