Topic: Sony PCM-A10 (Part 2)

[robgronotte]

Just used my A10 for about the fourth time tonight, and something odd happened that didn't before.  I have a file named [today's date,etc].tmk in my recording directory with the two WAV files I recorded.  I never got that before, and it is only there to match one of the files I recorded today.

I googled TMK file and got the info that these files are used by the Turbo Pascal program, which I have never used before.  Anyone know why this file was created?  Should I worry about anything, or safe to just delete it?

[dabbler]

"TMK" sounds like something used for the T-mark (track mark) feature which I've never used despite having had it in the M-10 for many years, too.
It's probably safe to delete, but copying it off the device first could be safer.
I've never created a .TMK file, but I always copy all my recordings off my recorder the moment I get home.

Sometimes it takes me multiple tries to unlock my phone, often due to input lag and also the smallness of my cheap phone.
I really hate dealing with touchscreens since it's so easy to press the wrong button.

[morst]

you must have hit the T-Mark button while recording, either on the A10 or the remote.
You can ignore/trash the TMK file with no harm.

[robgronotte]

Thanks guys.  Does anyone actually use the track mark feature?  I saw in the manual about how to create them, but I don't know how you would use the file later.

[Chilly Brioschi]

Thanks guys.  Does anyone actually use the track mark feature?  I saw in the manual about how to create them, but I don't know how you would use the file later.

In the app:
Sound Organizer V2

On the Device:
https://helpguide.sony.net/icd/pcma10/v1/en2/contents/TP0001668765.html

The  ".TMK" file is sort of like the  Cue Sheet used in CD burning, Meta Data about the actual recorded music file

[morst]

Thanks guys.  Does anyone actually use the track mark feature?  I saw in the manual about how to create them, but I don't know how you would use the file later.

The track mark feature, going back to DAT even, is mostly useful while you are using the device itself with the track marks in/on it.
In a recording studio, marking the start of each new track is a very handy way to navigate actual tape.
Of course we remember mechanical tape counters!


I assume that since these portable devices are often used for Electronic News Gathering applications, that's the audience for the features not relevant to our particular (probably very small) market segment.
It could be very handy when transcribing an interview, for instance.

[dabbler]

Unlike the M10, I can easily adjust levels entirely by feel while keeping the A10 in the pocket.
I tried to teach myself to adjust levels in-pocket with the M10 years ago but never felt comfortable pulling it off in a show, but it's easy to feel my way around the digital level control of the A10.

[checht]

The  ".TMK" file is sort of like the  Cue Sheet used in CD burning, Meta Data about the actual recorded music file

Dang, got all excited the A10 could compile turbo pascal. I rocked that language, wrote my thesis with it 😀

[Chilly Brioschi]

The  ".TMK" file is sort of like the  Cue Sheet used in CD burning, Meta Data about the actual recorded music file

Dang, got all excited the A10 could compile turbo pascal. I rocked that language, wrote my thesis with it 😀

Pascal !  Woot-woot !
We cribbed in PL1, then onto sh, csh, and C... then some weird proprietary scripting stuff for hardware.
Still can't code my way through much, but can identify and read a bit.
The PY folks freak me out, especially the old operators stuff.
I spent a year working along side a Modula-2 and LISP programmer doing, ...go laugh,  AI for the Labs.

Sooo, I assume the .TMK is encoded inside the music file itself in headers?
CUE sheets were separate and called the music file relating time to file length position, if I remember correctly.
I need to mount the card off the recorder and fidget a bit.

[wordgroove]

i saw on this thread - a way to extend battery on A10

is there a case/external batt available?

i've never ran my A10 for full battery length
it says it gets 15 hours? is that correct

i'm doing the Nola/Napa mini festival
prob six hours ... will it last anyone have experience with this

if there is a case that extends battery.... can i get link

thanks

Taz

[aaronji]

^ Set it up how you will run it at the festival and see how long it goes with a full charge.

[morst]

i saw on this thread - a way to extend battery on A10

is there a case/external batt available?

Use any USB battery pack and stab it in there, or use an extension cable if that helps with strain relief. I'm testing it now, and it's recording fine using the phone remote app while being powered from this USB brick. The battery icon in the app even has the lightning bolt in it to indicate that it's on power.

[DavidPuddy]

Confirmed that you can plug the usb Port into an external battery pack while in operation.

[morst]

Confirmed that you can plug the usb Port into an external battery pack while in operation.

Oh that's good to know. I didn't test that aspect, I plugged it in and THEN started the recording test.

[wordgroove]

thank you for testing it

can you folks reccomend a the slimmest most
compact usb ext battery block?

link please