Topic: First sighting: Sony PCM-D1PRO, XLR-1 phantom bundle

[sunjan]

I noticed many Japanese retailers selling the PCM-D1PRO, but haven't seen any posts here yet.
I think the model name was first mentioned at AES 2007 last autumn, but just started shipping in July 2008 (Japan only so far?!).

The specs aren't very clear to me, but my understanding is that the recorder is identical to the D1, the only difference being that the D1PRO ships bundled with the XLR-1 outboard phantom power unit, which is already available as a separate accessory?

Current street price is JPY 226,000 ($2,000), compared to 158,000 ($1,450). Topping up $550 just for the XLR-1 seems a bit steep to me.
Is this a Japanese marketing ploy?

But I might be wrong. Maybe you guys who currently run the D1 can spot other improvements?!

Google translations:
http://66.102.9.104/translate_c?hl=en&sl=ja&u=http://www.ecat.sony.co.jp/professional/audio/products/index.cfm%3FPD%3D28697%26KM%3DPCM-D1PRO&prev=/search%3Fq%3D%2522PCM-D1PRO%2522%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DG&usg=ALkJrhioksjsKQ-6uVI56vw7wG0uEk-VSQ
http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=ja&u=http://www.ecat.sony.co.jp/business/prof_audio/products/index.cfm%3FPD%3D28697%26KM%3DPCM-D1PRO&sa=X&oi=translate&resnum=1&ct=result&prev=/search%3Fq%3D%2522PCM-D1PRO%2522%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DG

[digifish_music]

Topping up $550 just for the XLR-1 seems a bit steep to me.
Is this a Japanese marketing ploy?

Ouch! nasty, you can get a MixPre for another $160...or an ART Phantom II for $50

[stantheman1976]

The appeal of the Sony adapter IMO is that it's made to fit directly with the D1 or D50.  It's a high quality unit and get's excellent battery life also.  The frequency response on the adapter is 20Hz-50KHz.  One of the guys at the Panasonic 3CCD message board just got the D50 and adapter and should be doing some testing soon.  I look forward to hearing his results.

I would like the Sony adapter but I just can't see spending $500 with I can get something like a Denecke PS-2 that is similar in size and much cheaper.

[Javier Cinakowski]

does it require the sony exclusive 18pin->3pin adaptor?

No man, they use the proprietary 12pin with actrac encoded digits with 7-pin dongle.    Good times!

[Chilly Brioschi]

does it require the sony exclusive 18pin->3pin adaptor?

No man, they use the proprietary 12pin with actrac encoded digits with 7-pin dongle.    Good times!

And if you have SCMS-defeating software it's all good!   

[digifish_music]

And if you have SCMS-defeating software it's all good!   

Funny isn't it, the CD industry was petrified of DATs with their ability to do digital copies of CD...then along came CDRW and kicked them in the gonads, and then later out of left field, lossy mp3s blew what was left of the CD industry into pieces.