Topic: External Box for converting Master DAT's to PC ?

[Datfly]

Hello all I am new here.

I have been a DAT taper for 13 years and have hundreds of masters that
need to be saved. I want to put them on my PC and then either store them on
external HD's and/or flac them & them burn them to DVD.

What I am looking for is an external converter to hook betwwen my
home DAT deck and my home PC that will give me a true clone copy
of my DAT onto my PC. The converter needs to have coaxil digital in/out.

It need not be fancy. Need not be expensive either (if it can be avoided).
I just want the basic conversion mentioned.
What is the options I have here ? 

Thanks for any help and or ideas.

Datfly

[dnsacks]

datfly -- any reason that the interface needs to be external?  While a computer's a bad place to perform analog>digital conversions, it's not really a bad place for digital data to be received. 

So, unless all of your computer's internal slots are already in use, going internal could be a more versitle option.

Regardless, there are good choices for both.

Internal, lots of folks have had very good luck with the M-audio audiophile 2496, it's been proven bit-perfect (i.e. it will accurately record the digital data passed from your dats via its coax input -- note, no optical in on this card) and is relatively cheap, you should have no problem finding one for under $100.  There are other cards that will do the same thing at similar, or higher, prices, but given its userbase and proven track record, the audiophile 2496 is probably the safest choice as an internal card.

External -- much more limited options.  First off, you'll need to have a usb2 (and not older usb 1.1) interface on your pc.  My understanding is that the 2 cards to look at here are the m-audio audiophile usb ($1xx), which will allow for coax in, and the m-audio transit which only provides optical i/o, but runs under $100.

[rustle]

I'd go with the Audiophile 2496 as well.
Stable
Bit Perfect
Inexpensive
Able to handle 24 bit (for future up-grades )

[hzgone]

I'd go with the Audiophile 2496 as well.
Stable
Bit Perfect
Inexpensive
Able to handle 24 bit (for future up-grades )

I agree

[greenone]

External -- much more limited options. First off, you'll need to have a usb2 (and not older usb 1.1) interface on your pc.

Not true at all...I've been doing 16/44.1 over USB1.1 for five years now with a U2A and an emi 2|6...

[eman]

I managed to get one show loaded using my UA5 with Samplitude, but then the next attempt it failed to work for some reason. I used the stereo record function, not the mixer.

Question: can you run more than two channels simultaneously to a mixing program through the UA5 (eg SPDIF in and microphone, and guitar through the 1/4" inputs)? Is this not practical through USB even if possible?

I also have an old SGI at work with a DAT drive, supposedly there is a UNIX program that can do high speed conversions to wav, I will be trying that soon. Anybody tried this?

[Simp-Dawg]

there are firmware upgrades and either a command line driven or linux program that will allow you to transfer dats at 2x max i believe through the scsi dat drives.

as for an external device, you do not need usb2.0, usb1.1 works fine for 16/44.1 transfers and i even taped at 24/48 over usb1.1 for years with a usbpre.

i have an egosys u24 which is great for transfers and has both coax and optical as well as analog ins/outs.  there are many many options both internal and external you can look at.  the zoltrix nightengale for instance are known to be bit-perfect and can be found for super cheap.

[sleepypedro]

my archive python transfers at 2.5x, fyi

[JackoRoses]

some are using a jb3 to record onto and then xfer it via the creative playcenter on the pc.
except they are not any cheaper then a internal/external sound card.
the scsi dat drives are an option and I think a bit cheaper but more work to get going from
my understanding.

[Kevin Straker]

some are using a jb3 to record onto and then xfer it via the creative playcenter on the pc.
except they are not any cheaper then a internal/external sound card.
the scsi dat drives are an option and I think a bit cheaper but more work to get going from
my understanding.

I use my JB3 for this purpose and have also had alot of trouble with scsi dat drives and audio use. I'd go the jb3 route since you can also use it in the field.

[ashevillain]

If you have firewire I'd go for the M-Audio Firewire Audiophile.

[todd e]

datfly - are you looking for a transfer box because you have a laptop?

almost all of these suggestions are for a desktop, just makign sure that it what you want.

i like the opcode's datport for the simplicity, if you have an older computer, just keep your eye peeled to ebay.
the vxpocket is nice for the laptop, and you could then start taping straight to laptop...

[cgrooves]

I use the Edirol UA-1D to transfer 16 bit from my DAT recorder to my laptop.  Works well for me.

[greenone]

I use the Edirol UA-1D to transfer 16 bit from my DAT recorder to my laptop. Works well for me.

Hate to tell you this, but Edirol products aren't bit-perfect...

[cgrooves]

Hate to tell you this, but Edirol products aren't bit-perfect...

Spec data states it's a 16 bit interface. Can you point me in the right direction for some discussion on the Edirol products not being bit-perfect?  I'm wondering why Doug O would have recommended it to me. What about the UA5?

[NewHomebrew]

I use the M-Audio card like everybody else and it works nicely for me.

I'm bored, I can do a couple of tapes for your if you need it.