Topic: Tascam DR-70D 4-channel audio recorder (Part 5)

[voltronic]

That is interesting.  When you format in windows, you should use the official SD Formatter.  Don't use the built-in Windows format function for SD cards, especially of you have a larger card.

Can you link to this? - I see something like it...not sure what's "official" about it..

Here you go.  I call it "official" because it's from the SD Association, AKA the Spectre of Flash Storage Media.

[voltronic]

OK, I just did another test on my suspect SanDisk card.  Didn't quite fill the card this time, but recorded just under 10GB.  This time I only did a Quick format, power cycled multiple times, and made tracks of varying lengths.  Started with 4 tracks 24/96, then switched it up to 2 track 24/48 with DUAL REC which is how it was set when it started glitching on me the other day.  Just went through all the files in RX, and all is well with no errors.

Here's something that may or may not be significant: after formatting this card in my computer with the SD Formatter tool, all subsequent test recordings I've made in the 70D have been after it was upgraded to the new 1.12 firmware.  In my rush of editing the band show and doing multiple things at once while being frustrated that my other tracks were trash, I just went ahead and did the firmware update before considering doing any of this testing.

The firmware update does say "operational stability has been improved."  That really could mean anything.  I'm curious to see if Tonedeaf gets any problems with this card on the older firmware.  I don't really want to downgrade mine - I never really trust firmware downgrades, maybe irrationally so.

Here's a thought: Several of you have said there may be a problem with the firmware in this unit and that's why it has problems with certain SD cards, even ones that are fine in other 4-channel recorders.  How about doing some tests like I have done with those cards on both the 1.11 and 1.12 firmware, with a fresh Erase Format each time?  The card may still end up being "bad", but it could be interesting to see if somehow after the new firmware, now it isn't.

[stevetoney]

(cut) ... I'm curious to see if Tonedeaf gets any problems with this card on the older firmware.  I don't really want to downgrade mine - I never really trust firmware downgrades, maybe irrationally so. ... (/cut)

I didn't get to do any testing today.  I ended up running around much of the day today.  Will get at it tomorrow.

[morst]

Can you link to this? - I see something like it...not sure what's "official" about it..

https://www.sdcard.org/downloads/formatter_4/
this one is from the SD association, that's pretty official.

When I had an A-Data card fail (in the DR-70D), the A-Data warranty department requested that I try the official formatter first, and it did restore the card's read & write speed back to factory spec. I still sent the trouble-card back on an RMA, 'cause I know that A-Data will send me a brand-new card, in a sealed factory package when I have troubles...

Thank you for contacting ADATA USA.
 
Troubleshooting Tips:
1. Check for physical damages - make sure the memory card doesn’t have cracks and/or scratches, these cause damages to internal components and are NOT covered by warranty.
2. If the memory card is not detectable, test and/or reformat it with other devices, it might be incompatible with the original device.
3. If the memory card is detectable but with file corruption, try running the recommended SD Formatting tool - https://www.sdcard.org/downloads/formatter_3/
 
We request customers to return product(s) to our location for further testing. We will be happy to repair or replace your unit if it deemed faulty.
 

[morst]

REMIND ME AGAIN WHAT TASCAM PAYS FOR Q/A DEPARTMENT JOBS!?!?!

Oh, no... wanna larf? Tascam needs someone familiar with "CUEBASE!"

http://tascam.com/company/jobs/

[capnhook]

HAVEN'T YOU HEARD morst, Q/A is OUT, Marketing is IN.  All the new MBA textbooks teach that now....

[jbell]

This PNY card was used in my 70d with firmware 1.11 for 4 show and only reformated one time during those days.  No issues with digi noise.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HIKBW1G?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00

[voltronic]

I guess I shouldn't expect any of the big features on our firmware update wishlist to make it to the 70D now - they are coming out with new version:
http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=175411.0

[F.O.Bean]

I guess I shouldn't expect any of the big features on our firmware update wishlist to make it to the 70D now - they are coming out with new version:
http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=175411.0

Exactly! I don't need timecode/HDMI features, so I just want my 70D to record like it should! Since switching to PNY cards a few months ago, I haven't had ANY problems, and I STILL run an m10 as a backup lol

[Life In Rewind]

I guess I shouldn't expect any of the big features on our firmware update wishlist to make it to the 70D now - they are coming out with new version:
http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=175411.0

Not sure I'd call this a "new version"...its a totally different product...not like this is a "mkII"...

[johnmuge]

I unfortunately had another problem this weekend on test #2.  At the 1 hour 47 minute point, the recording levels went up by them self and peak with the red lights flashing and it recorded a weird noise.  From that point on every few minutes, there are pops and skips and also a few other 10 second intervals of level peaking.  I spoke to Brian @ Tascam Tech Support who was very nice and knowledgeable about the deck.  He went over all my settings and the card and external power etc. and confirmed something weird was going on and asked me the send the unit back to Tascam for either repair or exchange.  I'm hoping for the best as I like the deck and I want it to work with confidence.  I will report back with the outcome.  I was using a approved card SanDisk #SDSDUP-016G,  V1.11 firmware, and a Generic Power Bank 20,000 mah ultra thin battery.

  I just would like to report that Tascam sent me a brand new unit.  As for customer service, they were very nice to me and I have no complaints with them at all.  Now it's time to give this new unit a good test run.

[mfrench]

A success to report; my first four channel effort with this device.  I no longer have phantom powered mics. But I did run a pair of Senn MKE2002 HRTF (ch1&2), and, a pair DPA 4060/MMA6000 spaced-> (ch3&4), at 24/44.1, last saturday morning at an acoustic jazz gig, without any issues.

[Mike D (VT)]

My deck has only recorded about a half dozen shows. The first 3, were okay, I feel like it was like the trial period. Used the mics and tried different tweaks here and there to try for optimal sound.
The next 3 were SBD feeds, and the 1st one was good, but then it started glitching - giving the "Write Timeout" screen. Completely random. It would go for 15 seconds and do it, and it would go for an hour and do it.
Last weekend it happened again. Unless I'm hovering over my deck (and not paying attention to the music), it could happen and I'll miss who knows how much music.

So after skimming the past 20+ pages - Is this in fact a problem with the card? Degraded? This quickly?
And where is the list of compatible cards?
I purchased mine through Busman, and it came with a card.
Never did do the firmware upgrade.
If I missed a side discussion on this, please point me in the right direction. I don't want to botch another show.
Thanks  ~ 

[2manyrocks]

Here's Tascam's list:  http://tascam.com/content/downloads/products/867/dr-70d_tested_media_list_20151006.pdf

I can't recall anyone complaining about a "write timeout" error before (could be wrong) in this very long thread.  The complaints I remember were that there were spikes/glitches in some of the recordings, but others like me have not have issues.   

Whether you have a card issue or some other issue, I cannot say. 

If you have a warranty from Busman, wouldn't hurt to take this up with Busman. 

[voltronic]

"Write timeout" was reported by one user a long time ago, before Tascam had even put out the first version of their media list.

It also happened to me once with my new SanDisk card, but has been fine ever since I did a full / erase format on it with the SD Formatter Utility.

This error seems to indicate the card can't keep up with the rate of data that the recorder is trying to write to it.  This may have nothing at all to do with the speed rating printed on the card, as those ratings are derived from burst read / write tests and audio recorders send a more or less continuous data stream.  So the card may not be able to keep up.  Or, as was the case in my situation, you have filesystem corruption.  This can definitely happen on a new card, as it did to me.

Bottom line: check to see if your card is in the list linked above.  Do a full / erase format using the tool I linked (don't use the Win / Mac built-in format).

You also might want to update your 70D firmware.  Version 1.11 added the full / erase format option, which actually formats the card.  Previous versions could only quick format, which only erases filesystem information but does not actually format the card.