Topic: Anyone know anything about this Fostex FR2 LE (previously FR3 LE)

[bdasilva]

Fostex FR-2LE, a new field recorder, available soon

At the MusikMesse trade show in Germany last April, Fostex announced a
new field recorder called the FR-2LE. This is a smaller and cheaper
companion to the FR-2, a digital recorder introduced about 2 years ago.

The Fostex Japan web site has a couple of photos and a brief
description of the new machine:
http://www.fostex.jp/topic/musikmesse2006/musikmesse_review.htm

B&H Photo Video is the first web site I've seen to start taking
pre-production orders for the FR-2LE. The B&H price is $499. There's
no indication of the date when the FR-2LE will be shipped.

The new machine has many pro features at this very reasonable price.
Here's what I have been able to glean from several web sources.

Fostex FR-2LE

--compact dimensions: roughly 5" x 8" x 2.5"

--weight: unknown, I'm guessing somewhat less than 30oz, including
batteries

--2 channel audio recorder
mic inputs accept XLR and 1/4" phone plug
48V phantom power is available

--Recording controls and level meters well placed for use while the
FR-2LE hangs from your shoulder, or sits in a gear bag.

--CompactFlash memory card
FAT32 file system support, so 8GB card will work OK
A/D quantization at rates up to 24/96
recordings are saved in BWF and MP3 file formats

--Pre-roll buffer (no info on how long)

--RC3600HV rechargeable NiMH battery pack provides 8 hours of operation

--USB 2.0 port for file transfers

--Start of recording always opens a new file with unique name, so no
possibility of over-writing an existing recording

--Simple non-destructive editor lets you specify in and out points
without modifying the original recording

--limiter and auto level control functions, turned off by default

--read after write monitoring: Allows you to play the file from the
Compactflash as you continue to record. This lets you confirm that the
recording is OK.

--Remote operation via a controller attached by wire. Unclear what
functions are available via the remote. This could be useful for
unattended monitoring. Attention, Gene Dorcas!

The FR2 LE is designed to compete with the Marantz PMD660. The Fostex
FR2 will continue to compete with the Marantz PMD671 and Tascam HD-P2

I've read reports that the preamps in the $1300 FR-2 are quieter than
the PMD671 ($900) and HD-P2 ($1000). It will be very interesting to
hear the quality of the preamps in the FR-2LE! At this point, nobody
knows.

[flintstone]

Hey, bdasilva, when you copy information, at least say where you found it!
This message was first posted to the naturerecordists group on Yahoo yesterday.

Flintstone

[spyder9]

The LE is 1/2 inch bigger than the 660.  The 660 is 4.5 x 1.9 x 7.2

[Antivolt]

John Willett on Simplydv.co.uk wrote :

>The original FR-2 has good mic. pre-amps and the information I have had from the Fostex distrbutor in the UK is that the pre-amps on the FRII-LE will be even better.

>The LE version also has a "read after write" function so that you know the recording is OK.

>The battery life is now 4-hours from a rechargeabe.

>It will NOT replace the original FR-2.

>The LE does not have a digital in/out, one of the compromises for making it smaller.

>My only complaint about the original FR-2 was the short battery life - 2-hours in practice. But I have been told that the rechargeable that is used for the LE will be OK on the FR-2 plugged in externally.

>I hope this Helps.

>I am expecting my review sample of the FRII-LE next month and will post my findings when I have had a good play with it.

[spyder9]

So does this run on internal AA rechargeable batteries or their own rechargebale battery?

[smuff]

Thanks for the information. I am gutted about the Digi I/O such a shame.

[flintstone]

I think the "RC3600HV rechargeable NiMH battery pack"  is a sled made by Sanyo containing six sub-C NiMH cells ("sub" means they are a little shorter and a little smaller in diameter.)  This setup provides 7.2V, 3600mAh, and is commonly used in radio controlled cars.

Six standard "C" batteries should fit in the space occupied by the sled, but I have no information that says they will in the FR-2LE.

Flintstone

[bdasilva]

As found on the Nature Recordedists Group.... (Sorry)

http://www.fostex.com/support/pdf/fostex/fr2/fr2_prelim_info.pdf

[spyder9]

Looks like this thing will be available for full distribution in September.  Some small batches will be shipped next month to European distributors.

http://www.soundonsound.com/forum/showflat.php?session=9d0a5b5f7e20cf8b9ec255f8bbdc90e7&Cat=&Number=281069&Main=280323

[Brian Skalinder]

That looks like a digi in in the photo up top.......they could possibly be rca ins r and l, however they are both yellow which is ussally the collor use for a digi in, where as red and white are used for analog in.....

i sure hope your right.. but i just think thats way too cheap to have digi..

I think those are analog outputs.  Underneath, I read "An(something)" (I assume "Analog") under the left RCA, and "Out" under the right.  And above the left I read "L mono" and the right "R".

[timP]

so far, this looks to be what I am looking for...


a XLR in w/phantom, small 24 bit box w/ decent looking meters
for a reasonable price


just hope it takes 8gb cards well

[Colin Liston]

As found on the Nature Recordedists Group.... (Sorry)

http://www.fostex.com/support/pdf/fostex/fr2/fr2_prelim_info.pdf

This pdf file says this has Digital input and output

Digital input via SPDIF / AES EBU
Digital output via  SPDIF / AES EBU

[Brian Skalinder]

I *think* that pdf is for the original fr2, not the fr2le

Yeah, the front faces don't match up - FR2LE images on the SoundonSound website v. FR2 diagram in the PDF.

[Colin Liston]

As found on the Nature Recordedists Group.... (Sorry)

http://www.fostex.com/support/pdf/fostex/fr2/fr2_prelim_info.pdf

This pdf file says this has Digital input and output

Digital input via SPDIF / AES EBU
Digital output via  SPDIF / AES EBU

I *think* that pdf is for the original fr2, not the fr2le

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.  Why no digi in?!  How hard is that to add and make room for?

[xemicison4]

B&H will be getting it in 2-4 weeks.