Topic: eee PC as a Recorder/Bit Bucket

[rsimms3]

Well, after two months of looking, I ended up waiting on the Atom based unit, 1000H.  I just got it yesterday and haven't gone through full paces yet.  I haven't been able to get the UA-5 to work in 24/96 on my main machine with Audition, but I have with Audacity.  So far, Audacity appears to be running fine with the UA-5 on the 1000H.  The good thing about this unit is that you can turn the screen off and everything continues to run unlike Standby or Sleep mode so it saves on energy instead of having the screen on or worrying if something will go bonkers if the screen saver kicks in.  They advertise "7.5 hours of computing" but I am looking at around 5 with the bright/contrast turned all the way down, WiFi off, Bluetooth off, Camera off, and battery save mode.  I just worked out Audition working with the UA-5.  Recorded about 30 minutes at 24/96 and still had around 3 hours battery time according to the meter.  I am next going to try making my recording go to a SDHC card and see if it improves.  There was horrible lag between the wave form I was seeing and what was being recorded.  The laptop had such a time keeping up I lost my meters on the bottom.  Need to look at more RAM or tweaking some settings.

Pics or it didn't happen....

[rsimms3]

Oh, as an FYI, this model was going for $649, and is now down to $549 at most retailers.  I got mine off of eBay at $599 plus shipping, but used the 20% off rebate offer through the Live Search website so it will be $500 shipped when I get the rebate in 50 days. 

Specifications
Internal memory: 80 GB hard disk drive (HDD)
RAM: 1 GB DDR2
Processor: 1.6 GHz Intel Atom
Memory expansion: Slot for MMC/SD(SDHC) cards
Operating system: Windows XP Home
LCD: 10.2 inches, 1024 x 600 pixels
Networking: Tri-mode Wi-Fi (802.11b/g/n), 10/100 Fast Ethernet
Peripheral connectivity: Three USB 2.0
External video: One VGA
External audio: One headphone and one microphone port
Webcamera: Yes, 1.3 megapixels
Battery: 6 cells, up to 7 hours
Weight: 3.19 pounds (51 ounces)
Dimensions: 10.5 × 7.5 × 1.5 inches

[digifish_music]

Good to see your rig rsimms3

I just bought an Eee PC 900HA (this has a 160 gb hard drive and the Atom processor, so it's similar to the 1000H in a smaller package), I plan on using it for editing audio recordings in the field. I will test it out with some external audio interfaces and even the internal soundcard too when I get a moment.

http://eeepc.asus.com/global/product900ha.html?n=0

Best news is the small size. 170mm(L) x 225mm(W) x 34mm(H), it would sit on top of your UA-5 no problem.

~ USD $350 at Newegg http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834220441

Not mine but here is a video of one from YouTube...

900HA Boot Test

digifish

[jerryfreak]

i have a 901, the linux build is super simple, but kind of weak. there are ubuntu distros custom made for it.

i use mine with a usb recording device on xp, works stellar, easily 4-5 hours of battery life

the reason to buy a linux version is to get the bigger SSD.

the windows version comes with 4GB 'fast' SSD and 8GB 'slower' SSD

the linux version comes with 4GB 'fast' SSD and 16GB 'slower' SSD

16 and 32GB SDHCs are pretty common, so that should be plenty of space.
unlike most laptops the unit takes a 9V wall wart, so its easily adapted to taping power as well.

SSD units beat the hard drive ones for battery life, obviously

these are pretty cheap now. my 901 was $458- $131 ebay cashback

[fmaderjr]

I'm confused & must be missing something. Could someone tell me the advantages of using the eee PC as a bit bucket over the simple solution of just using a MT2, which is much cheaper, much smaller, simpler to operate in the field, and probably has much better battery life even without one of those small external battery packs? Seems like way more trouble than it's worth to me.

Obviously I realize the eeePC can be used for other useful things besides recording, but if I wanted one and also wanted a bit bucket I'd get both the eee PC and the MT2. After all, after the Microsoft cash back on E-Bay, the MT2 can be had for way under $200.

[rsimms3]

This thread started back in May and was to get a feel if anyone else was headed toward Netbook recording.  Yes, the MT2 would be a better choice.  I ended up getting an MT24/96 before realizing it doesn't do seamless splits so I record at 24/48 instead of 24/96.  I never ended up using the eee PC to record with because....I couldn't find a program that would do seamless splits recording 24/96.  If someone knows how, I am all ears.  I just had some unexpected expenses come up or I would be going for the MT2, selling the MT24/96.  I do use the eee PC for email checking and storing my recordings while away from home.  Great little netbook.

[digifish_music]

This thread started back in May and was to get a feel if anyone else was headed toward Netbook recording.  Yes, the MT2 would be a better choice.  I ended up getting an MT24/96 before realizing it doesn't do seamless splits so I record at 24/48 instead of 24/96.  I never ended up using the eee PC to record with because....I couldn't find a program that would do seamless splits recording 24/96.  If someone knows how, I am all ears.  I just had some unexpected expenses come up or I would be going for the MT2, selling the MT24/96.  I do use the eee PC for email checking and storing my recordings while away from home.  Great little netbook.

I just took delivery of an Eee PC 900HA (160 Gb hard drive), mainly for in-the-field audio editing, and I have been impressed so far...will experiment with recording soon. Much better quality and smaller than I expected...




digifish

[timP]

so, how are you guys liking yr eee PCs?


been eying them now for months


anyone heard of people swapping in larger SSDs? (32/64gb)

[rsimms3]

I bought on the bleeding edge so I have a 60gb regular Laptop harddrive.  I have thought about buying one of the cheap portables and swapping out wiht a larger one, say 300gb.  I love mine for on the road stuff.  I don't do a lot of processing as I record in 24bit and it takes a while to do major processing for 24bit stuff, I usually just copy stuff for back up, etc.  I never did any recording with the laptop due to getting a MT then moving to an MTII.  Great to have one of these netbooks though, really handy.

[timP]

http://blog.wired.com/gadgets/2009/01/asus-shows-an-e.html

at CES2009

glad I help off buying.

love the TV tuner and GPS aspect.

just want a larger SSHD and I'll be set