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Gear / Technical Help => Recording Gear => Topic started by: H₂O on January 15, 2010, 08:40:39 PM

Title: Tascam HD-P2
Post by: H₂O on January 15, 2010, 08:40:39 PM
Just picked up a Tascam HD-P2 on ebay (cheap AS-IS) and want to know what types of issues I may expect with it.

Can the Firewire port go on it?
What are common hardware problems with these units?
Is there still a limitation on <=8GB Flash?
Title: Re: Tascam HD-P2
Post by: yug du nord on January 15, 2010, 09:07:57 PM
Nice....  I considered bidding on that..... but don't need another.  Congrats.... you scored a great box for cheap!  Good to see this box made it the TS community!  Not too much help here with your questions but....

I've never used the Firewire.  I use a card reader > USB instead.
I've never had any problems with either of my units.  I use Sandisk Ultra II 8GB cards.
8GB....  which gets you either 4hours @ 24/96 or 8hours @ 24/48, so it's not an issue for me.

Great deck IMO.....  crazy how the price of em has come down within the past year.  It's a little big...  but at this point, I wouldn't want any other 2channel deck.... except for an SD box maybe.   
Title: Re: Tascam HD-P2
Post by: H₂O on January 16, 2010, 08:57:23 AM
Thanks for the input!

How long will it last on 8 AA Rechargeables?
Title: Re: Tascam HD-P2
Post by: twatts (pants are so over-rated...) on January 16, 2010, 09:12:41 AM
I use re-chargeable AAs in mine, and a fully charged set will last about 4hours with phantom power...

You can use the FireWire to do transfers, but taking th CF out of the P2 and using a card reader is much faster.

The unit is VERY easy to use and figure out.  A couple of hours of playing and you'll be a master.

Terry
Title: Re: Tascam HD-P2
Post by: JackoRoses on January 16, 2010, 05:47:15 PM
Just picked up a Tascam HD-P2 on ebay (cheap AS-IS) and want to know what types of issues I may expect with it.

Can the Firewire port go on it?
What are common hardware problems with these units?
Is there still a limitation on <=8GB Flash?
http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=87719.0
search feature works wonderfully
Title: Re: Tascam HD-P2
Post by: H₂O on January 17, 2010, 04:51:17 PM
http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=87719.0 (http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=87719.0)
search feature works wonderfully

I saw this - I was just hoping someone could answer my questions versus sorting through the 50+ pages of posts.

What I did read was that some people have had issues with the Analog ins with channels going, etc.  Someone mentioned a button going on there's as well. 
Title: Re: Tascam HD-P2
Post by: mattmiller on January 17, 2010, 05:18:20 PM
Beware of humidity.  I had to have all of the inputs and outputs replaced after a couple of years because they had started to rust.  I think a couple of others reported this as well.

http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=110831
Title: Re: Tascam HD-P2
Post by: paulr on September 08, 2010, 07:07:05 PM
I finally broke down and replaced my DA-P1 with an HD-P2.
So reading through the pages here I see the battery life running on AA's is about 4+ hours using phantom power.  Has anyone found an alternaitve like Eco Charge or similar.  I guess Eco Charge is out of business.  Man those batteries would run my DAP1 and Sound Devices MP-2 well over 4 hours.
It was a great power supply for the DAP1.

I have to say I am a little skeptical moving to a handful of flashlight batteries.....
My previous line was  all powered by a pair of Eco Charge EC90's
Earthworks SR-77>Sound Devices MP-2>Tascam DA-P1
I am also nervous about eliminating my Mp-2 from the line and going direct to the HD-P2...
anyone running a pre-amp in between?  Dont worry about it... Go for it.....
???????

New to this digi thing.... It's been fun until now  :o
Title: Re: Tascam HD-P2
Post by: Brian Skalinder on September 09, 2010, 04:51:54 AM
IIRC, I used a 9v (?) li-ion battery intended for use with portable DVDs.  Much less expensive than EcoCharge, much lighter weight than EC or a homebrew SLA.  Check the Remote Power forum for keywords:  Walmart, DVD battery, batterygeek, or nearly any recent discussion on 9v / 12v batteries or batteries for R-4, R44, V3, UA5.
Title: Re: Tascam HD-P2
Post by: dallman on September 09, 2010, 04:02:33 PM
There is a firmware update that allows you to use bigger CF cards. Here is the site: http://www.tascam.de/en/downloads/HD-P2 (http://www.tascam.de/en/downloads/HD-P2)
For some reson the firmware updates show up on the British site first. There are firmware updates fro the DR 2d and the DR-08 that are not on the USA site. I loaded the update on my HD P@ some time ago with no issues. I use Samsung (Topram) cards as well as having Kingston, and Transcend Cards too, never had an issue of problem with my deck.

I know a lot of people use external batteries that are 9 volt, and have no problems, but I prefer 12 volt external batteries. When a 9 volt battery is weak, it may be putting out far less power, and I would rather not worry about it, but I know many would disagree with me.

Great deck.
Title: Re: Tascam HD-P2
Post by: yug du nord on September 09, 2010, 04:11:11 PM
^^^I'll disagree with ya dallman just for the fun of it!   ;) ;)

I've been using 9v DVD batteries for my HDP2's, and have never had an issue.  A single 9v DVD will run the HDP2 w/phantom for over 4+hours in my experiences...   plenty of time!  If you're at a festival or something, I'd say 2-3 DVD batteries would get you through a full day of recording.  And if you're worried about the battery dying on you, you can get/make a dual battery cable so that you can hot swap the DVD batteries for uninterrupted recording for a solid 6-8 hours at least.  And if you can find the DVD batteries, they're typically a pretty fair price.

I use an 8GB card it records at 24/48 for 8hours....  I never did the firmware update for larger cards.....  but as dallman said........  those that have done the update seem to be happy with it.  The update gives the deck the ability to use a 16GB card I believe. 

The HDP2 is a GREAT piece of gear IMO.
Title: Re: Tascam HD-P2
Post by: paulr on September 09, 2010, 05:31:24 PM
Thanks for the replies.  Cant wait to run this thing....  ;D
Title: Re: Tascam HD-P2
Post by: newplanet7 on September 10, 2010, 12:28:53 PM
Anyone use a tekkeon with it?
Title: Re: Tascam HD-P2
Post by: yug du nord on September 10, 2010, 01:52:20 PM
Anyone use a tekkeon with it?

I think dallman does.
Title: Re: Tascam HD-P2
Post by: twatts (pants are so over-rated...) on September 10, 2010, 02:51:30 PM
Anyone use a tekkeon with it?

Tekkeon My Powers have been recalled..


But you can find specs on it them:  http://www.tekkeon.com/productcart/pc/viewCategories.asp?idCategory=9

These generally have about 50WH, or (at 600mA "rash" per the HD-P2 manual) 4167mAh.

You cna get batteries with greater capacity, for a comparable price:

http://www.batteryspace.com/nimhbatterypack12v45002x5x43af.aspx

Terry
Title: Re: Tascam HD-P2
Post by: newplanet7 on September 10, 2010, 03:17:13 PM
I have a tekkeon and am aware of the recall.
Banging battery all around.
Might be looking into an HDP2 or 661.
I'll just keep the batt I have.
Title: Re: Tascam HD-P2
Post by: twatts (pants are so over-rated...) on September 10, 2010, 03:29:00 PM
I have a tekkeon and am aware of the recall.
Banging battery all around.
Might be looking into an HDP2 or 661.
I'll just keep the batt I have.
Get the 661, or the multi-track Tascam...

I have no regrets on my HDP2, though...

Terry
Title: Re: Tascam HD-P2
Post by: yug du nord on September 10, 2010, 03:35:21 PM
^^^I have two Oade HDP2's in the YS if anyone is on the hunt.
Title: Re: Tascam HD-P2
Post by: newplanet7 on September 10, 2010, 06:36:48 PM
^^^I have two Oade HDP2's in the YS if anyone is on the hunt.
Saw those.
I'm thinking in a month or so.
Might be sold on the 661 thogh
Title: Re: Tascam HD-P2
Post by: mattmiller on September 10, 2010, 07:00:15 PM
Anyone use a tekkeon with it?

I use the 3300 with it (not part of the recall) with the "M" adaptaplug from Radio Shack.  I couldn't get any of the included tips to work.  I run the HD-P2 with phantom power to my KM140s, and after 3.5 to 4 hours (the longest I've run them for) no more than two of the lights have disappeared (out of eight).  I have no idea if the discharge is linear or not, so I'm not saying I could get 15 hours out of it.  But I can get significantly more than I'll ever need, and it provides the flexibility to power just about anything just by switching the voltage output between 3V and 14V.
Title: Re: Tascam HD-P2
Post by: newplanet7 on September 10, 2010, 08:14:26 PM
The recall was only for certain #'s from production, correct?
Title: Re: Tascam HD-P2
Post by: mterry on September 10, 2010, 08:15:53 PM
^^^I have two Oade HDP2's in the YS if anyone is on the hunt.
Saw those.
I'm thinking in a month or so.
Might be sold on the 661 thogh

I was running the Busman HD-P2 all last year, it works great. However, for the size, weight and ease of use I have no regrets switching to the 661. Great level meters, solid battery life and SDHC instead of a CF card.  My only complaint is it's a bit tricky to micro adjust the levels. Thats it however...
Title: Re: Tascam HD-P2
Post by: mattmiller on September 10, 2010, 08:48:03 PM
The recall was only for certain #'s from production, correct?

http://www.tekkeon.com/recall/
Title: Re: Tascam HD-P2
Post by: dallman on September 11, 2010, 01:28:13 AM
Anyone use a tekkeon with it?

I think dallman does.
I do. I cannot recall how long, but my best guess thinking back to the 10klf festival would be close to 10 hours. I also really like the Power Runner which gives me about the same.
 
Title: Re: Tascam HD-P2
Post by: dallman on September 11, 2010, 01:32:00 AM
^^^I have two Oade HDP2's in the YS if anyone is on the hunt.
In spite of uncleyugs generally disagreeable attitude 8)...I'd buy from him in a hearbeat. Those Oade HD P2's are nice decks for anyone looking for solid reliable performance!
Title: Re: Tascam HD-P2
Post by: macdaddy on November 22, 2010, 02:52:16 PM
Can anyone confirm or deny that the internal mic is mono (left) only..?
Title: Re: Tascam HD-P2
Post by: dallman on November 22, 2010, 03:45:51 PM
Can anyone confirm or deny that the internal mic is mono (left) only..?

I think the manual addresses this, but I cannot recall. I don't remember it being left only mono, bit I have never actually tried it.
Title: Re: Tascam HD-P2
Post by: H₂O on November 22, 2010, 04:42:35 PM
It is mono left only