Topic: opti-mod V3 > Sony D50 bit depth problem

[ethan]

I borrowed this gear for jamcruise. I like to run 16bit/44.1 for ease and I don't a have a worthy computer and/or playback system to work with 24 bit.

Anyhow I ran the V3 with ANSR on at 44.1 just as I have when running S/PDIF into a DAT deck. I also set the Sony D50 to 16/44.1.

Anyhow I pulled the files off the D50 and they're all 24 bit sized and the header says they're 24bit.

So what happened here? Is the opti-mod in front of the ANSR?

How can I analyze the files to figure out what's really in there? Anyone run into this before?

I am 100% possitive I ran ANSR and even if I spaced once I wouldn't have recorded several sets over several days without setting it.

Thanks for any insight I'd like to get what I taped out but I need to figure out what I got first and what I have to do to get to true 16/44.1 files.

-e

[barrettphisher]

Hey Ethan!  Don't know if this might have been the problem, but with many of the newer recorders the Firmware needs to upgraded in the V3.  Maybe?  Just a thought?
Barrett

[dave w]

This V3 is updated, so that isn't it.

[barrettphisher]

All the outputs on the V3 are the same so the opti should not make a difference.  Strange, have you been able to recreate it?  I'm wanting to get the same recorder to pair with the V3  so I will be tracking this thread.  Maybe Mike Grace will have some insight.
Barrett

[Gutbucket]

My 1st thought too.  Grace provides the chip to swap free of charge, just contact them and provide your V3 serial#.  Appologies if that's already been done on your V3.

If that is the case, then the stored data is only 16 bit (as sent from the V3), but is saved to a 24bit file format.  The bottom 8 bits should be zeros and you can truncate the file's bit depth without information loss using a wave editor and opening them, then saving to a 16 bit format. Select truncate or no dither if there is an option in your software.

You can find free bit depth meter plugins to check the true bit depth of the files in your editor or in Foobar/Winamp.  I use one called Bitter.  You can down load it here: http://www.stillwellaudio.com/?page_id=33

[edit- other posts while typing, looks like the V3 is updated, you still may want to check the true depth of the files with somthing like the plugin linked above]

[ethan]

I'll attempt to recreate. I have a TV show to do tonight so it may be tomorrow night I get to this.

I'll also try sending 16 bit from a device other than the V3. I'll also review the manual to see if anything was operator error.

Glad all I may have to do is truncate....

Thanks

[Todd R]

I think the answer is stop living in the past with 16bit recordings when you now have a 24bit recording system at your disposal. 

I don't know what the issue is, but it isn't that the firmware on the V3 is the old version.  This is my old V3, and I upgraded the firmware.  I also used it with my D50 without incidence, but I never tried recording at 16bit, at least that I remember.

Let us know what you find with the latest trials.  If you did record though with the ANSR on, as you note, all you would need to do is truncate to 16bits.

[ethan]

I think the answer is stop living in the past with 16bit recordings when you now have a 24bit recording system at your disposal. 

I know.. I know...I'm just not set up to do 24 bit post production.

[ethan]

still haven't got to this test...might be sat morning before I can...

[ethan]

So I ran ad1k > d50 last night. The file is 16 bit so something is weird with the v3 > d50. Guess ill go back and try to duplicate the problem.