Topic: Err Card 2 message on Marantz PMD 661

[Jack Whiteley]

Hi there,

I recently bought a 4GB flash memory card for my Marantz field recorder so I could record for longer in uncompressed .wav format (the original 1GB memory card that came with the device only allowed me to record up to 3hrs uncompressed). However after trying out the new card an "Err Card 2" message flashed on screen after about a minutes recording. However this oddly only happened when recording in .wav and not in .mp3.

I thought it may be a faulty card so I ordered a second only to experience exactly the same problem. I then thought I may be using the wrong type of card as the card that originally came with the device was an SD card and the two new replacement cards were SDHC cards. But after consulting the user manual it clearly stated that the device supports both card types.

So I am now at a loss with what to do. Please can someone help shed some light on this problem?

Your help will be much appreciated.

Jack.

[JasonSobel]

what type of cards (brand/class) have been giving you the error?  Maybe it's an issue with the card speed.

just to note, I have used (and continue to use) a 8Gb Sandisk Ultra II card, as well as a 16Gb PNY card.  both are SDHC cards, and both have performed flawlessly (recording WAV files at 24/48 and/or 24/96).

[Jack Whiteley]

Hey,

The original card that came with the Marantz is a SanDisk 1GB SD card. The two new cards I purchased were described as SanDisk 4GB SDHC secure digital cards. I take it the SanDisk Ultra II card is different from these then? In what way do they differ? Do you use yours in a Marantz recorder?

Thanks for your quick reply.

Jack.

[JasonSobel]

Jack,

yes, the experience that I describe has always been in my PMD-661.
Sandisk is a good reliable brand.  Did you buy your cards on ebay?  There are a lot of fake cards being sold on ebay, so I would avoid ebay for flash card purposes (newegg.com usually has reasonable prices and fast shipping).

on the other hand, if you didn't buy the cards from ebay, and the cards are legit Sandisk cards, I'm not sure what is going on.

One other suggestion is to always make sure that you format the card in the Marantz PMD-661 before using it.

hope this helps.

- Jason

[Jack Whiteley]

Thanks Jason,

I think I'll give the SanDisk Ultra II card a try then.

Jack.