HP iPAQ hx2495

[live2496]

The fastest way to get files from the SD cards is to use a card reader in laptop or desktop system. In my card reader I think 4gb will take 5-6 minutes if I remember correctly. It depends upon the reader though.

It is possible to use the USB, but it is way slower. This is done on the host computer using an application called ActiveSync. If the PDA has wireless you can also ftp the file to a computer running an ftp server. It is also possible to copy the files to a network share. Copying wirelessly is plenty fast enough.

24/96 is roughly 3 times the data rate of CD.

24 bits = 16 bits times 1.5
96kHz = ~2x 44.1kHz (roughly 2x)

CD rate is about 10 mb/min, so 24/96 is about 30 mb per recorded minute. 60 minutes would be about 1800mb. So to a 4gb media expect about 2 hours.

[Len Moskowitz (Core Sound)]

But I have one main concern. It seems that the PDAudio CF card is becoming abandonware at CoreSounds.

PDAudio-CF is not "abandonware" -- we expect to carry it and support it for at least a few more years.

Using an external Mic Pre/ADC like our Mic2496 V2 or a Grace Lunatec V3 gives you a true 24-bit/96 recorder.  The M-Audio MicroTrack II, Sony -D50 and other small recorders have, at best, 16-bits of dynamic range, despite being marketed as 24-bit recorders.

[fmaderjr]

The M-Audio MicroTrack II, Sony -D50 and other small recorders have, at best, 16-bits of dynamic range, despite being marketed as 24-bit recorders.

Not true if you use an external Preamp/ADC (which is also required when using PD Audio). I still think using something like a MT II as a bit bucket is a simpler, more trouble free solution than PD Audio for most people.

[sunjan]

recording with external mics onto a Windows Mobile 6 (or 6.1) Smart Phone? 
...
My phone has a mini USB port.  Any chance of using external mics for this somehow?

That's roughly what I was wondering too.
If I understand live2496, the current showstopper is that there aren't any USB sound devices with Windows Mobile drivers.

If you can track down a USB sound card or "USB mic" that ships with WM6 drivers, or if there is any third party programmer writing these drivers, maybe it could work...

[live2496]

There might be something out there to record when using VOIP. But it would be geared toward phone calls, mono only, and lacking the dynamic range for serious music recording.

[sunjan]

But I have one main concern. It seems that the PDAudio CF card is becoming abandonware at CoreSounds.

PDAudio-CF is not "abandonware" -- we expect to carry it and support it for at least a few more years.

Using an external Mic Pre/ADC like our Mic2496 V2 or a Grace Lunatec V3 gives you a true 24-bit/96 recorder.  The M-Audio MicroTrack II, Sony -D50 and other small recorders have, at best, 16-bits of dynamic range, despite being marketed as 24-bit recorders.

Sorry Len, that was a bit provocative! I appreciate all the effort you put into developing this gear. Cleary, it has been very useful and had a unique niche in the taper community at a time when there were few other options.

But it was just the feeling I got when browsing your site. The "news" page for PDAudio was last updated in May 2007. Go figure... 
The comparison page is "under construction" and doesn't mention the two particular recorders on the market that accept 24bit digital input (D50 and MTII). We're not comparing analog inputs here - I'm strictly looking at S/PDIF 24bit.