Topic: Tascam HD-P2

[H₂O]

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?

[yug du nord]

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.   

[H₂O]

Thanks for the input!

How long will it last on 8 AA Rechargeables?

[twatts (pants are so over-rated...)]

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

[JackoRoses]

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

[H₂O]

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. 

[mattmiller]

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

[paulr]

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 

[Brian Skalinder]

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.

[dallman]

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
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.

[yug du nord]

^^^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.

[paulr]

Thanks for the replies.  Cant wait to run this thing.... 

[newplanet7]

Anyone use a tekkeon with it?

[yug du nord]

Anyone use a tekkeon with it?

I think dallman does.

[twatts (pants are so over-rated...)]

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