Topic: Sony's new $600 recorder PCM-D50 PT II

[(Evan)]

If you use an external preamp with the D50, can you not use the D50's limiter?

[jlykos]

If you use an external preamp with the D50, can you not use the D50's limiter?

You can still use the limiter.

[xpander]

Hi!

A long time reader, first time poster here to join the parade. First thanx for the great information and discussions on this site, been helping me a lot concerning the (outdoors) recording and gear!

I got D50 as xmas present and love using it, this is really nice unit. I've yet to decide how to interface the external mics into it, but so far the internals have kept me busy enough to get things going.

I found curious behaviour in the optical output though, and wonder if anybody else has noticed the same. It seems that my D50 doesn't output sync clock in any other but Play or Play/Pause mode. Fine otherwise, but when connected into my digital tracker, it takes about 10 seconds for it to sync into the D50 clock and be able to record the signal. Having D50 in Play/Pause mode until my tracker is synced doesn't help either; when I enter the Play mode, the clock seems to reset and the tracker drops out of sync again. Same thing with FF/FR and looping actions, reset at the beginning.

Not really a big problem for me, I simply transfer from D50 into PC first, as usual. But anyways, trying straight into my tracker this way, I'll loose the 1st ten seconds in any folder I play back.



PS. Here's some interesting (or not) test results from my winter holiday in arctic; My D50 recorded and played back happily in -28 C (-18.4 F) temperature outside. I did five 10-15 minute sessions, holding D50 out in my hand, not inside the pocket. No glitches, no hiccups.

[reba_103194]

Has anyone tested whether the optical digital output is active during recording and whether someone with another D50, or an H120, or a JB3 can get an optical digital patch during the show from a D50?

Last night, I took the optical out from my Creative digital out>PCM-D50 optical input>Recording Active>Optical Out of PCM-D50>Sony Hi-MD recording. No problems and I get "Digital Recording" on the Sony Hi-MD.  So, yes, if recording with Optical in on PCM-D50, it still passes an optical out. 
Is it exactly the same signal?  I have no way of testing this personally.  Does it convert and then send out a different digital signal than what comes in?  I don't know.  Any way to test?

When I was testing a soundcard in my computer, I output a DTS signal > coax > stereo amp and watched for dropouts/etc.  You could give that a whirl and see if you encounter any issues.  Not a perfect test, but it would be useful information.

[headroom]

It works perfect during recording.I have a digital transmitter from the PCM 50 Optical to the Videocam and it works.

[nolonemo]

Just want to let folks know that Staples is selling an 8GB Sandisk memory stick pro duo for $30, apparently a good price.  Don't know if it works with the D50.

http://www.staples.com/office/supplies/StaplesProductDisplay?&langId=-1&storeId=10001&noredir=true&catalogId=10051&productId=243499&cmArea=

Edit - OOS online, but shows in stock in most stores in the LA area.  YMMV.

[stantheman1976]

Same exact one I have and it works fine.

[tajAGplayer]

+1 for the Staples deal...got mine today, works normally, no unrecognized message.

tj

[johnw]

Sorry if this is redundant, but I tried feeding my D50 a 24/48 signal from a V3 with ANSR off /freq =48 and the D50 displays that it is recording digital but at 16/44.1.

Reading through this thread I see that people were having problems recording at 24/96 and this was solved by replacing a chip in the AD section sent to them from Grace.

Grace has a place on their website to request a new firmware chip. Is this what people were replacing, and should this then allow me to record at whatever the grace sends out - up to 24/96?

[audBall]

I believe the D50 was one of the digital devices that needed the V3's firmware upgrade to read the wav file-header info correctly.  I could be wrong on that one...

However, if you haven't replaced the chip yet go ahead and shoot Grace a message.  They'll mail the replacement out super quick and it's a <5min install. 

[johnw]

Just wanted to report back that indeed updating the V3 firmware resolved the issue with the D50. Thanks!

[audBall]

That was fast!  Glad to hear it worked out for you.

[jlykos]

I have a battery life question with the D50.  How long will 4 AA Duracell / Energizer batteries last in the unit with the plug-in power engaged?  I am using Sonic Studios DSM-6/L microphones.  This would assume that the light is off to conserve power.  Has anybody done this?

[xpander]

Don't have any PIP-powered mics to test this myself, but I'm wondering how close that would be to using the internal mics?

I have done some battery testing (about 2000 mAh charge), recording with internal mics, all lights on and driving headphones at the same time. My thinking was to get an idea about the heaviest possible power consumption...as I stated in another topic:

About the D50 battery life; so far I've been able to get about 12 hours with light and leds on, recording with internal mics (gain at 5) and monitoring thru 600 Ohm studio headphones (volume at 5) at the same time. Not bad at all, I'd say.

[jlykos]

Just returned from the Scion festival.  Used four fresh Panasonic lithiums as a "just-in case" thing.  I recorded seven hours of music using the plug-in power and then listened for about three hours after the show on headphones and the battery meter is still completely full.