Just ordered a Marantz PMD670 - any comments?

[John H. Power]

I checked out a lot of option and although expensive, this seemed to
be the best. With CF cards dropping (1 gig for about $150 at New Egg)
this seemed like a good capture option. I will be using this
primarily for depositions, hearings, witness statements,etc etc.
Until now I have been using an analog tape and then capturing to a
hard drive with Adobe Audition. That's kind of a pain although it
does work.

There is a 30 day return period so if anyone has any comments on this
device I am interested.

Thanks

[Mike Cleaver]

These were the recorders we chose for a 5 station cluster for which I
did newsroom egineering.
The original models were battery hogs but that was the only problem
along with the high cost of the media at the time.
As you have mentioned, the media cost has dropped severely.
The battery problem is said to have been improved.
These machines were getting banged around on outside assignments and
seemed able to take the punishment.
If you treat it well, it should work just fine.

On Tue, 01 Jun 2004 18:05:43 -0400, John H. Power
> wrote:

>I checked out a lot of option and although expensive, this seemed to
>be the best. With CF cards dropping (1 gig for about $150 at New Egg)
>this seemed like a good capture option. I will be using this
>primarily for depositions, hearings, witness statements,etc etc.
>Until now I have been using an analog tape and then capturing to a
>hard drive with Adobe Audition. That's kind of a pain although it
>does work.
>
>There is a 30 day return period so if anyone has any comments on this
>device I am interested.
>
>Thanks

Mike Cleaver Broadcast Services
Voice-overs, Newscaster, Engineering and Consulting
Vancouver, BC, Canada

[Mike Cleaver]

These were the recorders we chose for a 5 station cluster for which I
did newsroom egineering.
The original models were battery hogs but that was the only problem
along with the high cost of the media at the time.
As you have mentioned, the media cost has dropped severely.
The battery problem is said to have been improved.
These machines were getting banged around on outside assignments and
seemed able to take the punishment.
If you treat it well, it should work just fine.

On Tue, 01 Jun 2004 18:05:43 -0400, John H. Power
> wrote:

>I checked out a lot of option and although expensive, this seemed to
>be the best. With CF cards dropping (1 gig for about $150 at New Egg)
>this seemed like a good capture option. I will be using this
>primarily for depositions, hearings, witness statements,etc etc.
>Until now I have been using an analog tape and then capturing to a
>hard drive with Adobe Audition. That's kind of a pain although it
>does work.
>
>There is a 30 day return period so if anyone has any comments on this
>device I am interested.
>
>Thanks

Mike Cleaver Broadcast Services
Voice-overs, Newscaster, Engineering and Consulting
Vancouver, BC, Canada

[John H. Power]

On Tue, 01 Jun 2004 22:27:34 GMT, Mike Cleaver >
wrote:

>These were the recorders we chose for a 5 station cluster for which I
>did newsroom egineering.
>The original models were battery hogs but that was the only problem
>along with the high cost of the media at the time.
>As you have mentioned, the media cost has dropped severely.
>The battery problem is said to have been improved.
>These machines were getting banged around on outside assignments and
>seemed able to take the punishment.
>If you treat it well, it should work just fine.
>
>On Tue, 01 Jun 2004 18:05:43 -0400, John H. Power
> wrote:
>
>>I checked out a lot of option and although expensive, this seemed to
>>be the best. With CF cards dropping (1 gig for about $150 at New Egg)
>>this seemed like a good capture option. I will be using this
>>primarily for depositions, hearings, witness statements,etc etc.
>>Until now I have been using an analog tape and then capturing to a
>>hard drive with Adobe Audition. That's kind of a pain although it
>>does work.
>>
>>There is a 30 day return period so if anyone has any comments on this
>>device I am interested.
>>
>>Thanks
>
>Mike Cleaver Broadcast Services
>Voice-overs, Newscaster, Engineering and Consulting
>Vancouver, BC, Canada

Thanks for the input. In most cases I will have electrical inputs. I
am assuming I can plug this in if necessary. Is that correct?

[John H. Power]

On Tue, 01 Jun 2004 22:27:34 GMT, Mike Cleaver >
wrote:

>These were the recorders we chose for a 5 station cluster for which I
>did newsroom egineering.
>The original models were battery hogs but that was the only problem
>along with the high cost of the media at the time.
>As you have mentioned, the media cost has dropped severely.
>The battery problem is said to have been improved.
>These machines were getting banged around on outside assignments and
>seemed able to take the punishment.
>If you treat it well, it should work just fine.
>
>On Tue, 01 Jun 2004 18:05:43 -0400, John H. Power
> wrote:
>
>>I checked out a lot of option and although expensive, this seemed to
>>be the best. With CF cards dropping (1 gig for about $150 at New Egg)
>>this seemed like a good capture option. I will be using this
>>primarily for depositions, hearings, witness statements,etc etc.
>>Until now I have been using an analog tape and then capturing to a
>>hard drive with Adobe Audition. That's kind of a pain although it
>>does work.
>>
>>There is a 30 day return period so if anyone has any comments on this
>>device I am interested.
>>
>>Thanks
>
>Mike Cleaver Broadcast Services
>Voice-overs, Newscaster, Engineering and Consulting
>Vancouver, BC, Canada

Thanks for the input. In most cases I will have electrical inputs. I
am assuming I can plug this in if necessary. Is that correct?

[Mike Cleaver]

yes in that case you might want to order the rechargeable battery
option as well and just use regular batteries as an emergency backup.

On Tue, 01 Jun 2004 18:44:19 -0400, John H. Power
> wrote:

>On Tue, 01 Jun 2004 22:27:34 GMT, Mike Cleaver >
>wrote:
>
>>These were the recorders we chose for a 5 station cluster for which I
>>did newsroom egineering.
>>The original models were battery hogs but that was the only problem
>>along with the high cost of the media at the time.
>>As you have mentioned, the media cost has dropped severely.
>>The battery problem is said to have been improved.
>>These machines were getting banged around on outside assignments and
>>seemed able to take the punishment.
>>If you treat it well, it should work just fine.
>>
>>On Tue, 01 Jun 2004 18:05:43 -0400, John H. Power
> wrote:
>>
>>>I checked out a lot of option and although expensive, this seemed to
>>>be the best. With CF cards dropping (1 gig for about $150 at New Egg)
>>>this seemed like a good capture option. I will be using this
>>>primarily for depositions, hearings, witness statements,etc etc.
>>>Until now I have been using an analog tape and then capturing to a
>>>hard drive with Adobe Audition. That's kind of a pain although it
>>>does work.
>>>
>>>There is a 30 day return period so if anyone has any comments on this
>>>device I am interested.
>>>
>>>Thanks
>>
>>Mike Cleaver Broadcast Services
>>Voice-overs, Newscaster, Engineering and Consulting
>>Vancouver, BC, Canada

>Thanks for the input. In most cases I will have electrical inputs. I
>am assuming I can plug this in if necessary. Is that correct?

Mike Cleaver Broadcast Services
Voice-overs, Newscaster, Engineering and Consulting
Vancouver, BC, Canada

[Mike Cleaver]

yes in that case you might want to order the rechargeable battery
option as well and just use regular batteries as an emergency backup.

On Tue, 01 Jun 2004 18:44:19 -0400, John H. Power
> wrote:

>On Tue, 01 Jun 2004 22:27:34 GMT, Mike Cleaver >
>wrote:
>
>>These were the recorders we chose for a 5 station cluster for which I
>>did newsroom egineering.
>>The original models were battery hogs but that was the only problem
>>along with the high cost of the media at the time.
>>As you have mentioned, the media cost has dropped severely.
>>The battery problem is said to have been improved.
>>These machines were getting banged around on outside assignments and
>>seemed able to take the punishment.
>>If you treat it well, it should work just fine.
>>
>>On Tue, 01 Jun 2004 18:05:43 -0400, John H. Power
> wrote:
>>
>>>I checked out a lot of option and although expensive, this seemed to
>>>be the best. With CF cards dropping (1 gig for about $150 at New Egg)
>>>this seemed like a good capture option. I will be using this
>>>primarily for depositions, hearings, witness statements,etc etc.
>>>Until now I have been using an analog tape and then capturing to a
>>>hard drive with Adobe Audition. That's kind of a pain although it
>>>does work.
>>>
>>>There is a 30 day return period so if anyone has any comments on this
>>>device I am interested.
>>>
>>>Thanks
>>
>>Mike Cleaver Broadcast Services
>>Voice-overs, Newscaster, Engineering and Consulting
>>Vancouver, BC, Canada

>Thanks for the input. In most cases I will have electrical inputs. I
>am assuming I can plug this in if necessary. Is that correct?

Mike Cleaver Broadcast Services
Voice-overs, Newscaster, Engineering and Consulting
Vancouver, BC, Canada

[Len Moskowitz]

John H. Power > wrote:

>I checked out a lot of option and although expensive, this seemed to
>be the best. With CF cards dropping (1 gig for about $150 at New Egg)
>this seemed like a good capture option. I will be using this
>primarily for depositions, hearings, witness statements,etc etc.
>Until now I have been using an analog tape and then capturing to a
>hard drive with Adobe Audition. That's kind of a pain although it
>does work.
>
>There is a 30 day return period so if anyone has any comments on this
>device I am interested.

It's a good choice for your applications.

It won't do 24/96, is perhaps larger than it needs to be, has had some
reports of battery problems but it's a good value at the price.

--
Len Moskowitz PDAudio, Binaural Mics, Cables, DPA, M-Audio
Core Sound http://www.stealthmicrophones.com
Teaneck, New Jersey USA http://www.core-sound.com
Tel: 201-801-0812, FAX: 201-801-0912

[Len Moskowitz]

John H. Power > wrote:

>I checked out a lot of option and although expensive, this seemed to
>be the best. With CF cards dropping (1 gig for about $150 at New Egg)
>this seemed like a good capture option. I will be using this
>primarily for depositions, hearings, witness statements,etc etc.
>Until now I have been using an analog tape and then capturing to a
>hard drive with Adobe Audition. That's kind of a pain although it
>does work.
>
>There is a 30 day return period so if anyone has any comments on this
>device I am interested.

It's a good choice for your applications.

It won't do 24/96, is perhaps larger than it needs to be, has had some
reports of battery problems but it's a good value at the price.

--
Len Moskowitz PDAudio, Binaural Mics, Cables, DPA, M-Audio
Core Sound http://www.stealthmicrophones.com
Teaneck, New Jersey USA http://www.core-sound.com
Tel: 201-801-0812, FAX: 201-801-0912

[MacKerr]

<<
John H. Power > wrote:

>I checked out a lot of option and although expensive, this seemed to
>be the best. With CF cards dropping (1 gig for about $150 at New Egg)
>this seemed like a good capture option. I will be using this
>primarily for depositions, hearings, witness statements,etc etc.
>Until now I have been using an analog tape and then capturing to a
>hard drive with Adobe Audition. That's kind of a pain although it
>does work.
>
>There is a 30 day return period so if anyone has any comments on this
>device I am interested.

If you are logging court procedings or other meetings and have been using
cassette, you can probably use it as an MP3 recorder. You can get over 12 hours
on 1 gig that way. It will break the recording up into seperate files if you
hit the record button. This makes it easy to find sections when you lay it off
to a CD

[MacKerr]

<<
John H. Power > wrote:

>I checked out a lot of option and although expensive, this seemed to
>be the best. With CF cards dropping (1 gig for about $150 at New Egg)
>this seemed like a good capture option. I will be using this
>primarily for depositions, hearings, witness statements,etc etc.
>Until now I have been using an analog tape and then capturing to a
>hard drive with Adobe Audition. That's kind of a pain although it
>does work.
>
>There is a 30 day return period so if anyone has any comments on this
>device I am interested.

If you are logging court procedings or other meetings and have been using
cassette, you can probably use it as an MP3 recorder. You can get over 12 hours
on 1 gig that way. It will break the recording up into seperate files if you
hit the record button. This makes it easy to find sections when you lay it off
to a CD

[Chip Gallo]

MacKerr wrote:
> <<
> John H. Power > wrote:
>
>> I checked out a lot of option and although expensive, this seemed to
>> be the best. With CF cards dropping (1 gig for about $150 at New
>> Egg) this seemed like a good capture option. I will be using this
>> primarily for depositions, hearings, witness statements,etc etc.
>> Until now I have been using an analog tape and then capturing to a
>> hard drive with Adobe Audition. That's kind of a pain although it
>> does work.
>>
>> There is a 30 day return period so if anyone has any comments on this
>> device I am interested.
>
> If you are logging court procedings or other meetings and have been
> using cassette, you can probably use it as an MP3 recorder. You can
> get over 12 hours on 1 gig that way. It will break the recording up
> into seperate files if you hit the record button. This makes it easy
> to find sections when you lay it off to a CD

The USB implementation on the 670 has been buggy for us. We bought an
outboard CF card reader rather than plug the deck into a computer.
Frequently the audio files would read as corrupt but would be fine with the
reader. Marantz support wanted to blame it on the several different
computers that all manifested this with the PMD670 and ended up dropping the
issue.

Chip Gallo

[Chip Gallo]

MacKerr wrote:
> <<
> John H. Power > wrote:
>
>> I checked out a lot of option and although expensive, this seemed to
>> be the best. With CF cards dropping (1 gig for about $150 at New
>> Egg) this seemed like a good capture option. I will be using this
>> primarily for depositions, hearings, witness statements,etc etc.
>> Until now I have been using an analog tape and then capturing to a
>> hard drive with Adobe Audition. That's kind of a pain although it
>> does work.
>>
>> There is a 30 day return period so if anyone has any comments on this
>> device I am interested.
>
> If you are logging court procedings or other meetings and have been
> using cassette, you can probably use it as an MP3 recorder. You can
> get over 12 hours on 1 gig that way. It will break the recording up
> into seperate files if you hit the record button. This makes it easy
> to find sections when you lay it off to a CD

The USB implementation on the 670 has been buggy for us. We bought an
outboard CF card reader rather than plug the deck into a computer.
Frequently the audio files would read as corrupt but would be fine with the
reader. Marantz support wanted to blame it on the several different
computers that all manifested this with the PMD670 and ended up dropping the
issue.

Chip Gallo

[MacKerr]

Chip Gallo wrote
<< The USB implementation on the 670 has been buggy for us. We bought an
outboard CF card reader rather than plug the deck into a computer.
Frequently the audio files would read as corrupt but would be fine with the
reader. Marantz support wanted to blame it on the several different
computers that all manifested this with the PMD670 and ended up dropping the
issue. >><BR><BR>

I have not had that problem, with several laptops and one portable rack mounted
desktop.

Mac

[MacKerr]

Chip Gallo wrote
<< The USB implementation on the 670 has been buggy for us. We bought an
outboard CF card reader rather than plug the deck into a computer.
Frequently the audio files would read as corrupt but would be fine with the
reader. Marantz support wanted to blame it on the several different
computers that all manifested this with the PMD670 and ended up dropping the
issue. >><BR><BR>

I have not had that problem, with several laptops and one portable rack mounted
desktop.

Mac

[John H. Power]

On 04 Jun 2004 16:14:51 GMT, (MacKerr) wrote:

>Chip Gallo wrote
><< The USB implementation on the 670 has been buggy for us. We bought an
>outboard CF card reader rather than plug the deck into a computer.
>Frequently the audio files would read as corrupt but would be fine with the
>reader. Marantz support wanted to blame it on the several different
>computers that all manifested this with the PMD670 and ended up dropping the
>issue. >><BR><BR>
>
>I have not had that problem, with several laptops and one portable rack mounted
>desktop.
>
>Mac
Nor have I had a problem with mine. I love this thing. I did a
Driver's License hearing and a jail interview this morning and by noon
I had CD's in the mail going to the interested parties.

However, the interior of the hard shell case could have been designed
better. It is set up so that the recorder and the power adapter are
on the one side rather than centered so the thing is off balance when
you carry it.

[John H. Power]

On 04 Jun 2004 16:14:51 GMT, (MacKerr) wrote:

>Chip Gallo wrote
><< The USB implementation on the 670 has been buggy for us. We bought an
>outboard CF card reader rather than plug the deck into a computer.
>Frequently the audio files would read as corrupt but would be fine with the
>reader. Marantz support wanted to blame it on the several different
>computers that all manifested this with the PMD670 and ended up dropping the
>issue. >><BR><BR>
>
>I have not had that problem, with several laptops and one portable rack mounted
>desktop.
>
>Mac
Nor have I had a problem with mine. I love this thing. I did a
Driver's License hearing and a jail interview this morning and by noon
I had CD's in the mail going to the interested parties.

However, the interior of the hard shell case could have been designed
better. It is set up so that the recorder and the power adapter are
on the one side rather than centered so the thing is off balance when
you carry it.

[Chip Gallo]

John H. Power wrote:
> On 04 Jun 2004 16:14:51 GMT, (MacKerr) wrote:
>
>> Chip Gallo wrote
>> << The USB implementation on the 670 has been buggy for us. We
>> bought an outboard CF card reader rather than plug the deck into a
>> computer.
>> Frequently the audio files would read as corrupt but would be fine
>> with the reader. Marantz support wanted to blame it on the several
>> different
>> computers that all manifested this with the PMD670 and ended up
>> dropping the issue. >><BR><BR>
>>
>> I have not had that problem, with several laptops and one portable
>> rack mounted desktop.
>>
>> Mac
> Nor have I had a problem with mine. I love this thing. I did a
> Driver's License hearing and a jail interview this morning and by noon
> I had CD's in the mail going to the interested parties.
>
> However, the interior of the hard shell case could have been designed
> better. It is set up so that the recorder and the power adapter are
> on the one side rather than centered so the thing is off balance when
> you carry it.

For all I know they fixed the USB in current production units. We bought
ours late last year, around October. It was more the tech support part that
annoyed me. Glad that your units are behaving ...

Chip

[Chip Gallo]

John H. Power wrote:
> On 04 Jun 2004 16:14:51 GMT, (MacKerr) wrote:
>
>> Chip Gallo wrote
>> << The USB implementation on the 670 has been buggy for us. We
>> bought an outboard CF card reader rather than plug the deck into a
>> computer.
>> Frequently the audio files would read as corrupt but would be fine
>> with the reader. Marantz support wanted to blame it on the several
>> different
>> computers that all manifested this with the PMD670 and ended up
>> dropping the issue. >><BR><BR>
>>
>> I have not had that problem, with several laptops and one portable
>> rack mounted desktop.
>>
>> Mac
> Nor have I had a problem with mine. I love this thing. I did a
> Driver's License hearing and a jail interview this morning and by noon
> I had CD's in the mail going to the interested parties.
>
> However, the interior of the hard shell case could have been designed
> better. It is set up so that the recorder and the power adapter are
> on the one side rather than centered so the thing is off balance when
> you carry it.

For all I know they fixed the USB in current production units. We bought
ours late last year, around October. It was more the tech support part that
annoyed me. Glad that your units are behaving ...

Chip

[Mike Cleaver]

This was never a problem in my experience.
Digital to digital transfers seemed to work fine.
But go figure, some reporters insisted on patching the analog out jack
(Line out) to analog in (Line in) on the computer or console to
transfer files!!!!
That also worked but DUH!!


On Fri, 04 Jun 2004 20:52:43 GMT, "Chip Gallo"
> wrote:

>John H. Power wrote:
>> On 04 Jun 2004 16:14:51 GMT, (MacKerr) wrote:
>>
>>> Chip Gallo wrote
>>> << The USB implementation on the 670 has been buggy for us. We
>>> bought an outboard CF card reader rather than plug the deck into a
>>> computer.
>>> Frequently the audio files would read as corrupt but would be fine
>>> with the reader. Marantz support wanted to blame it on the several
>>> different
>>> computers that all manifested this with the PMD670 and ended up
>>> dropping the issue. >><BR><BR>
>>>
>>> I have not had that problem, with several laptops and one portable
>>> rack mounted desktop.
>>>
>>> Mac
>> Nor have I had a problem with mine. I love this thing. I did a
>> Driver's License hearing and a jail interview this morning and by noon
>> I had CD's in the mail going to the interested parties.
>>
>> However, the interior of the hard shell case could have been designed
>> better. It is set up so that the recorder and the power adapter are
>> on the one side rather than centered so the thing is off balance when
>> you carry it.
>
>For all I know they fixed the USB in current production units. We bought
>ours late last year, around October. It was more the tech support part that
>annoyed me. Glad that your units are behaving ...
>
>Chip
>

Mike Cleaver Broadcast Services
Voice-overs, Newscaster, Engineering and Consulting
Vancouver, BC, Canada

[Mike Cleaver]

This was never a problem in my experience.
Digital to digital transfers seemed to work fine.
But go figure, some reporters insisted on patching the analog out jack
(Line out) to analog in (Line in) on the computer or console to
transfer files!!!!
That also worked but DUH!!


On Fri, 04 Jun 2004 20:52:43 GMT, "Chip Gallo"
> wrote:

>John H. Power wrote:
>> On 04 Jun 2004 16:14:51 GMT, (MacKerr) wrote:
>>
>>> Chip Gallo wrote
>>> << The USB implementation on the 670 has been buggy for us. We
>>> bought an outboard CF card reader rather than plug the deck into a
>>> computer.
>>> Frequently the audio files would read as corrupt but would be fine
>>> with the reader. Marantz support wanted to blame it on the several
>>> different
>>> computers that all manifested this with the PMD670 and ended up
>>> dropping the issue. >><BR><BR>
>>>
>>> I have not had that problem, with several laptops and one portable
>>> rack mounted desktop.
>>>
>>> Mac
>> Nor have I had a problem with mine. I love this thing. I did a
>> Driver's License hearing and a jail interview this morning and by noon
>> I had CD's in the mail going to the interested parties.
>>
>> However, the interior of the hard shell case could have been designed
>> better. It is set up so that the recorder and the power adapter are
>> on the one side rather than centered so the thing is off balance when
>> you carry it.
>
>For all I know they fixed the USB in current production units. We bought
>ours late last year, around October. It was more the tech support part that
>annoyed me. Glad that your units are behaving ...
>
>Chip
>

Mike Cleaver Broadcast Services
Voice-overs, Newscaster, Engineering and Consulting
Vancouver, BC, Canada

[Marc Heusser]

In article >,
"Chip Gallo" > wrote:

> The USB implementation on the 670 has been buggy for us. We bought an
> outboard CF card reader rather than plug the deck into a computer.
> Frequently the audio files would read as corrupt but would be fine with the
> reader. Marantz support wanted to blame it on the several different
> computers that all manifested this with the PMD670 and ended up dropping the
> issue.

Never had a problem with this - and I transfer several hours of
recordings every day.

Marc

--
Marc Heusser
(remove the obvious: CHEERS and MERICAL...until end to reply via email)

[Marc Heusser]

In article >,
"Chip Gallo" > wrote:

> The USB implementation on the 670 has been buggy for us. We bought an
> outboard CF card reader rather than plug the deck into a computer.
> Frequently the audio files would read as corrupt but would be fine with the
> reader. Marantz support wanted to blame it on the several different
> computers that all manifested this with the PMD670 and ended up dropping the
> issue.

Never had a problem with this - and I transfer several hours of
recordings every day.

Marc

--
Marc Heusser
(remove the obvious: CHEERS and MERICAL...until end to reply via email)