Recorder -- Engadget

recorder posts

JVC brings Blu-ray burning set-tops to the U.S., leaves all the fun overseas

by Richard Lawler posted Sep 10th 2009 at 12:33PM

U.S. buyers wanting to slide a Blu-ray playing & recording deck into their setup finally have an option coming from JVC, but the domestic limitations are almost as high as the pricetags. Unlike their Japanese and European cousins, there isn't any support for DVRing television content to the hard drive or discs here, with support limited strictly to unprotected Blu-ray content, or imported video from cameras or other sources via the Firewire, SDHC and USB ports. Still, professionals and prosumers interested in easily duping their own Blu-ray discs, video editing or quickly creating one-offs the SR-HD1500 (250GB, $1,995) and the SR-HD1250 (500GB, RS-232, Final Cut Pro .mov file support $2,550) may find a home for these when they ship in October.

Continue reading JVC brings Blu-ray burning set-tops to the U.S., leaves all the fun overseas

Zoom brings stereo audio to Q3 pocket camcorder

by Darren Murph posted Jul 21st 2009 at 8:49AM

While those into good sound likely warmed to Zoom's H4n Handy Recorder back at CES, the Samson Technologies-owned company has just switched the game up on us with its newfangled Q3 Handy Video Recorder. As the product name implies, it's the first pocket camcorder to hit the market with such a serious focus on good sound, packing a directional, dual condenser microphone setup that enables shooters to capture clips at 24-bit/48 kHz while even focusing the mics on the sound source. The camcorder itself can log clips at an uninspiring 640 x 480 (30fps), while a pair of AA batteries gives you around two hours of life. There's also a 2.4-inch LCD, a bundled 32GB SD card (holds 16 hours of footage), a built-in speaker for previews, TV output, a tripod mount and USB 2.0 connectivity. If this bad boy did 720p, we'd be handing over our $249 with a heart full of thanks. Full release is after the break.

Continue reading Zoom brings stereo audio to Q3 pocket camcorder

Samson delivering Zoom H4n handheld recording device at CES

by Darren Murph posted Jan 6th 2009 at 1:37AM

Samson isn't bothering to wait until NAMM kicks off on January 15th; instead, it's bringing its newest handheld recording device to Las Vegas. The Zoom H4n takes off where the H2 and H4 left off, offering up an improved user interface, built-in X/Y stereo condenser mics, a digitally controlled mic preamp and the ability to use internal and external mics simultaneously for 4-channel recording. You'll also find a spacious LCD, a Broadcast Wave Format (BWF) compatible time stamp, track marker functions and audio recording at up to 24bit/96kHz on SD/SDHC media. Unfortunately, there's no word on a price, but we are told that its rugged exterior can handle even the rowdiest of shows. Full release is after the break.

Continue reading Samson delivering Zoom H4n handheld recording device at CES

Sony Japan unveils latest Blu-ray recorders with CREAS upscaling

by Richard Lawler posted Sep 3rd 2008 at 8:15AM

Japan has only a few weeks to prepare for the latest Sony 6X Blu-ray recorders, ready to hit the streets in a wide array of sizes and features. All pack BD-Live support as well as the company's latest "CREAS" upscaling technology -- Resolution+ vs. CREAS, fight! -- promising 14-bit "HD Reality enhancement" and "Super Bit Mapping for video" with only high end X series models seen fit to include DRC-MFv3 image processing already seen in the latest BRAVIA LCDs, plus the ability to transcode and transfer video to PSP / phone / walkman. From the high end BDZ-X100 (1 TB, ¥280,000, $2,574 U.S., September 27, pictured) to the bottom BDZ-T55 (320GB, ¥110,000, $1,011 U.S., October 10) there's a DVR to fit your 15 h.264 HD channels in here somewhere. wondering about a U.S. release? Don't hold your breath.

TASCAM's GT-R1 records impromptu guitar / bass jams

by Darren Murph posted Aug 7th 2008 at 8:03AM

For you axe-slingers who blame your inability to write a new song on the inability to afford a simple, portable recorder, your excuse is officially lame. TASCAM's ingenious GT-R1 affords musicians the ability to simply plug their guitar and / or bass directly in and record using the built-in amp simulator and effects. Better still, the stereo condenser microphones up top allow users to record ambient noise, vocals, off the cuff jam sessions or anything else for that matter. The unit captures in MP3 or WAV format (16- or 24-bit), includes an SD card slot (1GB bundled in) and a USB 2.0 port for offloading files and charging the battery. Newbies can even queue up an MP3 and jam along, and the integrated metronome / chromatic tuner are just icing on an already über-sweet cake. Word on the street has a price of around €200 ($308), which actually sounds like quite the bargain from here.

[Via Engadget Deutschland]

Gallery: TASCAM's GT-R1 records impromtu guitar / bass jams

Modular recorder concept gets down with homegrown sounds

by Darren Murph posted Jul 4th 2008 at 12:33AM

Now here's an instrument you wouldn't have minded practicing as a tot. Alle Meine Klänge's AMK is a modular recorder (you know, those plastic flute wannabes) that pack an array of individual blocks which can hold any sound you like. Simply transfer homegrown beats / notes / tunes / etc. over to each block, connect 'em up and you've got yourself a instrument of cacophonic delight. 'Tis a shame it's still a concept -- Fisher-Price, you seeing this?

[Via BoingBoing]

JVC unveils duo of VHS / DVD / HDD recorders

by Darren Murph posted Jun 4th 2008 at 8:02PM

For the folks that just can't let go, JVC is introducing a new duo of recorders that handle VHS, DVD and HDD-based logging. Predictably, the DR-HX500 holds 500GB while the DR-HX250 gets a 250GB drive, and outside of that, both units are identical. You'll find a built-in analog / digital TV tuner, an HDMI socket and all the dubbing features you (or your grandmother) can handle. It should be noted that digital TV recordings can only be stored on the HDD, but it is possible to capture a digital show there while copying an analog broadcast to VHS / DVD. The pair is all geared up to land in multi-generational homes this July, with prices being pegged at ¥95,000 ($906) and ¥75,000 ($715), respectively.

[Via Pocket-lint]

Tascam DR-1 digital recorder can slow things down without changing pitch

by Darren Murph posted Jan 18th 2008 at 9:22AM

At first glance, the Tascam DR-1 doesn't seem too different from all of its other digital recorder buddies out there, but let's see the other guys record WAV / MP3 straight to SDHC. Yep, this critter can save 24-bit, 48 kHz WAV files directly to SD or SDHC, and it also features a built-in Li-ion good for around seven hours, a simple (albeit useful) LCD and the inclusion of Variable Speed Audition, which enables it to playback recordings slower than they were inputted without augmenting the pitch. Per usual, mum's the word right now on price / availability.

[Via AkihabaraNews]

Update: Looks like it's $299, thanks Mike!

VIEVU PVR-PRO: the clip-on portable PVR

by Darren Murph posted Jan 11th 2008 at 11:20PM

Sure, clip-on PVRs aren't exactly revolutionary, but the vast majority of 'em require you to don some pretty fugly headgear. The VIEVU PVR-PRO, however, can be placed most anywhere on your person, so long as you're satisfied with the angle at which it records. This little bugger isn't much larger than a traditional pager (remember those?) and can reportedly capture video at 640 x 480 (30 frames-per-second), and while we're not told how much internal capacity is housed, it can store some four hours of content before needing to be emptied. As expected, the rechargeable battery also provides around four hours of usage, and it's not scared to get thrown around / wet either. 'Course, this gem wasn't designed for the casual lifeblogger, as the vanilla model will run you some $500 while the "encrypted police version" goes for two bills more.

Olympus LS-10 portable hi-fi recorder

by Paul Miller posted Jan 5th 2008 at 4:46PM

Most portable recording devices leave quite a bit to be desired in the sound quality department, but that's exactly where the Olympus LS-10 is meant to shine. The little aluminum unit records uncompressed 24 bit / 96kHz audio straight to your SD or SDHC card of choice, or the built-in 2GB of internal storage, in your choice of WAV, MP3 or WMA formats. Similar to Sony's PCM-D1, the LS-10 features stereo microphones for giving your bootleg recordings that added touch of realism, and there are built-in stereo speakers for previewing your audio. There's also a 1.8-inch LCD for shuffling through the options and the unit promises 12 hours of recording battery life. The recorder should be out this month, and retails for about $399.

[Thanks, Colin]

M-Audio rolls out MicroTrack II digital audio recorder

by Donald Melanson posted Nov 29th 2007 at 1:21PM

M-Audio sure took their time churning out a follow-up to its original MicroTrack digital audio recorder, but it looks like the company has finally put the finishing touches on the long-awaited (for some) successor, with the MicroTrack II now making its debut. As before, this one records onto CompactFlash cards, and will give you two-channel, 24-bit/96KHz audio recording in your choice of WAV or MP3 formats. New this time around, however, is an extended input gain range, an analog input limiter and, perhaps most importantly, seamless recording of files larger than 2GB in size. If that's enough to convince you to upgrade, you should be able to grab this one shortly (if not already) for a list price of $400, which includes an electret t-shaped microphone, editing software, a carrying case, and some other goodies.

[Via Electronista]

Teac's HD-R1 recorder stores audio on CompactFlash

by Darren Murph posted Nov 25th 2007 at 6:33AM

Scouting a 1U, rackmountable two-channel audio recorder? What about a solid state version? If you just so happened to answer yes to the previous questions, Teac's got you covered. The outfit's HD-R1 Recorder relies on CompactFlash cards to store up to 24-bit / 48kHz PCM or MP3 files and can be controlled remotely via LAN or RS-232C. Additionally, the unit touts a USB port, mic preamps, phantom power, RCA, XLR, Euroblock and S/PDIF inputs, and the blue-backlit display is a nice touch, too. Teac has apparently been busy showing its new toy off at Inter BEE 2007, but those tempted by the above specs can secure their own for around $1,100.

[Image courtesy of Sweetwater]

Verbatim to launch Mini Blu-ray discs with Hitachi's camcorder

by Erik Hanson posted Aug 2nd 2007 at 3:55PM

Now that Hitachi has announced a Blu-ray camcorder to put some of that high-def footage on, you've got to have something to record onto, right? Verbatim will ship 8cm Mini Blu-ray Recordable/Rewritable (BD-R/RE) blank media in August for Japan, with shipments to North America and points beyond in October. The media will hold 7.5GB on a single side, with recording times of one hour for 1920x1080i resolution, and up to two hours at 1440x1080i. The discs come with Verbatim's standard hard-coat finish for protection against scratching and dust, making them pretty reliable for the kinds of stresses you'll see filming your own season of Survivor: Fargo.

Oppo's wearable UP-9 pendant digital audio player

by Darren Murph posted Jun 27th 2007 at 3:02AM

Oppo most certainly is accustomed to cranking out digital music players with eye-catching designs, and the pendant-styled UP-9 is no exception. Showcased in Korea, this wee DAP sports a jeweled exterior, diminutive display for showing track names, time remaining, and battery life information, a built-in FM / AM radio tuner, recording functions, equalizer settings, and an obligatory lanyard for tossing around your neck, arm, or other extremity. The unit will reportedly come loaded with 1GB of internal capacity, and while there's no sign of an American release, those in South Korea can snag one for ?79,000 ($85).

QSTARZ BT-Q1000 GPS data logger syncs with Google Earth

by Darren Murph posted Jun 15th 2007 at 10:40PM

QSTARZ is taking its familiarity with GPS receivers and integrating a data logger to form the newfangled BT-Q1000. This two-faced device doubles as a Bluetooth GPS receiver to navigate your course and allows you to "record your routes" in order to plot points on Google Earth and disseminate the map to your envious pals. Moreover, you can use the device to more accurately tag where your travel photos were snapped along the way, and if you're in the fleet management biz, this here tool can keep your motorists from straying too far off the beaten path. Designed to last a whopping 32-hours without a recharge, the BT-Q1000 can make your next journey a whole lot more memorable for $119 when it lands later this month.