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Squeezing some more life from my pd6 (DVD ram questions)


AudioMTL

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Trying to get some more months use from my pd6 as I contemplate the next step. The 1eee1349 port on the machine has broken, one of the pins snapped and can no longer get data direct,y off the machine. The alternate method for transferring data is to connect it to the ex12 unit, disk copy to the larger DVD ram, and put that disk in a computer for transfer. It's excruciatingly slow but it works.

Looking for suggestions to speed / smooth this workflow up as I'll have to continue using this machine for sometime, I cant rush an upgrade.

I wonder if there is some sort of external mini DVD ram drive reader for a computer. so far my searching has not found anything but that would be a great "outside the box" (literally) solution.

Thanks!

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In the early days of the first Deva, we always had to use outboard (external) DVD-RAM drives (the recorder did not have anything built in) and there were several models available from Panasonic. I may even have a couple of external 12 vdc DVD-RAM drives in enclosures. I'm not sure but I think there will be a stumbling block with the Fostex machine not being able to use an external DVD-RAM drive. The whole Fostex method was so screwy in my opinion that I never really got involved in thinking about any of the ways one might improve their miserable approach to a viable deliverable.

 

post-1-0-48840400-1413945613_thumb.jpg

 

To the left of the Deva with headphones sitting on top is one of the external DVD-RAM drives we used with the Deva II. Setting up in the Camera Car was lot more complicated than when we used to just set the Nagra on the little tray in front the passenger (mixer's) seat.

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Thanks Jeff! I agree with Fostex being fumbly and sloppy. Looks like the external DVD ram drives you were using were for the larger 4.7 gb disks? I'd like to find a drive that can read the 2.7 cartridges. I think the way the pd6 handles files it should mount as a coherent drive providing an external mini DVD ram drive exists! Otherwise I'm stuck transferring the mini cartridge to the larger ones via the ex12 then onto a computer from there. Can't wait to get me a Deva !!!

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Audio: " I'll have to continue using this machine for sometime, I cant rush an upgrade. "I have several comments, one of which is that you are an example that the producers aren't looking at what tools we use, but are concerned with the results we deliver ...

OTOH, your PD-6 has served you long and well, (and paid for itself as a business expense) and it is time to make the next step... at this point you are not rushing.  remember, your equipment rental is a separate business from your professional services... it is time to invest in that rental business; there are excellent options in a range of capabilities (equaling or bettering your PD-6) and prices..

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TV: "Exciting things must surely be coming at NAB.  "

of course,  and maybe even a few of interest to us folks, although many of our "usual suspects" have been announcing and releasing products at not only other shows, but also at any time!.. (like: whenever they are ready to!)

and then there are often (usually?) gaps between the (NAB) introduction, and actual delivery...

 

didn't I just say that ??

:wacko:

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Thank you all for the replies. I have learned quite a bit here. In fact, I never realized I could open up the smaller 2.7g cartridges ! you guys have saved me a lot of time and grief! 

 

Just to be safe, do you see any downside with opening these cartridges up? It will be done in controlled studio / office environment and would be much less time consuming than copying to larger 4.7 and then to computer!

 

Thanks so much!

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Thank you all for the replies. I have learned quite a bit here. In fact, I never realized I could open up the smaller 2.7g cartridges ! you guys have saved me a lot of time and grief!

Just to be safe, do you see any downside with opening these cartridges up? It will be done in controlled studio / office environment and would be much less time consuming than copying to larger 4.7 and then to computer!

Thanks so much!

Nope just treat it like you would any other CD or DVD or Blu ray
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We routinely would disassemble the little cartridges for playback in post. But... if I remember correctly, once they were opened, the Fostex didn't like to record on them anymore. I'm not sure exactly what little hidden switch got thrown once the plastic piece was broken off.

Interesting! Some of my cartridges have already been opened (the pin broken off) and hasn't ever posed an issue. Maybe it's a matter of having to do a new physical format versus a standard format? (Even though standard format works for me. But seems fine to record on mine since opening them very recently. I'd like to get more of these disks as backups. Let me know if y'all have any!
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Todd: " an extra pd6 and ex12 laying around if you want it for cheap. "

then Audio won't even have to deal with that stressful upgrade in the Spring.

Nothing "stressful" about it. I wrote challenging. Either way maybe I'll do just that! Dv824 may be a good interim step until Zax sorts out something new. Meanwhile I can pay down more debt and enjoy life with my growing family :) thanks folks
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