(Barrie A B White MIBS follows up his review of the PDR1000 of last year
with a review of the machine many recordists have been waiting for - the timecode version.
The comprehensive timecode facilities of the new PDR1000TC added to HHB communication's
excellent service back up would seem to make this one of the most desirable portable DAT
recorders available.)
The HHB PDR1000TC portable DAT recorder is the timecode version of the
HHB PDR1000. The operational, recording and playback facilities are identical in both
machines. The timecode processing unit (TCP1000) is not an add-on unit and cannot be
separated from the PDR1000 although both 'units' have their own LCDs; the PDR1000
displaying record and play functions, while the TCP1000 displays timecode functions.
As a review of the PDR1000 was published in Line Up, October/November 1994, pp. 28-33, I
shall not be covering the record and playback operations of the recorder itself, but I
shall be looking at what the timecode part of it offers.
Timecode
Timecode input and output sockets are both three-pin XLR. There are three BNC sockets
for Word Sync Output, Word Sync or Video Input and combined Video/Word Input signal
through connector (this parallels the Video/Word Input signal). All of these are mounted
on the right-hand side. The controls for the TCP1000 are mounted on its front panel -
there are eleven in all, including the frame rate selector.
The PDR1000TC appears to have all the timecode facilities of the PD2. It will record free
run TC, record run TC, time of day TC and will slave to an external TC and also jam sync
to an external TC. But unlike the PD2, should the PDR1000TC be powered down and the power
source removed, be it the internal battery and/or external power supply, then the free run
timecode will stop and restart from zero when the PDR1000TC is repowered. If the DAT
recorder had been used to jam sync a camera, or another recorder, or itself been jam
synched to a master source, then it would be necessary to repeat the jamming process. Even
though jam synching the PDR1000TC is simple, from an operational point of view it would be
preferable if the timecode operation was backed up by the internal backup battery. But the
good news from HHB is that from around March on they will retrospectively modify machines
to solve this problem - free of charge.
Jam sync to an external source involves connecting to an external timecode and then
momentarily pressing the LOAD TC (JAM) button. The legend 'Load TC' appears on the LCD
display while the button is depressed. Once the button is released there is no indication,
as there is on the PD2, that the TC has been jammed. The external source can then be
removed immediately the PDR1000TC has locked. But do be aware of accidentally pressing the
SET button when using timecode, be it jam sync or free run, because it will stop the
internal timecode generator. Fortunately, so far, I haven't accidentally pressed the SET
button and inadvertently changed the timecode.
Steve Angel of HHB informs me that the display from tape to source will override the SET
button. The other alternative is to use function lock, not always desirable because the
function lock switch disables nearly all other functional controls.
User Bits
The choices offered for recording User Bits are External User Bits, Manually Set User
Bits, Date (automatically recorded as User Bits), and even external timecode. The latter
is a puzzle to me. The PDR1000TC will output internal TC, external TC or tape TC. Any of
the timecode and user bit options is easily achieved by using the clearly marked controls
(seven buttons, one toggle switch, and two rotary switches), which are mounted on the
front panel.
There is a third rotary switch, which is used to alter the frame rate. Selection of the
timecode and user bit options is quite logical and can be worked out from looking at the
legend alongside each of the switches. The only thing one needs to know is that the
timecode source switch is moved to EXT only when the recorder is slaved to, i.e.
following, an external timecode. The other thing to know is that to change the output TC
from source to tape the TC button must be depressed while pressing either the + or -
button to change from source TC to tape TC or vice versa. All of this is quite clearly
explained in the manual, which is fairly weighty because it is printed in four languages,
each of which takes up some 64 pages.
Compatibility?
One disadvantage of the PDR1000TC is that although it will read and reproduce VITC
recorded on a cassette by another DAT recorder, e.g. the Fostex PD2, also it will only
record and read an external longitudinal timecode. It will not read or accept the timecode
fed from the three-pin XLR timecode output socket of the PD2. Fortunately it will accept
the timecode produced at the five-pin Lemo socket of the PD2 (used for Aaton Cameras). On
the other hand, the TC output from the PDR1000TC is quite happily accepted by the PD2 on
either its three-pin XLR timecode input socket or the Lemo socket. Though I have been
unable to check this, HHB state that the PDR1000TC will accept TC from another PDR1000TC
and that it will also jam sync an Aaton camera and that the TC is also compatible with
Origen C+ timecode. I have been able to check that the PDR1000TC will jam sync an Aaton
SR, but only as a test and not on an actual job.
IBS member Stephen Higgs reports that the PDR1000TC will accept timecode from a Nagra 4S
provided there is a 20 dB pad in line. HHB have solved the problem of incompatibility with
both the Nagra and the Fostex PD2 and will modify existing PDR1000TCs, again free of
charge.
In the Field - Or Up the Mountain
In early December 1994, within a few days of buying the PDR1000TC, it was used, with
my PD2, on a four-day video drama shoot (a pilot programme for S4C, actually) and
immediately following that I took it to Switzerland for a seven-day shoot where it was
used mainly for playback and also to record music for a Christmas programme to be
transmitted on Christmas Day 1994.
Prior to leaving for Switzerland I was given a box containing many DAT cassettes on which
were master recordings and other takes of the musical items that were to be used for
playback; in other words, the music to which the artistes would mime. Some of the items
were timecoded, others were not. It was necessary to transfer the required items to one
playback tape and also to put timecode on that tape in order to facilitate quicker video
editing. (See 'Fostex PD2 for Playback?', Line Up, June/July 1994, p. 42.) So I used my
PDR1000TC as the playback machine to make digital timecoded copies on to my Fostex PD2.
On location the PDR1000TC was used for playback, at an altitude of 2700 metres and in
temperatures that were at times sub-zero, with the tape timecode being fed to the camera.
Even at those temperatures it did not use more than two internal batteries a day. The
PDR1000TC was also used for recording in synchronisation with a video camera, with camera
Record Run timecode being fed to the PDR1000TC. Again, this was performed at similar
altitudes and temperatures to those experienced when using the machine for playback. When
recording the music this was simultaneously captured on Betacam and recorded on the Fostex
PD2 with a digital feed to the PDR1000TC to simultaneously record a clone copy.
One of the cassettes was retained as a master, while the other was used for playback.
Timecode was fed from the camera to both machines. The overall result was a saving of time
on location and post-production too.
Apart from the little quirks mentioned, the PDR1000TC gave no problems. Unfortunately it
didn't snow while we were in Switzerland - to test the machine, of course! - but, even so,
I did manage to ski for a day after the others had returned to the UK.
Carrying It
With usage I have discovered that the Velcro strip on the supplied carrying case pouch
does not securely hold the flap in place; therefore, it is possible to lose things from
the pouch. But, for over-the-shoulder recording, I intend to use the PDR1000TC with a
mixer, so I shall have to acquire a new carrying case anyway. A purpose-built case, made
by Portabrace, is available for the PDR1000TC, which I assume would couple to their mixer
carrying case, but it is rather expensive. SQN sells a case that carries their mixer and
the Technics SV260. They plan to produce a case suitable for their mixer and the PDR1000TC
too, but I am not sure if it will be purpose-built or take the form of a pouch that can be
attached to the Technics case.
Conclusions
The PDR1000TC certainly can be used as a stand-alone professional location DAT
recorder. It is also smaller, lighter, has a longer battery life and is cheaper than any
other portable DAT recorder available; which could mean that a portable location digital
multitrack recording device becomes affordable. This less expensive portable DAT recorder,
which retails at about the same price as the Sony PCM 2000 DAT recorder did when it was
introduced some six years ago, could mean that producers will see the sense in recording
sound separately on to DAT rather than straight on to Beta, or even the new digital
cameras. Using this system does not cause problems in post-production and importantly
would release the sound recordist from the camera.
This is one occasion where I am reviewing the equipment I own rather than an item loaned
to me by the manufacturer or distributor. The PDR1000 that I reviewed for Line Up was
loaned to me by HHB for a few weeks. If I was buying my first timecode DAT recorder and
was unable to afford a PD2, then I would be happy to buy one of these machines, even
though it does not have all the facilities offered by the Fostex PD2. But, having said
that, all the PD2's facilities are not always needed anyway. Perhaps I now have a good
combination of timecode DAT recorders, because I shall always have a back-up should one or
other of the recorders become faulty, and I also have the possibility of being able to
record on four tracks simultaneously. It now remains to be seen as to how durable and
reliable it will be long-term.
One Plus One Equals Four?
Even as it stands, the PDR1000TC is a very useful professional DAT recorder, but by
using it with my Fostex PD2 it appears to have given me something more than two truly
portable DAT recorders because I believe that I have a combination that will enable me to
multitrack - that is, simultaneously record on four tracks - on location. Reading the
PDR1000TC manual I noticed, on page 52, that it is possible to make the PDR1000TC perform
timecode chase playback. That is, it permits synchronised playback by using the timecode
on the tape being played on the PDR1000TC and locking that timecode to an external
timecode. So I wondered whether or not this meant that one PDR1000TC would play back in
synchronisation with another DAT recorder.
To test this, I loaded the Fostex PD2 and the HHB PDR1000TC each with a two-hour cassette
and connected the analogue inputs of both machines to the output of a mixer. The PD2 was
set to record free run TC with the TC output being fed to the PDR1000TC. Then both
machines were set to simultaneously record, in parallel, the same analogue programme
(Radio Three actually) and left to run for two hours without pause. At the end of
recording both cassettes were rewound and the PD2 cassette was set to playback with
timecode from the cassette on the PD2 being fed to the PDR1000TC.
After starting playback on the PD2, playback of the cassette in the PDR1000TC was
commenced. As the manual directed, the playback button was pressed again and held for a
second or so. This initiated the timecode chase lock and even though there was about a
three-minute difference between the two timecodes, after about 15 seconds the PDR1000TC
had chased and then locked on to the timecode of the PD2. Follow the directions in the
manual and locking takes only a second or so. The result was that both machines were, to
my ears, running in perfect synchronisation. One hour fifty-six minutes later, an aural
check suggested they were still running in synchronisation. If there was a time lapse
between the two cassettes then it was not audible.
The experiment was repeated, but this time word sync was fed from the PD2 to the PDR1000TC
during recording. On playback their analogue outputs were fed into a mixer, and thence to
a single quality loudspeaker, to detect whether or not there was any phase differential.
Again, this was not noticeable to my ears, which would suggest that synchronisation was
frame accurate. Of course, it is not possible to run with OFFSET timecodes. If there is
anyone out there with test equipment and can check frame accuracy, please do so and let us
know. Especially if I am wrong.
At the moment I cannot think of an occasion when I would use the chase lock facility on
location, though the apparent synchronisation of the playback suggests that the two
machines could be used for simultaneous four-track recordings and at a reasonable price.
There are a number of post-production houses in this part of the world that could make the
four tracks, or more, work. Now I shall have to think of a method for securely and
conveniently fixing the PDR1000TC, along with the PD2, to the Urstacart.
Approximate price comparison
1.5 x PDR1000TC = 1 PD2
2 x PDR1000TC = 1 StellaDat
3 x PDR1000TC = 1 Nagra D
PS For those of you who already own a PDR1000TC, and for potential owners too, Stephen Higgs has kindly sent me the procedure for error display. It is not in the manual.
A pre-recorded tape is loaded, but the machine is switched off. Press
STOP, PLAY and PAUSE simultaneously and while holding them on, switch on the power. Every
item on the LCD is displayed until the three buttons are released when the PNO display
will show C0. Press only the display button to advance the test functions to C4. C1
indicates the tape time. C2 and C3 appear to show the same figures. Press PLAY and the
ERROR RATE FUNCTION will be displayed. Stephen says that a figure of less than 90 is
acceptable, and that on headphones a brief 100 was undetectable on a recording of a solo
viola. HHB says that there is normally nothing to worry about below at least 500 and that
in any case there will always be errors.
To be safe, don't press any buttons with the other (CO to C4) test modes displayed, there
is a risk of damage to the machine, or the pre-recorded tape, or both. The only way to
release from the ERROR RATE FUNCTION is by switching off the power.
Price of the PDR1000TC: £4,395 plus VAT. Includes battery charger/
mains unit, rechargeable battery, carrying case and manual. Spare batteries are £89 plus
VAT. Other accessories are available.
Available from:
HHB Communications Ltd, 73-75 Scrubs Lane, London NW10 6QU
Tel: 0181 962 5000 Fax: 0181 962 5050
Canford Audio, Crowther Road, Washington, Tyne & Wear NE38 0BW
Tel: 0191 415 0205 Fax: 0191 416 0392
© Barrie White 1995 Line Up Issue 42, April/May 1995
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