This would be good but are you sure the Nomad Zen records,
particularly if your source for the specs is Buy.com? Here's
information posted on the Nomad list from a Creative employee on 9/25:
"I hate to say this, but the Buy.com ad has a number of unfortunate
errors. We have not officially announced the Zen, so I am not free to
discuss the product yet."
None of Creative's Asian sites, where the Zen is apparently now
available, seem to list recording as a feature.
The new firmware updates to the Nomad 3 make it much more useful.
Apparently they worked with someone on the DAT and Laptop-tapers
lists to implement improvements in it's recording features. However,
here's another post from a Creative employee worth noting:
"The gain is implemented digitally as there is no analog hardware
onboard to provide an analog boost. Users who want maximum dynamic
range are encouraged to use external preamp equipment and leave the
boost setting at 0."
Presumably would work as a good DAT or minidisc replacement now it has
monitoring and level meters and assuming you used a good front-end
such as a Denecke AD-20/Zefiro Inbox (or SP preamp previously
mentioned). Apparently Creative are working on further improvements.
--- In "oryoki2000" <> wrote:
> Affordable hard-disc and solid state recorders
> can be adapted for field use. One example is the
> new Creative Jukebox "Zen."
>
> The $350 Zen unit is about the size and weight
> of the old Sony MZ-R50 minidisc machine or the
> Apple iPod player. The Zen records in WAV format
> to a 10GB hard disc via an analog stereo mini-jack
> line input. Recorded WAV files can be uploaded
> by USB 1.1 or Firewire to PC or Mac.=20
>
> Line input means that an external pre-amp is
> needed to record from a microphone. The
> Sound Professionals offer a dual channel mic
> pre-amp mounted in a waterproof Otter Box with
> enough room for the Zen recorder, cost $160. This
> combination makes a lightweight, field-worthy
> recorder in a 6 x 4 x 2 inch box for $510.
> Just call it "Bride of Franken-Recorder."
>
> It's really the large capacity of the hard disc
> that makes this setup interesting compared
> to just putting a minidisc recorder and mic in
> your pocket. A 48Khz stereo WAV recording
> captures 768kbits per second in each of two
> channels. That means you can record about 3
> hours nonstop before you reach the 2GB
> file size limit imposed by the Windows FAT-16
> file system. Double that time for mono
> recording, but you're likely to run out of
> battery power in the recorder before reaching
> 2GB. Maybe you'd get 5 hours of nonstop
> recording.
>
> --oryoki
>
> ----------------
>
> Product specs:
>
> Creative "Zen" portable digital player/recorder
> Delivery scheduled for early October 2002
> ~$350 at buy.com, ecost.com and other sources
>
> Records WAV files from stereo mini-jack line input
>
> Hard disk capacity 10 GB
> Reprogrammable firmware for OS updates
>
> Playback formats=20
> MP3 [ 8kbps - 320kbps ] VBR support
> WMA [ 8kbps - 192kbps ] WMA 9
> WAV [ 11kHz - 48kHz ]=20
>
> Dimensions 113 =D7 76 =D7 25 mm 268g (w/ battery)=20
> compare to
> Apple iPod 102 x 61 x 18 mm 184g $350
> Sony MZ-R50 110 x 77 x 20mm 240g $150 eBay
> Sony MZ-N1 79 x 72 x 17mm 117g $300
>
> S/N ratio 98dB=20
> Channel separation 75dB=20
> Total height harmonic wave distortion factor (THD) <0.1%
> Frequency characteristics 20Hz - 20kHz=20
>
> Built-in lithium ion battery
> wildly optomistic factory estimate of playback time =3D 12 hours
>
> Case anodised aluminum alloy
> Liquid crystal display 132=D764 pixels
> Blue LED back light equipped
>
> Jog-dial thumbwheel for navigation of menus
>
> Computer Interface USB 1.1 and IEEE 1394
> Mac and PC compatible
> up and download to computer
> transfer any data file in addition to music files
>
> The Creative Jukebox 3 appears to offer equivalent
> function in a larger package with bigger hard disc.
> The latest firmware for the Jukebox 3 offers
> 1) audio monitoring for Line-In prior to recording
> 2) stereo level meters on the lcd screen, and
> 3) recording level adjustment -12dB to 12dB
> Hopefully these features will be available in
> the Zen unit as well.
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