The Fostex Japanese web site now has more details about the
new FR-2LE recorder. See the section halfway down this page:
http://www.fostex.jp/topic/musikmesse2006/musikmesse_review.htm
Translating this page with Babelfish yields some details:
--CompactFlash Type II slot for Card or Micro Drive
--Sampling rates of 44.1, 48, 88.4, and 96kHz
--16 or 24 bit quantization
--XLR microphone inputs with 48V phantom power
--Recording formats Broadcast WAV and MP3
--Pre-roll memory buffer
--Auto-save at 1 minute intervals
--FAT32 file format (supports Compactflash > 2GB)
--4 hours operating time using the RC3600HV battery pack
...(record time using phantom power will be less)
--USB 2.0 port for file transfer to/from PC
--Built-in cuts editor
--Automatic level control available
--Wired remote control
--while recording, you can monitor the data recorded on
...the Compactflash card as well as the preamp input
...(a.k.a. read after write verification)
Unlike the big brother FR-2, the FR-2LE does not appear
to have any input or output for digital audio.
Using the photos on the web site, I'd estimate that the
FR-2LE will be a little smaller than a stack of two
VHS videotape cassettes. That's about the same size as
the Marantz PMD660.
Hmmm...maybe Fostex will position the FR-2LE as a competitor
for the PMD660, and leave the FR-2 to compete with the
PMD671 and Tascam HD-P2. If this is the case, the price of
the FR-2LE may well be as low as $700. That would represent a
premium of $200 over the street price of the PMD660, but
could be justified by the 24/96 recording (PMD660 is 16/48)
and higher quality preamps.
--oryoki
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