Here's my quick comparison of the new Fostex FR-2LE
and the Sony Hi-MD recorders.
--oryoki
The FR-2LE has several advantages over Hi-MD:
Better preamp
... lower self noise, doesn't overload as easily
... see Raimund Specht's measurements
... http://www.avisoft.com/recordertests.htm
XLR input jacks
... less fragile than minidisc's 3.5mm jack
Choice of PCM digitizing rates up to 24/96
... Hi-MD 16/44.1 only
Compactflash recording medium, up to 16GB
Uses standard FAT32 disc directory and encoding
... Sony uses proprietary encoding, so you
... can't recover files from a damaged Hi-MD disc
Automatically updates FAT every 60 seconds
... so fewer worries about loss of a recording
Transfer tracks to PC or Mac via USB "drag and drop"
... Hi-MD uses Sony SonicStage software to transfer
Controls are larger
... easy for adult-size fingers to use
... easy to use wearing gloves
LED metering lights
... easier to read in sunlight than Hi-MD display
Rechargeable battery gives 8 to 10 hours of power
48V phantom power available for pro mics
-----------------------------
Hi-MD has several advantages, too:
Much smaller and lighter
... carry in a pocket, less conspicuous
Half the price or less -- $300 vs $600
Optical digital input
... FR-2LE has no digital input
Can mix ATRAC and PCM recordings on the same Hi-MD disc
... FR-2LE requires all recordings on a CF card to have
... the same bit depth and quantization, e.g. 24/48
Can erase a Hi-MD track in the field
... FR-2LE won't let you erase. However,
... FR-2LE does keep you from accidentally erasing.
Sony provides a transformer that works on 110V to 240V
... no worries about power when traveling
Hi-MD can recharge its battery in the recorder
... FR-2LE needs an external battery charger
Very simple and fast to replace battery in the field
Hi-MD disc is cheap enough to use as archival medium
... 1GB Hi-MD disc $5 to $7
... Compactflash 1GB $15 to $20, sometimes less
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