On 1 October, Sony's Broadcast and Business unit announced a new field
recorder, the PCM-D50. MSRP is $600. Delivery is supposed to start
in November. For details see the Sony BBSC web page here:
http://tinyurl.com/2kqyhv
The PCM-D50 shares many design elements of Sony's highly-regarded
PCM-D1 flash recorder. Features shared between the two machines include
--electronics with almost identical specs
--WAV files captured at up to 24/96
--4GB flash memory built in
-- also records to Sony's Memory Stick Pro removable flash cards (4GB
maximum today)
--twin microphone capsules built into the top end of the recorder
--jacks for external mic and line in, analog out, digital optical out, USB
The D50 costs $1,400 less (!!) than the D1, so you might expect a few
features to be missing.
--D50 lacks the D1's analog vu-meters
--D50 lacks the D1's titanium case
...and that's about it!
The D50 offers several valuable improvements over the D1:
--D50 is 6 oz lighter
--D50 runs 12 hours on 4 AA vs D1's 5 hours
--D50 has digital optical input
--D50 has 5 second pre-roll buffer, D1 has none
--D50 is 20% shorter and 33% lighter than the D1
--D50 has MP3 playback
The D50's dimensions are 6.1" tall 2 7/8" wide, 1 5/16" thick (154 x
72 x 33 mm) That's too big to be considered pocket-size. The size is
noticeably smaller than the Marantz PMD660, and very similar to the
Zoom H4 recorder. Weight with battery is 12.9 oz (366 g)
Considering these specifications, the Sony PCM-D50 looks like strong
competition for the $600 Fostex FR-2LE. The D50 is smaller and
lighter, has better battery life, and should have stellar audio
performance.
I have high hopes for Sony's new model!
--oryoki
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