Thank you, Romilly. I appreciate the links.
I'm using slow 4GB PROMASTER cards that I purchased at a local high-end
camera store. I generally reformat the cards in the deck after
offloading my files and backing them up. Maybe one of my CF cards is
bad? I'll keep an eye out for a pattern and report back if one
develops.
Curt Olson
Romilly Hambling wrote:
> For what it's worth, a search on fostex deck freeze produced the
> following from http://sonicstudios.com/tips.htm. The 2nd para is
> slightly confusing as I don't think it means reformat the card BEFORE
> removing files! Anyway, hope it helps.
>
> QUOTE:
>
> FORMATTING OF FLASH CARD MEMORY=20=09
>
> New technology flash card recorders are very convenient in being able
> to quickly transfer recordings much faster than real-time, and then
> reuse the memory card.
>
> However, some of the newer digital decks using flash memory are VERY
> particular on the format structure of this media. It is most wise to
> ALWAYS REFORMAT flash memory IN THE DECK whenever removing the memory
> card and placing into a dedicated card reader for file transfer
> purposes. In-deck reformat avoids 'mysterious' file corruption and
> deck freezes common with using cards SLIGHTLY changed from the deck's
> particular standard format during computer card transfer processes.
>
> ALSO very good practice to REFORMAT EVEN IF NOT REMOVED after all
> recorded files needed have been safely transferred. Just deleting
> files may leave non-continuous file space on the card. Complete
> reformat wipes clean all stored files, and insures the deck can fully
> utilize the space in a continuous fashion. Using a freshly reformatted
> memory card helps avoid recording errors and deck freeze-up faults.
>
> USEFUL TYPES OF FLASH MEMORY FOR AUDIO RECORDING
>
> However, most flash decks using solid state card memory are VERY
> particular to the TYPE (Type 1, 2, ...) of flash media used for audio
> recording purpose.
>
> Very, very fast (ultra types and other advanced types) cards mostly
> use a BURST mechanism useful for fastest transfer of many very small
> (in comparison to audio file size) digital camera photo files. Flash
> BURST schemes do nothing good, sometimes work AGAINST smooth,
> continuous very large audio file recording, and is often the cause of
> audio file interrupts, corrupted files, and deck freeze-up.
>
> Suggest using FAST cards, like SanDisk Ultra II that actual state
> continuous write/read speeds. Then you know card has best chance of
> working for all audio recording purposes..
>
> END QUOTE
>
> The Fostex USA forum (http://www.fostexusa.com/mercuryboard/) doesn't
> seem to have any posts on the freeze topic, so maybe no one else has
> encountered it. I found the fostex page on flash cards that have been
> tested with the fr-2le not overhelpful as it's mainly restricted to
> slower (Types 1 and 2), smaller capacity cards which, from the Sonic
> Studios tips, may not be so susceptible to freezes.
>
> Fostex USA do have a contact form for tech support
> (www.fostexusa.com/index.php?file=3Dcontact_us/contact_us) Maybe worth a
> try?
>
> Maybe Curt could say what type of card he's using, and whether a
> reformat cures the problem. (One guy said on the fostex forum that he
> couldn't format a card with a Tamiya-type battery in but could when he
> switched to AA-type. I think this was an initial FAT32 format, not a
> reformat after offloading files.)
>
> Meanwhile I'm going to continue dithering!!
>
> romillyh
>
> PS: Just seen Curt's latest but there's little I can add.
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