Sound Devices recorders & timecode

[Enos]

Hi!
I have a question regarding a Sound Devices 722! Obviously, this model does not come with timecode, however is there anyways of feeding timecode to the machine for productions were it is required?

[charles maynes]

Originally Posted by Enos

Hi!
I have a question regarding a Sound Devices 722! Obviously, this model does not come with timecode, however is there anyways of feeding timecode to the machine for productions were it is required?

no.

[Enos]

Thanks Charles! I`ve been saving up to get myself a 744T but its taking forever to get the money together :p

So I've come across a decent sale for a 722 and am thinking of buying it as I could start using it right away! My main use would be SFX recording for which the 722 is ideal or at least enough. However, at times I do some production mixing/location recording and for those situations timecode and a few extra inputs would be nice. Regarding extra inputs, I can always hire out any of the 7 series devices and link it up cia C.Link right? However I was not sure about timecode...too bad. Oh well...maybe I can do some good old clapper syncing :s

[charles maynes]

Originally Posted by Enos

Thanks Charles! I`ve been saving up to get myself a 744T but its taking forever to get the money together :p

So I've come across a decent sale for a 722 and am thinking of buying it as I could start using it right away! My main use would be SFX recording for which the 722 is ideal or at least enough. However, at times I do some production mixing/location recording and for those situations timecode and a few extra inputs would be nice. Regarding extra inputs, I can always hire out any of the 7 series devices and link it up cia C.Link right? However I was not sure about timecode...too bad. Oh well...maybe I can do some good old clapper syncing :s

CLINK will work, but you need to be sure both machines have compatible software running.... I have had problems with that in the past. They are great machines, so you really cant go wrong on buying one.... I would do the 744 though If I were picking one up.

[Enos]

Yea..I'd like a 744T too! But it is considerably more expensive and would mean waiting as I sace up as opposed to getting one now which I could put to use straight away: Then as demand grows and projects get bigger I can always expand. They are asking me for about $1600 for the 722. Reasonable? Consider I like in the UK and here it costs about 2100 punds which is like $3500!!

Is it too risky buying them second hand?

[charles maynes]

2nd hand depends on a lot of factors- it will fall out of warranty at some point, and you will have to pay for repairs- but if it is a good deal I would think it worthwhile.

[nick93539]

One possibility to consider as well is the 702T or the 702. I purchased a 702 for SFX only and paid $1750 new instead of $2500 for the 722, the only difference being an 80gig ide drive, which is an obsolete technology, in the 722 which I find to be useless. I use 8gig compact flash cards and can record for hours even at 24bit 96k, and still have the option of running an extrenal firewire drive if need be.

I neveer could understand the reason for paying an extra $750+ for an internal 80gig drive!

[pkautzsch]

2nd the 702 suggestion.
HDD will only eat lots of battery power. CF cards seem to be reliable enough nowadays.
The 702 will run a whole day on one (large) battery.

[D'Animation]

and, as with all storage mediums, when part of a mobile unit hard drives will (eventually!) let you down, hence why I'm looking at the 702
D

[Enos]

Hmmm... Interesting, I had not thought of the 702 from a power consumption POV but it does make sense. Plus it IS a whole bunch cheaper!! Thanks for all this info...I'll still hesitate for a few more days and then run for it!!

[Enos]

Still hunting out for a recorder after missing out on my bid yesterday :(

So I am looking at the 702, 702T and 722. Considering a new 744 is slightly above my budget, what would you guys recommend if choosing between a 702, 702T or 722?

[pkautzsch]

702T. Remember you want TC.

[tsvisser]

702T, also consider the 552, it allows for timecode stamp, does not have a generator built in, but can be jammed to a slate, lockit box, or from a camera. Having a 552 and later buying a 744t would still be a very useful setup.

[smurfyou]

I don't own one, but the 702T is a handy little thing.

[Enos]

Hi guys! I still haven't bought my recorder as I am still searching and making up my mind, though I am opting more and more for the 744T.

I had one question regarding power consumption. Considering the 744T has 4 inputs and record tracks, how much higher is the power consumption compared to say a 722? I understand that one can deactive the inputs but does this totally free that input from any power consumption?

[charles maynes]

the consumption should not be significantly greater.... the big Sony batteries last for hours....

[Enos]

Thanks a lot for all the advice Charles! I finally went for the Sound Devices 744T yesterday and should be getting it over the next week or so!

Can't wait and I'm sure I'll become a total weirdo as soon as I get it...wandering around with the recorder and mics at ridiculous hours of the night :p

Anyways, thanks again!

[K5000]

what I wouldn't give for a nice, tasty 788T with a solid state drive...

[Enos]

For now I'll be enjoying the 744T which I'm sure will serve me well for a good while!! It should be flying over the ocean as we speak...Definitely looking forward to it!! By the way, for those of you working in Europe, what do you recommend regarding wireless transmission of timecode. I've been looking at some of the Lectrosonics IFB kits but I've read there are issues regarding frequency bandwidths and their use in Europe. Any ideas?

[tsvisser]

Are you sure you need wireless transmission or
just use lockit boxes? I use the Ambient TX/RX sets with and without
the ACD301RFA timecode
slate when I actually do need
wireless transmission, such as in playback situations. The range is sort
of short, though. Take a look at the new Zaxcom ERX units, they offer
audio IFB and timecode in a single box an are aggressively priced. The audio is of
higher quality than typical IFB equipment.

[Andrew Mottl]

Hey Enos,

congratulations on the 744! I envy you

As for timecode - I don't have any recommendation for wireless systems, but you might want to look into the Ambient lockits mentioned above. They match the 744 tc generator, and will give you a clean signal (wireless might have the odd problem). Of course you'll need to jam sync the units every now and again, but they should run fine for a day.

[Enos]

Hey Andrew! Good to see you around here! Hope everything is going well!!

I will be remixing Born of Hope in surround over the next few weeks and will be encoding to DVD for cast and crew so I can try and send a copy over if you give me your address You have my email right?


Anyways, regarding TC, I want to be able to slave to camera controls for playback/record, etc... I will need more than just jamming to timecode a few times a day for that.

I'll have a look at the Zaxcom thing or just go the Ambient lockit route!

[tsvisser]

The Ambient lockit boxes won't help you with chase lock applications and their wireless units do not free run, so when they loose RF link, they simply stop running. The Zaxcom equipment will free run and the range is much greater than the Ambients. When they do loose RF, they simply free run and pick back up when range is established. They can be amplified wih standard WiFi amps / antennas, so should be good for several hundred feet. The Ambients tend to work as much as 70 feet or so, but have lost lock as little as 20 feet in high RF environments.

[davidd]

Enos, did you buy the 744 in UK or US?
How much did you pay with taxes and shipping?

I wonder why they are so much more expensive in Europe then in US.

Cheers
David

[Enos]

Hi Davidd, I payed just over £2000 plus custom taxes. Custom taxes apply to used equipment too but are based on the value of the object being bought which can often be lower than its value as a new object so isn't too bad.

[minister]

Regarding the extra inputs you mentioned above (the 744T only has 2 pre's on board), in case you haven't solved that, you can buy or rent a MixPre. These 2 will match well. This is better than C-Linking 2 units. Though, if you already own a 702, then.....

A better solution is an SD 552, which you could probably rent. Just use the pres on this, get cables, set the 744 to Line In and .... (Though, you could also rent a 442). The 552 is an amazing feat of engineering in how much they packed into a box that is lighter than the 442. You can do IFB, camera feed, isolated boom-op feed with talkback, another separate feed to the video assist or video village.... So many options on this thing.

For batteries, as Charles says, the big Sony batteries last for hours... Look for a FP970 or its "replacement". A google wil reveal inexpensive suppliers in your area. But, for when you have a Mixer, or MixPre and Wireless.... I'd look at getting an NP1 with a battery distro box (Like a Battery Bud, great for bag work). Then you can power your mixer and wireless all day and keep he 744T on its internal. IDX is a great option for the U.S., and I believe that Hawk-Woods is more standard in the UK and Europe.

Hawk-Woods Ltd for Broadcast Camera Battery Systems/Chargers/Adaptors/Batteries

[davidd]

So you bought second hand in US, I assume.
In a store or private?

Cheers
David

[Enos]

I bought private

[Trat Sound]

Has anyone tried this combo yet? i know the Denecke SB-3 ( Denecke SB-3 ) is fairly new, but from what I read in the 552 manual I can plug into the RTN B TA3. My thought would be to set the camera to time of day and f-run, Jam the SB-3 (of course make sure the correct framerate is set on the SB-3). I know, ideally, having one for the my mixer and one for the camera would be best to avoid drift, but for now I want to take care of timecode on my end and I can always re-jam it as often as needed. anyone tried this? any thoughts?

[philper]

Originally Posted by Trat Sound

Has anyone tried this combo yet? i know the Denecke SB-3 ( Denecke SB-3 ) is fairly new, but from what I read in the 552 manual I can plug into the RTN B TA3. My thought would be to set the camera to time of day and f-run, Jam the SB-3 (of course make sure the correct framerate is set on the SB-3). I know, ideally, having one for the my mixer and one for the camera would be best to avoid drift, but for now I want to take care of timecode on my end and I can always re-jam it as often as needed. anyone tried this? any thoughts?

This will work fine. You won't have frame-accurate sync after a short while unless the SB3 continues to feed the 552's recorder, but you won't have frame accurate sync anyway unless the camera has a similar arrangement. You'll be close, within tweak range probably.

Philip Perkins