HHB comm Portadrive PDR 2000 - Manual (Page 2)

8 CHANNEL 24-BIT/96kHz LOCATION SOUND RECORDER
Location audio acquisition in the 21st Century is about much more
than just 2-channel recording. The modern sound recordist must be
able to capture pristine sound from multiple microphone sources
onto a durable, high-capacity medium, and produce those recordings
on demand in a post-friendly format. And with a director’s mix to
organise and daily rushes to provide, the demands placed
upon the sound recordist have never been greater.
That’s why location sound specialists HHB developed
the PORTADRIVE PDR 2000, a ‘next generation’
location recorder which combines 24-bit/96kHz
multichannel recording on a rugged, removable HDD
with simultaneous recording to an external device such
as the optional PDRDVDBU DVD-RAM back-up unit,
and all the features and facilities required to enable the
sound recordist to work efficiently and effectively in even
the most demanding conditions. And because audio is
recorded in either AES31-3 or Pro Tools V5 session
formats (using BWF or SDII audio files respectively) it’s
easy to transfer recorded data directly to Mac or PC
workstations (see back page).
INTUITIVE OPERATION
IN THE FIELD
Simultaneous recording from analog and digital sources is
easy, with comprehensive internal routing giving the user complete
flexibility. Developed in consultation with leading sound recordists, all
the PORTADRIVE’s front panel controls are arranged to give
immediate and intuitive access to the most frequently required
functions. Using a 5-position rotary transport control to initiate
recording, a Lock mode prevents accidental changes to settings
during recording. Similarly, a Stop Lock prevents unwanted changes to
existing settings while on the move. A Review function allows the user
to check the last audio take and a Mark button enables the easy
identification of points within a session.
PORTADRIVE WORKS THE WAY
YOU WORK
The facilities on the top panel of the PORTADRIVE have been arranged
into a highly intuitive, hierarchical navigation system (see right),
allowing the user to set every system parameter.
Although this dictates a considerable number of
pages, menus nested within menus have been avoided
so the user can quickly locate and adjust any function.
Input, Busmix, Track and Output function buttons
parallel the front panel Primary Modes and additional
Disk, Session, TC and Setup functions allow the
operator to configure their recording sessions to suit
their workflow, and also to name, store and recall
entire system configurations. Pressing any of these 8
menu buttons causes an associated menu to be
displayed on the large top panel transreflective LCD
(with wide viewing angle). The user can navigate and
alter information displayed on this graphical LCD using
cursor keys and the large data wheel. Further pages
within the selected menu are listed along the bottom
of the LCD and are easily accessed through the row of
function buttons immediately below the screen.
Large transport controls on the top panel allow
convenient operation of the PORTADRIVE’s Locate and
Playback functions.
As well as the usual
Play, Stop and Cue
functions, the Locate
button can be used to
access audio by
whatever means is most
suitable to the user –
take, marker or
timecode value.
Four front-panel
Primary Mode (PMODE)
buttons allow rapid access to the control,
metering and monitoring of all audio signals (see left).
Six rotary encoders operate in conjunction with a large, transreflective
LCD for the easy adjustment of any displayed parameter, and Undo, Jam
TC, Slate, Tone and Group function buttons are protected from
accidental use with an Enable button.
RUGGED REMOVABLE HD
DVD-RAM BACK-UP
INTELLIGENT POWER COMPREHENSIVE CONNECTIVITY
SESSION-BASED RECORDING MIXING AND MONITORING
Record Times For The 40GB HD Supplied
Tracks Sampling Freq. Bit Depth Record Time
2 48kHz 16 ~60 Hours
2 48kHz 24 ~40 Hours
3 48kHz 24 ~30 Hours
4 48kHz 24 ~20 Hours
5 48kHz 24 ~15.5 Hours
6 48kHz 24 ~13 Hours
6 96kHz 24 ~6.5Hours
8 48kHz 24 >9.8 Hours
8 96kHz 24 >4.8 Hours
For proven reliability, high data rate and
uncompromised multichannel high-resolution
recording times, the PORTADRIVE records
onto tough, shock-proof removable hard disk
drives. Transferring files to Mac or PC-based
DAWs is quick and easy using the optional
PDRDS Docking Station (see back page).
Extensive audio, synchronization, data and control connectivity includes: 6 high
gain, very low noise microphone balanced XLR-3 inputs with individual phantom
powering, gangable limiters, input pads, high-pass filter, delay and phase
reverse • 8 balanced line inputs • 8 channels of AES digital inputs and outputs
on a 25-pin D-sub connector • Balanced analog main and auxiliary outputs •
A balanced stereo AES digital output • RCA phono stereo SPDIF digital I/O •
Word clock output on a BNC connector • Sync input (word clock, video, tri-
level) on a BNC connector • A 5-pin LEMO socket for timecode interfacing •
A 1/4" stereo jack headphone socket • A SCSI interface • An Ethernet
interface • A USB2.0 interface (USB1 compatible) • RS422 and parallel
remote control interfaces • A PS2 socket for connecting a keyboard
The PORTADRIVE is powered by a single 50 Watt Lithium Ion NP-1
battery or an AC adaptor, both of which are supplied. Intelligent power
safety features provide seamless changeover between external
and internal battery power, with the A/C adaptor
doubling as a charger for the battery when the
PORTADRIVE is not in use. An optional PDRJL2 dual-
bay charger is also available and, when fully charged,
the battery provides approximately 2 hours of constant
operation, with the ‘power remaining’ displayed to
an accuracy of ±5%. Because the
PORTADRIVE can be configured precisely
for each job, power conservation is further
optimised (for instance by switching off mic
inputs that are not in use), and an additional
level of flexibility is provided by compatibility
with conventional NiMH or NiCad NP-1 batteries.
In addition to the headphone mixer, 6 instantly recallable headphone
presets can be configured to monitor almost any point within the signal
path. Each preset can be set to decode the signal in MS, STEREO,
MONOL, MONOR or MONOBOTH formats.
18-segment high-visibility LED meters for each channel have variable
peak hold time and include digital clip indicators, limiter activity and
track record arm status. A tri-colour LED and switchable audible warning
in the headphones inform the user of data write errors, TC/sync errors
and low battery level.
HHB’s optional DC-powered (4-pin XLR) PDRDVDBU is perfect for
creating simultaneous rushes or back-up
copies on DVD-RAM.
INPUT Allows set-up of each input,
including name, pairing, source (48V
phantom powering option on mic inputs),
attenuation, HPF, limiter, adjustable delay
and phase reverse. Input levels can be
adjusted and the 2-channel return can be
enabled with optional limiter.
TRACK The source can be specified
for each disk track. M/S decoding can be
switched in and out as required. This
menu also allows the setting of the
number of recorded tracks for each take.
OUTPUT For output configuration
and creation of the output mix. Source,
nominal level and M/S decoding can be
set for the Main and Aux outputs. Digital
options include source select, sample
rate, bit depth, etc.
DISK Allows full control over
formatting, naming and file and folder
creation/deletion on each disk, with an
easy to use navigation system.
SESSION For specifying session
parameters (e.g. session name,
sampling rate, bit depth). A session can
be quickly configured by selecting any one
of 20 configuration templates.
TC Timecode menu with internal
generator, chase, jam and user-bit
capability. Frame rates include 23.976,
24, 25, 29.97df, 29.97nd, 30df and
30nd. FPS, with T.O.D., Rec Run, Free
Run and external timecode modes.
SETUP All general system
parameters can be altered here.
Includes tone generator, slate, power
management, LCD contrast, meter and
time / date settings.
BUS MIXER Provides a mono
or stereo mix to disk (internal or
external) which can be used to record
simultaneous daily rushes / back-up to
an external storage device such as the
optional PDRDVDBU (see below).
OUTPUT MIXER Provides
an alternative mix which can be created
to suit the requirements of the director,
for instance.
HEADPHONE MIXER
Ensures that whatever is seen on the
metering is heard through the
headphones.
To ensure maximum flexibility in the field, the PORTADRIVE incorporates
three comprehensive 6-into-2 mixers.