Sound Devices 702 - Manual (Page 48)

702 User Guide and Technical Information
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v. 2.67 Features and specifications are subject to change. Visit www.sounddevices.com for the latest documentation.
Formatting
Upon insertion of an unformatted (or non-FAT32 formatted) CF card, the 702 will indicate that the
card is not formatted and request the user to format the card. If the card was previously formatted as
a FAT32 volume, either from the 702, a computer, or another audio recorder, the card will be ready
for recording. To format the CF card, perform the following:
1. Ensure that all files on the card have been copied or are no longer needed.
2. Enter the Setup Menu and use the Rotary Switch to scroll to CF: ERASE / FORMAT.
3. Press the Rotary Switch button or tone key to begin formatting.
4. To verify that a non-recoverable format of the storage device is desired two keys must be pressed to
begin formatting. Press and hold down the play key to enable the check mark. Hit the tone key (check
mark) to begin formatting.
Press and hold
down the play key
Hit the tone key to
begin formatting
Formatting the 702 CompactFlash card can take up to 20 seconds. When formatting is complete, the
702 will generate a fresh menu hierarchy, including the daily folder, if selected. Dynamic lists such as
track names, scene names, folder options, etc... will be saved.
The 702 can format and use Compact Flash cards with a minimum capacity of 64 MB. There is no practi-
cal limit to the maximum Compact Flash card capacity (2 TB).
Formatting the CF rebuilds the FAT (file allocation table) and erases all audio and data files present
on the card. While some PC and Mac utilities can recover files immediately after formatting a CF
card, consider that the files have been permanently erased. FAT32 volumes may not be compatible
with some consumer electronic devices, including entry-level digital cameras (these may only sup-
port FAT/FAT16 volumes).
After recording to CF has stopped, it may take several seconds for the 702 to finish “housekeeping” on the
card. Before removing the card, always observe the amber CF activity LED. If it is lit, wait until it is off
before removing the card. If the CF is removed while the LED is lit, at the very least the file will be cor-
rupted and there is a possibility of FAT corruption as well.
Speed Testing
CF cards vary widely in their read and write throughput. Later generation “24x” and greater CF
cards can reliably read and write multi-track, high sample rate audio. The 702 includes a drive speed
test to measure the throughput speed of CF medium.
The speed test reports the throughput of the card by generating a test file, then reading it. The speed
test can vary from test to test depending on the amount of free space on the drive, the amount of