anyone using pmd670, 690, 660 etc.? at DVinfo.net

Alturo Nguyen · September 24th, 2003, 05:17 PM

experiences?
later

Bryan Beasleigh · September 26th, 2003, 08:16 PM

I have a 670. Do you have a specific question?

Christopher Go · October 5th, 2003, 08:05 AM

Hello Bryan, I have a few general questions. Would you recommend the PMD670 as a good solution overall for double-system sound?

What drawbacks does the Marantz have? What is the product's strengths in your opinion (as opposed to something that can be read in the item description of the manufacturer's website)?

Bryan Beasleigh · October 10th, 2003, 09:30 PM

The PMD670 has all of the strengths of any of the marantz line of professional recorders but it has the added advantage of being ablle to drag and drop the files right onto your hard drive. I have never used a mini disk but I hear the setup is easier and the response quicker with the flash recorder.

The PMD 650 mini disk and the 670 flash recorder share the same case layout and most of the features. The flash card requires less power so batteries last longer. This arguement would also hold for a maranntz CD Recorder.

The case is plastic and i would recomend the Portabrace case. I opted for extra battery carriers and just buy AA cels by the box. Eight AA cells will net 5 hours. ($2.50 or less). The carriers allow a change of batteries in seconds. The rechargeables are expensive.

The NiCad pack is $85 and can be charged using the AC adapter.
The NiMH pack is also $85 but youhave to remove the pack to charge it and the charger is around $170.

Buy batteries by the box, it's cheaper. If you must, it will take individual NiMH and NiCad's. The battery type is software selectable.

The unit is nice, but it should be for $900 (including a 1 gig card). It's very easy to operate and very flexible so far as input/output and attenuation and amplification controls are concerned.

Christopher Go · October 13th, 2003, 04:17 AM

Thanks for the detailed reply, Bryan. I get the impression you are very happy with the purchase. I was waiting for the Sound Devices 722 but that's been pushed to next year. That leaves the PMD-670. Thanks again for the tips, will definitely keep them in mind when I finally purchase one.

Bryan Beasleigh · October 13th, 2003, 10:11 PM

I have a sound devices 302 mixer and the workmanship is superb. i can imagine the Sounddevices recorder will be made in the same quality fashion.

That said. the 670 has most of the bells and whistles of the 302, plus the price of larger flash cards is sure to come down.

Yes, i am happy with my Marantz. (my SD 302 as well)

Marcia Janine Galles · November 1st, 2003, 03:53 PM

Brian, have you had any issues/trouble with syncing up long clips to the master footage? (I'm thinking of all the audio drift complaints I've read about, with clips over 20 minutes.) W/o timecode and locked sync I've been hesitant to use the Marantz over renting a DAT. I'm looking at somewhere in the neighborhood of a 100 hours of footage before my project is over next summer and I hit post. The big advatage of the Marantz of course is that I don't have to transfer the DATs or rent/buy a deck to bring it all in. As you say, compact flash makes it all economical and a snap to do, too. Just curious as to your experience.

Bryan Beasleigh · November 1st, 2003, 07:38 PM

I haven't had any really long clips to sync. If anything I would think the flash would be more precise than a DAT. The flash recorder has no moving parts.

September 24th, 2003, 05:17 PM	#1
Alturo Nguyen Regular Crew Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 52	anyone using pmd670, 690, 660 etc.? experiences? later

September 26th, 2003, 08:16 PM	#2
Bryan Beasleigh Trustee Join Date: May 2002 Location: Barrie, Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,922	I have a 670. Do you have a specific question?

October 5th, 2003, 08:05 AM	#3
Christopher Go Major Player Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Honolulu, HI Posts: 429	Hello Bryan, I have a few general questions. Would you recommend the PMD670 as a good solution overall for double-system sound? What drawbacks does the Marantz have? What is the product's strengths in your opinion (as opposed to something that can be read in the item description of the manufacturer's website)?

October 10th, 2003, 09:30 PM	#4
Bryan Beasleigh Trustee Join Date: May 2002 Location: Barrie, Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,922	The PMD670 has all of the strengths of any of the marantz line of professional recorders but it has the added advantage of being ablle to drag and drop the files right onto your hard drive. I have never used a mini disk but I hear the setup is easier and the response quicker with the flash recorder. The PMD 650 mini disk and the 670 flash recorder share the same case layout and most of the features. The flash card requires less power so batteries last longer. This arguement would also hold for a maranntz CD Recorder. The case is plastic and i would recomend the Portabrace case. I opted for extra battery carriers and just buy AA cels by the box. Eight AA cells will net 5 hours. ($2.50 or less). The carriers allow a change of batteries in seconds. The rechargeables are expensive. The NiCad pack is $85 and can be charged using the AC adapter. The NiMH pack is also $85 but youhave to remove the pack to charge it and the charger is around $170. Buy batteries by the box, it's cheaper. If you must, it will take individual NiMH and NiCad's. The battery type is software selectable. The unit is nice, but it should be for $900 (including a 1 gig card). It's very easy to operate and very flexible so far as input/output and attenuation and amplification controls are concerned.

October 13th, 2003, 04:17 AM	#5
Christopher Go Major Player Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Honolulu, HI Posts: 429	Thanks for the detailed reply, Bryan. I get the impression you are very happy with the purchase. I was waiting for the Sound Devices 722 but that's been pushed to next year. That leaves the PMD-670. Thanks again for the tips, will definitely keep them in mind when I finally purchase one.

October 13th, 2003, 10:11 PM	#6
Bryan Beasleigh Trustee Join Date: May 2002 Location: Barrie, Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,922	I have a sound devices 302 mixer and the workmanship is superb. i can imagine the Sounddevices recorder will be made in the same quality fashion. That said. the 670 has most of the bells and whistles of the 302, plus the price of larger flash cards is sure to come down. Yes, i am happy with my Marantz. (my SD 302 as well)

November 1st, 2003, 03:53 PM	#7
Marcia Janine Galles Major Player Join Date: May 2003 Location: Camarillo, CA Posts: 340	Brian, have you had any issues/trouble with syncing up long clips to the master footage? (I'm thinking of all the audio drift complaints I've read about, with clips over 20 minutes.) W/o timecode and locked sync I've been hesitant to use the Marantz over renting a DAT. I'm looking at somewhere in the neighborhood of a 100 hours of footage before my project is over next summer and I hit post. The big advatage of the Marantz of course is that I don't have to transfer the DATs or rent/buy a deck to bring it all in. As you say, compact flash makes it all economical and a snap to do, too. Just curious as to your experience.

November 1st, 2003, 07:38 PM	#8
Bryan Beasleigh Trustee Join Date: May 2002 Location: Barrie, Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,922	I haven't had any really long clips to sync. If anything I would think the flash would be more precise than a DAT. The flash recorder has no moving parts.