Is there any use for a HHB Portadat TC? at DVinfo.net

Petter Flink · April 23rd, 2013, 11:07 PM

I have an old HHB Portadat with TC that's not used.
I used it mostly for location work and game sound recordings 6-7 years back but now I haven't touched it for a long time.

Is there any use for it in your opinion?
It performs nice but as most I do today is run and gun I can't see it being used again.

First I thought that perhaps I could use it as a preamp with TC and add an electrical spdif recorder on the output but I don't know if that's just impossible and to much hassle anyway.

Any thoughts?
Keep it in case or sell it cheap?

Brian P. Reynolds · April 24th, 2013, 05:39 AM

A friend of mine uses his old Nagra's on the book shelf as book ends......

Jay Massengill · April 24th, 2013, 07:10 AM

I have an even less capable portable DAT deck than yours (no TC, no phantom power). The only use I envisioned is exactly as you say, for the preamps and digital conversion. At this point though I should probably sell it, along with the still wrapped DAT tapes I have. However, I could see it choking the first time someone attempted to record with it and me having to refund the money. I don't miss tape!

Rick Reineke · April 24th, 2013, 07:54 AM

Mine makes a good paper weight and takes up unused space in the attic.

John Willett · April 25th, 2013, 04:51 AM

An excellent machine in its day and probably still very usable.

But has no second-hand value now.

I would keep it for replaying old DAT tapes.

I still have a pair of Fostex D-10 DAT recorders and those were £2k + each when I bought them!

Petter Flink · April 25th, 2013, 02:40 PM

As I thought then :)
It's still sexy looking and works perfect so I'll rather keep it then bin it.

April 23rd, 2013, 11:07 PM	#1
Petter Flink Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Sweden Posts: 70	Is there any use for a HHB Portadat TC? I have an old HHB Portadat with TC that's not used. I used it mostly for location work and game sound recordings 6-7 years back but now I haven't touched it for a long time. Is there any use for it in your opinion? It performs nice but as most I do today is run and gun I can't see it being used again. First I thought that perhaps I could use it as a preamp with TC and add an electrical spdif recorder on the output but I don't know if that's just impossible and to much hassle anyway. Any thoughts? Keep it in case or sell it cheap?

April 24th, 2013, 05:39 AM	#2
Brian P. Reynolds Major Player Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Adelaide, South Australia Posts: 466	Re: Is there any use for a HHB Portadat TC? A friend of mine uses his old Nagra's on the book shelf as book ends......

April 24th, 2013, 07:10 AM	#3
Jay Massengill Trustee Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Burlington Posts: 1,976	Re: Is there any use for a HHB Portadat TC? I have an even less capable portable DAT deck than yours (no TC, no phantom power). The only use I envisioned is exactly as you say, for the preamps and digital conversion. At this point though I should probably sell it, along with the still wrapped DAT tapes I have. However, I could see it choking the first time someone attempted to record with it and me having to refund the money. I don't miss tape!

April 24th, 2013, 07:54 AM	#4
Rick Reineke Inner Circle Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: New York Posts: 2,039	Re: Is there any use for a HHB Portadat TC? Mine makes a good paper weight and takes up unused space in the attic.

April 25th, 2013, 04:51 AM	#5
John Willett Major Player Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Oxfordshire, UK Posts: 976	Re: Is there any use for a HHB Portadat TC? An excellent machine in its day and probably still very usable. But has no second-hand value now. I would keep it for replaying old DAT tapes. I still have a pair of Fostex D-10 DAT recorders and those were £2k + each when I bought them! __________________ John Willett - Sound-Link ProAudio and Circle Sound Services President: Fédération Internationale des Chasseurs de Sons

April 25th, 2013, 02:40 PM	#6
Petter Flink Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Sweden Posts: 70	Re: Is there any use for a HHB Portadat TC? As I thought then :) It's still sexy looking and works perfect so I'll rather keep it then bin it.