Tascam Dr-701D

Reed Gidez · September 26th, 2016, 09:53 PM

Im hoping someone with some experience with this unit can tell me if I have a bad copy or if behavior is normal.

Recorder is set to use Alkaline cells. I put 4 brand new fresh Duracells in and power on. Battery level reads at only 50%. Is this normal? I can't even get a full level when using an external USB power bank as a power supply.

I realize battery life is less than ideal but this seems crazy.

Thanks in advance.

Reed

Rick Reineke · September 27th, 2016, 11:27 AM

I don't know about the 701, but I've not read of this before nor were there any other Tascams with the problem. I'd try another NEW (tested) set of batteries. A new alkaline AA cell (unloaded) should measure a little above 1.5 V (if you only have a mutimeter). If the recorder's meter still reads low, I'd surmise it is defective... Exchange or warranty repair

Gary Nattrass · September 27th, 2016, 01:15 PM

It may be that the meters are calibrated for the latest lithium batteries as they can show up to 1.8 v ?

Reed Gidez · September 27th, 2016, 04:28 PM

Yesterday I had a chance to use the 701D on a shoot and loaded in a fresh set of AA cells. I also plugged in a 6000mAh USB power bank (the kind you can charge cell phones with) and the meter never read more than 50%. I suspect a bad unit and it will be going back to Amazon.

Gary and Rick, thanks for the input.

BTW, I did like the way my GH4 triggered the Tascam to record when shutter release was pressed and the sound was fairly clean.

Jay Massengill · September 27th, 2016, 05:31 PM

The GH4 is on the list of cameras supporting HDMI timecode with this recorder in addition to the Start/Stop triggering.

Have you had a chance to see if the recorded files sync up automatically in your editing software?

In looking around, some vendors are also offering an iZotope plug-in pack download with this recorder.
That could be a nice bonus if you don't already have that software.

Reed Gidez · October 22nd, 2016, 08:41 AM

Although Tascam never replied to my emailed question on this, I did notice they just released a firmware update to correct the issue. It can be found here Product: DR-701D | TASCAM

And to answer Jay's question about sync, yes, it works very nicely.

Greg Miller · October 25th, 2016, 06:05 AM

This does not exactly address your DR-701d question, but may be somewhat related.

I have a DR-40, which I use fairly often. I use it with relatively new Eneloop cells. Before use, I charge the cells in a LaCrosse BC-900 charger (which is sadly discontinued). Voltage of the cells, at the time they come out of the charger, is usually between 1.35 to 1.40 volts. The charger indicates they have roughly 1800 - 2000 mAh capacity.

When I first turn on the DR-40, it indicates "3 bars" of battery time. (Yes, I have it set correctly to the NiMH mode.) After about 30 minutes or so, the display drops to "2 bars" of battery time. Of course the first time this happened, I was seriously worried that the power would be depleted before the end of the [live] recording session. But I have found, repeatedly, that the display remains at "2 bars" for the duration of sessions that are typically two hours or more.

What I conclude from this is that the DR-40 battery meter is a bit "pessimistic." Perhaps someone at Tascam, who determines these things, likes Tascam's meters to give a warning before one is really needed ... who knows? Anyway, I offer this observation for what it's worth, if it has any bearing on your interpretation of the situation with your DR-701d.

Rick Reineke · October 25th, 2016, 10:05 AM

"the DR-4 indicates "3 bars" of battery time. (Yes, I have it set correctly to the NiMH mode.) After about 30 minutes or so, the display drops to "2 bars" of battery time"
- That's typical of gear running on rechargeables, like for instance the G2/3 which does not even have the NiMH battery setting. One has to know about how long a device will run. My G3's will run 12+ hrs w/ 2500mAh Eneloops, but 'usually' change them at the lunch break.

Ignacio Rodriguez · November 7th, 2016, 09:05 PM

I had a DR70D and now I have the DR701D and they both exhibited battery level indicator weirdness. Moreover, other users of the DR70D experienced exactly the same issue, many of us wrote and Tascam never replied or fixed it. I did notice the DR701D is somewhat better in this regard, has three battery type settings, but I gave up on using AAs anyway and prefer an external USB battery pack, with the internals as backup.

For what these recorders do for the price, it would still be a bargain if the AAs didn't work at all. The sound of the DR701D is really quite acceptable, and I absolutely love the HDMI sync. If it could also record what's coming in from HDMI in the extra "mix" channels it would be perfect.

September 26th, 2016, 09:53 PM	#1
Reed Gidez Major Player Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Oradell, New Jersey Posts: 283	Tascam Dr-701D - Battery level display Im hoping someone with some experience with this unit can tell me if I have a bad copy or if behavior is normal. Recorder is set to use Alkaline cells. I put 4 brand new fresh Duracells in and power on. Battery level reads at only 50%. Is this normal? I can't even get a full level when using an external USB power bank as a power supply. I realize battery life is less than ideal but this seems crazy. Thanks in advance. Reed __________________ Reed Gidez

September 27th, 2016, 11:27 AM	#2
Rick Reineke Inner Circle Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: New York Posts: 2,039	Re: Tascam Dr-701D - Battery level display I don't know about the 701, but I've not read of this before nor were there any other Tascams with the problem. I'd try another NEW (tested) set of batteries. A new alkaline AA cell (unloaded) should measure a little above 1.5 V (if you only have a mutimeter). If the recorder's meter still reads low, I'd surmise it is defective... Exchange or warranty repair

September 27th, 2016, 01:15 PM	#3
Gary Nattrass Trustee Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Cornsay Durham UK Posts: 1,992	Re: Tascam Dr-701D - Battery level display It may be that the meters are calibrated for the latest lithium batteries as they can show up to 1.8 v ? __________________ Over 15 minutes in Broadcast Film and TV production: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1044352/

September 27th, 2016, 04:28 PM	#4
Reed Gidez Major Player Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Oradell, New Jersey Posts: 283	Re: Tascam Dr-701D - Battery level display Yesterday I had a chance to use the 701D on a shoot and loaded in a fresh set of AA cells. I also plugged in a 6000mAh USB power bank (the kind you can charge cell phones with) and the meter never read more than 50%. I suspect a bad unit and it will be going back to Amazon. Gary and Rick, thanks for the input. BTW, I did like the way my GH4 triggered the Tascam to record when shutter release was pressed and the sound was fairly clean. __________________ Reed Gidez

September 27th, 2016, 05:31 PM	#5
Jay Massengill Trustee Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Burlington Posts: 1,976	Re: Tascam Dr-701D - Battery level display The GH4 is on the list of cameras supporting HDMI timecode with this recorder in addition to the Start/Stop triggering. Have you had a chance to see if the recorded files sync up automatically in your editing software? In looking around, some vendors are also offering an iZotope plug-in pack download with this recorder. That could be a nice bonus if you don't already have that software.

October 22nd, 2016, 08:41 AM	#6
Reed Gidez Major Player Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Oradell, New Jersey Posts: 283	Re: Tascam Dr-701D - Battery level display UPDATE Although Tascam never replied to my emailed question on this, I did notice they just released a firmware update to correct the issue. It can be found here Product: DR-701D \| TASCAM And to answer Jay's question about sync, yes, it works very nicely. __________________ Reed Gidez

October 25th, 2016, 06:05 AM	#7
Greg Miller Trustee Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 1,791	Re: Tascam Dr-701D - Battery level display This does not exactly address your DR-701d question, but may be somewhat related. I have a DR-40, which I use fairly often. I use it with relatively new Eneloop cells. Before use, I charge the cells in a LaCrosse BC-900 charger (which is sadly discontinued). Voltage of the cells, at the time they come out of the charger, is usually between 1.35 to 1.40 volts. The charger indicates they have roughly 1800 - 2000 mAh capacity. When I first turn on the DR-40, it indicates "3 bars" of battery time. (Yes, I have it set correctly to the NiMH mode.) After about 30 minutes or so, the display drops to "2 bars" of battery time. Of course the first time this happened, I was seriously worried that the power would be depleted before the end of the [live] recording session. But I have found, repeatedly, that the display remains at "2 bars" for the duration of sessions that are typically two hours or more. What I conclude from this is that the DR-40 battery meter is a bit "pessimistic." Perhaps someone at Tascam, who determines these things, likes Tascam's meters to give a warning before one is really needed ... who knows? Anyway, I offer this observation for what it's worth, if it has any bearing on your interpretation of the situation with your DR-701d.

October 25th, 2016, 10:05 AM	#8
Rick Reineke Inner Circle Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: New York Posts: 2,039	Re: Tascam Dr-701D - Battery level display "the DR-4 indicates "3 bars" of battery time. (Yes, I have it set correctly to the NiMH mode.) After about 30 minutes or so, the display drops to "2 bars" of battery time" - That's typical of gear running on rechargeables, like for instance the G2/3 which does not even have the NiMH battery setting. One has to know about how long a device will run. My G3's will run 12+ hrs w/ 2500mAh Eneloops, but 'usually' change them at the lunch break.

November 7th, 2016, 09:05 PM	#9
Ignacio Rodriguez Contributor Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Santiago, Chile Posts: 932	Re: Tascam Dr-701D - Battery level display I had a DR70D and now I have the DR701D and they both exhibited battery level indicator weirdness. Moreover, other users of the DR70D experienced exactly the same issue, many of us wrote and Tascam never replied or fixed it. I did notice the DR701D is somewhat better in this regard, has three battery type settings, but I gave up on using AAs anyway and prefer an external USB battery pack, with the internals as backup. For what these recorders do for the price, it would still be a bargain if the AAs didn't work at all. The sound of the DR701D is really quite acceptable, and I absolutely love the HDMI sync. If it could also record what's coming in from HDMI in the extra "mix" channels it would be perfect. __________________ Ignacio Rodríguez in the third world. @micronauta on Twitter. Main hardware: brain, eyes, hands. Last edited by Ignacio Rodriguez; November 7th, 2016 at 09:06 PM. Reason: Mistype.