I usually depend on recording my audio to my mini DV tape in my camera. It may seem like a newbie question, but why would you have a portable digital recorder? How do you sync them to your camera so the audio doesn't drift over time? What models would be best for this?

I figure that I would like the following in one:

XLR inputs
24-bit sampling or better
Good built in mics
SD memory card slot
USB?

I'm pretty new to the Portable Digital Recorder thing. Can anyone offer resources or advice? They're a bit pricy to drop money on if I don't have too.

Judging by your other posts, I don't think you need a top-end recorder. You can buy inexpensive adapters to handle an XLR or 1/4" phone plug feed from a board. I like HiMD myself, but sadly, that technology appears on the way out.

If you don't have a problem with your current setup, you probably don't need a solution.

why would you have a portable digital recorder?Short answer: most often, the reason is that the built-in audio recording capabilities of the cameras do not provide sufficient quality. Another reason might be that it is not practical to run audio cables from the mic to the camera: such as if the camera needs to move around without being tied to audio cables, or if you are shooting dialog from across a small creek or river.

Like the previous posters have said, if the sound quality you get today is sufficient for your purposes, you'll save a lot of money and time by just continuing to work that way.

- Martin