Fostex FR-2

filmelife

filmelife

Well-known member
Hello, i did research on a few recorders under the 2000 dollar range, and it came down to the fr-2 for 24bit 196khz recording for 1300.

1.is anyone using it?

2.i bought the sound device 302 mixer and wondering if the fr-2 will be a good combo

3.is their a big difference between the fr-2 and fr2le?

thanks
 
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In this price range the Tascam HDP2 is considered the better buy for ENG/EFP work because it has a timecode input built in right off the bat, and sells for $1,000.

The Fostex fr-2 recorder has an optional time-code input/output card that adds another $500 to the cost. ( $1,800 with the card )

...Also, if you are buying new you might want to check out the Oade Brothers Audio website, which sells most of the new digital recorders with custom low noise upgrades that can lower the pre-amp noise floor by as much as 20 dB.

Oade Brothers Audio
http://www.oade.com/digital_recorders/hard_disc_recorders/tascam_hd-p2_upgrade.html

Check out the sample recordings made with stock and customized versions of the Marantz PMD-660 recorder: http://www.oade.com/digital_recorders/hard_disc_recorders/PMD-660MODS.html


:D
 
alright, fair enough, the last debate before buying,

eventhough the tascam has a TC in , which of course the camera would have to have a TC out, which the HVX-200 does not

what about the pre-amps between the HD-P2 Vs Fostex FR2?
 
killfilm said:
alright, fair enough, the last debate before buying,
eventhough the tascam has a TC in , which of course the camera would have to have a TC out, which the HVX-200 does not
Click to expand...

TC makes a difference when you go to sell the unit, and at some point you might actually use a TC capable camera.

killfilm said:
what about the pre-amps between the HD-P2 Vs Fostex FR2?
Click to expand...

I've never compared them, but I would suspect they are equivalent. The Oade Brothers customizations would make a significant difference, but it also voids the manufacturers warranty.
 
I went through the same thing and ended up with the HD-P2. I really like it and even though I'm not using a TC capable camera (XL2) it will come in handy down the line, it will also with with a TC slate. As far as the preamps go, I didn't do a formal test but they were approximately equal. Since you have a 302 it's kind of irrelevant as those are the preamps you will be using, which are much better than either recorder.
 
But the Tascam HD-P2 only has Timecode in and not out. Can someone confirm this, if this is so, then the fostex fr-2 would be a better choice since the card option offers a TC reader and generator
 
This is a little less than you were looking at but a less expensive option -- Location Sound in LA had a Marantz PMD670 (used) for $400 . It looked good in the web photo.
 
Killfilm,

I have the Tascam, and basically, for the difference in price between the FR2 and the HDP2 you can also pick up a timecode slate (which is generally a good thing to have if you're running timecode). I use my Denecke slate as the master and jam the HD=P2 and Boom Recorder and haven't had any problems. (I also put a big piece of gaff tape over the power switch on the slate - AC's are not always known for their common sense.)

Phil
 
Exactly what ptalsky said. I didn't care about having a recorder that generated timecode as for the price difference I was able to run a TC slate and use that as my master. The HD-P2 actually does have TC out but it's on the S/PDIF output.
 
bob15489 said:
Exactly what ptalsky said. I didn't care about having a recorder that generated timecode as for the price difference I was able to run a TC slate and use that as my master. The HD-P2 actually does have TC out but it's on the S/PDIF output.
Click to expand...

hdp-2 doesn't carry anything on its spdif except audio
good recorder - shity/ cripple tc solution
by the way iam doing a show now with cameras which not have tc so we are running free run all and slate every hour with my 744s
no digi slate, no tc sends to channel 2 , no sync boxes no nothing .10-12 slates per day and open camera mic if **** happens , still didn't after 2 weeks

to buy recorder( your only one recorder) that doesnt generate is stupid - period
if you don't have money for sd-702t - fostex fr-2 it is good option
 
Please correct me if I am wrong, but this is a quote from the owner's manual of the HD-P2. By the way, I have not actually tested it myself so I might be mistaken but it is in the manual and I've read that other people have done it.

The possible audio Clock Source values are:
• Internal – The audio clock is crystal-controlled
and generated by the HD-P2. Use this only if the
HD-P2 is to be the audio clock master in your system,
with its S/PDIF digital audio output used to
synchronize other audio gear.
 
If you play around with the FR2 my bet is you won't buy it. It's quite clunky. Also every time you stop recording the screen goes into a "saving to disk please wait" screen for 6-10 sec. If you have a long enough pre record buffer you can go back into record but you get no display till it finishes "saving". Also the minute you open the battery door all the batteries jump out. It requires two hands to hold down the batteries while getting the door closed. Very poor design. Smaller display than all the competition and harder to read. Small meters. You might guess I don't like it at all.
On the other hand I know FX recordists that like them a lot??? I'm not sure if it's features they like or a matter of "loving the one your with". I like the PMD671 but I would recommend the HD P2. Sound Devices are solid and high quality products. I felt they went too small on the recorders and made them more difficult to use than they needed to. But they are rocks and I would trade any of the others for one. They probably have the best support of all the ones in their price range, and are really the only ones that are focused on film and video needs.
 
bob15489 said:
Please correct me if I am wrong, but this is a quote from the owner's manual of the HD-P2. By the way, I have not actually tested it myself so I might be mistaken but it is in the manual and I've read that other people have done it.

The possible audio Clock Source values are:
• Internal – The audio clock is crystal-controlled
and generated by the HD-P2. Use this only if the
HD-P2 is to be the audio clock master in your system,
with its S/PDIF digital audio output used to
synchronize other audio gear.
Click to expand...

clock not tc
 
I really like fr-2 overall the is only one thing I'm confused about. FR2 can create only up to 200 files no more. Even if you have the space left 200 files is maximum. IS there anything I'm missing?
 
Sorry to resurrect such an old thread, but I have one of these and would like some type of rig so that it can stand by my tripod-mounted camera during shoots for me to monitor more easily. It doesn't have the usual screw-hole for a tripod plate like most similar devices, so does anyone have advice on how to make a practical stand? Some friends advised me to velcro it to to one of those steel plates with a knub for a c-stand knuckle, which is the best solution I've heard so far. If anyone has a better suggestion, I'm all ears!

PS: I have the -LE version:
432017.jpg
 
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