Panasonic SV 255 recorder- your thoughts?

sputnikslim

sputnikslim

Active member
I was offered an old Panasonic SV 255 portable digital audio tape recorder to use to record voices for puppetry. I was thinking on getting an Oktava MKO12. Anyone have any thoughts on that? Any issues with the recorder to look out for?
 
I know it's a 10 year old piece of equipment but surely someone has heard of it, no?
It's the same company that makes the DVX cameras.
 
Heard of it ... yes, but that's all. As to whether there's anything good or bad to say about it - I don't have a clue. Whether the one you were offered is a good deal? Who could say. DAT has largely disappeared from use. Tapes are expensive and getting hard to find. Parts will be almost impossible to find if it needs repair. If someone was going to give it to you for free, then what do you have to lose. If you had to pay anything more than a thrift-shop/garage sale price for it, personally I'd look elsewhere. YMMV
 
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Thanks Steve. Does it not just take regular cassette tapes? Yes, it is a freebie loan. Just want to find out if it will produce ok sound for sound effects and some voice work.
 
sputnikslim said:
Thanks Steve. Does it not just take regular cassette tapes? Yes, it is a freebie loan. Just want to find out if it will produce ok sound for sound effects and some voice work.
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No, it takes special DAT tapes - the cassettes resembles a DVCAM or DV tape cassette and are about half the size of a conventional audio cassette tape. Uses a rotating head assembly similar to a VHS video recorder arrangement although much smaller. A quick Google shows prices ranging from $6 to $12 each for 60 minute tapes.
 
Thanks for that Steve. I guess I'll pass on this one and look for a newer piece of equipment. I appreciate it.
 
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