1/22/2006 - This document is meant to have an easy comparison of four popular CompactFlash digital audio recorders:
I put this comparison together, because I am evaluating each for purchase, and there was no place to find all this stuff in one place. If you find some corrections that you wish to make,
Size-wise, the PMD670 doesnt exactly fit into the category of the others; its substantially bigger. But, a number of persons who have tried some of the more compact recorders (such as the R1) have opted for the larger model.
|
Name |
PMD660 |
R1 |
R09* |
MicroTrack |
PMD670 |
|
WAV |
16-bit PCM, 44.1K or 48K |
16- or 24-bit, 44.1K |
16- or 24-bit, 44.1K or 48K |
16- or 24-bit, from 32k to 96k |
16bit, 44.1 or 48k |
|
MP3 |
128K stereo or 64k mono |
64 to 320k, 16bit |
64k to 320k, 16 or 24 bit |
96k to 320k, 16 or 24 bit |
64k to 320k, 16bit |
|
WMV |
No |
No |
No |
No |
No |
|
Other |
BWF (Broadcast Wave File), MP2 |
No |
No |
No |
MP2 (64k 384k), BWF |
|
Mic In? |
Yes, 2 x XLR |
Yes, 1/8 TRS |
Yes, 1/8 TRS |
Yes, 1/8 TRS and 2 x Ό TS |
Yes, 2 x XLR |
|
Phantom Power and Voltage? |
Yes, +48V |
No? |
No? |
Yes, +30V |
|
|
Media type? |
CompactFlash Type II |
CompactFlash |
SecureDigital (SD) |
CompactFlash |
CompactFlash Type II |
|
Max media size |
4GB |
2 GB |
2GB |
2GB |
4GB |
|
USB Connection? |
Yes, USB/USB2 |
Yes, |
Yes, |
Yes, |
Yes, USB/USB2 |
|
Built-in Mics? |
Yes, 2 condensor |
Yes, 2 |
Yes, 2 |
No, but includes external mini mic |
Yes, one |
|
Level meters? |
Yes |
?? |
?? |
?? |
Yes |
|
Optional Mic Pad? |
Yes, 20db pad |
?? |
?? |
?? |
Yes, 20db |
|
Batteries |
4 AA |
2 AA |
2 AA |
Built-in rechargeable; can be USB powered |
8 AA |
|
Est. Battery Life |
w/o Phantom Power, 6.5 hrs w/condenser: 5.5 hrs 4 hrs typical |
2.5hrs |
2.5hrs |
4-5hrs; 3 with phantom power; can run off USB power |
w/o Phantom Power, 6 hrs w/condenser: 5 hrs 4 hrs typical |
|
Analog Line In? |
Yes, 1/8 TRS (stereo) |
Yes, 1/8 TRS (stereo) |
Yes, 1/8 TRS (stereo) |
Yes, Ό (stereo) |
Yes, RCA (stereo) |
|
Stereo Line Out? |
Yes, 1/8 TRS |
Yes, 1/8 TRS |
Yes, 1/8 TRS |
Yes, dual RCA |
Yes, dual RCA |
|
Stereo Headphone Out? |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes, Ό |
|
Optical Out? |
No? |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes, SPDIF |
Yes |
|
S/N Ratio |
80db Line, 60db Mic |
93db |
93db |
98db |
86db Line, 65db Mic |
|
Optional Remote? |
Yes |
No |
No |
No |
?? |
|
Time Clock? |
Yes |
No |
No |
?? |
Yes |
|
Allow track marking (for new files?) |
Yes |
?? |
?? |
No |
Yes |
|
Date/Time Stamping of files? |
Yes |
No |
No |
?? |
Yes |
|
Automatic Level Control? |
Yes |
No |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Pros |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cons |
One of the larger handheld models; poor MP3 recording quality |
Metering is difficult to judge; no date times tamping; display somewhat dim; |
Not yet available! |
You have to start a new track to set input level |
|
|
Width |
4.5 / 11.3cm |
3.94 / 9.92cm |
? |
2.4 / 6.1cm |
10.4 / 26.4 cm |
|
Height |
1.9 / 4.7cm |
1.19 / 3.02cm |
? |
4.3 / 10.95cm |
2 / 5.5 cm |
|
Depth |
7.2 / 18.35cm |
5.31 / 13.4cm |
? |
1.12 / 2.85cm |
7.3 / 18.5cm |
|
Weigth |
1.1lb / 0.5kg |
8oz / 205g |
? |
5.2oz / 147.4g |
2lb 14oz / 1.3kg |
|
Cost |
$499 USD |
$429 USD |
$399 USD (estimated) |
$399 USD |
$699 USD |