The Fostex DV40 DVD Master Recorder offers a range of advanced features that make it suitable for use in broadcast, post-production, and mastering applications. The Fostex DV40 supports a wide range of disc formats, including DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD+R, and DVD+RW. It also offers a range of audio inputs and outputs, including balanced XLR, Sync and Timecode.
With its advanced features and flexible connectivity options, the Fostex DV40 is a powerful tool for professional-level DVD based recording and mastering. Having been a leading pioneer in the field of professional digital audio mastering technology for over 15 years, it seems only natural that Fostex, the inventors of timecode DAT and portable timecode DAT, should bring the world the next mastering standard.
Working hand-in-hand with postproduction facilities, sound mixers, broadcast professionals and recording houses, Fostex have developed a mastering machine ready to handle every application and exception in today’s, and tomorrow’s, constantly changing and challenging audio environments. In short, you can now move from Timecode DAT to ‘Timecode DVD-RAM’ with supreme confidence.
DVD-RAM and Recording Format
Fostex chose DVD-RAM as the most suitable successor to Digital Audio Tape after extensive research and testing. DVD-RAM has excellent reliability and has already established itself as the film industry’s preferred media format due to its built-in error correction and longevity. This security is enhanced by the employment of state-of-the-art ‘Verify/Write’ technology1 which constantly examines the recorded data being stored on DVD-RAM, in real-time, for total error-free recording.
In order to ensure the widest range of compatibility throughout the industry and maximising the DVD-RAM technology, the Fostex DV40 can record up to four channels of simultaneous audio in a vast number of permutations.
Two recording modes are offered: Normal non-destructive, (akin to what you would expect with current random-access recorders), and Tape destructive, (think traditional tape recorder but with the added advantage of securing recorded data instantly meaning that in the event of a power failure, no work up to that point would be lost). Files are created as either new files (New File) or inserted audio (Insert) providing true flexibility dependent on your required preference.
Universal Disc Format
As the Fostex DV40 employs a UDF (Universal Disc Format) file layout, its DVD-RAM media can be removed, (or accessed via the house media network), and instantly read by Mac and PC workstations running a variety of operating systems.
This can be a huge time saver as it alleviates the resource-consuming and costly process of having to convert audio data through third-party programs beforehand. Currently the Fostex DV40 can record in either industry standard SDII™ (Sound Designer II) or BWF (Broadcast .wav File) formats with others in development.
Both of these industry recognised formats can exist together on the same DVD-RAM disc and have been enhanced by the ability to include Fostex User Bit (UBIT) information in the file format. Fostex DV40 files can be set-up as 4-track (Multi), stereo or mono files in either 24 or 16-bit resolution with a vast choice of sampling frequencies: 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4 and 192kHz2. A 0.1% pull up/pull down can also be applied to the selected frequency.
Editing Facilites
And the flexibility doesn’t stop with the recording process. Once files have been recorded or imported, (again ensuring compatibility with third-party systems), they can be processed with extensive in-built non-destructive editing functions such as Copy, Paste, Insert, Cut and Erase with a virtually unlimited number of Undos.3
Functions made easy with the combination of a high precision, jog/shuttle wheel and a clear and concise FL display. File backup and duplication functions are also provided, either to the same DVD-RAM disc, or via the fitment of an optional internal hard disc drive.
Finally, when it comes time to pass the recorded audio to other parts of the production process, simply eject and pass on the DVD-RAM disc or have the Fostex DV40 connected as part of your media network through its integral 10/100 Base-T Ethernet port and access the files via FTP.
Fostex DV40 Features
- Recording and playback to and from industry standard DVD-RAM media
- Verify/Write feature constantly examines data being recorded ensuring no audio errors
- Universal Disc Format (UDF) ensures compatibility with most OS and computer-based workstations
- Comprehensive on-board timecode offering 24H RUN, REC RUN, FREE RUN and EXT RUN modes
- TC generator equipped with the new 23.97F HD camera mode
- Up to 192kHz/24-bit performance. (44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4 kHz also available)
- Incredibly wide 20Hz – up to 80kHz frequency range
- Mono, stereo or 4-track recording modes
- SDII(TM) or BWF audio file formats in 16-bit or 24-bit resolution (on the same disc)
- Optional 6-track Playback card (Model 5050) is available to playback files with more than 4-track
- Various track files can be read; mono, 2-track, 3-track, 4-track, 5-track, 6-track and 8-track (audio playback up to 6 track only when model 5050 is installed
- Optional 2.5” internal 40GB HD (model 9055) for disk/file copy between disks
- High-definition audio scrub via jog/shuttle dial – 200 pluses per rotation
- Destructive and non-destructive recording
- Full on-board copy, paste, insert, cut and erase features with high precision scrubbing.
- Comprehensive I/O including 24 bit/192kHz on balanced XLR and 1/4″ phone jacks; AES/EBU digital
- Word, Video, PS/2 Keyboard/Mouse (front panel) and 10/100 BASE-T Ethernet networking connectors as standard
- Ethernet allows Fostex DV40 to transfer files via FTP in the media network
- Files created by FAT16 hard disc recorders, such as the Zaxcom Deva II, can now be read and correctly played back with timecode directly by the Fostex DV40. Files need to be backed up to external DVD-RAM by the host machine in the BWF Polyphonic format
- EDL file. An EDL file with ALE (Avid Log Exchange) compatibility can be automatically generated and edited for each DVD-RAM disc used. If wished, a number of different EDLs can be created per disc
- Audio CD playback. Regular Red Book audio CDs (CD-DA) can now be played back on the Fostex DV40 with the machine adding the advantage of timecode output for the CD material
- Circle Take function. Files (takes) on the Fostex DV40 can now be selected and deselected as ‘Circle Take’ providing for easier file selection in the editing process
- Avid compatibility. BWF files recorded on the DV40 can now import directly into Avid Film Composer (depending on software version) along with information about Scene, Take, Reel Number, Event, etc. being transported and read from the files Metadata. The Metadata area is user-editable for future expansion
- CD playback with TC for broadcast applications.
- Multi Playback modes and file linking. Files and TC can be linked in a linear fashion
- Full Metadata compatibility
