Deva 5.8 FAQ

Last modified: July 24, 2007

Deva 5.8

The new generation Zaxcom Devas are here and are working everyday with very happy professional owners. To help you answer your burning Deva questions, we have compiled the most Frequently Asked Questions into a short form below.

How many tracks does it record?
The Deva 5.8 records up to 10 tracks simultaneously. Input combinations are created, between the 8 analog inputs, and 8 digital inputs. You can also create mixes within the recorder and record them to any unused tracks.
How long will the new Deva record?
Recording with a sampling rate of 48K, in standard mode (not using the .ZAX compression system*), Deva recorders use the internal hard drive at a rate of approximately two "track-hours" (mono tracks) per gigabyte. Logically, recording with 4 tracks would yield about ½ hour per gigabyte, and so on. Presently, the most commonly used hard drive in the Deva recorders has a capacity of 80 gigabytes, yielding a maximum record time of approximately 160 hours! Even when recording 10 tracks the Deva 5.8 can yield up to 16 hours of record time!
Does the Deva record in partitions or continually throughout the hard disc?
Partitions (now referred to as "folders" with the new Deva recorders). In 2005, a software upgrade enabled variable partition size, allowing the recorder to maximize the efficiency of space used on the hard disc.
Can the Deva write to an external drive?
Yes. Deva recorders allow a drive such as a DVD-RAM or hard drive connections with its FireWire port, without the need of a computer.
Other than hard disc, what does the Deva 5.8 record on?
An advantage over the original Deva IV/V recorders is a standard internal DVD-RAM drive and a standard Compact Flash slot. The FireWire port allows the Deva to adapt to whatever the preferred media happens to become, giving Devas a very upgrade-friendly status and long future.
What’s up with this: Now the Deva has 8 input pots?
Actually, the Deva IV/V has eight input control “knobs”! In addition to the four mechanical knobs, there are also four “soft” faders that are available on the touch screen. But with the 5.8 more input knobs are now provided. The eighth input knob also acts as the headphone control. This is software controlled in the push button headphone menu.
Does the Deva play and record at the same time?
No, overdubbing is not a current feature in the Deva. However, playback of hard drive, DVD-RAM, Compact Flash and external drive files is available.
What about sampling rates?
The Deva has the ability to record at one sampling rate and playback another. The Deva IV is capable of recording at up to 96kHz, and any user chosen custom rates below 96K. The Deva V and 5.8 can also record at any rate set by the user from 20kHz, but can record up to 192kHz. All three models are capable of playback from 8kHz to 200kHz. With this feature, the Deva accommodates all pull-up and pull-down scenarios.
What’s up with that cool display?
The display is an LCD touch screen. Every routing path, setting, rate, metering, and metadata change can be made from the screen. The meters can be horizontal, vertical, peak, and show any number of tracks with the track names shadowed behind the meter. Rock out. This feature was so unusual at first that many people were skeptical. However, now that there are a large number of them working in actual productions, everyone likes the touch screen!
Will the Deva become obsolete soon?
No. Deva IVs, Vs, and now the 5.8 all run the same software, giving every user the same recording capabilities, with different housings and physical patch options. The new Devas are already different and better machines than when they were first released. Because the Deva is, microprocessor controlled (even the audio mixer) software revisions are continuously improving to meet the requests of users worldwide. As Zaxcom issues revisions, the user receives the new firmware by email, and installs it themselves in about three minutes. If you think about the Deva II, realize that in an age of computers that become obsolete after purchase the Deva II is still current after for more than five years. Zaxcom has taken the same ideas into the next generation, allowing the user to make the revisions at home, and the entire machine is more future proof than any recorder before.
What kind of file format does the Deva use?
The Deva records to its internal hard disc with the Zaxcom Mobil Audio Recording Format (MARF). This is a proprietary file format for Zaxcom that allows triple redundancy for maximum safety and reliability. This also allows the Devas to have maximum versatility by allowing the removable discs to be different file types. The mirror drives can record with either Broadcast Wave Mono (BWF-M), Broadcast Wave Polyphonic (BWF-P), or SD2 file. Currently, BWF-P is the preferred file type for most productions. Each of these files can be mirrored at 16 bits or 24 bits.

I hope this has been helpful. If you have any more questions, please feel free to contact us. Thank you.

Skylor Morgan, Product Specialist
skylor@trewaudio.com
1.800.241.8994

To learn more about the Deva, it's early days, it’s refinement, and examples of its current uses check out these articles and photos: