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Fostex Announces Additional Media Solutions for PD-6

Last modified: August 30, 2004

Since its launch one year ago, the PD-6 DVD-RAM Location Recorder has found itself in use on many headline feature films and productions, firmly establishing itself as a leader in digital location multi-track recording and a first choice among many of the worlds leading sound mixers. Fostex are now pleased to announce two additional products to complement the PD-6 and bring even more flexibly to its users:

Model 9056 is a service-center fitted 40GB 1.8 hard drive that mounts internally into the shocked-proofed PD-6 and, partitioned into 1.46GB areas, essentially provides the equivalent of twenty-six mini DVD-RAMs-worth of audio file/take storage, being ideal for extended recording periods away from base and for having a redundant copy available within the PD-6 itself. When recording direct to the 40GB hard drive, the PD-6 can be set to automatically mirror in the background to its DVD-RAM disc, making for quick handover to the edit suite of audio files at the end of a days shooting. With the unique Fostex metadata provided as standard in the BWF files, this makes the whole post production process even quicker and cost-effective.

The second product launch is the EX12, a docking station that mates with the PD-6 through its dedicated expansion connector, providing an additional two media choices in the form of a full-size DVD-RAM drive and an additional 40GB hard drive, this time 2.5. The EX12 hard drive sports 4.7GB partitions to match the format of a single-sided DVD-RAM disc and it or the DVD-RAM can be selected as the primary recording medium, with file/exchange and disk duplication functions available, plus the choice of automatic background mirror from hard drive to DVD-RAM. With the larger capacity partitions providing even longer recording times, the EX12 is ideally suited to use in sound mixers carts, on a sound stage or in the edit suite with its removable 2U rack-mounting ears plus its AC and DC power options with the added ability to provide power to the docked PD-6. Both IEEE1394 and USB2.0/1.1 ports are provided to allow external computer access to the DVD-RAM drive, however, like the 9056, files on the respective hard drives are exported via the DVD-RAM drives exclusively.

With the proliferation of the 1.8 hard drive states Motoaki Sano, R&D Manager at Fostex, we feel comfortable to incorporate it into our PD-6 program since it meets our high standards of reliability and ruggedness required for a location recorder. With our announcement of this and the EX12, were continuing to show our dedication and commitment to the sound mixers who choose Fostex location recorders now and in the future.

The Model 9056 will be available during 2nd quarter of 2004 while the EX12 is expected later on during the year.