Zaxcom Deva 5
Zaxcom, makers of the world's first portable production
hard disk recorder, plans to unveil the Deva V at the 2003 NAB Show
this April. The Deva-II recorder has already transformed the process of audio
recording for motion picture and television production, improving on traditional
DAT and ¼ tape formats in many ways. With the proven process now known
as the “Deva System” (the method of internal hard disk recording
and external mirror process to inexpensive backup medium), Zaxcom has broken
the barrier of linear tape recording and has moved film and television production
into the nonlinear realm.
Zaxcom will introduce three (3) new hard disk recorders - Deva III, IV and V. These recorders will range from a 6-track model designed for basic recording to a 10-track model designed for multi-track, high bit rate applications.
The new Devas will include 6 advanced features:
1. An internal 5.25 inch DVD/CD writer.
The new line of Devas will be available with an optional internal DVD/CD writer. The drive bay will be setup for a standard slim 5.25-inch computer DVD drive. The Deva will record to the internal hard disk, internal DVD and external FireWire drive at the same time. Each disk can be a different file type and sample rate.
This system has several key advantages:
- It uses standard 5.25 inch DVD and CD ROM disks.
- A full day of recording will easily fit on a single 4.7 gig per side DVD disk.
- The DVD burner can be easily field changed in minutes by using a screwdriver. DVD drives, when used in harsh environments are not as reliable as a sealed hard drive. Dust and condensation can render DVD writers intermittent or unusable. Of course the internal drive is always active even when the DVD is not being used.
- The Deva will support FAT16, FAT32 and UDF disk formats so DVD disks and CDs created by Deva are now directly readable on Macs and PCs without the need for third party software drivers.
2. Deva IV and V can playback and record at the same time.
As a production tool, Deva can playback a complex list of audio segments and record at the same time. This tool will be quite useful for music videos and motion picture production.
3. Deva IV and V Sample rate conversion.
Often in production it is necessary to record audio at multiple sample rates for post. For example, telecine may require 48.048kHz files for pull down while Protools systems require the same audio files at 48.000kHz. The new Deva can output files at any sample rate, even if the desired sample rate is different from the original recording. Any sample rates from 8kHz to 200kHz are supported.
The production mixer will be able to change the sample rate of recorded material after the recording is made. The new Deva can simultaneously record to three different disks at three different sample rates: Internal hard drive, internal DVD/CD drive (optional), and external removable media (DVD-RAM traditionally).
4. Deva III, IV & V color touch screen.
The user interface on the new Deva will be simple and intuitive. A modern color touch screen is used in combination with hard keys to setup and control the recorder. The power and flexibility of this user interface is unequaled in any other field recorder. This style of user interface will be necessary to allow substantial software improvements as advancements in technology move forward. The screen will be 4 times as large as the current Deva II. It is the same size as the screen used by the color Compaq I-paq palm top computer.
The Most revolutionary of the new features is the development of a new file format designed for location recording.
5. Zaxcom audio file: .ZAX
Drawing on their experience of the last 5 years with the Deva system, ZAXCOM has developed a new file format designated “.ZAX”. This file format overcomes several limitations that are inherent in AES31, Broadcast WAV and SD2 files. This format incorporates loss-less compression and optimal audio interleaving techniques that allow a DVD to transfer audio at rates typically three times faster than is now possible.
Postproduction will also notice a dramatic reduction in transfer times as they load .ZAX files onto an edit system. This file format includes loss-less data compression that is similar in concept to ZIP files on a PC. A utility program that Deva stores on every DVD disk is used to transfer the .ZAX files to a PC or Mac. This utility allows postproduction to choose from any standard file format or sample rate during the transfer process. This allows post to decide which of the standard audio file formats they prefer to use at their leisure. The great part about this is that sound mixer no longer has to worry if the correct decision has been made concerning the needs of the post house. Just output a .ZAX file and post can convert it into whatever format they need.
The big breakthrough of .ZAX files is that it makes file formats and sample rates irrelevant just like it was with analog tape. It also triples the effective storage capability of all disks using the format. Using the .ZAX file format it will be possible to store an entire motion picture production on a single hard drive.
It is important to emphasize that this system does not use lossy compression techniques. The final audio files are bit for bit exactly the same as the original recorded audio.
Direct recording of files to Broadcast Wave and SD2 files are still supported.
6. Extremely powerful internal mixer and user interface.
The Deva III, IV and V will incorporate an internal mixer with the capability to mix 16 input channels to 8 output busses. Up to 10 disk channels are included in the mix depending on the model of Deva. The mixer will operate at up to 192khz sample rate, and an optional fader control panel is planned. The mixer is controlled with the graphical touch screen display similar to the Cameo mixer. Features of the mixer will include many functions of the Cameo mixer including phase inversion, delay and M-S matrixing.
Full metadata support of Scene, Take and Note now available with the Deva II and Cameo II can be utilized with just the new generation of Deva recorder alone. The large color touch screen is used to input text data as well as canned notes. External Qwerty keyboards are also supported.
Large mixing knobs on the new Deva control panel make mixing on the recorder itself much easier. A 10-pin Hirose multifunction connector using ENG mixer standards is also included.
Direct to hard disk recording with simultaneous copies to DVD offers a degree safety and confidence that sound mixers have never had before.
A. A sealed hard disk is the most reliable storage device to date, and is the most robust around the elements of humidity, motion and dust when production, and careers, are on the line.
B. Single hard disks are now large enough to hold all of the production tracks of a typical feature film. This allows for instant playback on the set of any take of any scene of the project. Also, if a DVD disk that was sent to post is lost or damaged, a new DVD disk can be generated at any time by the production sound mixer.
Buy a Deva II now at no risk!
Need something right now, but afraid to buy a system that is about to be superceded? Or, are you one who prefers buying time-proven refined equipment but still want to make a good investment?
Either way, fear not. Zaxcom is offering an unprecedented and very generous upgrade program that takes the risk out of buy a Deva II now. Any Deva II purchased from September 18, 2002 until December 31, 2003 will receive a seventy-five percent credit toward a Deva IV and a ninety percent credit toward Deva V. This applies only to the original owner of the Deva. The Deva must be in operable condition to qualify for the trade in credit.