I need a digital recorder with TOSLINK input

[Googer]

Sorry guys, the forums have changed too much and I don't know where to post this.

I am in need of a digital (WAV, MP3, FLAC OGG, MP4) recorder with a TOSLINK spdif optical input. Budget is in or around $100 but may spend more if needed. Actual recording medium can be almost anything as long as it can be transfered to a PC.

Any help with this matter is most appreciated.

 

[Googer]

I already have a few ideas but would like some 3rd party input or suggestions.

 

[darkswordsman17]

Hmm, maybe a used iRiver H120?

 

[Googer]

Originally posted by: darkswordsman17
Hmm, maybe a used iRiver H120?

Thanks, but according to CNET, H120 has ANALOG input. I need TOSLINK aka SPDIF aka Optical input.

 

[darkswordsman17]

I'm certain it has optical input (and can record from that input). You will need a special optical cable (not proprietary, just needs to have mini optical on one side).

Straight from the Cnet review:

The iRiver iHP-120 has a full suite of recording features. The device accepts both analog and digital optical line-level inputs (for recording from stereos or other devices) for audio recording, and it has both internal and external mikes for voice recording. All inputs can be recorded to WAV or MP3 at the standard bit rates. There's no volume-level meter, and gain can be set for only the external mike, but you can monitor recordings as they happen in order to set the appropriate level at the source.

http://www.amazon.com/iRiver-H...-Jukebox/dp/B0000EI9VR

And someone is selling one in the FS/T forum: http://forums.anandtech.com/me...ht_key=y&keyword1=h120

Doesn't look like they've been on in the last few days, but worth checking out.

 

[Googer]

Originally posted by: darkswordsman17
I'm certain it has optical input (and can record from that input). You will need a special optical cable (not proprietary, just needs to have mini optical on one side).

Straight from the Cnet review:

The iRiver iHP-120 has a full suite of recording features. The device accepts both analog and digital optical line-level inputs (for recording from stereos or other devices) for audio recording, and it has both internal and external mikes for voice recording. All inputs can be recorded to WAV or MP3 at the standard bit rates. There's no volume-level meter, and gain can be set for only the external mike, but you can monitor recordings as they happen in order to set the appropriate level at the source.

http://www.amazon.com/iRiver-H...-Jukebox/dp/B0000EI9VR

And someone is selling one in the FS/T forum: http://forums.anandtech.com/me...ht_key=y&keyword1=h120

Doesn't look like they've been on in the last few days, but worth checking out.

It's theoretically possible for it to be a hybrid analog and spdif input, since they are the same diameter but the toslink is just a few mm longer. That could easily be true. I will have to look in to this one.

 

[isekii]

you can always go with a minidisc player.

and get the toslink hookup... it's like a lil mini plug that plugs into the regular optical cable.

 

[Googer]

Originally posted by: isekii
you can always go with a minidisc player.

and get the toslink hookup... it's like a lil mini plug that plugs into the regular optical cable.

I thought about that, but Sony does not sell them any more. Or do they? And will it interface with a PC?

EDIT: I have a universal cable that can work in any TOSLINK connection. (Radio Shack Clearance)

 

[Googer]

Originally posted by: darkswordsman17
I'm certain it has optical input (and can record from that input). You will need a special optical cable (not proprietary, just needs to have mini optical on one side).

Straight from the Cnet review:

The iRiver iHP-120 has a full suite of recording features. The device accepts both analog and digital optical line-level inputs (for recording from stereos or other devices) for audio recording, and it has both internal and external mikes for voice recording. All inputs can be recorded to WAV or MP3 at the standard bit rates. There's no volume-level meter, and gain can be set for only the external mike, but you can monitor recordings as they happen in order to set the appropriate level at the source.

http://www.amazon.com/iRiver-H...-Jukebox/dp/B0000EI9VR

And someone is selling one in the FS/T forum: http://forums.anandtech.com/me...ht_key=y&keyword1=h120

Doesn't look like they've been on in the last few days, but worth checking out.

You are right. I also see an H140 there, are they the same or similar in regards to what I am looking for?
http://www.iriver.com/product/p_detail.asp?pidx=43

 

[darkswordsman17]

As far as I know they're the same only the 140 has 40GB hard drive with the 120 having 20GB. You might check to see any threads about them on Head-Fi (which is where I got most of my info about them from).

 

[Googer]

This one would work well, but it's a budget buster.

http://bssc.sel.sony.com/Broad...le_recorders___mz_m200

 

[Dubb]

$100 is not going to get you anything of quality in terms a digital recorder.

The question is whether you need anything of quality. The iriver is a good option if you don't need bit perfect or long record times at high res.

sony just announced the d50 flash recorder, will probably street at around $450-500

edit:

http://bssc.sel.sony.com/Broad...=0&p=10&sp=83&id=90227

 

[Googer]

Originally posted by: Dubb
$100 is not going to get you anything of quality in terms a digital recorder.

The question is whether you need anything of quality. The iriver is a good option if you don't need bit perfect or long record times at high res.

sony just announced the d50 flash recorder, will probably street at around $450-500

edit:

http://bssc.sel.sony.com/Broad...=0&p=10&sp=83&id=90227

We're not too worried about quality, it's digital capture (through TOSLINK) that we want. A/D conversion will not be taking place so anything over $200 is overkill.

Also, the computer runs Windows ME with 512MB RAM.

 

[Dubb]

even though it's a digital capture you still (might) have to worry about recorder quality. many cheaper digital recorders are not bit-accurate on digital input, sometimes they resample the stream, have difficulty maintaining a lock on the signal (which you may or may not have any indication of other than tiny dropouts), or have no method of handling file sizes larger than 2GB (record for over 2 continuous hours at 24/48 and it'll crash or just stop recording)

ease of use and reliability factors a great deal in these things. what is your usage scenario?

 

[Googer]

Originally posted by: Dubb
even though it's a digital capture you still (might) have to worry about recorder quality. many cheaper digital recorders are not bit-accurate on digital input, sometimes they resample the stream, have difficulty maintaining a lock on the signal (which you may or may not have any indication of other than tiny dropouts), or have no method of handling file sizes larger than 2GB (record for over 2 continuous hours at 24/48 and it'll crash or just stop recording)

ease of use and reliability factors a great deal in these things. what is your usage scenario?

We are not too concerned with 99% bit accuracy. Just as long as we can play it back on a small early 90s boombox, we will be happy. Cost is the most important factor and USED is just as acceptable to us as NEW.

 

[biggestmuff]

If you explain what the setup is or what you are attempting to accomplish, then maybe you would get better responses or more input.

 

[Googer]

Originally posted by: biggestmuff
If you explain what the setup is or what you are attempting to accomplish, then maybe you would get better responses or more input.

We are trying to record audio from a dish network satellite box for playback in a car CD player. We want to record from toslink spdif to a digital recorder of some kind then transfer the data to computer to be burned to cd.

 

[biggestmuff]

Try to find a used M-Audio MicroTrack II. They're decent field recorders that have a S/PDIF input.

Other options would be used Roland or Boss recorders like the Roland VS series (VS-840).

Maybe borrow a PC with a S/PDIF on it.

Or maybe you're making it too difficult; just hook up the RCA outputs of the satellite box to the inputs on your soundcard. Let you're soundcard do the A/D conversion.

 

[Googer]

Originally posted by: biggestmuff
Try to find a used M-Audio MicroTrack II. They're decent field recorders that have a S/PDIF input.

Other options would be used Roland or Boss recorders like the Roland VS series (VS-840).

Maybe borrow a PC with a S/PDIF on it.

Or maybe you're making it too difficult; just hook up the RCA outputs of the satellite box to the inputs on your soundcard. Let you're soundcard do the A/D conversion.

M-Audio MicroTrack II at $299 is way over budget. We are trying to keep the cost of this around (+/-) $100. Are there any older models on ebay you might recommend?

 

[Goosemaster]

Originally posted by: Googer

Originally posted by: biggestmuff
Try to find a used M-Audio MicroTrack II. They're decent field recorders that have a S/PDIF input.

Other options would be used Roland or Boss recorders like the Roland VS series (VS-840).

Maybe borrow a PC with a S/PDIF on it.

Or maybe you're making it too difficult; just hook up the RCA outputs of the satellite box to the inputs on your soundcard. Let you're soundcard do the A/D conversion.

M-Audio MicroTrack II at $299 is way over budget. We are trying to keep the cost of this around (+/-) $100. Are there any older models on ebay you might recommend?

minidisc...just mess around on ebay and you'll find one at an acceptable loss...

 

[Googer]

Does anyone know if DISH network puts DRM on their audio channels or digital audio output?