1
EDIROL
Video Field Recorder
Introductory Guide
With the introduction of DV format video
cameras in 1995 came the outstanding benefits
of digital imaging technology, which until
then could only be experienced in professional
applications. DV gained widespread acceptance
with the average consumer. To take full advantage
of digital technology consumers needed a way to
edit the content that was captured in the DV
format. Computer non-linear video editing
software was developed to address this growing
market and the need to edit digital content.
As non-linear applications and digital content
grew, networked systems with large storage
mediums were put into place so that material
could easily be shared. It was commonplace to
network multiple non-linear editing systems to a
central video server.
After solving the network and storage
challenge, capturing content from DV tape and
other forms of digital video materials became
the bottleneck. While industrial-scale systems
could improve transfer efficiency by including
several dedicated capture stations, smaller-scale
businesses were confronted by a real restriction
when it came to transferring tape-based data in
real-time. In the news gathering sector, one reason
that non-linear technology made so little headway
was because it was quicker to edit tape than to
wait for content to be captured.
The field recorder emerged as a means of
resolving this issue. Using the IEEE1394
interface from camera to hard disk, made it
possible directly record the video stream. The
hard disk can then be mounted in a non-linear
workstation where editing can begin immediately
and thereby eliminating the capture process
entirely.
■ Shift to HD
With the introduction of HD broadcasting, there
has been a large investment in HD infrastructure.
At the outset, the capabilities for dealing with
HD content in non-linear editing systems were
inadequate and expensive, therefore broadcasting
companies re-invested in tape-based systems.
After regressing temporarily to a tape-based
workflow, HD content is returning to a non-linear
based workflow as we saw previously in the DV
era. However, the bottleneck continues to be
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Background of Field Recording
Background of Field Recording 3
Field Recorder Line-up 4
Unique Features of the F-1 6
Shooting and Recording 8
Checking Footage and Transferring Data 10
Proving the EDIROL F-1 in the Field 12
Flexible Network Capabilities 16
Specifications 18
Utility Software and Accessories 19
Text • Nobuyoshi Kodera, Shuzo Hamatani Cover photography • Shinya Aizawa
The original Japanese edition was issued as a supplement of “Gekkan video
alpha” on July 1, 2008
TableofConten
ts
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Current lineup of Roland audio field recorders.
WAVE format Recording/Playback
Channels
Internal Stereo Microphone
Analog Input
Digital In
Digital Output
Phantom Power
Recording Media
USB
USB Host
WAVE Editing Function
Time Code
Effects
Power Supply
44.1/48kHz
16/24-bit Rec 64/128/160/192/224/320kbps
Playback 32-320kbps or VBR(Variable Bit Rate)
2
○
Stereo Miniture phone type, plug-in powered mic
-
Optical
-
SD Memory Card
USB 2.0
-
-
-
Reverb (Playback Only)
AA Battery x2, AC Adaptor
44.1/48/88.2/96kHz
16/24-bit Rec 64/128/160/192/224/320kbps
Playback 32-320kbps or VBR(Variable Bit Rate)
2
○
Stereo Miniture phone type, plug-in powered mic
-
-
-
SD/SDHC Memory Card
USB 2.0
-
-
-
Reverb (Playback Only)
AA Battery x2, AC Adaptor
44.1/48/88.2/96kHz
16/24-bit
-
4
○
XLR/TRS Combo type
Coaxal×1
Coaxal×1
○
HDD(40GB)
USB 2.0
-
○
-
3-Band EQ, Graphic EQ, Noise Gate, Enhancer, Comp&DeEsser
AA type battery x8, AC Adaptor
44.1/48/88.2/96/192kHz
16/24-bit
-
4 (Limited to Stereo x1 at 192kHz)
○
XLR type
AES/EBU×1
AES/EBU×1
○
HDD(80GB)
USB 2.0
USB 2.0
○
○
3-Band EQ, Graphic EQ, Noise Gate, Enhancer, Comp&DeEsser, MS Mic Mixing
AA type battery x8, AC Adaptor, External Battery
44.1/48/88.2/96/192kHz
16/24-bit
-
4 (Limited to Stereo x1 at 192kHz)
○
XLR/TRS Combo type
Coaxal×1
Coaxal×1
○
SD/SDHC Memory Card
USB 2.0
-
-
○
3-Band EQ, Graphic EQ, Noise Gate, Enhancer, Comp&DeEsser, MS Mic Mixing
AA type battery x4, AC Adaptor, External Battery
R-09HRR-09
R-４ R-４Pro R-44
MP3 format Recording/Playback
products from other manufacturers. Released mid
2008 was the latest version called the R-09HR.
Roland designed the F-1 using core technology
and experience acquired from their extensive
audio field recorders combined with their
numerous years of product development for
the video industry. One of the most important
technologies developed for it's Field Recording
line up found in the F-1 is the shock resistant and
impact proof hard drive system.
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capturing and recording HD content. Naturally,
the Panasonic P2 and the Sony XDCAM lines
moved into HD but because users were unfamiliar
with the workflow benefits they also saw no
reason to throw away expensive cameras just
because they record to tape.
Companies realized that camera and lens assets
can still be retained and improved workflow could
be achieved from acquisition to delivery using
tapeless Field Recorders. In particular, HDV
cameras benefit greatly by using Field Recorder
because they dramatically improve workflow by
providing tapeless content acquisition while not
taking away from any other features.
Using tape based camcorders along with field
recorders provides redundancy for data storage.
Some users were suspicious of the new hard
drive based media because if it failed, they would
lose their data. Once the footage was on tape,
users were confident that it would not be easily
lost. The only downside was that the maximum
recording time was limited by the physical length
of the tape.
When used in tandem with a field recorder,
however, recording simultaneously to both tapes
and Field Recorder compensate for the weakness
of either technology. Using both makes it possible
to offload data for editing from the field recorder,
and recorded tapes can be sent straight to the
archive shelf/room for backup.
In the future, solid-state memory recording will
become mainstream for camcorders. However,
because hardware and codecs are still evolving, it
is too early to adopt for many applications.
Field Recorder Line-up
Well-known as a musical instrument
manufacturer, Roland Corporation has established
itself as leaders in the audio field recording
segment with a number of hit products. The
company’s first field recorder, which came out
in 2004, was the EDIROL R-1 portable audio
recorder designed to record uncompressed audio
to solid state media - all in the palm of your
hand. With subsequent model upgrades and new
features Roland continues to lead the way among
followers in a growing live digital recording
market.
In 2005, the EDIROL R-4, a four-channel
model was developed for commercial
applications strengthening the lineup. In 2006 it
was followed by the EDIROL R-4 Pro with time
code capabilities for the location sound and post
markets. The R-4 Pro has been widely accepted
in the Radio, TV Broadcast, and post markets.
Early 2008 marked the release of the EDIROL
R-44, a four-channel, solid-state SDHC memory
card audio field recorder.
Meanwhile, for the consumer market,
successors to the R-1 were launched. In 2006, the
substantially more compact R-09 was favorably
received and spawned the development of similar
be removed from the recorder and connected
to a non-linear system via USB. Because
it is powered through the USB connection,
the hard drive does not need its own power
supply. Using an additional removable hard
drive allows you to continue shooting in the
field while the other content is being edited
in a non-linear system. In situations where
several film crews are working, this can be very
advantageous for improving workflow.
The F-1 uses several unique power options to
operate the system. The first is a power pack that
is inserted into the back of the unit that contains
eight AA batteries. As with its earlier audio field
recorders, Roland has remained committed to
designing devices that use standard batteries so
that users can easily find replacement batteries
just about anywhere in the world.
A dedicated battery would require a recharging
system, and in some shooting situations, AC
power is just not available. Results achieved
in remote areas and the positive feedback from
Roland users has proven the enduring value of
this product design feature.
Secondly, the F-1 can receive external power
by using the AC adaptor socket. Lastly, the F1 can be powered by plugging in large-format
batteries. As a fail safe option when it is operating
on external power and the external power runs
out or is cut for any reason, the F-1 automatically
switches to internal power. In effect, the internal
battery pack functions as a back-up power supply.
Because the shooting time is only limited by the
remaining capacity of the hard drive, the F-1
can be used for extended non-stop recording.
This capability makes it well suited for use in
documentary film making and other special
shooting situations.
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■Audio in jack
Accepts XLR plugs for Ch 3 and Ch 4 audio.
Mic and line input is supported.
■Hold switch
To prevent inadvertent operation, set to ON
p
osition to lock operation buttons including
REC/STOP, Replay, Fast Forward, and Rewind.
■Audio input setting switch
Used for adjusting Audio input. Adjustments:
gain settings; phantom power ON/OFF; and audio
input ON/OFF.
■DC in socket
Supports 9 to 16 V DC power.
Enables use of AC adaptor or
external battery.
■VGA output connector
Enables connection of external monitor. Thumbnail display
of recorded clips and other viewing modes are possible.
(analog RGB 800×600 pixels)
The F-1 can be powered by a battery unit (left) that holds eight
AA batteries or external power (right) including an AC adaptor.
So let’s take a look at the special hardware
features of the F-1. On a body somewhat bigger
than a V-mount battery, the controls are on the
front panel. This follows the general function
design of the R-09 and earlier models, menu
operation on the F-1 is simple to navigate using
the up and down arrows and the enter keys to
make settings.
On the side of the F-1 there are input jacks for
two audio channels in addition to the two channels
included from the camera, providing a total of
four audio channels. These two independent
audio channels record in linear PCM audio format
providing much higher quality sound than the
audio channels from the camera. When recording
music, it is better to use these channels as the
main audio. Adjustment and monitoring of sound
levels for these channels can be done using the
front control panel.
The F-1 is designed with a removable hard
drive for storing video and audio content making
this unique to most other field recorders. Ordinary
field recorders have USB or other connectors that
need to be used to offload their stored video
for non-linear editing. This means that every
time transfer or editing work has to be done, the
recorder has to be disconnected from the camera.
Having your field recoder always coupled with
the hard drive limits usability.
The F-1 uses a 120 GB hard drive unit that can
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Unique Features of the F-1
A removable 120 GB hard drive is used for recording
video/audio data.
■Display button
Enables single-touch access to the audio
level setting screen.
■REC/STOP button
■Transport button
■Menu button
■Phones jack
■Audio in level knob
Used for starting and stopping recording.
A red indicator remains lit during recording.
Enables selection and playback or pause of stored files.
Used for switching to menu screen.
Accepts headphones for monitoring Ch 3 and
Ch 4 audio input.
Allows adjustment of the level of Ch 3 and
Ch 4 analog audio input.
■Display
■Power button
■ USB (computer) port
■USB (host) port■i.LINK (IEEE1394)
port
■Status lights
Bright and easy to read, the organic LED display has a wide
viewing angle. F-1 operating status and menu screens are shown
on the display.
Indicator stays lit when
powered ON.
For high-speed USB 2.0 connections to computers.
Accepts connections from mouse and other USB devices. Compatible
with standard USB mass storage, it also supports USB flash memory
and hard drives.
Accepts connections from video cameras and other devices.
Handles HDV and DV.
Indicates type of video input. Ch 3/4 lights up when Ch 3 and
Ch 4 audio input is set to ON.
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