Tascam DA-78HR User Manual

PRODUCT OVERVIEW

The DTRS format has long been respected as the most
reliable format in digital recording, and now the DTRS
format is leading the way into high resolution 24 bit
recording. The DA-78HR works with 16 bit DTRS
machines, using the same DTRS Sync line for sample
accurate lock plus the ability to read and write the
older 16 bit format. However, the DA-78HR offers the
ability to write 8 tracks of 24 bit audio to tape in the
HR format, built in SMPTE synchronization, MIDI ports
for MTC and MMC, plus a built-in 8 channel digital
mixer for internal bounces or monitor mix generation.

DA-78HR

Technical Documentation

• Records 8 tracks of 24 Bit Audio To Hi8 Tapes

• 24 Bit A/D and D/A Converters

• >104dB Dynamic Range

• 108 Minutes of Record Time on 120 Hi8 Tape

• SMPTE Time Code Generation and Chasing

• Generates MIDI Time Code

• Responds to MIDI Machine Control

• Reads and Writes 16 and 24 Bit DTRS Tapes

• 16 Machine Sample Accurate Lock with DTRS Sync

• Balanced DB25 & Unbalanced RCA Analog I/O

• TDIF Digital I/O & SPDIF Digital I/O

• Word Sync In/Out/Thru

• Track Slip from -200 to +7200 Samples

• Built-In 8 Channel Digital Mixer

APPLICATIONS SPECIFICATIONS

The DA-78HR's high audio quality, long record time, rugged
reliability, built-in time code capabilities, built-in MIDI
capabilities, and affordable price combine into a product that
can handle numerous situations.

Personal and Project Studios

Maximum features, minimum hassle. The DA-78HR brings
DTRS tape into 24 bit audio, offering the very best sound
quality available today. New features like built in MIDI ports
and SMPTE synchronization gives you the ability to chase other
tape machines (analog or digital), and the ability to work with
sequencers and digital consoles. For the ultimate cost effective
flexibility without having to locate additional accessories, the
DA-78HR is the best digital tape machine for the market.

Live Performance and Recording

In live performance, there is no take 2. Whether you are
using the DA-78HR to play some additional backing tracks or
recording the performance live, you can count on the DA-78HR
to get it right the first time. With 108 minutes of record time
on a single tape, you can put a whole live song set on a single
tape; no need to stop everything so you can switch tapes.

Audio for Video on a Budget

For anyone trying to make music for television or film, the
DTRS format is the de-facto standard format for transfers
and many stages of recording. The synchronization features
will allow you to chase another audio machine, or a video deck.
Again, the 108 minute record time was maintained for the new
24 bit recording mode, allowing 1 hour reels to be stored on a
tape, along with reference tones and the independent subcode
time code track. More advanced video applications will want

a DA-98HR, which adds 9 pin control, blackburst resolve, and
built in bit split for higher resolution audio recording.

Specifications:

Format:
Recording Method:
Tracking Method:
Maximum Record Time:
Time to Play from Stop:
Shuttle Speeds:
Varispeed:
Subcode:
SMPTE Frame Rates:

Error Correction:

Frequency Response:
Signal to Noise Ratio:
Total Harmonic Distortion:
Channel Separation:

Sampling Frequency:
Recording Resolution:
Reference Level:
Crossfade Time:
Track Delay:
Word Sync Source:
A/D Converters:
D/A Converters:

Analog Inputs:

Analog Outputs:

Digital I/O:
Remote/Sync:
Time Code In:
Time Code Out:
Word Sync In/Thru:
Word Sync Out:
MIDI I/O
Punch In Port:

Dimensions:
Weight:
Power Requirements:

Power Consumption
Electromagnetic Environment:

DTRS and DTRS-HR
Rotary Head / Helical Scan
ATF (Automatic Track Finding)
108 min (using P6-120 tape)
< 2 seconds
8x, 4x, 2x, 1x, 0.5x, 0.25x
±6%
Independent ABS and SMPTE TC
30fps, 30dfps, 29.97fps, 29.97dfps,
25fps, 24fps
Double-encoded Reed-Solomon code

20Hz-20kHz ±0.5dB
>104dB (HR), >100dB (Standard)
<0.004% (HR), <0.005% (Standard)
>90dB @ 1kHz

44.1kHz, 48kHz
16 bit, 24 bit

-16dB (full bit)
10ms to 200ms (10ms increments)

-200 to +7200 samples
(set in samples or msec)
Internal, Word, SPDIF
24 bit, 128x oversample (selectable dither)
24 bit, 128x oversample

DB25, +4dBu, 20kOhm
(8x) RCA, -10dBV, 10kOhm
DB25, +4dBu, 10kOhm
(8x) RCA, -10dBV, 250 Ohm
TDIF-1 Format, RCA Coaxial SPDIF
DTRS Sync DB15
RCA, 0.5Vp-p to 10Vp-p, 10kOhm
RCA, 2Vp-p, 100kOhm
Auto Terminating BNC, 75 Ohm (TTL)
BNC, 75 Ohm
In, Out, Thru
1/4" phono (For TASCAM RC-30P)

482x143x350mm, 19" x 5.6" x 13.8"

8.1kg, 17.8 lbs
USA/Canada 120VAC, 60Hz
UK/Europe 230VAC, 50Hz
Australia 240VAC, 50Hz
34W
E4

7733 Telegraph Road • Montebello, CA 90640 • [phone] • http://www.tascam.com

All features and specifications are subject to change without notice. Contact your local TASCAM representative for the latest information.

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DA-78HR_TECHDOC.pdf

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DTRS HISTORY

DA-78HR Technical Documentation

Ever since the introduction of the DA-88 in 1992, users of
all levels have been using DTRS machines to create, mix,
and transfer their tracks at home and between studios. The
DTRS standard has become renowned for top quality sound,
top notch reliability, and the fastest transport and machine
lock in the business.

The DA-88 was originally intended for the music market,
but since it was so full featured, it also found its way into

major television and motion picture studios. The DTRS
format has long been the standard format to move audio
from one studio to the next, due to the affordable nature
of the machine and media, as well as the high audio
quality. In addition, a number of studios have been using
DA-88s to expand their track count by having the DA-88
chase analog machines, or other digital formats.

With the introduction of the DA-38 and DA-98 in 1996,
the DTRS machines added some new features like a
digital patchbay, test tone oscillators, and an even faster
transport than the original DA-88. Still, the DA-88 had
made such an indelible mark on the industry that it's
production was continued by popular demand into the
year 2000.

The DA-78HR and DA-98HR are following in the footsteps
of its heritage, continuing the traditions established and
attested to over the years at a new standard - 24 bit.

All in all, the DTRS machines give you the best sound,

TASCAM's DA-88, the original DTRS format recorder

the most flexibility, and tried and true reliability that has
been proven for almost a decade.

THE 24 BIT ACHIEVEMENT BACKWARDS COMPATIBILITY

When the 24 bit DTRS format was announced, most users
were curious about how we did it. 24 bit audio requires
50% more data than the original 16 bit format, yet the
DA-78HR didn't cut back on tracks or record time. Many
assumed that the 24 bit format would have been less
reliable since more information is written in a smaller
space. Well, actually the 24 bit format is even more
reliable. Here's why:

When digital information is written to tapes, it isn't like
writing a bunch of ones and zeros on a piece of paper. All
the data passes through an encoder and decoder (codec)
when going to and coming from tape. The coding process
utilizes a lossless algorithm allowing a larger amount of
data to be stored in the same amount of space.

The original DTRS format utilized a codec based on the
8-10 Modulation Principle used by most all DAT recorders.
This format has been around for almost two decades; more
efficient encoding schemes have been developed over time.

High resolution DTRS machines utilizes the 1-7 RLL (Run
Length Limited) codec commonly used in hard drive and
DVD technologies. This format is 66% more space efficient
than the codec used in the original DTRS machines. Since
only 50% more data was needed to store the audio itself,
the other 16% was dedicated to additional data verification
beyond the original DTRS machine.

So, the 24 bit DTRS machines do not reduce the print size.
The write area is actually about the same size. The 24 bit
machine utilizes a better codec which offers more efficient
use of the space, as well as increased reliability through
more accurate data verification processes.

When the high resolution machines were designed, the
ability to work with the original 16 bit machines like
DA-38s, DA-88s, and DA-98s was a high priority.

Sync Chain

High resolution DTRS machines use the same DTRS
Sync line that the previous machines used. So, you
can lock any combination of 16 bit machines with
24 bit machines sample accurately in 2 seconds or
less.

Audio I/O

The new high resolution DTRS machines use the same
DB25 plugs for balanced audio, and TDIF lines for
transfers and integration into digital studios. This
means if you are trading out 16 bit machines for 24 bit
machines, there are no new cabling requirements.

Tape Format

The DA-78HR can read and write 16 bit format tapes,
allowing HR users to seamlessly work with owners of
older DTRS machines. However, 24 bit tapes created
on a high resolution DTRS machine will only work on
other high resolution DTRS machines.

Time Code Track

In addition to the 8 tracks of audio, DTRS machines
can handle two separate time tracks in subcode of the
tape. One of the tracks is the tape's absolute time,
and the other is an independent SMPTE time code
track. The high resolution DTRS machines can read
and write this SMPTE time code track in both 16 bit
and 24 bit format, so you can continue working the
same way you are used to working.

7733 Telegraph Road • Montebello, CA 90640 • [phone] • http://www.tascam.com

All features and specifications are subject to change without notice. Contact your local TASCAM representative for the latest information.

Page 2 of 3

DA-78HR_TECHDOC.pdf

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