Tascam DA-98-HR Brochure

PRODUCT OVERVIEW

The DA-98HR brings the full power of TASCAM's DTRS
line into the realm of high resolution recording. The
DA-98HR can format, record and play 16 bit tapes for
backwards compatibility with the previous DTRS (ie
DA-88 or DA-98). For high resolution, you can record
24 bit audio on 8 tracks at 48kHz, 4 tracks at 96kHz,
or 2 tracks of 192kHz. On-board professional control
and synchronization includes DTRS sync, SMPTE
chasing/generating, video sync, RS-422 (Sony P2)
control, parallel control, MMC and MTC are all included.
TDIF and AES/EBU digital I/O is standard. The optional
IF-AN98HR is available for adding 24 bit/96Hz analog I/O.
The MU-8824 remote meter bridge is also available.

DA-98HR

Technical Documentation

• 108 Minutes of Record Time on 120 Hi8 Tape

• Records 8 tracks of 24 Bit Audio To Hi8 Tapes

• Reads and Writes 16 and 24 Bit DTRS Tapes

• 8 track/48kHz, 4 track/96kHz, or 2 track/192kHz

High Resolution Recording Modes Available

• 16 Machine Sample Accurate Lock with DTRS Sync

• SMPTE Time Code Generation and Chasing

• Sony P2 Compliant (RS-422) Serial Control

• Parallel I/O Port for Control and Tallies

• AES/EBU Digital I/O provided on DB25 port

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

• Clear Back-Lit LED Display

• Confidence Monitoring (Read after Write)

• Track Slip from -200 to +7200 Samples

• Meter Bridge Port for Optional MU-8824

• Compatible with Previous RC-828, RC-848 and

RC-898* DTRS Remotes

• Optional IF-AN98HR provides 24 bit/96kHz analog I/O

• Responds to MIDI Machine Control

• Generates MIDI Time Code

• Word Sync In/Out/Thru

• Video Sync In/Thru

* The RC-898's LCD screen can duplicate the menus of the
DA-98HR's with a free firmware update available from TASCAM.
Without the update, RC-898 control over the DA-98HR will still
be capable of transport control, track arming, locate points, etc.

APPLICATIONS SPECIFICATIONS

TASCAM's line of DTRS machines earned their role as the standard
machine for audio in video and film production. The DA-98HR brings
the DTRS reliability into the high resolution recording environment.

Production Recorder • Back-up Recorder • Extra Tracks

The DA-98HR is a top quality recorder, well equipped for audio or
video applications. The DA-98HR's solid time code chasing capability
along with it's parallel and serial control ports allow the machine to
efficiently operate as either primary tracks, ancillary tracks, or even
as a back-up machine. Plus, the DA-98HR can integrate seamlessly
with earlier DTRS machines.

Studio Transfers

The DTRS format is the transfer medium of choice in the business.
Since the DA-98HR can read and write 16-bit DTRS tapes that are
compatible with older DA-88s, you are assured compatibility with
facilities equipped with the older machines. However, if you are
working with studios which have DA-98HRs or DA-78HRs, you will
be able to take advantage of higher resolution audio.

Live Recording/Mobile Trucks

The DA-98HR offers Confidence Recording which puts the machine
into a read-after-write recording mode. This allows monitoring off
tape while recording. (Most digital recorders simply allow you to
monitor the audio sent to it.) This is ideal for live tracking to
ensure your tapes are accepting the information being sent to it.

General Specifications:

Format:
Time to Play from Stop:
Shuttle Speeds:
Varispeed:
Subcode:
Sampling Frequency:
Recording Resolution:
Crossfade Time:
Track Delay:

Meter Unit Port:

Audio I/O:

Digital I/O:
Reference Level:
Word Sync In and Thru:
Word Sync Out:
Option Slots:

Control I/O:

Remote/Sync:

Time Code In:
Time Code Out:
Video Sync In/Thru:

SMPTE Frame Rates:

Timecode Offset:
MIDI I/O:

Physical and Electrical Specifications:

Dimensions:
Weight:
Power Requirements:

Power Consumption
Electromagnetic Environment:

DTRS and DTRS-HR
< 2 seconds
8x, 4x, 2x, 1x, 0.5x, 0.25x
±6%
Independent ABS and SMPTE TC

44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192kHz
16 bit, 24 bit
10ms to 200ms (10ms increments)

-200 to +7200 samples
(set in samples or msec)
DB15 (For TASCAM MU-8824)

TDIF (DB25), AES/EBU (DB25)

-16dB FS, -18dB FS, -20dB FS
BNC, 75 Ohm (auto terminated)
BNC, 75 Ohm
Accepts IF-AN98HR analog I/O cards

DTRS Sync DB15 IN/OUT
RS-422 Serial (P2 Compliant)
DB37 Parallel Port
XLR balanced, >10kOhm, 0.5V-10V p-p
XLR balanced, <100 Ohm, 2V p-p
NTSC or PAL, 1 V p-p, ±0.2V
Negative Sync Composite or Sync Composite
30fps, 30dfps, 29.97fps, 29.97dfps, 25fps,
24fps, pull up and pull down facilities
Up to 24 hours, jamsync capable
In, Out, Thru

482x176x356mm, 19" x 6.9" x 14"
11kg, 24 lbs
USA/Canada 120VAC, 60Hz
UK/Europe 230VAC, 50Hz
Australia 240VAC, 50Hz
62W
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-98HR_TECHDOC.pdf

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DTRS HISTORY

DA-98HR 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-98HR 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.

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DA-98HR_TECHDOC.pdf

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