Denon Introduces Portable IC Recorder

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At this year's AES Convention, Denon is showing their first portable IC recorder, the DN-F20R. Weighing just over two pounds and offering a full list of professional broadcast features, the compact DN-F20R is certain to become a favorite for ENG applications.

The Denon DN-F20R records on up to two IC memory cards, eliminating moving parts and enhancing the unit's reliability. These IC cards comply with international standards for the CompactFlash card and support an impressive memory capacity of up to 192 MB. Furthermore, memory cards are all 16-bit FAT formatted, enabling them to be read and written to by a PC equipped with a USB-type CompactFlash adapter or an ATA adapter for a laptop.

Audio may be recorded in a choice of MPEG2 Layer2, MPEG1 Layer 2 or Linear PCM (WAVE file) formats, in either stereo or mono modes. Sound quality is also user-selectable (in recording bit rates of 16 to 768 kbps per channel) to suit the application, enabling efficient use of the cards.

The DN-F20R's input complement includes two XLR microphone jacks and two RCA line inputs, as well as a parallel remote mini-jack input terminal for external control. Microphone signals may benefit from a number amenities found on the IC recorder, including switches for a low-cut filter, limiter and attenuator.

Concentric rotary controls are provided to adjust the DN-F20R's recording levels. Level metering can be monitored on the unit's backlit LCD display, which also shows recording settings, file names and other various information at a glance. switch can be activated to lock out the DN-F20R's operating buttons.

Outputs include two RCA line outs and a 1/4-inch headphone jack. Headphone levels are adjusted via a dedicated volume pot, which is also used to control the volume level of the DN-F20R's integral monitor speaker when headphones are not used.

The portable IC recorder can be powered by commonly found AA batteries or using the included AC power adapter. The DN-F20R also comes equipped with a soft protective cover and carrying strap for easy portability.

"With its MPEG2 Layer 2 set to 64 kilobits per second, a DN-F20R loaded with a 192 megabyte card can provide well over three hours of broadcast-quality audio," stated Wayne Dolnick, National Sales Manager, Denon Professional Audio. "Coupled with the fact that there aren't any moving parts on this product - greatly reducing mechanical problems - and the fact that you can edit the flash memory cards right from a PC, the DN-F20R is a perfect tool for professional broadcast field recording.

For more information, visit their web site at www.denon.com.