Tascam DA-45HR Digital output format, Digital out word length, Dither, Copy prohibit, 10End ID

3.6 Digital output format

F o r m a t A E S E B U

Sets the format of the digital audio data output from both digital audio outputs (the AES/EBU XLR con- nector and the COAXIAL RCA connector).

The options available are AESEBU (AES/EBU format) and Consmr (SPDIF format).

The default is AESEBU.

3.7 Digital out word length

D o u t H R 2 4 b i t

When a tape has been recorded in HR(24BIT) mode, it may be necessary to play back the material at 16- bit resolution.

Note that the format of the digital audio data will always be output in the format as selected above (3.6, "Digital output format") from both connectors (AES/ EBU and COAXIAL).

The options available are 24bit and 16bit.

The default value is 24bit.

3.8 Dither

D i t h e r o f f

Dithering is the technique used to improve resolution at low levels, with resulting loss of quantization noise1. It is particularly useful when playing back audio recorded with higher number of bits than the destination is capable of receiving.

When playing back a recording made in 24-bit HR mode, dithering may be used if the internal D/A con- vertors are used. There is no effect if dithering is selected, and 16-bit output word length is selected.

1.A full discussion of dither and other digital audio techniques is outside the scope of this manual. However, a good starting point for learning about this, and other aspects of digital audio, is John Watkinson’s The Art of Digital Audio, pub Focal Press

3 - Menu functions

In the STANDARD mode, any dither settings made are applied to the signal as it is recorded.

The triangular (Tri.) setting reduces noise more effectively than the rectangular (Rect.)2, but both reduce the signal-to-noise ratio compared to the off setting, triangular more than rectangular. There is no rule for using dither—different circum- stances demand different settings.

The default setting here is off.

3.9 Copy prohibit

Sets the level of copy protection for tapes recorded using this tape deck.

C o p y I D F r e e

The menu items control the writing of the copy pro- tection bit in the subcode of the recorded material. The options available are: Free (no copy protec- tion is applied to the recorded material), 1gen (one generation only of digital copying is possible from tapes produced when this setting is made), and Prohbt (no digital copying at all is possible). The second option is equivalent to the SCMS system implemented on consumer DAT recorders.

The default value here is Free.

3.10End ID

E n d - I D N o W R

Sets whether an END ID is automatically written whenever recording stops.

The two options available are: No WR (no END ID is written when recording stops) and AutoWR (an END ID is automatically written when recording stops). When an END ID is written, the display shows WR-EE.

When playing back and an END ID is encountered,

EEis shown on the display, and playback stops. The tape then either stops or rewinds, depending on the setting made in 3.15, "Auto rewind".

The default value is No WR.

2.These names refer to the shape of the proba- bility curve describing the noise applied to the original signal as part of the dither process.

TASCAM DA-45HR 19