Hard disk recorder DataVideo DV Bank DN-100

By Alexey Mashtakov

Review contents:
Disk recorders: past, present and future DV MasStor — a new page in NLE history Hard disk recorder DataVideo DV Bank DN-100 New surprises from Doremi Doremi Labs disk recorders and servers Disk recording devices of Ikegami Whipflash2 disk recorder Panasonic DVD recorder Sony disk recorders

Datavideo on the NAB 2002 had presented a new DV disk recorder DN-100 which is a compact single unit for recording, editing and playback of DV25 format video. This disk recorders features very small dimensions (254×170 × 70 mm) and light weight (2 kg). Front panel of DN-100 is equipped with VTR-like control keys, two-string LCD to indicate a modes of recorder, infra red port and 4-pin DV in/out (IEEE 1394 interface). Rear panel has a 6-pin DV in/out and a connector for an external power supply of 12 V DC. It may be a converter “220 V AC — 12 V DC” or a 12 V battery.

DN-100 common view

Recording is being done onto the integrated 60 GB hard disc or onto 100 GB disk in extended configuration. This allows to record 4,5 or 7,5 hours of DV video accordingly to disk volume. Recorded video is transferred via IEEE 1394 interface without any quality degradation. Been recorded a material became directly accessed.

There are a possibilities to select and playback of recorded clips by edit marks or play list.

Recorder’s front panel

This device is a good choice to replace DV tape recorder integrated into either linear or non-linear editing system.

DN-100 supports control code DV AV/C and can be remote controlled from PC or MAC via IEEE 1394 interface. There is a possibility to control DN-100 via RS-422 interface using additional control box. This allows using DN-100 with the editing system based on the RS-422 Sony protocol.

Recorder has an infra red port which enables to control all the modes via remote control panel. It is possible to connect a DV camera to the DN-100 and record video directly onto the hard disk.

Connectors on the rear panel of recorder

Immediately after recording of the material is over it becomes available for viewing, deleting or off-line and on-line editing. DN-100 is very easy in control and may be used together with already existed studios and editing systems. When using a DAC-2 converter together with recorder it is possible to record/playback of analog video: S-Video, Composite and Component.

Along with Intervalometer TL-1 DN-100 this recorder allows to record long-time processes. With the help of TL-1 one can set a time intervals for recording of a several video frames. For instance, using DN-100 and TL-1 it is very easy to record sky stars moving or a flower blooming. In the other words, this tandem is a very convenient tool for recording of the scientific and workflow processes which may proceed several days and even months. Internal disk capacity allows use a DN-100 as a most important clip storage system. Loop play mode is very useful too.

Summarizing all written above one can conclude that hard disk recorder DN-100 can be used not only as VTR alternative but as a mini server integrated into the production and broadcast system.

Standard package contains a recorder itself, power supply for 220/110 V AC outlet, two DV cables (4-4 and 4-6) and software application EZ Cut to control DN-100 from PC.