Tech: Portable DAT Machines/TASCAM.

Subject: Tech: Portable DAT Machines/TASCAM.
From: GUEST,Arthur.
Date: 06 Jul 08 - 12:45 PM

Several years ago I purchased a TASCAM DA-P1 recorder.It has been a joy and reliable pleasure to use.I have mostly employed it to use for interviews intended for FM.radio and occasional music recording
for albums.
All of a sudden logic noe appears to have deserted it.It will no longer record and even becomes confused when I am attempting to replay old tapes (I have more than 100 of them)Engineers wailling/capable of solving my problem appear to deserted the planet.I'm told that as it is "old technology" and new machines have also become rare and impossible to obtain.The machine was used and maintained well but am I stuck with this fine technology here in the United Kingdom.
Advice/Information/names/addresses would really be appreciated.
Regards
Arthur.

Subject: RE: Tech: Portable DAT Machines/TASCAM.
From: GUEST,Ralphie
Date: 06 Jul 08 - 01:51 PM

Hi GUEST Arthur.
Oh Dear, Wish I had good news for you....Here goes.

DAT M/C's are nowadays an "unsupported" recording medium.
This means that nobody makes the buggers anymore.
(Think BetaMax, and you'll get the picture, or not!)
I have 400 plus Dats to transfer....Yes, I've got 4 DAT m/c's, only one of which really works, and is constantly wrapped in cotton wool.

I Really do understand your predicament. But, spare a thought for the good old BBC, who are currently trying to transfer their entire sound archive onto hard drives etc.

Something like 400,000 hours on DAT alone (Leaving the millions of miles of tape to one side)

Officially, DAT machines are only good for about 5000 hours (either record or playback), After that either the heads wear out, the tolerances of the transport systems fail (The same technology as a VHS recorder), or the electronics and/or power supplies fail.

Jolly Nice!

Before I left the Beeb two years ago, a colleague, who had taken on the poisoned chalice of the "Archive" was frenetically scouring Europe trying to buy up any DAT machines left...... I wonder if he managed it?

You might be lucky enough to find a decent machine on E Bay, but, as time goes on, they will become increasingly rare.

I'm desperately trying to transfer all my stuff onto other media, before the machines die. I wish you luck, but, do it soon.

Ever heard of Dinosaurs?? Well you own one, and, I own Four!!

Good Luck to you, I wish you well

Regards Ralphie

Subject: RE: Tech: Portable DAT Machines/TASCAM.
From: GUEST,Arthur
Date: 06 Jul 08 - 06:46 PM

Ralphie,
Many thanks for taking the trouble to respond to my cry !
It really is much appreciated.I feel better already.
- I only have 125 reels to cope with.

Arthur

Subject: RE: Tech: Portable DAT Machines/TASCAM.
From: Joybell
Date: 06 Jul 08 - 06:56 PM

Good luck from us too, Arthur, and thanks Ralphie from us too. We have one. Still working well but used infrequently. Luckily we've always transferred material as soon as we use it. Now that we understand about its life expectancy we'll be even more careful. Bring out the cotton wool, talk to it and show our appreciation.
Good luck again, Arthur.
Cheers, Joybell.

Subject: RE: Tech: Portable DAT Machines/TASCAM.
From: GUEST,Ravenheart
Date: 06 Jul 08 - 11:00 PM

Arthur, does this site help?

We were able to get our DA-P1 aligned by sending it to the service center in Montebello, California, recently; maybe that doesn't do you much good.

Subject: RE: Tech: Portable DAT Machines/TASCAM.
From: GUEST,Arthur
Date: 07 Jul 08 - 12:42 PM

Thank you to those who have returned to my problem and offerred
advice.Thanks also to Ravenheart for his suggestion concerning
TASCAM.I have been trying,so far unsucessfully, to locate
their UK site-and now I can !

sincerely.Arthur.

Subject: RE: Tech: Portable DAT Machines/TASCAM.
From: GUEST,Jim Martin
Date: 23 Jul 08 - 06:30 AM

refresh

Subject: RE: Tech: Portable DAT Machines/TASCAM.
From: Bonnie Shaljean
Date: 23 Jul 08 - 08:33 AM

TASCAM UK Technical Support
Suite 19-20
Building 6
Hatters Lane
Croxley Green Business Park
Watford
WD18 8TE

01923-438-845
[e-mail]