First Look At The Tascam DR-701D - 6 Track Field Recorder

Tascam quietly announced a new version of its popular DR70D 4 channel field recorder called the DR-701D. This new model brings with it some interesting improvements to an already very capable compact recorder and Rob Rives from B&H does a

We have been using the Tascam DR70D for over a year now and have been extremely pleased with its performance – it is a very simple, compact and easy to use field recorder with a very good performance (and great value for money).

DR-701D – a new flagship sound recorder for Tascam (for the category)

You can see the original DR70D specs here – The Tascam DR-701D brings some interesting new features as well:

Timecode via HDMI.
6 maximum simultaneous recording tracks.
SMPTE Timecode can be input through the TC IN connector to add recording start times to files.
Improved audio quality – records up to 24-Bit/192kHz (vs. up to 24-Bit/96kHz of the original version).
HDMI input and output (option to start/stop recording from camera through HDMI – with supported cameras).
Locking stereo 3.5mm mic input (unlike the regular 3.5mm connector on the original version).

One thing we don’t know if Tascam fixed on this new model (which was one of the only real drawbacks of the original DR70D is the battery door which was very flimsy we hate it and always use USB battery to power/charge the device), from the video it is hard to say and Rives doesn’t mention this so it isn’t a good sign.

Timecode and HDMI added

The original DR70D is still selling and at a pretty ridiculous price of under $250 (on Amazon), the new Tascam DR-701D is at least currently significantly more expensive – selling for just under $600 (on B&H).

On LensVid we have a very extensive section devoted to sound recording for video productions which covers both equipment and techniques here on LensVid.

Iddo Genuth

Iddo Genuth is the founder and chief editor of LensVid.com. He has been a technology reporter working for international publications since the late 1990's and covering photography since 2009. Iddo is also a co-founder of a production company specializing in commercial food and product visual content.