Customer Reviews

SONY TCDD100 - 10th Anniversary Datman DAT Player/Recorder

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The other reviewer comments that DAT tapes are "hard to find, even on eBay." While I don't know how hard they are to find on eBay, they are readily available at numerous web sites. I've been very happy with my Sony DAT recorder - it's an older model, but they're very high quality and have all the inputs and outputs you want. Hi-MiniDisk is potentially going to be the final nail in the coffin, however, because tape has reliability issues and doesn't last as long.

Quality wise, DAT's are unparalleled. It samples at up to 48Khz, which beats even CDs. However, it uses tapes which, although are digital, are growing obsolete and have wear-and-tear. In addition, these tapes, since no longer supported by Sony or any major companies, are getting harder to find even on eBay.
Granted that, if you want to record concerts, this will produce the best quality results, slaughtering that of the MiniDisk (which uses compression).

This is a really sturdy portable DAT recorder from Sony. I used to own a TCD-D7, which after a 7 years stopped loading tapes. The metal case on the TCD-D100 really helps to protect the unit from bumps and the like. As far as people claiming DAT tapes are nearly impossible to buy, I suggest they are looking in the wronmg places. Any pro/dj shop will have them (musicfactory, etc). Also, I've used DDS tapes and they work just fine (these are DAT computer backup tapes). This new DAT unit is also battery friendly, getting by with half the amount of batteries as the TCD-D7 used. Overall, a really nice portable DAT recorder.