On Sun, 28 Sep 2003 10:35:42 +0100, "struan"
wrote:

I am thinking about getting a DAT recorder, and as there seem to be few (if
any?) consumer models still available for new purchase, I have been checking
out Ebay - there usually seems to be a few available (professional &
consumer - Tascam, Panasonic, Sony (DTC690, DTC750 etc.)); as the consumer
ones are old models, I don't have any information on feature etc. - Does
anyone know of any good websites which may contain such information, or have
any recommendations of particular models (remote controlled, LP, for home
use)?

Also some good sites about DAT in general?

I have two DAT recorders, a Sony DTC690 and a Casio DA-R100. Both have
stopped working properly with different faults. A replacement machine
of a reasonable standard will cost the best part of a thousand pounds,
which I cannot justify.

As noted in another post, a secondhand machine is probably not a good
idea unless you know its provenance.

Tascam do a range of DAT machines intended for recording studios, etc.
(See, for example, http://www.studiospares.com/) and Sony still do one
consumer product, the DTCZE700. (See
http://products.sony.co.uk/productde...sp?id=7_59_346) The Sony
offering can be obtained for about 480 pounds and is much cheaper than
the Tascam machines. (Their DA40 is around 740 pounds.) However, my
experience suggests that it will probably not be as robust or
reliable.

Whilst I have found DAT to be very useful, with very good audio
performance and long playing times, my current view is that it does
not have a future - rather like VHS video which uses a very similar
helical scan technology. Despite having a reasonable number of tapes,
I will not be purchasing a new machine.


--
Chris Isbell
Southampton
UK