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Marantz PMD620 Handheld SD MP3/WAV Recorder
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| List Price: | $499.99 |
| Price: | $399.00 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. Details |
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
Ships from and sold by Streamline Audio Video
3 new or used available from $399.00
Average customer review:
Product Description
The PMD620 is a rugged yet lightweight digital recorder that doesn't skimp on features or performance. It records to SD or SDHC cards (even the huge ones!) so storage media is affordable and readily available. The PMD620 fits comfortably in the palm of the hand and houses two high-quality electret condenser microphones and a monitor speaker, making it ideal for go-anywhere field recording application, such as interviews, podcasting, and meeting recording ? even live music. The PMD620 can record in MP3 or WAV formats in 16 or 24 bit resolution. MP3 offers stereo 192kbps, 128kbps. and 64kbps recording. WAV offers 44.1 or 48k recording.
Product Details
- Amazon Sales Rank: #3238 in Musical Instruments
- Brand: Marantz
- Model: PMD620
- Released on: 2008-05-15
- Number of items: 1
- Dimensions: 3.40" h x 9.20" w x 9.30" l, 3.00 pounds
Features
- One Touch Stereo or Mono Recording
- Uses SD/SDHC Cards for Recording Uncompressed WAV or MP3 files
- 2 Condenser Microphones & Built-in Monitor Speaker
- 16-Bit or 24-Bit Linear PCM Recording at 44.1 or 48kHz Sample Rates for WAV Files
- Operates on 2-AA Alkaline or NiMH Batteries
Editorial Reviews
From the Manufacturer
Marantz puts the world of professional field recording within easy reach with the PMD620, a rugged yet lightweight digital recorder that doesn’t skimp on features or performance. The PMD620 fits comfortably in the palm of the hand and houses two high-quality electret condenser microphones and a monitor speaker, making it ideal for go-anywhere field recording application, such as interviews, podcasting, and meeting recording – even live music.
A true handheld, the PMD620 features an intuitive layout and tactile buttons for easy one-hand operation, while a high-contrast organic LED (OLED) screen makes setup a cinch under any lighting conditions. Just hit the Menu/Store button and the interface quickly walks you through the choices to ensure optimal recording for your needs.
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| The Marantz PMD260 is small, portable, and super powerful |
The PMD620 shines in post-production as well. Journalists and podcasters will especially appreciate its non-destructive on-board editing. Transcription is a breeze with its Skip Back function, and file transfers to any computer are drag-and-drop simple with the USB 2.0 connectivity. In short, the PMD620 combines ease of operation, professional recording quality and insightful features in a compact, ergonomic design.
Key Features
- True handheld portability with one-touch stereo recording
- Professional recording features and flexible file formats
- Digital recording with file size limited only by SD card capacity
- On-board editing and playback features
- Full inputs and outputs, including USB 2.0 connectivity
A True Handheld with Ergonomic Form Factor
At 2.5 by 4 inches by 1 inch and weighing under 6 ounces, the PMD620 slips easily into a pocket and fits comfortably in the palm of the hand, with oversized, tactile buttons that are laid out for intuitive, one-hand operation, from recording to playback. The high contrast OLED screen provides at-a-glance status of all critical functions, even offering a large font option. Integral high quality electret condenser microphones pick up the action, while LED telltales track Peak and Level conditions.
Professional Digital Recording
The PMD620 can record uncompressed WAV files for high fidelity stereo music, or lower resolution, mono MP3 files to maximize record time. For WAV files, choose from 16- or 24-bit linear PCM recording at either 44.1 or 48 kHz sample rates. Podcasters will appreciate having a total of six MP3 bit rates available, ranging from 192 kbps stereo down to 32 kbps mono. And, the menu selectable Auto-Input feature detects whether the line input or external mic input is being used, switching off the dual integrated mics automatically.
Stability and Portability
The PMD620 is a true handheld, light in weight yet ruggedly constructed. The use of SD cards as a recording medium provides the ultimate in space efficiency and stability, with no practical limit on file size. Two AA batteries, either alkaline or NiMH rechargeables, provide upward of five hours of operation.
On-board Editing and Playback Features
The PMD620 makes field production amazingly easy. Use the integrated speaker or mini-plug headphones to monitor or transcribe. The Copy Segment function extracts a piece of audio as a separate file while keeping the original intact, while the Skip Back feature acts as a preset "back up and replay" function, programmable for audio jumps of up to 59 seconds at the touch of a button.
Connectivity and Hardware
Despite its compact, slender profile, the PMD620 offers a full array of 1/8-inch stereo connectivity, including both line and mic inputs, a Line Out for playback, and a headphone jack for monitoring. A pair of convenient Up/Down buttons allows adjustment of input sensitivity, while the USB 2.0 port makes file transfers to any computer a breeze. Once connected, the PMD620 appears as a device on your PC desktop, with all files contained in a master folder. Just drag and drop any or all of them onto your desktop.
The PMD620 comes complete with SD card, audio and USB cables, AC adapter and more – everything needed to step into the world of high-resolution field recording.
Specifications
Digital Audio System
| Inputs
| General
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Customer Reviews
Poor build quality
I read a lot of good reviews on the Marantz PMD-620 and decided to buy it for my fieldwork research to record both voice interviews and musical performances.
The main reason I decided to purchase the Marantz PMD-620 was primarily because reviews on the internet claimed it was built well and rugged. I need rugged reliable equipment. Unfortunately, it proved to be neither rugged nor reliable.
My first impression when I picked up the 620 was one of disappointment -- the body's plastic construction felt cheap and thin and the switches and pushbuttons felt weak and not did not provide a positive tactile feel. For the price, the unit should have a metal body. The battery door and the SD card door both feel quite fragile and feel like they could break at any time when changing batteries, especially if the temperature was below zero.
Why do manufacturers develop good products, then cheap-out on the construction and instead of spending $0.25 on a metal hatch or door, they spend $0.05 and make a bad plastic one.
But the read disappointment came when the unit stopped working after only 3 days of use. I had to ship it to the USA because it does not have an international warranty and Marantz China refused to honour the warranty.
The sound quality is good and the unit's menu interface is easy to use. But overall, Marantz really ought to rethink their design and build quality- it shouldn't be THAT hard to build a good player
Very easy to use!
Recently I bought the PMD620 and it seems to me very easy to use and also very light, maybe too light because I had problems with the weight of the microphone and audiophone cables that is much more that the same recorder.
I like the 3 preset memories that can be preset very easy.
It seemed to me an excellent purchase, I recommend it very much.
Im using it to record birds songs, and is a very nice tool!
A great unit, but Olympus offers more in their LS-10
Originally I had budgeted $1200 for a top of the line Tascam dual XLR with phantom power version of this (of course much larger) - then I looked at the Marantz because I've owned several rackmount marantz decks and been VERY pleased with them. Unfortunately, the 620 didn't live up to my expectations which is when I ran across the Olympus LS-10 stocked here at amazon. It includes 2GB internally, has a better LCD display, I feel has better microphones, but otherwise is very similar.
Before you drop $400 on a portable handheld recorder, check out this item here at amazon for comparison - I think you'll find the price difference insignificant compared to the quality.
Olympus LS-10 Linear PCM Recorder
I had one loaned to me and am now on the waiting list. The features of the Oly exceeded the Marantz as did the audio quality so I went that direction instead. Both units are very comparable - I just found the Oly LS-10 to be worth the wait.
