Tascam DA-78HR Technical Documentation

Technical Documentation

DA-78HR

The DTRS format has long been respected as the most 

reliable format in digital recording, and now the DTRS 

format is leading the way into high resolution 24 bit

recording.  The DA-78HR works with 16 bit DTRS 

machines, using the same DTRS Sync line for sample 

accurate lock plus the ability to read and write the 

older 16 bit format.  However, the DA-78HR offers the 

ability to write 8 tracks of 24 bit audio to tape in the 

HR format, built in SMPTE synchronization, MIDI ports 

for MTC and MMC, plus a built-in 8 channel digital  

mixer for internal bounces or monitor mix generation.

                                       7733 Telegraph Road   •   Montebello, CA 90640   •   (323) 726-0303   •   http://www.tascam.com

All features and specifications are subject to change without notice.  Contact your local TASCAM representative for the latest information.

The DA-78HR's high audio quality, long record time, rugged

reliability, built-in time code capabilities, built-in MIDI 

capabilities, and affordable price combine into a product that 

can handle numerous situations.

Personal and Project Studios

Maximum features, minimum hassle.  The DA-78HR brings

DTRS tape into 24 bit audio, offering the very best sound 

quality available today.  New features like built in MIDI ports 

and SMPTE synchronization gives you the ability to chase other

tape machines (analog or digital), and the ability to work with

sequencers and digital consoles.  For the ultimate cost effective

flexibility without having to locate additional accessories, the 

DA-78HR is the best digital tape machine for the market.

Live Performance and Recording

In live performance, there is no take 2.  Whether you are 

using the DA-78HR to play some additional backing tracks or 

recording the performance live, you can count on the DA-78HR 

to get it right the first time.  With 108 minutes of record time 

on a single tape, you can put a whole live song set on a single 

tape; no need to stop everything so you can switch tapes.

Audio for Video on a Budget

For anyone trying to make music for television or film, the

DTRS format is the de-facto standard format for transfers

and many stages of recording.  The synchronization features

will allow you to chase another audio machine, or a video deck.  

Again, the 108 minute record time was maintained for the new 

24 bit recording mode, allowing 1 hour reels to be stored on a 

tape, along with reference tones and the independent subcode 

time code track.  More advanced video applications will want

a DA-98HR, which adds 9 pin control, blackburst resolve, and 

built in bit split for higher resolution audio recording.

Page 1 of 3

DA-78HR_TECHDOC.pdf

032500

• Records 8 tracks of 24 Bit Audio To Hi8 Tapes

• 24 Bit A/D and D/A Converters

• >104dB Dynamic Range

• 108 Minutes of Record Time on 120 Hi8 Tape

• SMPTE Time Code Generation and Chasing

• Generates MIDI Time Code

• Responds to MIDI Machine Control

• Reads and Writes 16 and 24 Bit DTRS Tapes

• 16 Machine Sample Accurate Lock with DTRS Sync

• Balanced DB25 & Unbalanced RCA Analog I/O

• TDIF Digital I/O & SPDIF Digital I/O

• Word Sync In/Out/Thru

• Track Slip from -200 to +7200 Samples

• Built-In 8 Channel Digital Mixer

PRODUCT OVERVIEW

APPLICATIONS

SPECIFICATIONS

Specifications:

Format:

Recording Method:

Tracking Method:

Maximum Record Time:

Time to Play from Stop:

Shuttle Speeds:

Varispeed:

Subcode:

SMPTE Frame Rates:

Error Correction:

Frequency Response:

Signal to Noise Ratio:

Total Harmonic Distortion:

Channel Separation:

Sampling Frequency:

Recording Resolution:

Reference Level:

Crossfade Time:

Track Delay:

Word Sync Source:

A/D Converters:

D/A Converters:

Analog Inputs:

Analog Outputs:

Digital I/O:

Remote/Sync:

Time Code In:

Time Code Out:

Word Sync In/Thru:

Word Sync Out:

MIDI I/O

Punch In Port:

Dimensions:

Weight:

Power Requirements:

Power Consumption

Electromagnetic Environment:

DTRS and DTRS-HR

Rotary Head / Helical Scan

ATF (Automatic Track Finding)

108 min (using P6-120 tape)

< 2 seconds

8x, 4x, 2x, 1x, 0.5x, 0.25x

±6%

Independent ABS and SMPTE TC

30fps, 30dfps, 29.97fps, 29.97dfps, 

25fps, 24fps 

Double-encoded Reed-Solomon code

20Hz-20kHz ±0.5dB

>104dB (HR), >100dB (Standard)

<0.004% (HR), <0.005% (Standard)

>90dB @ 1kHz

44.1kHz, 48kHz

16 bit, 24 bit

-16dB (full bit)

10ms to 200ms (10ms increments)

-200 to +7200 samples

  (set in samples or msec)

Internal, Word, SPDIF

24 bit, 128x oversample (selectable dither)

24 bit, 128x oversample

DB25, +4dBu, 20kOhm

(8x) RCA, -10dBV, 10kOhm

DB25, +4dBu, 10kOhm

(8x) RCA, -10dBV, 250 Ohm

TDIF-1 Format, RCA Coaxial SPDIF

DTRS Sync DB15

RCA, 0.5Vp-p to 10Vp-p, 10kOhm

RCA, 2Vp-p, 100kOhm

Auto Terminating BNC, 75 Ohm (TTL)

BNC, 75 Ohm

In, Out, Thru

1/4" phono (For TASCAM RC-30P)

482x143x350mm, 19" x 5.6" x 13.8"

8.1kg, 17.8 lbs

USA/Canada 120VAC, 60Hz

UK/Europe 230VAC, 50Hz

Australia 240VAC, 50Hz

34W

E4