Released in the mid-2000s, the Fostex PD204 was designed as a compact yet fully featured stereo field recorder for professional broadcast and ENG applications. Combining reliability, portability and flexibility, the Fostex PD204 offered both 12cm DVD-RAM and an internal 80GB hard disk drive, ensuring secure dual-media recording and extended operating times in demanding production environments. With its rugged build, advanced digital mixer, professional timecode support and compatibility with the latest battery systems of the time, the Fostex PD204 represented a modern solution for location sound recordists who required both redundancy and efficiency in their workflow.
The Fostex PD204 employed a vibration- and shock-resistant 1.8-inch 80GB hard disk drive divided into 16 partitions, alongside a slot-loading 12cm DVD multi-drive. This dual-media approach allowed direct recording to DVD-RAM and simultaneous mirroring between the HDD and DVD. A background copy function automatically transferred files from the hard disk to DVD when idle, while manual copying was also available. The system supported DVD-RAM, DVD-R/RW and CD-R/RW for backup purposes. Its HDD was user-replaceable, with the optional EX-HD1 available for extended use.
Recording was carried out in Broadcast Wave Format with a UDF1.5 disc format, supporting sample rates from 44.1kHz/16-bit up to 192kHz/24-bit. A single 4.7GB partition provided up to 256 minutes of stereo recording at 24-bit/48kHz. The digital mixer section provided 4-channel analogue inputs, stereo analogue outputs, plus AES/EBU digital I/O, enabling the recording of two main channels alongside background sources. The interface was designed with an analogue-style layout but employed advanced IC control for improved sound quality and power efficiency. Additional features included gain control, high-pass filtering, limiters, and an AUX input for ENG monitoring.
For professional synchronisation, the Fostex PD204 incorporated a highly accurate timecode generator with jam sync and multiple run modes, supporting SMPTE/EBU formats and common frame rates from 23.97 to 30fps. It also offered pull-up/pull-down settings for telecine and supported Tri-Level Sync for HD operation. A pre-record buffer of up to 10 seconds, post-record cancel function, and automatic file closure during recording protected against data loss. CUE point memory, Avid ALE file compatibility, and external control via 9-pin or parallel remote terminals further enhanced its flexibility.
The Fostex PD204 was designed to integrate seamlessly into ENG workflows, with USB 2.0 connectivity allowing direct mounting of the HDD or DVD to a computer for high-speed file transfer. A USB keyboard could also be connected for convenient metadata and file name editing. The unit was powered by IDX Endura V-mount batteries, offering extended runtime, hot-swapping capability, and BMS compatibility for detailed battery monitoring. A dedicated AC adapter was included as standard.
Compact and portable, the Fostex PD204 measured 325mm x 116.5mm x 234mm and weighed 3.3kg without battery. Its robust construction, foldable tilt stand, illuminated LCD display, and comprehensive monitoring functions made it a highly practical choice for field professionals requiring reliability, redundancy and high-resolution audio capture.
Features
- Dual-media recording to 80GB HDD and 12cm DVD-RAM
- Background and manual copy functions between HDD and DVD
- Direct DVD-RAM recording with support for DVD-R/RW and CD-R/RW backup
- Broadcast Wave Format (BWF) recording with UDF1.5 disc format
- Sampling rates from 44.1kHz/16-bit to 192kHz/24-bit
- Up to 256 minutes recording per partition at 24-bit/48kHz/2 tracks
- 4-channel analogue input and stereo output with AES/EBU digital I/O
- Analogue-style digital mixer with gain, HPF and limiter
- Pre-record buffer and post-record cancel functions
- Built-in timecode generator with jam sync and multiple run modes
- USB 2.0 connectivity for fast file transfer and USB keyboard input
- Compatible with IDX Endura V-mount batteries with BMS monitoring
- Rugged construction with tilt stand and backlit LCD display
