Editing Hard disk recorder

{{more citations needed|date=July 2011}}

A '''hard disk recorder''' ('''HDR''') is a system that uses a high-capacity [[hard disk]] to record [[digital audio]] or [[digital video]].  Hard disk recording systems represent an alternative to [[reel-to-reel audio tape recording]] and [[video tape recorder]]s, and provide [[non-linear editing]] capabilities unavailable using tape recorders.  Audio HDR systems, which can be standalone or computer-based, are typically combined with provisions for digital mixing and processing of the audio signal to produce a [[digital audio workstation]] (DAW).

'''Direct-to-disk recording''' ('''DDR''') refers to methods which may also use [[optical disc recording technologies]] such as [[DVD]], and [[Compact disc]].

==History==
Prior to the 1980s, most [[recording studio]]s used [[Analog recording|analog]] [[multitrack recorder]]s, typically based on [[reel-to-reel tape]]. The first commercial hard disk recording system was the Sample-to-Disk 16-bit, 50&nbsp;kHz [[digital recording]] option for the [[New England Digital]] [[Synclavier II]] in 1982. [[Stereo]] audio was not immediately available due to data input and output limitations on hard drives of that time.<ref>{{citation |url=http://www.500sound.com/synclavierhistory.html |title=Synclavier early history |access-date=2017-07-30}}</ref> The high cost and limited capacity of these solutions limited their use to large [[professional audio]] recording studios, and even then, they were usually reserved for specific applications such as [[film]] [[post-production]].

With the arrival of the [[compact disc]] in 1982, digital recording became a major area of development by equipment makers.  Several affordable solutions were released during the late 1980s and early 90s; many of these continued to use tape, either in reels or in more manageable [[videocassette]]s.  In 1993, iZ Technology Corporation developed [[RADAR (audio recorder)|RADAR]] (Random Access Digital Audio Recorder distributed by [[Otari Incorporated|Otari]]), designed to replace 24-track tape machines.  By the mid-1990s, with the steady decline of hard disk prices and the corresponding increases in capacity and portability, the cost of hard disk recording systems had dropped to the point where they became affordable for even smaller studios.  Hard disk systems have since become the preferred method for studio recording.

On January 14, 2004, Engineers from Fairlight, [[WaveFrame]] and [[AMS (Advanced Music Systems)|AMS]] were awarded [[Academy Scientific and Technical Award]]s for the development of hard disk recording technology<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.oscars.org/sci-tech/ceremonies/2004 |title=The 76th Scientific & Technical Awards 2003, 2004 |publisher=The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences}}</ref>

==Operation==
One major advantage of recording audio to a [[hard disk]] is that it allows for [[non-linear editing]].  Audio data can be [[random access|accessed randomly]] and therefore can be [[Non-destructive editing|edited non-destructively]], that is, the original material is not changed in any way. Non-linear editing is not inherent to every hard-disk recording system, however.  Different manufacturers implement different degrees of this facility.

Hard disk recorders are often combined with a digital [[mixing console]] and are an integral part of a [[digital audio workstation]] (DAW).  In this form, complex tasks can be automated, freeing the [[audio engineer]] from [[performing]] a final mix in real time.

A [[personal computer]] can be used as a hard disk recorder with appropriate [[software]]; nowadays this solution is often preferred, as it provides a more flexible interface to the studio engineer.  Many studio-grade systems provide external hardware, particularly for the [[analog-to-digital conversion]] stages, while less expensive software systems can use the [[sound card]] included with any modern computer.

The major constraints on any hard disk recording system are the [[Computer data storage|storage capacity]], [[transfer rate]], and processor speed.  Some systems use [[lossy audio compression]] to minimize the first two factors.  This solution is becoming increasingly rare, thanks to rapid increases in hard disk capacity.

==Products==
Stand-alone hard disk recorders are able to record audio or video without requiring a computer. Examples of notable stand-alone hard disk recorders and manufacturers include [[Alesis]], [[Akai]], [[Fostex]], [[Korg]], [[Mackie (company)|Mackie]], [[TASCAM]], [[Roland Corporation]], [[Yamaha Pro Audio]], [[RADAR (audio recorder)|RADAR]] and [[Zoom HD8 and HD16]].

[[Miniaturization]] of recording and storage technology for consumer video already allows the non-professional user to directly record [[home movies]] to a permanent storage medium like [[DVD]].<ref>{{cite web
 |title=JVC Everio series hard disc handi-cams 
 |publisher=JVC 
 |url=http://www.jvc.co.uk/site/g_series/ 
 |url-status=dead 
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060929115319/http://www.jvc.co.uk/site/g_series/ 
 |archive-date=2006-09-29 
 |df=ymd 
}}</ref>

DDRs have replaced [[Magnetic tape]] based [[DV (video format)|DV]], [[Digital8]], [[8mm Video Format]], [[VHS]] and [[MicroMV]] [[video tape]] recorders.

Professional [[television studio]] DDRs [[video server]]s are being used to replace [[video tape recorder]]s ([[VTR]])s and VTR Cart machines, that [[playout]] [[television commercials]] and [[TV shows]]. DAWs are used in [[professional audio]] [[recording studio]]s. Computer software can implement a hard disk recorder function.

==Applications==
Consumer applications include [[camcorder]]s to high-end [[tapeless camcorder]]s, [[digital video recorder]] (DVR) and [[set top box]] models like [[TiVo]] and [[personal computer]] based recorders. More professional applications include [[non-linear editing]] (NLE) systems like [[Avid Technology]] [[video editing]] systems, recording [[television production]]s/[[filmmaking]] in the field with [[professional video camera]]s in [[digital cinematography]] for [[digital cinema]] productions. Hard disk recorders are used in professional [[television studio]] from small systems able to record 2 hours to large multi-port [[playout]] systems supporting hundreds of hours of material.

==See also==
*[[DTE (direct to edit)]]
*[[DVD recorder]]
*[[Home recording]]
*[[SMPTE timecode]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

{{Music technology}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Hard Disk Recorder}}
[[Category:Digital audio recording]]
[[Category:Set-top box]]
[[Category:Television terminology]]