Press Releases

22/03/2005

New V1.40 software further enhances the power of HHB’s PORTADRIVE

Since its launch less than two years ago, the HHB PORTADRIVE has firmly established itself as the location sound recorder of choice for leading film & TV professionals around the world. With an increasing number of productions adopting HD video technology and surround sound, PORTADRIVE's ability to record over 75 track/hours of uncompressed 24-bit/48kHz audio onto a resilient and removable 40GB hard disk has enabled sound mixers to respond to ever more demanding projects. Additionally, PORTADRIVE's support of AES31 and Pro Tools V5 session formats has improved workflow by allowing the direct, high-speed transfer of recorded data to Mac and PC workstations for post production, yielding significant cost savings.

Now, as further evidence of the ongoing commitment to improve and refine PORTADRIVE's class-leading performance, HHB has announced the availability of new V1.40 PORTADRIVE software - which offers a number of significant enhancements including Disk Mirroring, USB Target Mode, full iXML support and improved auto-shutdown modes.

The Disk Mirroring feature automatically records the current session to both the internal disk and an external SCSI drive (such as a DVD-RAM or hard drive), adding security and providing an identical copy of the session within a few seconds of completing the recording. Disk Mirroring can be suspended at any time allowing the external SCSI drive to be temporarily removed for example when going 'off cart,' and the external drive is automatically re-synced when re-connected. This mirror copy is synchronous, so any changes made to the recording, even metadata changes after the recording is complete, will be accurately mirrored to the copy.

When a standard data transfer option such as the PORTADRIVE docking station, DVD-RAM or FTP via Ethernet is unavailable, the new USB Target Mode feature allows the copying of files from PORTADRIVE to any computer fitted with a USB port. And since the PORTADRIVE emulates a standard mass storage device, no additional software is required. This feature is particularly useful for the transfer of Pro Tools sessions for which the use of DVD-RAM discs is not supported and FTP transfer is not suitable.

By supporting the iXML standard, the V1.40 software will improve the exchange of audio file information between different systems and different stages of the production chain - meaning that an ever increasing number of systems can utilize all the advanced features of PORTADRIVE's metadata.

Additional software enhancements implemented in V1.40 include improved Power Source Switching and Auto-shutdown features, increased speed when opening sessions, improvements to the creation of new sessions and refinements to the display of slate and take information.

Unrivalled performance and flexibility has put PORTADRIVE at the very heart of the modern production process, and has resulted in its use on some of the world's highest profile film & TV projects, including Anthony Hopkins' latest movie, "The World's Fastest Indian", the new Robert Altman series, "Tanner On Tanner" and Peter Jackson's remake of "King Kong."

Speaking for HHB Communications, Managing Director Ian Jones commented, "As modern productions become more complex and challenging, we are constantly striving to find ways in which PORTADRIVE can help the modern sound mixer respond to these increased demands. PORTADRIVE's new V1.40 software has been developed in direct response to feedback from our rapidly growing user base, and we are convinced that it will further cement PORTADRIVE's position as the most powerful and flexible location recorder currently available."

Coinciding with the release of V1.40 software is a new DVD featuring a comprehensive overview of the PORTADRIVE, an in-depth demonstration of its features, and interviews with leading sound mixers relating their experiences of using the PORTADRIVE on location. The DVD is available free of charge from HHB and PORTADRIVE distributors worldwide.

HHB products are distributed exclusively in the United States, Mexico, Central and South America and the Caribbean by Sennheiser Electronic Corporation. It joins a list of distinguished audio brands that Sennheiser distributes including Neumann Microphones, InnovaSON Digital Consoles, Rosendahl Synchronization Systems, Turbosound Loudspeakers and the Australian Monitor Installation Series.

www.sennheiserusa.com
www.hhb.co.uk

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