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Formatting SD Card
New microSDHC memory cards come pre-formatted with a FAT32 file system
which is optimized for good performance. The PDR relies on this performance
and will never disturb the underlying low level formatting of the SD card. When
the SMWB/SMDWB “formats” a card, it performs a function similar to the
Windows “Quick Format” which deletes all files and prepares the card for re-
cording. The card can be read by any standard computer but if any write, edit
or deletions are made to the card by the computer, the card must be re-for-
matted with the SMWB/SMDWB to prepare it again for recording. The SMWB/
SMDWB never low level formats a card and we strongly advise against doing
so with the computer.
To format the card with the SMWB/SMDWB, select Format Card in the menu
and press MENU/SEL on the keypad.
NOTE: An error message will appear if samples are lost due to a poor
performing “slow” card.
WARNING: Do not perform a low level format (complete format) with a
computer. Doing so may render the memory card unusable with the SMWB/
SMDWB recorder.
With a windows based computer, be sure to check the quick format box before
formatting the card.
With a Mac, choose MS-DOS (FAT).
IMPORTANT
The formatting of the SD card sets up contiguous sectors for maximum ef-
ficiency in the recording process. The file format utilizes the BEXT (Broadcast
Extension) wave format which has sufficient data space in the header for the
file information and the time code imprint.
The SD card, as formatted by the SMWB/SMDWB recorder, can be corrupted
by any attempt to directly edit, change, format or view the files on a computer.
The simplest way to prevent data corruption is to copy the .wav files from the
card to a computer or other Windows or OS formatted media FIRST. Repeat
– COPY THE FILES FIRST!
Do not rename files directly on the SD card.
Do not attempt to edit the files directly on the SD card.
Do not save ANYTHING to the SD card with a computer (such as the take
log, note files etc) - it is formatted for SMWB/SMDWB recorder use only.
Do not open the files on the SD card with any third party program such as
Wave Agent or Audacity and permit a save. In Wave Agent, do not IMPORT -
you can OPEN and play it but do not save or Import - Wave Agent will corrupt
the file.
In short - there should be NO manipulation of the data on the card or addi-
tion of data to the card with anything other than an SMWB/SMDWB record-
er. Copy the files to a computer, thumb drive, hard drive, etc. that has been
formatted as a regular OS device FIRST - then you can edit freely.
iXML HEADER SUPPORT
Recordings contain industry standard iXML chunks in the file headers, with
the most commonly used fields filled in.