Fast Forward Video Replaces Tape by 120G Removable HDD

Fast Forward Video announced a new release of its NDT 200 portable digital video recorder (DVR), a drop-in replacement for tape-based recording devices. The newest version is more robust and offers an improved mechanical design, greater tolerance to shock and vibration, and an enhanced user interface.

"When we originally introduced the NDT 200, we were responding to overwhelming consumer demand for a digital replacement to their tape-based devices, and the product has been highly successful," said Mark Playdon, sales director at Fast Forward Video. "In addition to the convenience of recording onto a serial ATA removable hard drive, the new version makes operation even more effortless. The quality is superior to many of the larger, higher-priced DVRs on the market today."

The NDT200 easily fits into the same footprint as a Sony Video Walkman and records onto a 2.5-inch removable hard drive, providing a standard, convenient recording medium while saving space in remote applications. Ideal for a wide variety of applications, the NDT 200 is engineered for high-quality video recording in remote locations and specifically designed to meet the unique needs of freelance producers, outdoor broadcasters, video-assist operators, surveillance and security organizations, video analysts, emergency "first-response" teams, law enforcement, government, and military agencies.

The touch-pad user interface and large push button controls make this DVR familiar and uncomplicated to operate. All functions can be controlled via the touch-pad, soft buttons, and LCD panel on top of the unit or from an external PC or VTR controller. Video clips can be recorded in QuickTime® format for playback on a PC or Mac or as FFV secure video files. They then can be downloaded to PC or Mac systems via the onboard USB 2.0 port or through the removal of the hard drive and the insertion of the drive into a suitably equipped PC or Mac.

The NDT 200’s standard features include selectable compression ratios (from 4:1 to 30:1), dual-channel audio, character displays, jog scan and scrub features, as well as analog composite and S-Video (Y/C) inputs and outputs. With additional upgrades such as external trigger inputs, time-date stamp, time-lapse recording, and loop and pre-event recording, the NDT 200 is a powerhouse of a DVR. The recorder’s internal digital specification is full-frame, full-motion CCIR-601 with a color space of 4:2:2. External control is available through optional machine control software, and the recorder may be powered through an external low-voltage DC input.

The handheld recorder is now available from FFV’s worldwide network of distributors, with multiple options to customize the unit to meet the needs of specific applications