Very interested in this product. Any idea when the official release date is?

I'm not sure why someone would say that this is pointless.

Not only can it record four separate channels, but it can mount directly under the camera while all of its inputs and controls are accessible. Try that with a DR-100 (which I own), H4N, R26, etc... I don't know about you, but I have never used the mics on my recorder, only the XLR inputs.

Personally, I hate having to mount a recorder separately. I want one single unit. Pull it out, slap it on a tripod and go. No fumbling about. Put a slim little arca clamp on the top of it (or far cheaper yet less sleek Sima QuickConnect) and you've got yourself a run and gun single unit that you don't have to fumble with separately. Pull a lever and your camera it free from the audio unit. Seems like a no brainer to me.

I agree with DrDave; a Sony or Canon battery would have been awesome.

I was just about to pull the trigger on a Fostex DC-R302. Heard the preamps are awesome. It has three XLR ins, but records just two channels. It is also $1100.

Finally, I was told it uses the same components as the DR-680, just fewer inputs. If the noise floor is not low enough, I'm sure an Oade mod could be done to it just like the DR-680.

I don't want to spread any rumors, but I found something that might be interesting regarding the Tascam.

Some guy starts talking about a new recorder coming up this March for half the price of the Fostex. Then he goes on talking about Sound devices and that new recorder:

"I wish I could, but I've already said more than I probably should have It comes down to what do you need today for your productions. If you can wait, I'd say to wait. You can't go wrong with Sound Devices gear though. The pres on this unit aren't going to be spectacular. This future unit I refer to will still sound the best when coupled with higher quality pres, however for 90% off the users out there, it will be fine right out of the box. "

Maybe this guy was talking about the Tascam DR-60D???

"This future unit I refer to will still sound the best when coupled with higher quality pres" if this is the case this tascam will make no sense to be around. adding more portable stuff on top of a portable stuff? let see when some real hands on reviews start showing up. To me it still looks very promising. Sound Devices are in another league, both quality and price.

Some photos by @Tokyo03 added to wiki page

http://www.personal-view.com/faqs/nab/start

I bought one of these when I sold my HMC150 and so far, I like it. However, it seems to eat batteries. Right now, I'm doing a full format on a 16GB card and it is taking a long time. The client is waiting, so, I hope it finishes soon. Maybe I should have chosen the quick format option. Will update you guys soon...

Yeah, I finally just took the batteries out, restarted and did a quick format. This is a good tip.

I switched out batteries from Duracells that I use for my wireless mics and went with some recharageables. They held up well. I have to tell you that Duracell "Duralocks" have given me some issues. I think I'm going to go with some Eneloops moving forward.

I've used the DR-60D for two all day shoots now and it has performed well, but I had to add gain to the input. I set it for the mid setting. I use the Rode NTG-2 and the Sennheiser wireless. It just seemed like I had to push the Tascam to get a high enough floor out of it.

My Zooms seem to be a little better in that the level is louder. I know that loudness isn't everything and after adjusting the audio is post, it was fine. And, as you guys can tell, I'm no audio engineer.

Sync was fine, but I did not run video for longer than about 5 minutes per clip. We were shooting controlled interview clips and it was scripted. I wonder if there would be any drift for long interviews?

I recently got this recorder and I quite like it. However, I haven't been able to connect it to my GH2. I'm using the "Camera Ouput" on the Tascam with a normal 3 ft miniplug to miniplug cable and a little cheap 3.5 to 2.5 adapter I got at a sound hardware store. The camera shows the message "Please make sure the external microphone is turned on" everytime I turn the Tascam on, but dissapears as soon as the recorder stops heating up. I don't get the little mic figure there's on the GH2 screen when an external input is connected. Also, I get the same message when I turn the recorder off.

Any idea what to do? I have the latest firmware version (1.10). Thanks in advance, guys.

@luxis For video/audio sync reference & backup track?

@luxis The DR 60D has a "Slate" feature, which is really helpful for audio sync in post. I aslo thought it could be a cable/adapter issue, so I tried plugging an iPod to my camera (I don't have any other devices) and it worked. I recorded a 10 seconds clip and it got the music coming from the iPod just fine. I know I can use a good old clap, but if I have the option of using the long and constant reference tone of the built in "slate", I'd like to be able to use it.

Running the two units in tandem, the GH3 and Tascam is fraught with danger, I nearly lost my interview with Sony’s Bill Drummond with a Tascam error. I started the Tascam not realising it was low on battery and it ran out half way through the interview but to my horror I was not aware of this.

Although the batteries were too low to record the sound you still got enough power to keep the pre amps up and running and the headphones, not a good idea in my opinion.

GH3 and the Tascam are still poles apart and would make life a lot easier if the GH3 could trigger the Tascam, that still may be possible but as yet I know of no way to do this.

Via: http://www.hdwarrior.co.uk/2013/09/24/why-i-used-the-lumix-gh3-for-ibc/