OlliVan wrote:...or the internal mics and two analog inputs
I have been looking for a recorder (with timecode) because of this missing feature on the camera, but IMO the only remotely feasible option is to buy a used SD 744T. The last time pro/consumer devices had digital inputs was somewhere around 2012 or so.
Yes I forgot about those, could be useful but they are only for scratch recording and if you are using on board XLRs somewhat pointless, in addition. The input switching would have to double too, currently it only allows for Line/Phantom/Mic(internal).
Why do you need digital inputs and a very old SD recorder? The Sound Devices MixPre IIs have TC, 32bit float, with stacked 142db DR adcs pre-amps. Whatever the digital input, you ultimately have to use an analogue pre-amp for the mic inputs, even so called 'digital' mics merely move the adc to the microphone itself. I have a Mix-Pre II 6 and together with a 302 SD mixer, both can fit nicely in a petrol bag, giving more inputs than I would ever need. AES is only relevant, in this instance because it would be the only way to interface more than two external inputs into the Ursa, e.g. 2 radio mics and a boom. But as you say, an external recorder is a far better solution, though you do need a sound recordist, then. But fair play to BMD for even including AES, on the Ursas, as this is rather a high spec thing