Re: MD: MD How good is the sound?
D during a quiet passage in the music! Who really gives a damn. The main reason I purchased a MiniDisc was that I could have quality sound at a price a lot less that DAT prices. Plus the flexability over CDs, i.e moving, combining and deleting of tracks. The other reason was, that I can use it in conjunction with my "Mobile Disco", Not for mixing, scratching or any of that crap, but just to be able to copy tired 60s and 70s vinyl to MD and have instant access to it. Hi, I totally agree with you here... Sony has allways targeted MD as a replacement for normal audio cassettes. Not as a replacement for DAT or CD. And for portable it is the best compromise. Discmans sound good but are way to large to fit into any pocket. A tapewalkman is very cheap, but hasn't got the best soundquality. A MP3 player has, for PORTABLE use rerasonable soundquality, but is way to expensive and you need a computer to use them. MD is not to expensive, small, cheap media, long running times and are virtually shockproof (my MZ-E33 with 10 secs of shock mem never lost track when walking or cycling, most portables feature 40 secs now...). And I allso like MD very much for in home use. The editing functions are unsurpassed. No CD-R drive, Tape recorder or DAT recorder has the same features. What I am trying to tell is: Stop comparing MD recorders with DAT, or CD-R drives. To me it is allmost impossible to tell the difference between a digitally recorded MD and a CD. MD is a great format and for portable it is the best format and it will still take some time before MP3 or whatever format can pass MD. Remco - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: mics and mini disks..
On Wed, 12 Apr 2000, Al Kohout wrote: Hi, Does a MZR37 or MZR 50 require a mic to have its own power? No. Almost all portable MD provide power to the mic connection, which is intended for use with powered mics (they use to be more sensitive than the non-powered ones). But, if you use an external box to: - power an electret mic and raise its output level to line level - raise the output level of a non-powered mic to line level You'd be able to simply plug that output to the line-in of your portable: mic - external box -- portable's line in ... maybe with the added bonus of having pass filters to eliminate very low frequencies (roll-off) that could cause rumble in the recording and other goodies. That is can I not use a standard microphone? Not directly to the mic connection. You could raise its output level to line level with an external adapter. Does it have to have a battery? If you use mic that needs power, you can plug it directly to the mic-in, the portable will power it. There's no need for external battery. Some powered mics that have batteries need also to draw power from its mic connection, or can use either, so it depends highly on the mic you're using. Which mic is? also..can I run to the mini disk recorder from the sound system using line in? do I use a stereo mini or mono? Stereo mini. Hope it helps, *---(*)---**-- Francisco J. Montilla System Network administrator [EMAIL PROTECTED] irc: pukkaSevilleSpain INSFLUG (LiNUX) Coordinator: www.insflug.org - ftp.insflug.org - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: Circuit City Responds
[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Shawn Lin wrote: I have been told the opposite by several alleged Nakamichi Dragon owners that said their cheap MDS-JE510 decks sounded better. Go figure. Shawn I really find it impossible that any cassette deck, no matter how expensive could sound as good as a decent MD recorder. A hi-end cassette deck will record something in the range from 10Hz-22kHz. It will leave nothing out. Off-course you'll need to use high-end tapes. A normal Chrome tape doesn't have the frequency response to handle the signal. Thus it is possible to record a CD with the same fidelity as the original on tape. This isn't possible with MD since MD compresses. Note that we're talking about a high-dollar setup. You'll need a high-end CD player to. Note also the differences between the analog and the digital domain and the problems related to going from one to another. What do the people who claim that there tape decks "sound better" really mean?? There is a big difference between the faithful reproduction of audio and they way something sounds. Many people still prefer the sound of vinyl to CD. From a technical stand point, vinyl can never come close to the fidelity of a CD. Vinyl has the same advantage as tape. It is analog. But how something sounds is a subjective matter. For example, think of all of the different brands of the same food. Most people prefer one over the others. That doesn't mean it tastes better. It is an individual subjective human observation. However, and that's where digital media's shine, all analog media loose there information when they age. In a digital world, that doesn't happen. Another problem with analog media is the necessity to keep the tape/lp spinning with a constant speed. This is very difficult to achieve. A PLL clock that drives a DAC/ADC, is however very easy to build and therefore it opens the possibility to produce low-end CD/MD players that sound almost as good as a high-end CD/MD player. In the analog world however, you have to spend 'big-money' in order to achieve high quality. Cheers, Ralph - Long live MD! -- === Ralph SmeetsFunctional Verification Centre Of Competence - CMG Voice: (+33) (0)4 76 58 44 46 STMicroelectronics Fax:(+33) (0)4 76 58 40 11 5, chem de la Dhuy Mobile: (+33) (0)6 82 66 62 70 38240 MEYLAN E-Mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] FRANCE === "For many years, mankind lived just like the animals. And then something happened that unleashed the powers of our imagination: We learned to talk." -- Stephen Hawking, later used by Pink Floyd -- === - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: Circuit City Responds
[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Ralph Smeets [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: If you ever have a chance, listen to a Nakamichi Dragon deck with $25 blanks. I guarantee you'll hear a tape that sounds better than MD. Of course, it's still a cassette, though ;-) Well, my (very) old Tandberg 3-header was also capable of out-performing MD while using metal-tape. However, play a metal-tape 10 times, and the sound degrades. Play an MD 10 times Well, MD stays the same while tape changes over time. Even when it is just lying on the shelf. And price-performance? To use metal-tape and to listen to it, you need the best tape-deck in the world. Like the Nakomichi Dragon. But be prepared to pay more then for a normal MD-deck. Metal-tape walkmans exists, but are rare to find and also expensive. They are not as expensive as MD walkmans, but they are in the neighboorhood. And for cars... Well head-units for metal-tapes exists but again, they are expensive. And a good metal tape costs a lot more than a MD-blank. Add to that all the convinience of MDs (editing, random-access, size) and you'll see why tape is on its way out That's what I meant by "it's still a cassette, though" grin I'll take MD over cassette any day of the week for any purpose. I'll take MD over CD for anything portable. Just so no one doubts my passion for MD ;-) I was just pointing out that the assertion that it's impossible for cassette to sound better than MD is not correct. I can only agree totaly Cheers, Ralph - MD forever! -- === Ralph SmeetsFunctional Verification Centre Of Competence - CMG Voice: (+33) (0)4 76 58 44 46 STMicroelectronics Fax:(+33) (0)4 76 58 40 11 5, chem de la Dhuy Mobile: (+33) (0)6 82 66 62 70 38240 MEYLAN E-Mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] FRANCE === "For many years, mankind lived just like the animals. And then something happened that unleashed the powers of our imagination: We learned to talk." -- Stephen Hawking, later used by Pink Floyd -- === - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: Xitel, Linux, and MiniDisc
On Tue, 11 Apr 2000, Erik Arneson wrote: Hi, I'm a happy owner of a Sony MZ-R37, and am looking for a cheap solution to recording MP3s onto MiniDiscs. The Xitel Storm Platinum seems to be a rather popular and delightfully inexpensive card, but I've been unable to find very many people speaking of using this card with Linux. I haven't heard anything also... What I'm wondering is, does the optical/digital output on this card work under Linux? I see that Aureal has released Linux drivers for the hehe, that's the question... :) Vortex2 chipset (which the Storm Platinum uses), but I just wanted to see if any other MiniDisc/Linux enthusiasts are out there using this combination, or what they might recommend otherwise. I'm using with no problems a Turtle Beach Multisound Fiji/Pinnacle. Is a a great card, It was very expensive, although right now Turtle Beach sells refurbished units (they simply added more Kurztweil capabilities) for about $250-$300, I guess that buying from other distributors instead directly from them will be cheaper. This card has excellent ADC/DAC, and a superb S/N ratio. Is intended for almost Pro audio digitizing, has a S/PDIF IO board that works fine under Linux with the pinlinux drivers (available in stock 2.2.x kernels) though no mmaped audio (i.e. no quake, and other games). I have used it fine for: - Transfer audio from PC to MD - Transfer audio from MD/CD caroussel to PC My advice is try to locate a Xitel from a friend and try it under Linux. If it doesn't work, maybe you can find a Turtle Beach Fiji/Pinnacle cheap enough, but beware that it doesn't have TOSlink, so this, although a secure route, won't be the cheapest/more convenient one. hope it helps, *---(*)---**-- Francisco J. Montilla System Network administrator [EMAIL PROTECTED] irc: pukkaSevilleSpain INSFLUG (LiNUX) Coordinator: www.insflug.org - ftp.insflug.org - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
MD: Golden Ears
Hi. I'm glad that no one took offense at my post yesterday (certainly none was intended...I was having a very bad day at the salt mines). Anyway, others said succintly what I was trying to say. My real point was this: 1) I have heard, in some cases, a slight difference in sound between MD and CD. It's not enough to distract from my enjoyment, and, more often than not, I have to do an A-B comparison to be sure. 2) I love MiniDisc, and I wanted people to know that not everyone who hears a difference in anti-MD. I'm certainly not. Now, just to comment on some of the responses that were posted. From: "Magic" It's interesting to see you have produced evidence of my argument that the different types of ATRAC have their strengths and weaknesses. I have often said the Sony is better for classical and jazz because it reproduces the sounds you describe above much better. The Sharp ATRAC system has trouble with sustained notes such as classical guitar and long bass notes (ie - double bass, cello, piano) but it excels at sharp attack sounds like kick drums, snare etc. - it's brilliant for rock music and dance music. It would be interesting if you could rerecord the same music with a Sony MD and see how you feel they compare. This certainly has been my experience. The jazz and rock recordings I have made sound great. The classical recordings also are fine...but the difference is easier to hear. At present, I have only the Sharp. Soon I hope to have a Sony deck. I will re-record the same music as a test and report back. From: Dan Frakes [EMAIL PROTECTED] Don't get me wrong -- I'm a huge MD fan. I use my MD player on a daily basis... I just think that people should be realistic about the format. I don't think the difference that I have encountered are significant for my listening. We should be realistic to the point that we acknowledge there are sometimes some slight differences, and move on. What bothers people, I think, and someone else made this point...there's more being said about the differences than are necessary, and that can hurt MD in this world where people's opinions are based on 30-second adverts and sound-bites. From: "Shawn R. Lin" [EMAIL PROTECTED] Still, can you say for sure the difference is due to the format itself? Are you able to discount the DAC, analog stage, amp, etc.? No, I can't say that for sure. But I'm a musician, not an engineer, so my comments are based purely on my listening experience. I don't think it is fair for anyone to say MD itself is inferior without doing double-blind testing using the SAME DAC, SAME speakers, SAME amp, with everything identical. You can compare two specific models, but I don't think you can do a direct MD/CD comparison without removing more variables. ..., but still, we cannot conclude that MD sounds better than CD. Agreed...and I'm not in a position to do that (and would rather just enjoy the music in any case). My listening tests were done at the time that I entered the MD world just to satisfy myself that I truly wanted to get into MD (I had a 30-day window in which I could return the unit if I didn't like it). Now, I am too busy enjoying the music to worry about anything other than the possible demise on the medium. It still amazes me that one could reduce the music by 80% and still be left with the great quality that MD provides. I would love to understand how ATRAC accounts for things like overtonesbut I'm really not technical enough to understand it all. Just glad it works. And now for one other questionIs anyone, anywhere selling the Sharp MD-20? Other than on Sharp s own website, it seems to be completely non-existent. I probably wouldn't buy it, since the MD-15 is all that I really need...but I wonder what it is going for...and I love the sexy gold color that will be available in the Asian market. Cheers, JMJ __ Do You Yahoo!? Send online invitations with Yahoo! Invites. http://invites.yahoo.com - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
MD: FA: Sony Gumpack battery BC-7HT Quick Charger
Nickel-Metal Hydride (Ni-MH)/Nickel Cadmium (Ni-Cd) quick charger for Sony gumpack batteries. !!Charges batteries in less than 1 hour!! Battery charger for NH-14WM, NH-9WM, and NC-6WM Sony batteries. Light weight multi-voltage charger that uses any domestic current between 100V and 240V (this means most of the world). 100-240V AC Works for Sony minidisc and cassette walkman units with the above batteries. This item for auction on eBay at: http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItemitem=303166449 MENTION THE MINIDISC LIST, and receive 5% off final bid price!! Edmund William White [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
MD: MD as a replacement for cassette
There are large advantages of MD over cassette - its editing for one. But for now I *still* use cassettes for "air checks" of my radio show 1) cost This is both as a single unit (reasonable "D90" tapes are typically less than $1) and as the second item 2) Time lenght - Get 90min on a MD and Im there - or get the cost per min down to the same (aka like $0.75 per 60min MD). Also - for recording stuff - the 60min / 90min format works out a bit better 3) Ubuquity - *everyplace* has a cassette player - and anyone can play a tape that I make (not everyone has MD) I think if they get MD players in the $50 range and blank MDs in the sub $1 range the format will *really* take off. - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
MD: circuit city site
I got this nice reply re that circuit city web page: Dear Mr. Gray, It ?s always a pleasure hear from one of our customers, but when we can learn ways to improve our web site in the process we always feel we've gotten the better end of the bargain. As a result of your note to us, we have made changes to the article on MiniDisc that we hope you will feel addresses to issues you raised. Among other changes, the updated article makes fewer comparisons between MiniDisc and CD and more comparisons to cassette tapes. This new article should be available on our site in just a few days. When you see the revised section of our web site, please feel free to let me know how you feel about the changes we made. Again, thank you for helping us make CircuitCity.com even better. Sincerely, Doug Hess Web Content Project Manager [EMAIL PROTECTED] - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: Circuit City Responds
Since I became president of the sight and sound club this is auctually something a lot of people asked when I used my MiniDisc JE510 deck to record concerts rather than thier crappy tape deck. This lead me that I need to run some blind listening tests. Seeing as we auctually had some advanced equipment there, I decided to put MD to the test aganist CD and also MP3 aganist them too, because EVERYONE knows MP3. So I digitally ripped the MP3 and encoded it using the newest Franhouer encoder from Nero Burning rom then burned those MP3's onto an Audio CD (Nero will decode as well). Then I dug up a really nice CD player with digital output and recorded the same song off the same CD. Now I've got like, 5 samples: CD, MD, MP3@128, MP3@160 and MP3@192. So we set up our test system. A JVC Pro-Logic surround system, JVC CD player, some really good Bose speakers and my MD deck. We gathered 10 people for a first run test. Most of them being freshmen and sophmores. Well, 9 people guessed CD properly, 1 said it was probably MD. 8 people said the MD was MD, 2 said they weren't sure, but it sounds like CD. Then when it came to the MP3, they got 128 with no problem, at 160, 2 had guessed MD, then at 192 everyone said something different. We're running the test on some adults today, and I may throw in SoundVQ for fun. YOU'RE PAYING TOO MUCH FOR THE INTERNET! Juno now offers FREE Internet Access! Try it today - there's no risk! For your FREE software, visit: http://dl.www.juno.com/get/tagj. - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: Xitel, Linux, and MiniDisc
I have the Xitel card and use it to record MP3s to MD happily under Win98. There are two Linux drivers for the card: one from Aureal and one from 4Front-tech (http://www.4front-tech.com). The Aureal driver is beta quality, plays xmms and system sounds fine, and is Quake-compatible. It is free. It does not drive the optical out connector. The 4Front driver is production-quality, plays xmms and system sounds fine, and is compatible with almost every game but Quake. It is available for nominal cost ($30?) and is under continuing development (the Aureal driver hasn't been updated since February and it's not clear it ever will be updated again). It does not drive the optical out connector. If you want a digital copy of your MP3s, unfortunately, you've got to bail out to Win98. That's about the only reason I boot Windows anymore... As an MZ-R90 owner, I'm eager to learn more about Sony's new rumoured USB-to-MD connector that provides both digital out and titling on the MZ-R90. Any scoop? -Mike - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: Nic Boyde's essay contest Will MD Survive?
=== The original message was multipart MIME=== === All non-text parts (attachments) have been removed === Write an essay "Will MD Survive?", of approximately 1000 words. Entries will be judged by me, Nic Boyde and one other MD list veteran (yet to be named). First prize will be an MZ-R50 (new) from Nic Boyde's last remaining stock. Entries are due by midnight GMT, April 30th, 2000. Ok, spent the last three days working on this essay. It's in normal text for convience and compatability. BTW, if you want to post it on the MDCP, feel free. -J.R. === MIME part removed : text/plain; === - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: Xitel, Linux, and MiniDisc
On 12 Apr 00, Michael Mitchell [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: If you want a digital copy of your MP3s, unfortunately, you've got to bail out to Win98. That's about the only reason I boot Windows anymore... Well drat, that sure isn't the news I was hoping to hear. So is there a good solution to digital copying under Linux right now? -- # Erik Arneson [EMAIL PROTECTED] Webring Technical Yahoo! # # http://www.aarg.net/erik/ GPG Key ID: 1024D/43AD6AB8 # # "The worst wheel of a cart makes the most noise." - Ben Franklin # - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: MD vs. CD / Golden Ears
"Shawn R. Lin" [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Yes, but it is my understanding that you are NOT using the "same setup". Your comparison (and I'm going by memory) is that you have a portable MD recorder and a portable CD recorder. The only thing the same in your setup are the headphones. You are using a different DAC, different preamp stage, different amplifier stage. HUGE differences! This is fair to compare those two specific models of equipment to each other, but NOT fair to compare MD as a whole, to CD as a whole. Nope. That was one comparison. And you're correct that it wasn't a fair one, because the portable CD player I used is often called the best-sounding portable CD ever. However, I also pointed out that I did a comparison on my stereo: same amp, same preamp, same speakers. The only difference is the D/A converter, since the MD and CD both used their own internal D/A. To be fair, that's a difference. Unfortunately I don't have a separate D/A converter to test with. However, I find it very hard to believe that the Sony's D/A converter is *so* much worse that it accounts for 100% of the obvious differences in sound quality. I think anyone who states that MD sound quality is subjectively inferior without ruling out the DAC and all analog stages is stating a flawed opinion. I also personally believe that a non-blind test will affect the results, because just the KNOWLEDGE that compression/decompression is taking place and the belief that "it is compressed, therefore the sound MUST be different" has a way of influencing the listener. You're correct about the testing methodologies. Although sometime last fall I read a comparison using a nice double-blind test (with all other components held constant). CD was judged superior. Can't remember what magazine it was, though. - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
MD: more on the Sharp MD-ST50
I forgot to post the size: 75.3 by 16.3 by 80.4mm... 111g including rechargeable battery. Never seen before: There's a plug adaptor (for power) available for the ST50's car use. The four buttons on the top face of the remote are the basic playback functions (play/pause, stop, |, |). Volume is the first button(s?) on the left side when you look down from the top. It can't be confirmed whether there's any jogs on the remote. However, if the remote has jogs, Sharp usually will not let it go unnoticed. This time it hasn't been mentioned. Leon - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: MD vs. CD / Golden Ears
Dan Frakes wrote: However, I also pointed out that I did a comparison on my stereo: same amp, same preamp, same speakers. The only difference is the D/A converter, since the MD and CD both used their own internal D/A. To be fair, that's a difference. Unfortunately I don't have a separate D/A converter to test with. However, I find it very hard to believe that the Sony's D/A converter is *so* much worse that it accounts for 100% of the obvious differences in sound quality. Certainly the DAC makes a difference! If it didn't, audio companies wouldn't bother selling external DACs. In fact, the price of a good high-end DAC is often 5-digits! The reason my Sony CDX-C90 car stereo cost so much was due to its quad 20-bit Burr-Brown DACs and several different digital filters. It costs $1200, yet it has no fancy color display or even a built-in amp. I think anyone who states that MD sound quality is subjectively inferior without ruling out the DAC and all analog stages is stating a flawed opinion. I also personally believe that a non-blind test will affect the results, because just the KNOWLEDGE that compression/decompression is taking place and the belief that "it is compressed, therefore the sound MUST be different" has a way of influencing the listener. You're correct about the testing methodologies. Although sometime last fall I read a comparison using a nice double-blind test (with all other components held constant). CD was judged superior. Can't remember what magazine it was, though. Yes, but from what I've seen, magazines also do flawed testing. They test one unit against the other. That's comparing two models, but for a format comparison, that's not really fair. You could probably rule out the DAC if you play the CD digitally through the MD recorder using the audio monitor feature. Do the test blind with a friend switching the source randomly and you can also rule out psychological influence. BTW, it would not surprise me at all if Sony did not use the best DACs in their portable equipment. In a portable recorder, not only is having to operate on low voltage a concern, but so is power consumption. -- Shawn Lin http://www2.cybercities.com/g/gmwbodycars/ _ NetZero - Defenders of the Free World Click here for FREE Internet Access and Email http://www.netzero.net/download/index.html - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
MD: MD - MD dubbing?
I've noticed HMV.com selling some of their selection MiniDisc format, which leads to an interesting question (either that or it just shows that I don't RTFM enough). If I have an MD deck with a digital out and try record to my MZ-R50, I know I can't record digitally from an MD that is a copy of a CD. Can I record from a store-bought MD to a blank MD without SCMS getting in my way? Will there be a significant amount of degradation? What I mean by degradation is... To record from CD - MD, I know that it takes uncompressed data from the CD, sends it to the down the wire in digital form, then the recorder compresses it with ATRAC, and stores it. To record from MD - MD, it uncompresses the ATRAC, sends it down the wire in digital form, then recompresses it when it hits the recorder. I know that this would cause degradation, but does anyone know if this would cause unacceptable degradation in the sound quality? Is it something that someone would even notice? Thanks! -- Dave Kimmel [EMAIL PROTECTED] ICQ: 5615049 - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
