RE: MD: Hi...
First I'll explain what I want to do: 1. Listen to music that I have in mp3s and CDs in a compact player 2. Use this player while running or travelling. As I see it, either a minidisc player/recorder or one of the new mp3 = players (like the Rio) would let me do the above. I'm not too concerned = with sound quality as long as I can't tell a big difference between the = two. I'm not really interested in pre-recorded MDs. Most people don't bother with pre-rec either. They're usually so expensive here in the UK that a CD and a MD blank is the cheaper option :) Listening to a MD through a reasonable (but inexpensive) pair of headphones, I can certainly tell the difference between tracks recorded from CD and those from MP3 (I use a soundcard with a digital out, etc.). Although the new Rio 500 is meant to sound better than it's predecessor and it's rivals, I doubt it's better than MD. I've listened to several MP3 players (not the 500 yet though), and wasn't impressed at all. Here are my concerns with MD: 1. Expensive Not really. Again, I'll just go from the UK prices (cheapest prices I found quoted) - Rio 500 (64mb) - 190 UKP Rio 300 + extra 32mb memory - 165 UKP (and remember, a remote will add 17 UKP to that price) Sharp MDMT20 - 149 UKP Sharp 722 - 169 UKP Sony MZR37 - 149 UKP Sony MZR55 - 169 UKP Aiwa F80 - 199 UKP Work out how much music you'll want to have on you, away from a computer (say a long journey or holiday). Then add the cost of extra memory for that much music (say 1mb per minute). Then compare against how inexpensive MD blanks are. Add battery costs (AA nicad(s) and a charger, or replacing alkalines) to the MP3 player prices too - all the MD units listed include a battery pack and mains adaptor/charger. 2. May be a dying medium? MD isn't very popular/common in the US and very few people seem to be = aware of it. It hasn't been marketed much and there's the possibility = that newer things will replace it (like Mp3 players, CD-RW, and maybe = writable DVD). I know you all will say that minidiscs are better but = if the format dies out or doesn't get greater support, it won't matter = how much you love it. =20 It's a pity that it's not marketed enough, but seriously, what does it matter? As long as you can buy the hardware, get it repaired if it goes wrong, and buy blanks, you're set. While I was at school we could just swap tapes when we got bored with our own music, but MP3 players can't [1] transfer between units anyway. I use MD because I can get the hardware I want/need *now* - home hifi decks, cute little mini systems with MD, in-car MD players/changers and good quality portables that I can use to listen or record stuff [2] wherever I am. I just can't be bothered hooking up patch leads all the time like friends with MP3 players do. CDR(W) is too bulky; a workable DVD-R(W) solution, with actual products available and reasonably priced blanks is years away. I'm also worried that if the music industry cracks down, they may = somehow make it impossible to rip CDs or record mp3s (might take a few = years to happen but it might happen). Doubtful (as someone else pointed out), but the beauty of MD is that you can just record in analogue at almost-as-good quality. If a secure internet music distribution system comes about that will only let you play a track on one computer (yours), only using their software, standing on one leg and between 9:17 and 10:26pm [3], then it's no problem. Plug a lead from soundcard to MD and record away. Same goes for other audio formats - if something better comes along, or even improvements to the MP3 format (like variable bitrate encoding), the current players could well choke on it, or you'll be forever relying on the manufacturer to update their software. I'm considering the following MD players/recorders: Sony MZ-R70 - $179 at eMall Sony MZ-R37 - $159 at eMall (MSRP is $299!) Sharp MD-MS722 - $225 at freeshipping.com If I get an MD, I'd probably get the MZ-R37 but I'll listen to = opinions... OK, here's mine - it's ugly, bulky and it's got a poor remote (no LCD). The extra $20 for the R70 is well worth it. The Sharp is a very nice recorder, but that extra $45 isn't really worth it in my opinion. Have a look at the Aiwa models as well (F70, F80). I'm not sure if it's worth the cost though Give me opinions on = whether you think I should get an mp3 player or an MD... Here probably isn't the best place for an unbiased opinion on the matter (but then nor is a forum of MP3 player users). However there are many people here who've used MP3 players in the past, and quite probably some converts (search the archives on minidisc.org). I feel the MD community is friendlier and easier to get help and advice from too. Some more things to bear in mind - - MD may take longer to record [4], but it tends to be semi-permanent. If I download an album, I record it on to MD and it stays there unless I decide it's not
Re: MD: Hi...
On 26 Apr 00, [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Honestly, I feel you'll be dissapointed with the MZ-R37 for all purposes BUT home recording and there are better machines that due similar that arent as dissapointing... I use my MZ-R37 all the time, and I love it. I don't mind the lack of a backlit display at all, and the recordings and battery life are entirely sufficient for the price. For those who aren't comfortable with the price tags on the more expensive models, I'd definitely recommend the R37 as a wise place to start. -- # 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]
MD: Titling Errors
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: MD: Titling errors? Has anyone ever encountered titling errors (either disc or track title) when playing MDs back on different players? I was listening to one of my discs the other day on my Sharp portable and I noticed that the title was wrong. It was truncated and the letters were garbled! I popped the disc out, put it back in and it got the title right afterwards. Then I noticed at another time a track title was garbled, but was fixed when I started playing the track over! Weird. I've never had this happen on my Sony... Has anyone else ever had this happen? I hope it's not a sign of something more serious looming! I have a Sharp MT-15 portable and the Sony MDX-D3 deck. I had a disc that was recorded and titled on the Sony. When I went to title the tracks that I didn't get around to, using the Sharp, I got the dreaded UTOC error (never had garbled titles, though). After removing the disc and reinserting it, the error disappeared. Sometimes I had to do this more than once. James __ Do You Yahoo!? Talk to your friends online and get email alerts with Yahoo! Messenger. http://im.yahoo.com/ - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
MD: Looking for MDX-C8970 service manual RDS parts
Folks, I would appreciate if you can point me to url where I can get the Service Manual for Sony MDX-C8970. What I'm looking for is schematic diagram of RDS subsystem to upgrade my unit. Cheers, Dmitry. ___ Dmitry S. Bugrimenko Systems engineer Cisco Systems - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
MD: what to buy
OK, I am also new to the list. I've had an Aiwa FM 5 for a couple of years, and am more than ready to move up g. But, there are so many models to choose from! After reading comments here and on t-station, I think I'm going to go with a Sony. My question to you all is---is the MZR 90/91 really so much better than the MZR 70? Why? I know the battery life of the 90/91 model is much greater than the 55 or the 70. I've seen the 55 for $250, the 70 for $209 and the 90/91 for $320. So, is the 90 that much better than the 55 or the 70? And could someone explain Sony's numbering system and pricing to me?g Shouldn't these models come with release years? Anyway, thanks for the advice. A new soundcard is also in the works, so I'd be interested in opinions of the Soundblaster Live MP3 vs the Xitel (?) Storm whatever it is with the built-in TOSlink output jack. What kind of optical output does the Soundblaster have? I've looked at Creative Labs' website, but am still not sure what, exactly, it has. Plus, it looks much harder to install than the Storm whatever. Holly Hill [EMAIL PROTECTED] Knowledge is power. Power corrupts. Study hard. Be evil. - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
MD: Can't record more material
Help (for a new list subscriber)! I have a JE500. I am recording in mono mode from a cassette. I show 26+ minutes left and am at track #44. I've been rolling along but now suddenly I cannot record more than 6-8 seconds of material. (Is there a limit to the number of tracks?) Signal is definitely getting to the MD. Level-Sync is turned off (but makes no difference if turned on). Could this be a bad block on the MD (Sony MDW-74) that I can't get around? I've tried ejecting and re=inserting the tape, so that perhaps something related to the TOC writing would "jar" whatever's wrong, but to no avail. If someone who gets MD-L message-by-message has an idea and wouldn't mind e-mailing me directly, I'd appreciate it, as I am in digest mode for the MD-L list and won't see a reply until the listserver sends the digest. Thanks very much. Richard [EMAIL PROTECTED] - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: Can't record more material
There is alimit of tracks, im not sure exactly what it is, but its somewhere around 210, take care. ~J~ - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: Can't record more material
my Sharp 831's manual says the limit is 255. So this doesn't explain the problem. Leon There is alimit of tracks, im not sure exactly what it is, but its somewhere around 210, take care. ~J~ - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: the death of MP3
=== = NB: Over 50% of this message is QUOTED, please = = be more selective when quoting text = === I'm sorry but i believe there is one thing that nobody has mentioned yet, that is that there are already sooo many mp3 encoders out there that people already have, if Fraunhofer tried to find everyone that had an encoder already they wouldn't be able to do it, that and the fact that there are already sooo many mp3's they cant affect that either. People aren't just gonna say "oh my gosh Fraunhofer own's this piece of software i've been using for 3 years my god i need to send them all my money and never listen to another mp3 again, i've been a bad boy" reality is that the encoders are out there, people will use them, if people like more comes out and is readily available people will use it. for me i'd rather not have something that sounds nasty and uses expensive solid state media, i'll stick with my MD. -Original Message- From: Romain Kang [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Date: Thursday, April 27, 2000 12:58 PM Subject: Re: MD: the death of MP3 I don't think anyone claimed that MP3 was the last word in digital audio formats, and if Fraunhofer's licensing becomes too restrictive, the world will find something else to replace it. In the end, if the open standards are compelling, they will prevail. For instance, if Gopher had been free, we might be using that today instead of HTTP, and the worldwide web would be somewhat different. MD/ATRAC's advantage at this point is that you can store more bits in a form factor that is very convenient, so the fidelity is typically better than portable (i.e., low bitrate) MP3's. Once there is something that sounds "good enough" and stores more music, I believe the general public will find that more compelling than MD/ATRAC. There are other compressed audio formats that could find an opportunity if Fraunhofer were to choke off MP3. For example, there's Dolby AAC, used in equipment like broadcast digicarts, and Philips PASC, invented for DCC -- remember that? DCC is dead, so how much would Philips have to lose if they were to adapt PASC to lower bitrates and open the licensing? (Hypothetical point -- PASC technology might not be amenable to such extensions). Philips could always save the latest and best versions to the folks who paid big licensing royalties, and allow the free software zealots to dink with the open versions. I believe that there must be an compresed, open digital audio format because the general direction of progress points that way. The evolution of societies and commerce point to a world where the middlemen are gradually squeezed thinner and thinner. (Tea traders in the 18th century were pretty hot stuff, remember?) In this century, the record labels are getting in the way of musical creativity, and growing fat because of it. But how many recording artists are actually making more money because of increased unit prices on CDs in the past few years? This is why MP3 or its successors are compelling, not because of piracy. Raising a battle cry of "MD Forever!" will be merely holding the Maginot Line unless MD and ATRAC evolve to meet the challenges that will arise. Anyone who claims otherwise probably hasn't lived long enough to watch a favorite technology superceded by a newer one. Romain Kang Siemens Info/Comm Products, San Jose RD [EMAIL PROTECTED] formerly Pyramid Technology Corp. Disclaimer: I represent myself alone, except where otherwise indicated. - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED] - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
