Re: MD: A (theoretical) good thing about End Search
Chad Gombosi wrote: What WERE they thinking? Beats the heck out of me. And then to top it off, Sony Kept the stupid feature for years. Dumb, dumb, dumb!!! OK, I've been listning to what you guys have been saying, but it still eludes me. *What* is so bad about End Search again? I really don't understand what you are complaining about. Because it's silly. It's just as dumb as if your PC had an "End Search" button that you had to press before saving any new files, otherwise it would overwrite your existing files. MD is random access storing tracks much like a PC stores files on a hard drive or floppy disk. It was ridiculous for them to implement an "End Search" mis-feature. Shawn Lin [EMAIL PROTECTED] - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
MD: Leadtek 4XSound soundcard
I would just like to warn anyone thinking about getting one - it stinks. The optical digital output on mine is DOA. I tried different drivers to no avail, made sure SPDIF output was ENABLED. It still didn't work. When I enabled SPDIF, the red LED in the toslink module turns on, but my MD recorder says "No Signal". To make sure my MD recorder was working, I plugged in my DVD player's digital out. It worked just fine, so the Leadtek card's digital output is dead. Not to mention every time I open the TV program for my All-In-Wonder Pro video card, the mixer settings for CD input, LINE IN, FM, and Wave all reset to the lowest position. It would be cool if it worked, the digital setup program even has a checkbox for setting the SPDIF out for MDLP - it sends a 32-bit digital output. I had read on UseNet that CMI-8738 based video cards are hard to get with working digital outputs (some posts specifically cite Zoltrix cards with DOA digital outputs). Looks like Leadtek is not immune to this problem. Since there's no way to guarantee getting a good card and I don't want the hassle of having to return a bunch of cards, I think I'm just going to get a refund and burn MP3's to a CD-RW and record them through my Apex DVD player. Shawn Lin [EMAIL PROTECTED] - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
MD: Cheap soundcard for MD
I just thought I would point out another source for a cheap soundcard for MD. I had to get rid of my SBAWE64 Gold because my new motherboard has no ISA slots. I bought a Leadtek WinFast 4XSound PCI soundcard. It uses the CMI8738 chip like the MidiMan DIO 2448 and Zoltrix cards. It has a coax digital output on the card itself, and comes with a toslink I/O daughtercard. It also came with a TOSlink cable and an adapter for use with MD portables. The manual is very MD-oriented, showing pictures of the card being used with MD portables and MD decks. Price was $29.00 (plus $7.98 shipping) from http://www.sg3d.com I have not used the card yet, but supposedly the CMI8738 cards have a bit-for-bit perfect digital output at 44.1kHz which seems like it would be a lot better than an SB Live. Shawn Lin [EMAIL PROTECTED] - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
MD: Sony MDS-JE440 questions
I'm looking for a new MD deck to replace my JB920. Looking to go cheaper this time as I'm going to replace that one deck with two. Does the JE440 have an S-Link jack? How about a coax digital input? Where can I find the best price? Awhile back someone said Video-Direct had them for $140, but they quoted me $160. Shawn Lin [EMAIL PROTECTED] - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: PC Interface Plans
Arun Horne wrote: Can anyone draw me an electrical diagram of how to adapt the plans for a MD interface at http://www.bazginge.demon.co.uk/images/MD_remote.jpg such that they no longer use relays but are replaced with an IC (4067?). This should make the kit much cheaper I think but I am not clear about the design of this IC. I read a description of how to do it but it wasn't too clear. I would be really greatful if anyone can sketch me a copy and scan it and email it to me. If it is of any consequence I am using a Sony MZ-R37 and would like to use the winamp plugin also available from the page where the above plans are. Not sure about the 4067, but you could use a 4066. The 4066 is an old and common chip that had 4 solid-state switches in it. Each switch is ON with a +5V TTL signal on the control wire, and OFF with 0V on the control wire. You would need 3 of them, but they are cheap, much cheaper than relays. This is actually the first I've heard of a 4067, what's the difference? I think if you search the 'net, you will come up with datasheets. Shawn 1stUp.com - Free the Web Get your free Internet access at http://www.1stUp.com - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: OEM-aftermarket CD-changer adaptors and MD changers
Simon Mackay wrote: Does anyone know whether there are any of the OEM-aftermarket CD-changer adaptors which can allow one to use the Sony MDX-65 6-disc MD changer or any other MD changer with particular factory-supplied CD-control car radios? I believe such adapters exist. You might check http://www.autotoys.com, they used to sell such adapters. I know my mom's Lincoln Mark VIII could control a Sony CD changer, but I think it was the old style bus and not Unilink. Not sure on that though. Some vehicle-builders, especially GM, Ford and Daimler-Chrysler, could look at issues like "multi-changer" setups where multiple OEM CD or MD changers can be hooked up to and controlled by the OEM car radio. This is a practice that is often practiced by aftermarket car-audio names like Pioneer and Sony. I don't believe there is really that much demand for such a device. Most people interested in multi-changer setups tend to be car audio enthusiasts. No car audio enthusiast is satisfied with keeping the stock head unit! Also, vehicle-builders could, when they specify car-audio options for a model lineup, look at licensing the JVC CD-MD mechanism that is used in the KD-MX3000 and using it in their premium single-CD applications or "add-on" single-CD units. This means that CDs or MiniDiscs are able to be enjoyed with the one unit, rather than customers having to buy two units to enjoy both formats. The KD-MX3000 was a great idea. However, most companies are not going to want to spend the additional cost to license a CD/MD combo mechanism, not to mention the license from Sony to use the MiniDisc name, logos, etc. The reason for this, is that MD is still a niche market, and probably always will be. Demand for it is very low compared to other technologies like DVD, MP3 players, CD players that play MP3 CD-Rs, etc, so I doubt many companies are going to throw money at a product with low market share when they can throw the same money at a product that flies off the shelves. Of course, maybe I am being too pessimistic with MD and its potential market due to my recent experience. I gave an MD deck to one of my good friends. He bought a 5-pack of MDs and played with it once, never to play with it again. Instead, he preferred to buy a CD-writer. He found it easier to burn MP3's to CD's on his PC. A year later, he wants to give the MD deck back. On the plus side, he wants to give me those MD blanks for free. My other friends are equally disinterested in MD, even after using it. My friends are not musicians, music is not their primary interest, but they do like music and purchase CD's and download MP3's. I think they fall into the category of "general public". I think with the world of MD, it's always going to be a niche market unless some company develops a super revolutionary MD-based product. Oh well, I'm still happy with my MD equipment, I also find it far easier to record to MD than CD-R even though I have two CD-RW drives now. Go figure. Shawn 1stUp.com - Free the Web Get your free Internet access at http://www.1stUp.com - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: Napster article
"J. Coon" wrote: No problem here, some of my best friends are dentists, my nephew just got started in his practice, and I'll probably have to go to one next week. Bit down on a potato chip wrong and it went between the gum and my front tooth. Been sore and swollen ever since. Lots of brushing and hot washes seem to be helping a bit. If it isn't better when I get back from a music festival this weekend, I'll have to make an appointment. damn. Glad you cleared that up. Last thing we need on this list is an anti-dentite. ;) Shawn 1stUp.com - Free the Web Get your free Internet access at http://www.1stUp.com - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: What up with MD
Charles Redell wrote: I hate to say this but I really have to say that I don't think we are going to see MD become the cassette of the aughts and tens Sony has very much abandonded the concept here and is now marketing it solely to us, those people who will pay more for quality sound and performance... I agree, it's a niche market. It has been a niche market for quite some time, and it seems that some of the execs at Sony are happy to keep it that way. I have no idea why, there are MANY things they could have done that would have made it FAR more successful than it is now. It's odd, if you think about it because Sony (and Sharp and JVC etc...) COULD make so much more money if they made portable MD players and recorders: 1) sturdy for actual use outside of the home 2)easily compatable with computer downloads (which from my lurking on this list sounds like its a hard thing to do. (I don't downlaod now due to a slow connection)). Actually computer downloads would have been pretty easy. There have already been people with the ability to write their own ATRAC codecs that work on PC's. An MP3 to ATRAC converter would have been pretty simple. They could have done it all in software and just had a USB data interface that transfers the raw ATRAC data to some kind of MD device which would write it directly to disc. An ATRAC codec on the PC side would also be easily upgradeable. I think it just comes down to Sony's indifference to the MP3 market when it comes to MD. They'd rather try to push their memory stick for Internet music. I have no idea why, memory stick is still WAY too expensive. If they made portables that were truely portable, of semi-decent quality and, of course, afforadable(not US$200 or more) MD would fly off the shelves. They have sports walkmen, sports CDmen (which, like all discmen is totally clunky and dumb) , and I'm sure I've seen portable, sports TVs If they can get a picture to work in any portable TV or DVD player, they can make a sturdier portable MD. Well, I don't think MD portables would fly off the shelves that quickly unless there were prerecorded media available as well. Sony failed to see the importance of prerecorded media, but consider some of the most successful media - CD, CD-ROM, DVD, DVD-ROM... those all started out as READ ONLY media which had a WIDE offering of prerecorded selections available. For everyone that like self-recording, there are probably 10 people that would rather just buy a prerecorded disc. Obviously music is going to be downloaded... whatever format can downlaod is going to win. Their insistence on not making MDs easily compatible with MP3s is the begining of the death knoll for the MD. Money is being poured into MP3 and its players here in the states so that is what people know and will buy. No one knows MD exisits except those who actually research these kinds of things, and we are in the minority. What is available is king. What is convienent and at hand wins and my friends, the makers of MD are not making it convient or available. I definitely agree. I think it would even be easy to design an MP3 compatible MD recorder with existing technology for a very low price. Sony is just complacent when it comes to MD. They're placing all their bets on memory stick. I think Sony has found a way to shove a memory stick slot in every single digital device they come out with these days. Now if they had discretely placed an MD slot in every one of their CD players, car stereos, digital cameras, etc, it would have been far more successful. I don't know why Sony also didn't take JVC's idea and make a combination MD/CD transport. They could have designed a few variations of combo MD/CD transports and slickly integrated MD into all their CD/DVD offerings. Shawn 1stUp.com - Free the Web Get your free Internet access at http://www.1stUp.com - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: What's up with Best Buy !
Peter Forest wrote: I was shocked !!! Really angry, but I stay calm and slowly I get out of this store !!! What the hell is that ??? Between '97-98 I think, Best Buy seemed really excited about MD. They had all new displays and endcaps with a video and everything. They brought the MD prerecs back out, and had a whole aisle of nothing but MD equipment. I think Best Buy was just using it as an evaluation for MD. However, I think their MD sales were disappointing. The local Best Buy even tried to sell demo units for cheap prices, and they'd still sit there for a long time. Now the MD aisle is now mostly CD recorders. Oh well. At least they gave MD another chance. Back in the early 90's Best Buy had a lot of MD stuff too, and it stagnated so they quit promoting MD, and then 5 years later they started back in with more MD stuff, but looks like it's stagnated again. Shawn 1stUp.com - Free the Web Get your free Internet access at http://www.1stUp.com - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: Napster..off topic still!
las wrote: I guess the best way to put it is that the majority of people who use Napster aren't doing so solley for the purpose of getting totally free music. They would be will to pay a modest fee. Don't forget that these downloads are going to be of varied quality: CD quality since they are compresssed. So I don't think that they are worth paying an excessive amount for. As an occasional Napster user whose friends are also Napster users, I disagree. We do it soley for the purpose of getting totally free music. I would not be willing to pay a modest fee. My girlfriend has stated that she wouldn't either. I can't vouch for my friends, but I doubt they would be willing to pay a modest fee either. I agree with Dan, Napster is primarily for "stealing" music. That's what I and everyone I know uses it for. I know that's probably what 99.9% of all Napster users used it for as well. I don't feel bad about it, because it doesn't really FEEL like stealing. When I get an MP3, I DUPLICATED it. I didn't actually TAKE it. The original is still there, right where I left it. Only now I have a duplicate of it on my machine. I know in the official definition, the duplication of an intellectual medium is equal to stealing, but it's difficult for me to associate the words "stealing" and "theft" with something as intangible like recordable sound. Another reason I don't feel bad? Obviously I didn't like the rest of the band's music well enough to buy the CD... perhaps they are a "one hit wonder", or perhaps they only have one song that is a hit with ME. I'm not going to waste my money on a $13-15 CD if I only like 4 minutes of it, so I download it for free. How can I do this guilt-free? Because I was NOT going to purchase the CD no matter what. I had no intention of ever purchasing it. Even if MP3's didn't exist, I was not going to buy the CD anyway. I would have either a) recorded it off the radio, b) recorded it off a friend's CD, or c) lived without it. So my downloading one of the band's MP3's doesn't mean they lost ANY potential profit. Another reason - Digital Audio Tax. I record my MP3's to MD, and with every blank MD I buy, I've paid a percentage to the Digital Audio Tax. This tax supposedly goes to the recording industry, so in a way, I feel like I've ALREADY paid for the right to fill my 74-minute MD full of any tunes I choose, to the very last minute. Lastly, my number one reason I can download MP3's guilt-free - most people are downloading MP3's that are from popular bands (or once popular bands). At least that's the case with my friends and myself. Most of the time, I'm downloading Top 40 stuff. When these people can drive around in $645,000 turbo Bentley's, live in multi-million dollar luxury mansions, and blow money like it grows on trees, I really don't feel like I'm taking food out of their mouths when I download the one or two hits that I actually like. IMO, the entertainment industry is big and bloated as it is. People who save lives don't make as much money in their lifetime compared to some of the most popular "artists" and big shots in the music industry. Take a look at some of the music bigshots today... Britney Spears, Backstreet Boys, N-sync... do you see any of them starving because of Napster? Hell no! They're making more money than ever. I'll bet they make more money individually than what goes into heart disease and cancer research... and which would be more beneficial to mankind? H. Chances are, the music bigshots make more money in a day than any one of the Napster users will make in his/her lifetime. These popular groups are obviously doing well despite the fact that millions of computer users have downloaded their songs and probably will till Napster shuts down for good. Actually, I hardly ever use Napster as I don't really care for a lot of the Top 40 stuff out there. However, my friends use Napster religously, and I have absolutely no problem with it. Everyone is putting in their 2 cents, so this was just my honest opinion. Feel free to flame away! -- Shawn Lin http://www2.cybercities.com/g/gmwbodycars/ 1stUp.com - Free the Web Get your free Internet access at http://www.1stUp.com - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: Disc vs Disk
las wrote: Please don't answer my question by saying, "so you can tell the difference". Why are computer floppy disks spelled disk?? Yet CDs, CD ROMs, and Mini Discs spelled DISC?? Disk = magnetic Disc = optical Floppy Disk, Zip Disk, Hard Disk Drive, etc. MiniDisc, Compact Disc, Digital Video Disc, LaserDisc, etc. Shawn - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: Text protect error on MDS-JB930
Nathan White wrote: How do you burn CD's with CD Text? Awesome, You can burn CD's with CD Text using Sony's CD creator program. There are other programs that will do it too, but you have to use a burner that supports CD-Text. I don't know how well it works, because even with two CD burners in the house, I still use MD for audio. I've honestly never burned an audio CD for myself, although I used to burn them for friends before they got their own CD burners. Shawn - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: can we fix a broken minidisc
susan wrote: one of my minidiscs suddenly broke-I was recording onto a tape cassette and I opened the drive and it came out with the metal thing sliding back and forth-it did not stay where it is supposed to. Is it gone for good or is there a way to fix?? There is a small little plastic latch that is supposed to hold the metal shutter. Maybe the little plastic latch is just jammed? See if you can free it. If it's broken off or missing, you'll just have to live with the shutter sliding around. I think the MD will still work with no problems, but you could always pull the shutter off completely if it bothers you. Shawn - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: MDX-65 Changer
WZ wrote: 1) Sony changers (MD/CD) uni-link can be adapter-converted to work with other manufacturer HU for cheap ? Sure, it can be done if you're a good hardware guru and experienced with microcontrollers. Plus you'd have to reverse engineer two changer datastreams and do bidirectional conversion. No small trick. OR, you could buy a Sony changer compatible head unit made by another company. I think all Blaupunkts use Unilink (or at least they used to), and some Prestige head units used Unilink as well. My girlfriend has a Blau 10-disc CD changer and the Sony MDX-C7900 can control it. Shawn - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: Future of MD
Billy Hetherington wrote: I believe if Sony learns to push the right advertising buttons, they may convince music pirates everywhere that MD is a much better method of storing MP3 audio for portable playback. Have you ever priced Smart Media or CompactFlash memory upgrades? Or the price of Sony's new Memory Stick upgrades? The reason MP3 caught on is because people are cheap. When they realise that MiniDisc will save them money in the long run, then MD will catch on. Plus people need to realise the limitations of MP3 only players, mostly that you NEED a computer to do any music editing or recording functions with most of these units. I think soon we'll see MD players that can access email, organize notes, etc. I think a neat idea would be for Sony to make portable MD Data drives the size of the current players, that can play back conventional audio discs as well as MP3. The machine could connect to a USB port and you could have 140 mb of MP3 on a disc that costs a few bucks. Just imagine the hype that would surround the MiniDisc then !! Yeah, MD media is MUCH cheaper than CF or SmartMedia. I think even if the MP3's were converted to regular ATRAC and the MD's could only hold 74 or 80 minutes of audio, as long as putting MP3's on MD were FASTER and EASIER, it would make it a hot seller. A simple MD recorder with USB interface would be good enough. Not that cheesy USB to TOSLINK thing, but a real USB interface that could transfer audio data at MUCH faster than realtime. The USB interface should also allow transferring track names, and operating the MD recorder from the PC. In fact, to make the MD recorder cheaper, MP3 to ATRAC conversion could occur on the PC side with no conversion hardware/software required in the recorder itself. Of course, the ability to hold 140MB of MP3's would be great, but there also needs to be an ATRAC conversion mode to allow the discs to be usable on legacy equipment. About the MD recorder that can access email and organize notes... I was fantasizing about something like that when I did that April Fools Palm Pilot/MD recorder combo thing. Now I've come to discover that some company has a Palm Pilot clone (called Visor I think) that has an expansion slot. Supposedly there's an MP3 player card that makes this PDA into a fullblown portable MP3 player, and I think it can also access internet and email. Now if only it had an MD drive in it! Shawn - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: Future of MD
"[EMAIL PROTECTED]" wrote: Does anyone get the feel that the market support for MD is reaching a very critical juncture? Panasonic has declared MD a competitor format and will have nothing to do with it, touting their MP3/solidstate portables as the future of audio. What does Sony stand to gain by retaining legal ownership of the MD disc patents/rights and the MD logo vs. what they stand to lose if the format doesn't catch on in the next 2yrs or so in the US/Canada/much of Europe? I'm just concerned over this possible replay of Betamax...may the best format lose as it were... Locally, MD has already gone the way of Betamax! Best Buy has all but eliminated all their MD displays, Circuit City never had it. So sad, back in '98, it looked like MD was really taking off, as Best Buy had started reselling MD prerecs and had an aisle dedicated to MD. Sears and Service Merchandise also had a lot of MD stuff. Now... not so much. I guess that means there isn't much hope of MD ever showing up in mainstream places like Big K-Mart and Wal-Mart. As much as I'd like to see MD become as successful as CD and DVD, I don't think it'll happen unless the idea guys at Sony/Sharp/etc find a better way to get MP3 integrated with MD. Why MP3? It seems to be all the rage, and could be something that really helps MD go main stream. Oh well, as long as I can still mail order blanks and equipment, I'd be happy even if I were the last MD user on the planet. Shawn - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: Sharp MD-R3
Erik Arneson wrote: Howdy folks, I'm continuing to assemble my home stereo system, and the Sharp MD-R3 has really caught my eye. I'm wondering if anybody out there has one of these, and what they think of it. I have one. I think I've had it for about a year. I really like it. The price was awesome too, only US$169 or 179 (can't remember). Bought it on Onsale.com brand new in sealed box. I think they are now egghead.com. Titling from the remote is not very easy though. But at the time and at that price, it was perfect. I replaced my CD player with it, and discovered that the CD section gets much less use than the MD section. Shawn - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: magnetic damage
Francisco Jose Montilla wrote: So I'd bet you can put a dynamo magnet over a MD disk if you like and it will remain intact. I don't know what a dynamo magnet is, but I was able to corrupt data on an MD using a ceramic magnet out of a microwave oven's magnetron. -- 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: For sale: Sony MDS-501 on Ebay
I need to get rid of one pretty beat up looking Sony MDS-501. I bought it broken, got it working once by increasing laser power a tiny bit. It worked for a week. Then I stored it for 6+ months. When I tried an MD in it again, I got "Disc Error". So AGAIN I had to increase laser power again just a little bit to get it working again. I'm sure it is not reliable, but surely there must be an MD hacker out there that wants to play with it? http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItemitem=307506128 -- 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]
Re: MD: md - my opinion after 2 years
Paul Irvine wrote: #1 - Everyone keeps trying to defend the sound quality while the popularity of mp3 clearly demonstrates that it's not an issue. Agreed. It is not the reason MD is not selling in huge numbers. #2 - Portability, robustness, editing capabilities and size are the main points with sound quality that I can't tell from cd, nor would I care to descern. Not to insult the audiofiles because I have my own passions and would never demean the passions of another. True. I don't think portability is that big of an issue either. I've seen lots of people carrying portable CD players in the palm of their hand and they don't seem to mind having to carry that big bulky thing. When I used to listen to my MD portable at the university, I dropped it into a pocket. Out of my way, I could hardly even feel it. Strange that most people don't mind the bulky CD player, but it's not as though they haven't heard of MD. I noticed that most people actually know that MD exists, they just don't really care I guess. #3 - Copy the cd cover, reduce it to 2.5" vertical and print it out on an inkjet on photo paper. Then stick it to the inside of the md case and don't it look like the coolest thing? Certainly! #4 - Price: The cost plus the fact that the format requires you to invest in a recorder as well as any players you might want. This is because the music industry for some reason decided not to support it with pre-recorded selections. Probably because the things cost so much that they knew everybody would be too cheap to buy them. Exactly. MD is not selling big, because there are no prerecorded selections. I can't even count the number of times people have asked me where they can find prerecorded MDs. Best Buy doesn't even have them any more. There was not much demand for prerecorded MDs anyway though, because MD equipment cost so much more than play-only CD equipment that not that many people were buying it. Those crappy little MP3 players are selling big (they are EVERYWHERE now) because people like the idea of FREE music. With software like Napster, people can get the music they want, anytime, anywhere. It's super fast with a cable modem, although many people are satisified to wait 20-30 minutes with a 33.6 modem just so they don't have to pay anything. That's why I think Sony should have jumped on MP3 integration with MD. Copying CD to MD is what many people do, but everyone I know uses CD-R instead. They feel if you're just going to do a direct copy, CD-R is easier and faster than realtime recording. However, with MP3, you have to download a track at a time. For that, MD is much more convenient, no need to close a session, and you can record the tracks one at a time. Sometimes people download stuff they've never even heard of just to see what it's like. With MD, it's easy to delete that track. I know there's a new R55 out that has a USB connector of some sort, but can it record an MP3 in FASTER than realtime? I think that's what Sony should strive for. A portable with USB that can download the MP3 from the USB port faster than realtime. If it could download as fast as those silly MP3 players, which do you think people would buy? Flash memory is pretty expensive. I haven't kept up on current prices, but assuming a 32MB is around $50-60, that's only around 32 minutes of stereo MP3. MD holds 74-80 minutes, and the MD blanks are usually $2 or so. Well, I use md, enjoy it and have enough recorded discs full of crap that I could probably get by for about 6 Puscarian years on my own should the bottom drop out of the whole thing. Same here! -- 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]
Re: MD: MD Drive
James Caran wrote: Hey Folks, I'm getting a new computer at work (I'm an audio engineer/Producer) and I will be doing a lot of work with MD (Yay.) I need to get a drive that will allow me to rip MD's (To And From) at more than realtime. Anyone know much about what my choices are (for Mac or PC)? Thanks a lot in advance... MDH-10 (external) or MDM-111 (internal) are the only ones I know of. You will need special software to do ripping, EDL sells the software but it's a lot of money. -- 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]
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]
Re: MD: MD vs. CD / Golden Ears
James Jarvie wrote: [snip] I have not encountered a rock or jazz recording in which I noticed a difference. Someone once noted that ATRAC has a difficult time reproducing cymbals. I listened over and over again to an Art Blakey CD, but couldn't decide if I heard a difference or not. Probably should have used a more recently recorded disc..but I figured that it was a tie and I didn't need to waste anymore time on it. Now I doubt I would have noticed this without doing extensive A-B comparisions with quality headphones. My opinion. Yes there is a slight difference. But I still love MD, the sound is great - the features are great, and I will continue to use it so long as the medium exists (and I hope that will be a long long time). 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.? 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. A similar unfair comparison would be to compare the headphone output of a cheap Acer CD-ROM drive to the output of an MDS-JB930. I'm sure the JB930 would sound WAY better than the CD-ROM drive, but still, we cannot conclude that MD sounds better than CD. I doubt the Circuit City web guy is as thorough in his testing. IMO, he should not have bothered with his little sidebar which to me sounds like 100% biased opinion and not hard fact. -- 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]
Re: MD: Whats Up With Circuit City?
Simon Barnes wrote: why are you slagging off HiSpace ? I've got hundreds of 'em, and they work just fine. I have to admit that I've never heard any defense of Memorex, and plenty of criticism, but I've never seen one to try for myself. I bought a 5-pack of Memorex when they first came out for sale at Best Buy sometime in '98 or so. Still works perfectly to this day. -- 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]
Re: MD: Whats Up With Circuit City?
"Mitch P." wrote: They also had this comment on their web site: "Mini-discs don't have frequency response or other "normal" hi-fi measurements because the ATRAC system does not permit "straight" measurement of the compressed/reduced data. Some audiophiles object to this and prefer to stick with high end cassette decks or expensive DAT machines for critical recordings. We won't argue this point, for if you put on headphones and compare a CD to an MD recorded from the CD, you will hear some minor degradation if you listen closely. The real point is that the mini disc will make better recordings than the vast majority of cassette decks in use today and is much more compact and convenient to use." It seem kind of negative to me. I really don't hear the "minor degradation" they are talking about and I can't imagine ANY cassette deck making a better recording than minidisc - maybe they put this statement out during older versions of ATRAC. There's no "kind of" about it, that DOES sound negative. MiniDisc *does* have frequency response and other "normal" hi-fi measurements, just look in the manual?!?! I have been told by more than one owner of a Nakamichi Dragon (world's most expensive tape deck?) that the MDS-JE510 (the big seller at the time I was told this) easily outperforms it! And what's this "you will hear some minor degradation if you listen closely"? I think most people can't hear a difference, and I think the vast majority of "audiophiles" that say they can, can also see the emperor's new clothes. Sounds like CC (or someone working for them) is obviously anti-MD. I guess that explains why the selection of MD equipment in their stores is so miniscule (or non-existent in the case of the local CC). -- 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]
Re: MD: Subject: Sony has seen the light!
Matt White wrote: Huh? Companies already spend far more on MiniDisc than they do on MP3. There really isn't all that much MP3 stuff out there, yet. Meanwhile Sony and Sharp and friends seem to keep pumping out new MD units of varying types. You must live in a metropolitan area! Where I live, we only have two big electronics stores that EVERYONE shops at for electronics: Best Buy and Circuit City. In both places, sadly, MD has come and gone. Best Buy had MD a long time ago, since it came out. I remember seeing the cool MDS-501 there back in the early 90's. However, they only ever had 1 or 2 units. They DID however, have a prerecorded MD stand, which went away sometime in '94 or so. Then in 1998, I started getting excited because the MDS-JE520/JE320/R30/R50, several minisystems, and a whole slew of portables showed up. MD got its own aisle, and the prerecorded MDs came back, a whole ton of MD blanks from different companies were offered, and MD got its own endcap with a caveman video. Today, there is the JE330 and the one with the CD/MD combo deck, MZ-R70, Sharp MD-MT15, a couple play-only portables, and a few blanks. The rest of the aisle is filled with at least 4 or 5 different audio CD-recorders, and there are at least 5 MP3 players where MD players used to be. The endcap is still there, but I didn't look to see if they changed it to advertise CD recorders or not. It looks much less exciting for MD at Best Buy now, and I find it a little disappointing. As for Circuit City, I HEARD that other cities actually had Aiwa and Sony portables. None ever showed up at the local one here. Circuit City had the MDS-JB920 for a little while in 1998, but now they don't have MD equipment at all. They do, however, have CD recorders. It's nice to see the price of MD blanks has dropped over the years, but it looks like retailer interest has dropped as well, at least here, where I think I am a lone MD user. -- 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]
Re: MD: In-car MD players
Andy Turnbull wrote: Been looking at getting a MD player for the car as the EMPEG mp3 player seems a tad on the expensive side! Quite like the idea of the JVC-MX3000 which incorporates CD and MD in the same slot, however I think it looks a bit cheesy - all flashing lights and gimmics. Can anyone speak from experience regarding any in-car MD or MD/CD players ? Oh, I'm in the UK btw ! I have heard from some people that the Panasonic CQ-MRX777 has 2 separate slots, so it is better since you can leave both a CD and MD in the unit at the same time. It is single DIN as well. From what I've seen, it costs significantly more than the KD-MX3000. -- Shawn Lin http://www2.cybercities.com/g/gmwbodycars/ __ NetZero - Defenders of the Free World Get your FREE Internet Access and Email at http://www.netzero.net/download/index.html - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: Help screen for MD recorders
Dave Kimmel wrote: - When you press up or down, it would bring up a track list, showing the track titles and playtimes. Pressing Enter or Play would play the track. Ideally, this would function identically to the phone book on my 6188. This feature is nice. I have this feature in my car stereo, Sony CDX-C90. It has a dot matrix display, and while playing an MD (in my MDX-65 MD changer), if I press the LIST button twice, the screen divides into 3 columns. The 1st column just has the number and elapsed time of the current disc and track. The 2nd and 3rd columns are divided into 5 rows and shows the titles of 10 tracks on one MD. You can press the up down arrows on the remote control to select the desired track, and press ENTER on the desired track and it will start playing it. It's pretty cool, pressing the LIST button just once will do the same thing, but instead shows the disc titles of each of the MDs in the MD changer. It does the same thing with CD-Text encoded CDs as well. The C90 and MDX-65 is a pretty nice combo. Sony could easily implement that into an MD portable or even home deck. - When done right, a numeric keypad is actually a pretty easy way to enter titles, much easier than the jog dial on my R50! Sony MZ-1 had this feature, but that portable was the size of a brick. -- Shawn Lin http://www2.cybercities.com/g/gmwbodycars/ __ NetZero - Defenders of the Free World Get your FREE Internet Access and Email at http://www.netzero.net/download/index.html - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
MD: toslink module
If anyone wants one, I have one left $10. -- Shawn Lin http://www2.cybercities.com/g/gmwbodycars/ __ NetZero - Defenders of the Free World Get your FREE Internet Access and Email at http://www.netzero.net/download/index.html - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: Will MD Survive?
Andrew Hobgood wrote: Tape cassettes are virtually dead any more. Most of my younger friends don't have a single tape playing device. The market is very narrow if Ever look at a car? Most cars (in the US, anyway) have tape decks, and *only* tape decks. Car CD players are still prohibitively expensive, and I know a number of folks who keep many tapes to listen to in the car. Also, If you go to any major music store (Tower Records, Record Town, etc.) you *will* find huge selections of cassettes. If the market isn't there, they wouldn't have a selection that big. Maybe smaller cities are more technologically ahead? Most newer cars are ordered with factory CD players any more from what I've seen. Even my old 1990 Pontiac has a factory CD player. Most new GM cars have a combination CD/tape player in a double-DIN slot. Every single one of my friends and both my sisters yanked out their factory tape players and put in aftermarket CD players a long time ago. That seems to be the case with almost everyone I've met that are in Sony's prime target age group for MD marketing. No such thing as either Tower Records or Record Town around here. Just Hastings, Best Buy, Circuit City, and what use to be Blockbuster Music is now Wharehouse music or some such thing. None of them have many prerecorded cassettes anymore. -- Shawn Lin http://www2.cybercities.com/g/gmwbodycars/ __ NetZero - Defenders of the Free World Get your FREE Internet Access and Email at http://www.netzero.net/download/index.html - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: Will MD Survive?
Martin Schiff wrote: I disagree that MP3 is direct competition for minidisc. I think that MP3 is competition for portable CDs. Minidisc is competition for tape cassettes. The marketing of minidiscs needs to stress that these are a recording medium and that with portables you can record anything that you might previously have recorded on tape, but with much higher quality. Tape cassettes are virtually dead any more. Most of my younger friends don't have a single tape playing device. The market is very narrow if MD is ONLY competing with cassettes. A niche product is not going to gain wide acceptance if it's marketed to replace a product that is already nearing the end of its natural life span. At Hastings and Best Buy, I'm not even sure prerecorded cassettes are available any more. Sony/Sharp and other companies are going to need to make MD look like a more attractive audio storage media than CD-R, solid-state memory, and hard disk storage, as those right now are gaining in popularity. What's boosting their popularity, is MP3. MP3 could help boost MD's popularity too, with better integration than we have now. Sound quality has very little to do with whether a media survives or not. Convenience, price, and availability are the big issues. -- Shawn Lin http://www2.cybercities.com/g/gmwbodycars/ __ NetZero - Defenders of the Free World Get your FREE Internet Access and Email at http://www.netzero.net/download/index.html - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: Will MD Survive?
"Lou Paris Jr." wrote: I was hoping that when I got my new Sony MXD-D3 that MD would survive the MP3/CD-R/Memory Stick onslaught, but it might be nearing the end of real support with MD. I think if Sony wants MD to live in the "Internet Age" they need to make a unit with USB support that can take a MP3 data stream and do high speed (4x-12x) data dumps. With some of the new products I have researched on in the MP3 world I might have made a bad decision going back to MD. I agree. Even if Sony wants to keep MD compatible with older units, they don't HAVE to include built-in MP3 decoders. An invisible high speed MP3 to ATRAC conversion before it saves to the MD would be sufficient and retain compatibility with older hardware. I don't know if MD will carry very far into the future. I don't see many more people using MD than there were a year ago. I don't see any more MD hardware than I did a year ago, to be honest, I see less. Where MD used to stand alone at Best Buy, the displays are reduced to a fraction their original size with the rest of the space dedicated to $400-500 CD Audio recorders. I was looking for an OEM stereo for my other car, and on every OEM car stereo website, they also sell car MP3 players that have a CD-ROM drive built into them. MP3 is big, and Sony is making a mistake if they sit still with MD. It's obvious that to fit into this trend of MP3's reigning popularity, MD has to have some really cool MP3 and MD integration. The need for a special soundcard with digital audio output, special Toslink cables, and realtime recording just doesn't make MD the best MP3 solution out there anymore. -- Shawn Lin http://www2.cybercities.com/g/gmwbodycars/ __ NetZero - Defenders of the Free World Get your FREE Internet Access and Email at http://www.netzero.net/download/index.html - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: Sanyo MDR-4
David Fincher wrote: I know some of you have been interested in getting your hands on a Sanyo MDR-4 car minidisc player. I have one at auction on ebay right now. Head on over and start bidding if you're interested! I will ship worldwide at buyer's expense (through USPS or UPS). http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItemitem=240426392 I noticed your auction states that you're in Missouri. Did you buy it in Missouri? If so, where??? -- Shawn Lin http://www2.cybercities.com/g/gmwbodycars/ __ NetZero - Defenders of the Free World Get your FREE Internet Access and Email at http://www.netzero.net/download/index.html - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: cheap in dash units.....
Eric Woudenberg wrote: doggybag productions [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: if walmart wants to unload these units can someone from MDCP contact them and set up a "mass-buy"? i tried to call all the walmarts w/in a 30 mile radius and the staff is not very helpful, let alone knowledgeable! I called one Walmart retail location to verify it. I can't do more than that, sorry. Anyone have a SKU number? If I called all the Wal-Marts in my area, they wouldn't know what I was talking about, but if they can enter a SKU in their computer, that would really help out. I could really use another car MD deck for cheap... -- Shawn Lin http://www2.cybercities.com/g/gmwbodycars/ __ NetZero - Defenders of the Free World Get your FREE Internet Access and Email at http://www.netzero.net/download/index.html - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: Sanyo MDR-4 car stereo
Eric Woudenberg wrote: Matt (whom I spoke to on the phone and who seems quite trustworthy) said that his friend who works at the store said they had yet another pallet or two of them. I will try and talk to the automotive dept. manager there to see what the story is. One thing I should note is that LaVale MD on the MD/PA border and out in the boonies, closer to Pittsburgh than to Washington DC. What in the world is Sanyo/WalMart doing, dumping these units at blowout prices in the sticks? It's weird. Perhaps we should initiate a group buy. :) I know I definitely want one for that price!!! -- Shawn Lin http://www2.cybercities.com/g/gmwbodycars/ __ NetZero - Defenders of the Free World Get your FREE Internet Access and Email at http://www.netzero.net/download/index.html - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: Sanyo MDR-4 car stereo
Eric Woudenberg wrote: I own and use a Sanyo MDR-4(Excedio) Car stereo that is a MiniDisc Player/AM-FM Stereo/and CD-Changer Controller. I just thought you might want to add it to the list of available models. (I can EMAIL specs to you if you want.) These units are CHEAP. They only cost like $65.00 at Wal-Mart. YES, Wal-Mart and I'm told by a friend that they're going to reduce the price again... They'd make a great entry-level unit for those wanting to add MD to their cars... Thanks for the note, this sounds fascinating. Any chance you can send in a picture? I'm forwarding your note to the MD mailing list in case others are familiar with this machine. Egads, $65? That's cheap for ANYTHING MD! I've seen car tape players cheaper than that. Could there have been an error in that it's really $165? And at Wal-Mart too??? Proof that MD is going mainstream? :) Anyway, I found a picture of it at: http://www.sanyo.co.jp/AV/CEmedia_e/products/car/MDR-4/MDR4.html Doesn't look as nice as the Sony's, but it sure as heck looks a lot more expensive than $65. Shawn __ NetZero - Defenders of the Free World Get your FREE Internet Access and Email at http://www.netzero.net/download/index.html - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: Car Minidisc Player
Jake Hamby wrote: Thanks for the tip! Crutchfield does have higher prices, but I like buying car audio stuff from them because they include all the right wiring harnesses and mounting brackets for your model of car so you can install without cutting up the factory wiring. You can get the installation stuff online too. I believe both Carmedia1 and Autotoys sells them, you just have to tell them what car you have. It's also not included in the price of the stereo. I know locally, Circuit City and Best Buy also sell the install kits and wiring harness adaptors too. I usually buy the install kits locally so I can make sure I get the right one. -- Shawn Lin http://www2.cybercities.com/g/gmwbodycars/ __ NetZero - Defenders of the Free World Get your FREE Internet Access and Email at http://www.netzero.net/download/index.html - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: Titling with HP 48 series
Dan Frakes wrote: On 12/15/99 2:01 PM, Ralph Smeets wrote: As a last note, I must say, the HP48 calculator series of Hewlet Packer are the best in the world. Why? You can title MDs with them. Wait! How? I have a 48G and would love to be able to do this! Let us in on the info, Ralph :-) I have an HP48G also, but what are the benefits of titling with it? After all, it has the same ABCD alpha layout and equally as small buttons as the remote that came with my JB920??? -- Shawn Lin http://www2.cybercities.com/g/gmwbodycars/ __ NetZero - Defenders of the Free World Get your FREE Internet Access and Email at http://www.netzero.net/download/index.html - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: Tarnished brandnames (was-Re: MiniDisc Weekly News...)
Steven Brooks wrote: I haven't heard the brand name "Casio" in years. I thought they had gone out of business. My impression was that they had gone the way of the Fisher brand name --a brand that used to make high quality stuff, but through the years either made shoddy equipment, had bad luck with a line of products, or some other event that basically tarnished the brand's image. What is the story on Casio? Casio never went out of business, they've been making digital watches, pocket LCD color TV's, digital cameras, and keyboards as long as I can remember. At least this is the case in the US. You can't shop for any of those items without seeing at least one Casio. If they made any shoddy equipment, it was probably their cheap Wal-Mart quality digital cameras. I hardly ever see their digital cameras anymore, but 2 years ago, they were the most plentiful. -- Shawn Lin http://www2.cybercities.com/g/gmwbodycars/ __ NetZero - Defenders of the Free World Get your FREE Internet Access and Email at http://www.netzero.net/download/index.html - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: md recording life
Matt Vukin wrote: I know that cd-rs are expected to last about 30 years. Is there a length of time after which md recordings are expected to fail or degrade in quality? Also, can they be erased by magnets or xrays? (I do not yet have a player!) An MD can certainly be damaged by a strong enough magnetic field. I sandwiched an MD between two very strong magnets pulled out of a magnetron (component of a microwave oven). Audio would still play, but in certain spots, the song would skip ahead maybe a minute or so. I'd say regular magnetic fields won't hurt them, but STRONG magnetic fields will. The magnetic field from the magnetron magnets was strong enough to pick up the MD. -- Shawn Lin http://www2.cybercities.com/g/gmwbodycars/ __ NetZero - Defenders of the Free World Get your FREE Internet Access and Email at http://www.netzero.net/download/index.html - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: Naked MD possible ?
Martin Buder wrote: Hi all, as I will be travelling for a long time and would like to take the maximum of music with me, MD seems to be the right solution for me .. Even better would be to transport the MDs 'naked', without the 'bulky' plastic- envelopes in a handy hardpaper- roll and putting one into a plastic Adaptorc just before inserting them into the player. Does anybody know if such a solution exists - does anybody have an idea how I could realise that ? It would easily save 2/3 of the space and half of the weight, I think.. Any Ideas ? I would say that would effectively defeat a few of the primary design features of MD, durability and scratch resistance. A small "naked" media already exists, the 3" CD. Not so common in the US, but I believe the 3" CD is available in Asian countries in CD-R (and maybe even CD-RW) form. Most portable CD players can play 3" CDs. Of course, you COULD break open your MDs and keep them naked, then put them into a plastic case before inserting them into the player. In fact, if you defeat certain microswitches in a portable clamshell player, it's possible to play a naked MD. I've done it in the past with one of those sample prerecorded MDs that I didn't really care for. -- Shawn Lin http://www2.cybercities.com/g/gmwbodycars/ __ NetZero - Defenders of the Free World Get your FREE Internet Access and Email at http://www.netzero.net/download/index.html - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: OT, anyone know how to title tracks on a CDR?
"J. Coon" wrote: My question is, how do I title the tracks on the CDR? There must be a way. No CD players/writes "barf" on CD-Text encoded CDs as someone mistakenly noted. CD-Text is just like MD titling and also can store lots of other info, but I'm not sure that all of it can be displayed. Almost all newer CD writers will write CD-Text, Sony and HP-rebadged Sony's supported it earlier on. Many older drives with flash ROM can be updated to support it, but that depends primarily on the manufacturer. Sony CDRight! software and a program called "Nero" support CD-Text if your CD writer is capable. I've heard the latest Adaptec EZ CD creator supports it too. Almost all recent car CD players can display CD-Text, and many Sony home CD/DVD players. -- Shawn Lin http://www2.cybercities.com/g/gmwbodycars/ __ NetZero - Defenders of the Free World Get your FREE Internet Access and Email at http://www.netzero.net/download/index.html - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: Sony MD discam (OT)
Kade Hansson wrote: If you say so, Ralph. I certainly agree there is more than one way to implement a rewritable CD. But I had always assumed CD-RW was magneto-optical. I believe it's Phase-Change, not Magneto-Optical. CD-RW that is. MD's *are* MO. -- Shawn Lin http://www2.cybercities.com/g/gmwbodycars/ __ NetZero - Defenders of the Free World Get your FREE Internet Access and Email at http://www.netzero.net/download/index.html - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: Sony MD discam (OT)
Ralph Smeets wrote: Than I must have been wrong I always thoughed MD used MO technology and that CD-RW used some sort of other technology that doesn't require a magnetic field during writing. Correct, there is no magnetic head riding above the disc with CD-RW. That's why CD-RW doesn't require a cartridge like MO does. The magnetic head actually slides across the top surface of the MD which has a silicone lubricant on it. -- Shawn Lin http://www2.cybercities.com/g/gmwbodycars/ __ NetZero - Defenders of the Free World Get your FREE Internet Access and Email at http://www.netzero.net/download/index.html - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
MD: For Sale: Sony MDH-10 MD-Data Drive
I've decided to sell my Sony MDH-10 MD-Data Drive. Anyone interested in it, please place a bid at this link: http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItemitem=207844870 Thanks. -- Shawn Lin http://www2.cybercities.com/g/gmwbodycars/ __ NetZero - Defenders of the Free World Get your FREE Internet Access and Email at http://www.netzero.net/download/index.html - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: E-towns 'Product of the year'
David Katzmaier wrote: I've also learned a lot in testing different MD recorders, and one of the main things I've learned is that they're dang expensive for the average Joe (i.e. etown.com reader). That's obviously why I chose the 815 as product of the year. You've got that right! I'm a big MD fan, I even have an MD web page (that although hasn't been updated in a year, people still keeping writing with questions, about 5 a day). However, with all that I used to talk about MD, not one of my friends felt like dropping $200+ for a recorder. I think when MD equipment drops down to the 2-digit price range is when most people will buy it. MD better start showing up at Wal-Mart real soon or I have a feeling it will forever be a niche market. I think you all should be psyched about the choice. In fact, I think the 815 and "budget" players like it will do more for MD mass acceptence (and cheaper blank media, and product development, such as portable optical out, better PC interface, 74 minutes, etc.) in the brief time since it's been out than any other development the format's ever had. Sharp agrees; on a recent chat one of the Sharp honchos claimed they're capturing more of the market than ever. Yes, cheaper is the key! However, I think the major companies should stress more on MP3 integration. MP3 is a hot item. I could see an inexpensive MD recorder with a USB dataport and a DSP chip that does high-speed MP3 to ATRAC conversion as being a REALLY hot seller. I don't think it's necessary to come up with a whole new standard of MD's that use MP3 compression, but I think an invisible, behind the scenes, and high-speed MP3 to ATRAC conversion would suffice. Just a fast and easy "drag drop" way to get MP3 tunes onto an MD, and have the resultant MD still be compatible for playback in ALL MD equipment is what we need. So what's your vote for best 1999 MD product? (sorry, the R50 doesn't count; it's 1998) Ah well, I won't participate in the vote, I'm still using "antique" MD equipment, heheh. -- Shawn Lin http://www2.cybercities.com/g/gmwbodycars/ __ NetZero - Defenders of the Free World Get your FREE Internet Access and Email at http://www.netzero.net/download/index.html - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
MD: MDS-JB930 in US
Why is the MDS-JB930 so expensive? It costs $100 more than the JB920 did. I know it has a few new features, but I thought the JB930 was a direct replacement for the 920. I often sell my stuff every year to keep current, but at $100 more, I might not be doing it for the 930 no matter how much I want that PS/2 keyboard input. Anybody know where to find the 930 for around $300, the price of the 920 last year? Any place I can get that PC-Link serial to A1 interface? Or any schematics to build my own? I actually have the software, just need the hardware. I REALLY want to title with a regular keyboard (but I'd prefer not to go infrared). BTW, Logitech has a wireless RF keyboard which would be REALLY handy for titling on the 930. -- Shawn Lin http://www2.cybercities.com/g/gmwbodycars/ __ NetZero - Defenders of the Free World Get your FREE Internet Access and Email at http://www.netzero.net/download/index.html - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: [Kenwood vs. Sony car audio]
Tony Antoniou wrote: Yup, the MDX-C8900 is what I have. Anything since the 1998 decks (at the high end of course) have the fade in/fade out volume system. Must be just MD decks. My CDX-C90 is a 1999 model and is the 2nd from absolute top of the line (absolute top of the line being the XES-50 or whatever which costs 5-digit US$). Or maybe the fade in/out is only on the built-in amp, that is, if the C8900 has a built-in amp. My C90 has no amp built-in. Shawn __ NetZero - Defenders of the Free World Get your FREE Internet Access and Email at http://www.netzero.net/download/index.html - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: [Kenwood vs. Sony car audio]
Tony Antoniou wrote: The Sony units do exactly the same thing, fade in and out when muting. Also, when starting the vehicle, it also fades in then so as to avoid any nasty surprises, aside from also being better for your speakers. Wow, which head unit does that? Do you have an MDX-C8900 or something like that? My CDX-C90 doesn't even do that, and it's supposed to be Sony's reference unit. Shawn __ NetZero - Defenders of the Free World Get your FREE Internet Access and Email at http://www.netzero.net/download/index.html - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: SONY Ripoff?
[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Well, I just had the same thing happen to me. Send in my rebate form for 3 free MD's, and a car adaptor. Just got a package delivered today, and it contained: 1. Car MD adaptor 2. Car CD adaptor Where the heck are the MD's? How long ago did you send off for the rebate? My 3 free MDs came no less than 10 months after I mailed it off. They are SLW, I didn't think I was ever going to get them. -- Shawn Lin http://www2.cybercities.com/g/gmwbodycars/ NetZero - We believe in a FREE Internet. Shouldn't you? Get your FREE Internet Access and Email at http://www.netzero.net/download/index.html - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: Sony MDX-C8900 car md player
Mohit Goyal wrote: Is the "Voice Guide" useful, irritating, or both? Is the display viewable in sunlight? (I have a convertible, so I have sun on the dash a lot when driving) etc, etc. Nope, not very viewable in sunlight. Pioneer claims their Organic EL *is* easily viewable in direct sunlight. My personal experience tells me that anything with multicolor LCD will be unreadable in sunlight, while fluorescent or LCDs with black text on a light-colored background WILL be readable (like Sony's old MDX-400, MDX-100, C150, etc). Shawn NetZero - We believe in a FREE Internet. Shouldn't you? Get your FREE Internet Access and Email at http://www.netzero.net/download/index.html - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: MDX-C670 Rotary Problems
Chris Fuller wrote: I'm having a problem with my Sony MDX-C670 Car Stereo. The rotary volume control is not working properly. When I turn the volume control, it sometimes will not work, or will work in the opposite manner (ie, volume goes up not down). Is anyone else having this problem? Is it expensive to get a replacement face for the stereo? Any help would be really appreciated. Replacement face is usually about $180. The rotary encoder probably just has dirty contacts inside. Sony uses mechanical rather than optical encoders. You might try some contact cleaner or something. If you're handy with a soldering iron, Sony probably sells the encoder unit itself for maybe $20 or so. -- Shawn Lin http://www2.cybercities.com/g/gmwbodycars/ NetZero - We believe in a FREE Internet. Shouldn't you? Get your FREE Internet Access and Email at http://www.netzero.net/download/index.html - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: MD auctions
"John S. McLachlan" wrote: [snip] I'd take this notice with a grain of salt. having checked both ebay and amazon for some time, I find 99% of the 'new' stuff on auction ends up goign for more money on auction than the retail price. I've seen blank MDs go for $5 each - makes me want to slap some of these buyers but i digress.Just cuz these are on e-bay, don't expect any bargains... Actually, people often bid high on the Ebay items, but in my experience (especially with MD stuff), the high bidder never sends any money. I had the same MZ-1 on Ebay 5 times, each time a different high bidder. Each time, a deadbeat bidder. I'm getting ready to put it up again. I guess I'm just a glutton for punishment. So... just because the bidder bids high, doesn't always mean someone sent the money for it. In the early days of Ebay, deadbeat bidders were rare. More recently, seems about 70% of my high bidders end up being deadbeats. Almost half of all my high bidders with feedback of less than 10 end up being deadbeats, and 95% of them with no feedback end up being deadbeats. -- Shawn Lin http://www2.cybercities.com/g/gmwbodycars/ NetZero - We believe in a FREE Internet. Shouldn't you? Get your FREE Internet Access and Email at http://www.netzero.net/download/index.html - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: In-dash MiniDisc players and shuffle-play
Simon Mackay wrote: Do any of the in-dash MD units provide a "seamless shuffle play" function similar to what the Sony portable MiniDisc unts offer? What's seamless shuffle play? My MDX-400 never repeated a song twice if that's what you're talking about. PS When will car makers offer MiniDisc as part of an OEM sound system or as a dealer-fit option for mid-range cars, rather than top-end vehicles? When they start selling MD players and prerecorded MD's at Wal-Mart, K-Mart, and Target. :) Shawn NetZero - We believe in a FREE Internet. Shouldn't you? Get your FREE Internet Access and Email at http://www.netzero.net/download/index.html - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: In car changer, shuffle mode
"Timothy P. Stockman" wrote: I've got a Sony MDX-65. It starts the disc change while the end of the current track is playing so that there is no pause in the audio. And at normal level... If you manually switch discs, then the current song keeps playing but at a reduced level until the new disc is loaded. The reduced level only happens on manual disc change. Shawn NetZero - We believe in a FREE Internet. Shouldn't you? Get your FREE Internet Access and Email at http://www.netzero.net/download/index.html - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: Pioneer in-car MD changer...
Richard Anderson wrote: I've just installed my new Pioneer P100 changer into my car, connected to my MEH P5000R MD head unit and CDX P5000 CD changer, and I've noticed that when changing MD's ,the current MD continues to play at reduced volume whilst the next disc is selected, and continues to play until either the next disc is playing or the 10 second shock memory is exhausted, rather than cutting off the sound instantaneously, like the CD changer does when changing discs. Anybody else notice this? Is this normal for MD changer operation? Yup, it's normal. My Sony MDX-62 and MDX-65 both do the same thing. In fact, judging by the fact that almost ALL 6-MD changers from all companies looks identical, I'll go out on a limb and say that Sony manufactures the internals for all other companies with the only difference being that little circuit board with the DAC and controller interface. Shawn NetZero - We believe in a FREE Internet. Shouldn't you? Get your FREE Internet Access and Email at http://www.netzero.net/download/index.html - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: R90 and end search
"Jeffrey D. Scorsone" wrote: Those players treat MD just like it was an audio tape in that where ever you leave off, is where you pick back up, playing or recording. End search moves you to the end of all tracks to start recording at fresh blank space. Otherwise you'll record over previously recorded material. I know you like End Search, but even your description doesn't sound very appealing and I don't even own any MD portables at all. End Search sounds like a tedious (and potentially destructive) and unnecessary "feature". IMO, rather silly to make a random-access media artificially simulate a linear tape media. Maybe the great minds that came up with End Search are the same ones that designed the cassette tape players that only have a FFWD button and no RWD to simulate 8-track, heheh. However, I thought all portable players can pick up where they left off during playing using a RESUME feature. At least my car CD/MD decks and most portable CD players can. Shawn NetZero - We believe in a FREE Internet. Shouldn't you? Get your FREE Internet Access and Email at http://www.netzero.net/download/index.html - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: R90 and end search
John Chrapowicki wrote: Just a complete guess, but maybe it's a leftover from the days when possibly an automatic End Search was thought by the Sony boffins to have too much of a processing overhead with the available technology. Ie. it was thought to be too slow or to consume too much battery power to make it default to this mode. The MZ-1 was very borderline in its power consumption/battery life, and throughout its design, the engineers must have been very conscious of this and looked for every conceivable saving (however small). This is in contrast to the decks which had no similar power saving requirements and size constraints. Maybe in the MZ-1 the electronics required for it were not quite sophisticated enough to provide reasonable search speeds low power usuage for it to do it automatically? I think you're wrong. People call what Sharp and Sony home decks do an "automatic end search", but really, it is an *absence* of a "last position memory". Since MD is a random-access technology, anytime the disc is stopped, the laser sled is stopped and the last position is "forgotten". An MD portable with End Search adds the "feature" (or IMO, "mis-feature") of remembering the last position. So when one presses REC without End Search first, the deck moves the laser sled to the last remembered position. It actually takes EXTRA processing overhead to implement the End Search. I heard a lot of stories at the time that the first Sony portables were rather hurredly 'rushed out' to try to meet DCC head on. Maybe they were a little premature. Perhaps a little later, the LSI tecnology had improved enough when the first Sharp portable was introduced for their team to realise they could afford to do an automatic End Search like the Sony decks.? I think End Search is to do just what someone else mentioned... artificially simulate a lesser, more primitive technology: analog cassette tape. I think Sony thought MD portable users would be using them to replace portable tape recorders and dictation recorders, so they slapped in extra software to simulate a cassette tape so that the MD will feel like a cassette to those people. John -- who actually believes that the above is total rubbish since the overhead is probably neglible anyway ;-) Yeah, and you actually had it backwards. :) End Search adds (slight) overhead. Shawn NetZero - We believe in a FREE Internet. Shouldn't you? Get your FREE Internet Access and Email at http://www.netzero.net/download/index.html - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: R90 and end search
Graham Baker wrote: Actually End Search is an unnecessary by-product of trying to simulate an analog cassette tape, to be precise. What you say may be true but it doesn't explain two things: 1) If ES is supposed to simulate a cassette tape then Sony should have taken the 'resume' function even further by adding a last position memory to the disc so that if it is removed and then later re-inserted, it will commence playing/recording from the previous position - something that a cassette does. A cassette has a resume memory in effect. Good point. I think they just wanted to partially simulate cassette so people used to dictation devices could use them easily. 2) Why is it implemented in the portables but not on the home decks? I think this is because they were thinking that many people who are extremely used to recording with portable tape recorders would feel at home with a portable MD recorder. I think Sony had early expectations that MD would replace cassette and microcassette for recording speeches, dictation, etc. That's why only the portables have ES. I've never used MD to record anything other than music, so I'm not sure if ES is actually useful for dictation and recording lectures or not. I think that maybe they thought secretaries and others who are not interested in a slight learning curve over cassette would appreciate ES. On a home deck, however, people rarely record dictation or lectures, so ES is not needed. That's just my guess anyway! Shawn NetZero - We believe in a FREE Internet. Shouldn't you? Get your FREE Internet Access and Email at http://www.netzero.net/download/index.html - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: R90 and end search
PrinceGaz wrote: I actually like the fact the ES feature gives me a slightly lower level control of my MD-portie, I don't want it to think "Record? Well I'll go to the free-space area because the dumb-user was to stupid to position the recording point!". ES gives me more control of wot my portie does, and if peeps are daft enough to over-write their existing recordings, they should go back to tape. I think that's silly. To me the ES misfeature is just as silly as if all MS Windows software had an "End Search" button on all the Save As... dialogs. If you forgot to click End Search first, then the file you're saving would automatically be written over the cluster that you last accessed, whether it was used by a file or not. Shawn NetZero - We believe in a FREE Internet. Shouldn't you? Get your FREE Internet Access and Email at http://www.netzero.net/download/index.html - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: MDX-65 problems...
"Timothy P. Stockman" wrote: I'm having problems playing discs in an MDX-65 changer. I have it connected to a RM-X69RF controller. Right now its sitting on the workbench running from a 12VDC bench supply. The audio output is connected to a powered speaker. The audio RCA outputs right out of the MDX-65 are what you connected to the powered speaker? Did you try hooking up the RCA outputs to the RF controller box and seeing if you can pick up a signal on an FM radio? When it is running, the display indicates normal operation. I can see the track numbers and time, etc. The problem is that I get no audio output. The discs in the player were recorded in mixed mono/stereo (mostly mono) and play back fine on my JE520 and MZ-EP11. I've checked the obvious like the digital/analog switch in the analog position. This may be a clue: when I look at the TOSLink connector, there is no visible light (even with the switch in digital). I think to get a digital output, you may have to flip the switch to digital AND hit RESET on the controller. However, I'm not that sure about it. I've had this problem with 2 units now (the first I exchanged as defective). Can anyone offer me any suggestions or let me know their experiences with the MDX-65? This doesn't help you at all, but my experience with the MDX-65 was pretty much mount it, hook it up, pop in the MD's, and it worked great right away. I bought mine very early though, I think I got it in March. My CDX-828 CD changer on the other hand, was defective right out of the box though I haven't found time to exchange it yet. It plays fine, but when the car is shut off it won't remember where it was last playing. I should have kept my CDX-805, it worked fine. -- Shawn Lin http://www2.cybercities.com/g/gmwbodycars/ NetZero - We believe in a FREE Internet. Shouldn't you? Get your FREE Internet Access and Email at http://www.netzero.net/download/index.html - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
