Re: MD: Revolutionary?
Eric Woudenberg wrote: Stainless Steel Rat [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: No. If you could take two Sony MZ-R1 units and put an ATRAC 4.5 ASIC in one of them, and record something on a Sharp MS-722, and play that disc back in both Sony units, both Sony units will sound identical. The ATRAC version in the player has no effect on playback quality. Differences in playback arise primarilly from differences in ATRAC tuning. It is my understanding that the numerical accuracy of the decode side of ATRAC has improved over the years. It is still possible that you are correct, in that the changes may be near the limit of audibility. Hi, BTW, does anybody know why ATRAC Version 1 sounded so bad (though not for me!) and why ATRAC Version 2 has improved a lot? Another BTW: on eBay, there are really nice pictures about the Sony DKR-700 Digital Still Recorder and the Sony DPA-300 Digital Still Recorder, both old, I know. see http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItemitem=392004386 and http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItemitem=392008506 I thought they are nice for the MDCP archive! wolfgang - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: Revolutionary?
* Eric Woudenberg [EMAIL PROTECTED] on Thu, 27 Jul 2000 | It is my understanding that the numerical accuracy of the decode side | of ATRAC has improved over the years. The decoder in the MZ-R1 is identical to the decoder in the other MZ-R1. All that has been changed is the encoder, which is not in the playback loop and thus has no effect on playback. And it helps to bear in mind that there is *NO* ATRAC encoder ASIC in a player-only unit, only a decoder, and ATRAC decoders have remained largely unchanged since Sony introduced it. -- Rat [EMAIL PROTECTED]\ When not in use, Happy Fun Ball should be Minion of Nathan - Nathan says Hi! \ returned to its special container and PGP Key: at a key server near you! \ kept under refrigeration. - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: Revolutionary?
Really, it don't make no difference if it is a Sony or a Sharp. or Aiwa, or Panasonic. Now if it were the K Mart brand... That might make a difference, but the good companies will sound justs as good as each other. IMHO. Richard Lang wrote: ... "All other things being equal, a disc recorded on a Sharp recorder will sound the same regardless of what player is used to play it." Really?? What about different DA converters? Different amp stages? Different headphones? I would have thought that ATRAC aside (acknowledging that decoding ATRAC in the playback process is the same regardless of the version of ATRAC decoder), the D/A converter will have a big impact on sound quality as between different units. richard - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED] -- Jim Coon Not just another pretty mandolin picker. mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] If Gibson made cars, would they sound so sweet? My first web page http://www.tir.com/~liteways - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: Revolutionary?
Hi there, I think the E800 mechanism may involve simply a spring, a movable lid (the circular thing), and some restricting mechanisms. You'd push the disc in, which forces the lid open. If I'm not mistaken, you simply move the lid open in order to retrieve the disc. This would be simpler than the (Jamiroquai-advertised) EP10/11. The newest Sharp slot-in player (MD-SS321/322/421) are as thick as the E800, if not actually thinner. The Sharps are about 3-4mm thicker than their clamshell counterparts at the time. Panasonic's SJ-MJ30 and 35 functions like slot-in models, with a retractable disc holder. These are as slim as Panasonic's clamshell models (no more than 1-2mm thicker max). However, because a spring is used to hold down the disc holder, when that spring goes bad the disc wouldn't load properly. It happened to my MJ30 after 6 months of use. If you choose to believe that vibration affects playback quality, then a more rigid disc holder would give better performance. Clamshell disc holders can be made very thin. A slot-in mechanism can also be made thinner/lighter, but it seems that noone has put any RD into that. So, at this point, slot-in remains the one that feels solid in your hands. So the orthodox Sharp-style slot-in is probably still the best. Wish Sharp would make a 321 replacement based on the ST-55. That could be 15-16mm thick... Leon If you look at the pictures of how this works, it really looks like a clamshell/slot-in hybrid. It looks like they picked up much of the unit strength of the slot in design without adding much height to the unit. It appears that once the disk is inserted it pivots a bit to move into place, unlike the sharp designs where the disk must raise and lower parallel to the mechanism which adds to the height of the units. (not that I don't love my 722) I hate marketspeak as much as anyone but I does look like Sony has a new twist here. - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: Revolutionary?
Stainless Steel Rat wrote: * Alexander Dietrich [EMAIL PROTECTED] on Sun, 23 Jul 2000 | Oh no, I _like_ the clamshell mechanism ! Those Sharp portables | look so damn ugly (hey, just my personal opinion). Just for the sake of argument, how does the unit's appearance affect its recording and playback quality? It doesn't. However, I have noticed that the MiniDisc community tends to value looks more than most other gearhead communities. Or at least is more willing to admit that they do so. Joost van de Griek Applications Developer Yacht ICT http://www.yachtgroup.com/ - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: Revolutionary?
=== = NB: Over 50% of this message is QUOTED, please = = be more selective when quoting text = === "J. van de Griek" wrote: Stainless Steel Rat wrote: * Alexander Dietrich [EMAIL PROTECTED] on Sun, 23 Jul 2000 | Oh no, I _like_ the clamshell mechanism ! Those Sharp portables | look so damn ugly (hey, just my personal opinion). Just for the sake of argument, how does the unit's appearance affect its recording and playback quality? It doesn't. However, I have noticed that the MiniDisc community tends to value looks more than most other gearhead communities. Or at least is more willing to admit that they do so. But appearance does affect both record and playback quality. If it doesn't look good you are hesitant to bring it out in the open to do the recording, so you end up in not the best place to record because of it. It affects playback quality too because you have to look at the thing to turn it on and to put the MD inside it. - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: Revolutionary?
J. van de Griek wrote: It doesn't. However, I have noticed that the MiniDisc community tends to value looks more than most other gearhead communities. Or at least is more willing to admit that they do so. 'course we do, MD equipment is sexy ! It's the only reason we shell out these insane amounts of money. :) But seriously, I would rather buy even a Sony R37 than touch any current MP3 player. Alexander -- ( Alexander Dietrich | e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] ) - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: Revolutionary?
* Richard Lang [EMAIL PROTECTED] on Tue, 25 Jul 2000 | ... | "All other things being equal, | a disc recorded on a Sharp recorder will sound the same regardless of what | player is used to play it." | Really?? What about different DA converters? Different amp stages? | Different headphones? Which part of "all other things being equal" did you you have trouble understanding? -- Rat [EMAIL PROTECTED]\ Do not taunt Happy Fun Ball. Minion of Nathan - Nathan says Hi! \ PGP Key: at a key server near you! \ - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: Revolutionary?
* Alexander Dietrich [EMAIL PROTECTED] on Sun, 23 Jul 2000 | Oh no, I _like_ the clamshell mechanism ! Those Sharp portables | look so damn ugly (hey, just my personal opinion). Just for the sake of argument, how does the unit's appearance affect its recording and playback quality? -- Rat [EMAIL PROTECTED]\ Do not taunt Happy Fun Ball. Minion of Nathan - Nathan says Hi! \ PGP Key: at a key server near you! \ - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: Revolutionary?
JUST ARRIVED: Say goodbye to the clamshell! Minidisco now has Sony Japan's new MZ-E800 portable player, with a revolutionary pop-in disc loading mechanism. Huzzah! Uh, revolutionary? Funny, I was sure it had been around for over three years in the Sharp 700 series... grin If you look at the pictures of how this works, it really looks like a clamshell/slot-in hybrid. It looks like they picked up much of the unit strength of the slot in design without adding much height to the unit. It appears that once the disk is inserted it pivots a bit to move into place, unlike the sharp designs where the disk must raise and lower parallel to the mechanism which adds to the height of the units. (not that I don't love my 722) I hate marketspeak as much as anyone but I does look like Sony has a new twist here. Perhaps minidisco would like to loan me one and I'll check out the new mechanism and post a review. regards, dsowa ps here is the link to the pictures http://minidisc.co.kr/md/mdp/sony/E800/ - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: Revolutionary?
Oh no, I _like_ the clamshell mechanism! I have an 'R70 (clamshell) and an 'EP11 (slot-in). The slot-in mechanism feels a *lot* more solid. I always feel as if I have to be super-gentle with the R70. I wish Sony was offering portable recorders with slot-in. Especially recorders, because the magnet head assembly makes them even more fragile than play-only... - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: Revolutionary?
=== = NB: Over 50% of this message is QUOTED, please = = be more selective when quoting text = === On Mon, 24 Jul 2000, Stainless Steel Rat wrote: * Alexander Dietrich [EMAIL PROTECTED] on Sun, 23 Jul 2000 | Oh no, I _like_ the clamshell mechanism ! Those Sharp portables | look so damn ugly (hey, just my personal opinion). Just for the sake of argument, how does the unit's appearance affect its recording and playback quality? It doesn't, the Sharp ATRAC chip affects it's recording and playback -Jeff (Love my Sony) -- Rat [EMAIL PROTECTED]\ Do not taunt Happy Fun Ball. Minion of Nathan - Nathan says Hi! \ PGP Key: at a key server near you! \ - 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]
Re: MD: Revolutionary?
* Jeffrey Scorsone [EMAIL PROTECTED] on Mon, 24 Jul 2000 | It doesn't, the Sharp ATRAC chip affects it's recording and playback Well, non-recording, player-only units don't have an ATRAC encoder circuit, so that statement only applies to recording. All other things being equal, a disc recorded on a Sharp recorder will sound the same regardless of what player is used to play it. -- Rat [EMAIL PROTECTED]\ Do not use Happy Fun Ball on concrete. Minion of Nathan - Nathan says Hi! \ PGP Key: at a key server near you! \ - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: Revolutionary?
Stainless Steel Rat wrote: Just for the sake of argument, how does the unit's appearance affect its recording and playback quality? Where did I state that the look of a porty affects its recording and playback quality ? Alexander -- ( Alexander Dietrich | e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] ) - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: Revolutionary?
* Alexander Dietrich [EMAIL PROTECTED] on Mon, 24 Jul 2000 | Where did I state that the look of a porty affects its recording | and playback quality ? Where did I state that you did? :) -- Rat [EMAIL PROTECTED]\ Do not taunt Happy Fun Ball. Minion of Nathan - Nathan says Hi! \ PGP Key: at a key server near you! \ - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: Revolutionary?
At 12:27 23/07/2000 -0700, you wrote: SNIP JUST ARRIVED: Say goodbye to the clamshell! Minidisco now has Sony Japan's new MZ-E800 portable player, with a revolutionary pop-in disc loading mechanism. Huzzah! Uh, revolutionary? Funny, I was sure it had been around for over three years in the Sharp 700 series... grin Yeah, I thought I'd seen it somewhere before :) That's one of the reasons why I bought my 722 - I didn't like those horrible clamshells on most of the other models. - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: Revolutionary?
* Richard Wright [EMAIL PROTECTED] on Sun, 23 Jul 2000 | Yeah, I thought I'd seen it somewhere before :) That's one of the reasons | why I bought my 722 - I didn't like those horrible clamshells on most of the | other models. Never mind that some of Sony's earlier portable players are slot-load mechanisms. -- Rat [EMAIL PROTECTED]\ When not in use, Happy Fun Ball should be Minion of Nathan - Nathan says Hi! \ returned to its special container and PGP Key: at a key server near you! \ kept under refrigeration. - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: Revolutionary?
Dan Frakes wrote: JUST ARRIVED: Say goodbye to the clamshell! Minidisco now has Sony Japan's new MZ-E800 portable player, with a revolutionary pop-in disc loading mechanism. Huzzah! Oh no, I _like_ the clamshell mechanism ! Those Sharp portables look so damn ugly (hey, just my personal opinion). I really hope that this is not going to be the norm for Sony. Just imagine an R90 with a pop-in mechanism, shudder. Alexander -- ( Alexander Dietrich | e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] ) - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]