Re: MD: Best buy, phasing out MD equip ??
It is not, nor will it ever be, a replacement (or even serious competition) for CD portables. To be honest, what amazes me is that CD was *ever* a popular portable medium. It would be difficult to design a medium *worse* for portable use LOL - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: Best buy, phasing out MD equip ??
Dan Frakes wrote: To be honest, what amazes me is that CD was *ever* a popular portable medium. It would be difficult to design a medium *worse* for portable use LOL The very first CD player that I ever owned was a portable. It was the (probably original) Sony portable. It was not called a DiscMan at that time. I paid $300 for it. It was a piece of sh!t. The buttons were chrome plated and if you had any carpet in your house or had a sweater on it was a magnet for static electricity (the kind that gave you a shock that knocked you on your ass. This immediately blew the player! Another piece of Sony dreck. But it came with a nice carrying case and a decent set of headphones. Compared to the cassette it was a big improvement. But to get to your point, actually portable CD players were not very popular when they were introduced. As us said, surprisingly they caught on (and they didn't even have a buffer in them back then!-the very first MD portables had a 10 second buffer). - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: Best buy, phasing out MD equip ??
It is not, nor will it ever be, a replacement (or even serious competition) for CD portables. Why must it be? Why can't CD and MD just live side-by-side as siblings? Why can't stereos come standard with CD/MD features instead of CD/tape. Yes, a handful of stereos DO have CD/MD, but these are by far the minority and can be hard to find. This is so bloody ridiculous!! MD is far better than CD-R or CD-RW! Sorry. But here I cannot agree with you. How can a data compressed format possibly be superior to a properly dithered uncompressed digital recording? This statement just doesn't make sense. The original poster was perhaps a bit broad there. But one has to remember that the quality of a medium is not just its sound -- it's also cost, portability, features, et cetera. Generally, MD sounds, for all intents and purposes anywhere near the realm of normal usage, identical to CD. If I could, I would switch almost all of my CDs to MDs -- maybe all (and I do have some classical). I believe MD to sound indistinguishable to CDs for my usage, plus there are the standard MD features that are above CDs (e.g. the plastic casing, easy re-recordability, titling, size). For ME, "MD is far better than CD-R or CD-RW!" And probably for many other people. However, overall, there is no one clear winner. There ARE winners, though: CD and MD. J. C. R. Davis ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: Best buy, phasing out MD equip ??
Not that this is on topic or anything but around 2k is pretty standard if you are building a fairly cutting edge system (not exceptional). My last (spring 2000) was just over 2k (not including monitor/printer/etc..) 500 might be ok for a out of the box cookie cutter non upgradable sortof web surfing/word processing system. Unfortunately those systems tend to leave you stranded in about a year if you are trying to do anything more demanding with them. For those of us who do gaming/development spending 1-2k every two years or so is pretty much a given. -Jen [...] Easily over $1000 for an entry-level machine, closer to $2000 for a good system. Not to be nit-picky, but where'd you get these prices? Those are about twice what you should be paying. But I agree, it's still far more expensive. Josh - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: Best buy, phasing out MD equip ??
From: "Robert J Lynn Jr" [EMAIL PROTECTED] So? It still requires a computer ($500) and a CD-R burner ($120 old model). I admit, i use my MD for most of my MP3 music on om computer, but I like to take notes with my mic and record off friends at school. So, rules out MP3. Rob...if you'll read Mike's original post then you'll please note that I was responding to specific issues which HE raised (ie : media cost and media capacity). Using internet audio obviously requires a computer and I would venture to say that most if not all of the members of this list actually HAVE one of those. So that's a non-issue. And as far as a CD-R drive is concerned...if you don't have one yet come on and join the fun bro...the 21st century is here. :-D CD writers are practically de rigeur among computer users today. Don C. - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: Best buy, phasing out MD equip ??
Don Capps wrote: I wouldn't know Mike. My Expanium uses CD-R and CD-RW media which costs me approximately 80 cents per disc. And each disc has the capacity to hold well over one hundred songs even at high bitrates (say 192kbps). That works out to 8 plus hours of VERY high quality (ie: practically indistinguishable from the CD) music on one 80 cent disc. You do the math. I disagree about the quality of MP3s and seriously doubt that you can tell the difference between an MP3 recorded at the "standard" 128 and 192Kbps. All you are doing is using up more disc space. I do find most MP3 files acceptable, but don't think that their sound quality is equal to an MD copy of a CD recorded with the latest version of ATRAC. This is one area where a feel strongly that double blind studies would make it impossible for you to detect the difference. Larry - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
RE: MD: Best buy, phasing out MD equip ??
How long is this mp3 vs. md war going to last Face it. MD is best for portable recording. MP3 is best for portable playing. MP3 players/MP3 cd players CAN'T record! So why are mp3 players being compared to minidisc recorders? IMHO minidisc units that can only play are a bit useless. If you only want to play music, and have it portable, go for a mp3 player. If you want portable recording, go for MD and forget mp3. MP3 player cons: * Solid state media is expensive * CD media needs a PC + WRITER * You can't generally record when you like to. * Solid state players can actually hold very little music, even if your player can do 128 meg cards. * No editing features available for music. * Standard bit rate mp3's (128 Kbps) actually lose a lot of quality when played over hi-fi's MP3 player pros: * More of an accepted format * Media can be played on both player and pc without hassles * For solid state: Transfer of tunes are much easier * For solid state: No moving parts. Will probably last longer, if looked after. MD recorder cons: * Recorders are rarely cheaper than 150 pounds (correct me if I'm wrong) * MD media is more expensive than CDR media * Going from MP3 to MD means you go through two lossy compression methods. MD recorder pros: * Excellent lossy sound compression (Good quality) * Record when you want, where you want. * The discs generally look more futuristic and high tech. Hehehehe. Impress family and friends :-) * Nice editing features available. * Can easily transfer music from MP3 to MD, MD to MD, CD to MD, basically anything to MD. * Newer models e.g. Sharp Mt-77, provide easy pc connectivity, for mp3 music, making mp3 storage on md seamless. There is probably more stuff I can't remember. Please don't flame me over this e-mail. This is simply the conclusion I have made, and I'm not trying to say mp3 is better than MD, or vice versa. I'm simply saying: Both have their places, and they are not necessarily trying to compete. Give the mp3 vs. md war a rest. This is a minidisc forum after all, not a music format debate? In anywayjust my 2c or 2p worth. Cheers. Gerard Naude E-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: Best buy, phasing out MD equip ??
From: "las" [EMAIL PROTECTED] I disagree about the quality of MP3s and seriously doubt that you can tell the difference between an MP3 recorded at the "standard" 128 and 192Kbps. All you are doing is using up more disc space. You can disagree all you like Larry. But in AB comparison where A is the original cd and B is a 192kbps mp3 file, the file is sonically indistinguishable from the original cd. That was my point. And yes, that is on a high quality playback system. My Turtle Beach soundcard has RCA stereo outputs being fed to a Denon integrated amp driving Mission speakers and an old MK sub which I retired a few years back from my main home theater system. Don C. - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: Best buy, phasing out MD equip ??
From: "Gerard Naude" [EMAIL PROTECTED] How long is this mp3 vs. md war going to last Whew. Silly me. I didn't know there was a war on. :-) Face it. MD is best for portable recording. MP3 is best for portable playing. I quite agree. That's what I have said from the beginning. Don C. - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: Best buy, phasing out MD equip ??
I definitely don't concour with your affirmation. I own a Cassiopeia, which can double as an MP3 player, and I *never* use it. Never. Why? CompactFlash is too expensive. MP3 doesn't sound quite right (IMHO). The only advantage is that I can send the files from my computer to my player. That's it. I am left with about an hour of the same music, over and over again, unless I re-connect and download. With an MD, I simply pop out the disc, pop in a new one. Cheap, inexpensive, easy. Personally, I think MP3 players are a big hit with... ahem... how to put this politely... people who don't like paying for their music (aka Napster users). And that's it. Francisco. - Original Message - From: "Gerard Naude" [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Monday, February 12, 2001 1:37 AM Subject: RE: MD: Best buy, phasing out MD equip ?? How long is this mp3 vs. md war going to last Face it. MD is best for portable recording. MP3 is best for portable playing. MP3 players/MP3 cd players CAN'T record! - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: Best buy, phasing out MD equip ??
From: "Francisco J. Huerta" [EMAIL PROTECTED] Personally, I think MP3 players are a big hit with... ahem... how to put this politely... people who don't like paying for their music (aka Napster users). And that's it. Are you trying to say that MD users never make copies of CDs which they don't actually own? Are you going to tell me that you've never made an MD copy of a friends CD or a borrowed CD? Do you seriously think that the only people who use MP3 players are people who download their music exclusively from Napster? Francisco...ahem...how to put this politely...bullshit. Don C. - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: Best buy, phasing out MD equip ??
Are you trying to say that MD users never make copies of CDs which they don't actually own? Are you going to tell me that you've never made an MD copy of a friends CD or a borrowed CD? No. I was implying that it is WAY more difficult to go through the whole ordeal of buying and connecting an MD to a CD player, making the copy, and then realizing that your copy will only play in the (less available) MDs. Even then, someone near to you would have bought the original media in order for you to copy. Napster, OTOH, only needs you to get the software, connect to the Internet, and download at will. It doesn't matter who actually bought the CD, since most probably your MP3 copy will be an "n" generation copy. Thus, you can get practically every song in existence with no effort. Do you seriously think that the only people who use MP3 players are people who download their music exclusively from Napster? I don't like percentages. But I would say that the majority of portable MP3 users got their music ilegally. Why? Because it is way easier and cheaper to do so. MD doesn't have that kind of flexibility, and it isn't as simple to create a CD out of an MD (without the proper equipment), so it doesn't advocate piracy as much as MP3s. Do you really think that people use MP3s because of their "ease of use", their "cross compatibility" or stuff like that? Nah. They use it because they are free. Francisco...ahem...how to put this politely...bullshit. Don C. Don, you really have to understand that most of the people have their own opinions. The fact that you don't agree with me doesn't mean I'm full of it. Francisco. - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: Best buy, phasing out MD equip ??
From: "Francisco J. Huerta" [EMAIL PROTECTED] Don, you really have to understand that most of the people have their own opinions. The fact that you don't agree with me doesn't mean I'm full of it. Francisco...what I'm REALLY trying to understand is exactly where I said you were "full of it". I objected to the following statement as bullshit... "Personally, I think MP3 players are a big hit with... ahem... how to put this politely... people who don't like paying for their music (aka Napster users). And that's it." ...and I still do. I use an MP3 player primarily because I can load one disc for a six hour plane flight and never once listen to the same song twice. So I object to your the rather blanket "and that's it" nature of your statement. I think that the MP3 format makes a LOT of sense for the portable audio user. Naturally, when I'm at home, I'd prefer to listen to the actual CD as opposed to ANY compressed format, MD included. Of course, the fact that I can download music from the internet and listen to it IS a plus imo...but I digress. :-) Don C. - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: Best buy, phasing out MD equip ??
Don Capps [EMAIL PROTECTED] said: Francisco...what I'm REALLY trying to understand is exactly where I said you were "full of it". I objected to the following statement as bullshit... "Personally, I think MP3 players are a big hit with... ahem... how to put this politely... people who don't like paying for their music (aka Napster users). And that's it." ...and I still do. Unfortunately, the statement says "Personally, I think...". It's not far fetched to take it to mean that you feel he's full of it when you tell him his statement is BS. -- Mike Burger CompuCom Information Services http://www.compucomis.net (215) 946-5573 - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: Best buy, phasing out MD equip ??
On Fri, 9 Feb 2001 23:31:55 -0500 (EST), JT [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: You tell me. I can get a decent MD recorder for much $40-50USD less, and not have to pay as much for the media. What's a CF card cost these days for a card with enough capacity to hold an hour or so worth of music? A minidisc is about $1.20 to $1.50 per disc. I think you misunderstood what he was referring to. The Philips Expanium is a CD player that can read MP3s off CDRs. So, the media costs about $0.50 max for anywhere from 4 to 10 hours (depending on bitrate) of music. You have to buy a computer, a CD burner, the Expanium, and some discs just to start using it. Easily over $1000 for an entry-level machine, closer to $2000 for a good system. At that point, 50 cents for 4-10 hours of music (of inferior sound quality) is orders of magnitude more expensive than MD. And you can't edit after you create, you can't record from a Mic, and you can't take it with you. - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: Best buy, phasing out MD equip ??
From: "Dan Frakes" [EMAIL PROTECTED] You have to buy a computer, a CD burner, the Expanium, and some discs just to start using it. Easily over $1000 for an entry-level machine, closer to $2000 for a good system. Well Dan. You got me. I know when I've been licked. Darn. You do have to have a computer. You do have to have a CD burner and some CD-R or CD-RW media. Seriously now. Do you have a computer? OK. Then you're almost there. Do you have a CD burner? They're getting pretty cheap of late ya know. At that point, 50 cents for 4-10 hours of music (of inferior sound quality)... Here's where we part company. You would never now the difference between my Expanium playing MP3 files and my Expanium playing the original CD. I guarantee it. Inferior sound quality? Nope. Not at all. But then, don't believe me. Just burn a CD full of MP3s and borrow an Expanium...maybe a Circuit City store demo model...and listen for yourself. Don C. - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: Best buy, phasing out MD equip ??
From: "Mike Burger" [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unfortunately, the statement says "Personally, I think...". It's not far fetched to take it to mean that you feel he's full of it when you tell him his statement is BS. Geez guys. Do you just WANT to fight or what? I object to the statement. Period. That is all. Don C. - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: Best buy, phasing out MD equip ??
Not looking for a fight...just pointing out to you the hows of his response. G On Mon, 12 Feb 2001, Don Capps wrote: From: "Mike Burger" [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unfortunately, the statement says "Personally, I think...". It's not far fetched to take it to mean that you feel he's full of it when you tell him his statement is BS. Geez guys. Do you just WANT to fight or what? I object to the statement. Period. That is all. - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: Best buy, phasing out MD equip ??
I dont know what encoder your using, but personally i can still hear a difference between 192 and an original CD, espeically with horns and extremely tight low's. yes i've tried many different encoders and i havn't found one that doesn't do this. also i run both through a pretty good system to test this theory. pioneer elite cd player, Rotel Amp's, BW nautilus speakers, Marantz Preamp, Maudio DIO 2496 sound card. if you dont like that equipment your too big of an audio snob and you shouldn't be even thinking of MD or MP3 :P - Original Message - From: "Don Capps" [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Monday, February 12, 2001 12:55 PM Subject: Re: MD: Best buy, phasing out MD equip ?? From: "las" [EMAIL PROTECTED] I disagree about the quality of MP3s and seriously doubt that you can tell the difference between an MP3 recorded at the "standard" 128 and 192Kbps. All you are doing is using up more disc space. You can disagree all you like Larry. But in AB comparison where A is the original cd and B is a 192kbps mp3 file, the file is sonically indistinguishable from the original cd. That was my point. And yes, that is on a high quality playback system. My Turtle Beach soundcard has RCA stereo outputs being fed to a Denon integrated amp driving Mission speakers and an old MK sub which I retired a few years back from my main home theater system. Don C. - 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: Best buy, phasing out MD equip ??
Seriously now. Do you have a computer? OK. Then you're almost there. Do you have a CD burner? They're getting pretty cheap of late ya know. Cute answer, but it all depends who you're talking about and what products you're comparing MP3s/Expanium to, doesn't it? If you're talking about people on e-mail mailinglists, then yes most of them will have computers, so that expense isn't a big deal (don't assume too much - this PC belongs to my employer, and many MD-Lers will be in the same position). If you're talking about the general audio market (remember we are talking about audio products), the expense of a computer does need to be factored in. Most importantly, in comparing MD with MP3s the Expanium, as audio products, you *do* have to consider that an MD unit will operate with other audio as a standalone unit, but these other units need a PC. So in direct comparison the cost of a PC needs to be factored in. So IMO Dan Frakes' point stands. I'm not saying the Expanium isn't a great product that doesn't suit you immensely - I'm sure it is and does. But I suspect there is a reason that things like MP3 players aren't that mainstream yet - MD has one strong thing going for it and that is that people can hook it up to their CD players and burn copies or plug earphones into the things and hear music. Nice and simple. Richard Lang Solicitor Duncan Cotterill Christchurch, New Zealand email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] tel: (++64)-3-379-2430 fax: (++64)-3-379-7097 http://www.duncancotterill.com ___PLEASE NOTE: ___ This communication contains information that is confidential and which may be subject to legal privilege or subject to copyright. If you are not the intended recipient, you must not use, distribute or copy the contents of this communication. If you have received this communication in error, please notify us immediately by reply e-mail, facsimile or collect telephone call to +64 3 379 2430 and destroy the original. We virus scan all e-mails and electronic media but are not responsible for any virus or alternation. - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: Best buy, phasing out MD equip ??
=== = NB: Over 50% of this message is QUOTED, please = = be more selective when quoting text = === sarcasm yeah i wouldn't know the difference, but then again i lost my hearing douring the war too /sarcasm - Original Message - From: "Don Capps" [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Monday, February 12, 2001 4:54 PM Subject: Re: MD: Best buy, phasing out MD equip ?? From: "Dan Frakes" [EMAIL PROTECTED] You have to buy a computer, a CD burner, the Expanium, and some discs just to start using it. Easily over $1000 for an entry-level machine, closer to $2000 for a good system. Well Dan. You got me. I know when I've been licked. Darn. You do have to have a computer. You do have to have a CD burner and some CD-R or CD-RW media. Seriously now. Do you have a computer? OK. Then you're almost there. Do you have a CD burner? They're getting pretty cheap of late ya know. At that point, 50 cents for 4-10 hours of music (of inferior sound quality)... Here's where we part company. You would never now the difference between my Expanium playing MP3 files and my Expanium playing the original CD. I guarantee it. Inferior sound quality? Nope. Not at all. But then, don't believe me. Just burn a CD full of MP3s and borrow an Expanium...maybe a Circuit City store demo model...and listen for yourself. Don C. - 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: Best buy, phasing out MD equip ??
From: "Mike Burger" [EMAIL PROTECTED] Not looking for a fight...just pointing out to you the hows of his response. G Nah. Seems to me that every time I disagree with Francisco you have to chest up. Are you two best buds or something? G Don C. - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: Best buy, phasing out MD equip ??
From: "Matt Wall" [EMAIL PROTECTED] I dont know what encoder your using, but personally i can still hear a difference between 192 and an original CD, espeically with horns and extremely tight low's. Then I bow deeply to your obviously superior ears. I cannot hear that difference and I listen on some pretty serious gear. Indeed, the only difference which I think I might hear is in the area of low bass impact. But then, that could be just my imagination. if you dont like that equipment your too big of an audio snob and you shouldn't be even thinking of MD or MP3 :P Not really sure where you're coming from with these comments. I merely included an equipment list with my original post because I wanted to head off any speculation about the equipment used and it's relative effect on perceived audio quality. I was trying to clarify that I was listening through a decent system and not through the typical cheesy computer speakers. Sorry if it seemed "snobbish" to you. :p Don C. - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: Best buy, phasing out MD equip ??
From: "Matt Wall" [EMAIL PROTECTED] sarcasm yeah i wouldn't know the difference, but then again i lost my hearing douring the war too I'm sincerely sorry to hear that. I understand they're making great strides with high fidelity hearing aids these days. Perhaps this link will be of assistance : http://www.digital-recordings.com/publ/pubaids.html All the best! Don C. - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: Best buy, phasing out MD equip ??
blink To tell the truth, I never noticed any correlation between his posting and my defense. I tend to jump to the defense of anyone I feel has at least made a valid point, and I feel has dismissed out of hand. shrug To tell the truth, I didn't even notice any correlation between you being the one with the disagreement and my defense, either. I guess I need to watch my threads a little more carefully. G On Mon, 12 Feb 2001, Don Capps wrote: From: "Mike Burger" [EMAIL PROTECTED] Not looking for a fight...just pointing out to you the hows of his response. G Nah. Seems to me that every time I disagree with Francisco you have to chest up. Are you two best buds or something? G Don C. - 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: Best buy, phasing out MD equip ??
From: "Richard Lang" [EMAIL PROTECTED] If you're talking about the general audio market (remember we are talking about audio products), the expense of a computer does need to be factored in. Indeed. Point well made and well taken. But I would contend that MD has not exactly met with mainstream acceptance either and that it is not going to do so in the future. Both items are at present a small niche market in the larger audio equipment marketplace compared to the sales of CD players, DVD players, and even consumer CD recorders. However, there nevertheless remains a viable market for both products and I believe that sales stats over the next few quarters will show that MP3 devices have been very hot sellers with the major electronics retailers. For example, DVD players which also decode MP3 files have been flying off the Circuit City shelves here locally, and I don't exactly live in the center of the audio/video universe. I'm not saying the Expanium isn't a great product that doesn't suit you immensely - I'm sure it is and does. But I suspect there is a reason that things like MP3 players aren't that mainstream yet - MD has one strong thing going for it and that is that people can hook it up to their CD players and burn copies or plug earphones into the things and hear music. Nice and simple. Richard, far be it from me to downplay the many merits of MD. I love it. I use it. Frequently. I just take exception to the apparent attitude that MP3 is somehow an inferior compression format...especially at high bitrates. That is simply and patently untrue. Don C. - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: Best buy, phasing out MD equip ??
From: "Dan Frakes" [EMAIL PROTECTED] And you can't edit after you create, you can't record from a mic All true. And all categories in which MD carries the day, hands down. and you can't take it with you... Not true. I carry it with me all the time. Don C. - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: Best buy, phasing out MD equip ??
"Don Capps" [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: You can disagree all you like Larry. But in AB comparison where A is the original cd and B is a 192kbps mp3 file, the file is sonically indistinguishable from the original cd. Don, you forgot to add the phrase "to my ears" at the end of that statement. The truth is that it IS distinguishable. Just because you personally can't hear it doesn't mean no one else can. I can hear the difference, double-blind, between a 128kbps and 192 kbps. And for Larry, here's the methodology LOL: using the same CD and the same ripper, rip a single song at both bitrates. All other settings identical. Save them to the same hard drive. Add them both to a playlist, set to "random" shuffle and repeat. Close my eyes. Listen and hit "forward" to skip between the two files, in random order. Have a friend tell me if my guesses are correct. Using this procedure, I can tell the difference easily. On the other hand, I cannot consistently walk up to the machine without having heard both before and identify whether a single track without a point of comparison is 192 or 160. I can do it with CD vs MP3, though. The point here is that there is an audible difference. However, whether that difference is obvious in a portable environment is questionable. My computer audio system: PowerMac G4, Yamaha @PET digital receiver, NHT SuperZero speakers, Grado SR-60 headphones. and You would never now the difference between my Expanium playing MP3 files and my Expanium playing the original CD. I guarantee it. Inferior sound quality? Nope. Not at all. Sorry, Don, but you're wrong on that one. Again, just because you can't tell the difference doesn't mean others can't. - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: Best buy, phasing out MD equip ??
From: "Dan Frakes" [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sorry, Don, but you're wrong on that one. Again, just because you can't tell the difference doesn't mean others can't. Again...I bow to the golden ears. Don C. - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
RE: MD: Best buy, phasing out MD equip ??
...I would contend that MD has not exactly met with mainstream acceptance either and that it is not going to do so in the future. Both items are at present a small niche market in the larger audio equipment marketplace compared to the sales of CD players, DVD players, and even consumer CD recorders. Maybe this is so in the U.S. Here in NZ I would say MD acceptance is similar to the reported position in the UK - two years ago no-one had heard of it, now more and more people have portables, many people (maybe still not most) have heard of the concept. Portables are still expensive but now the prices are achievable, while blanks have dropped dramatically in price (they were commonly NZ$12-16 in 1998, now NZ$5-7 (approx US$2-3) - more than a 50% drop at retail, which is helping acceptance. Still, MD acceptance here is nothing like DVD acceptance, and MD is still only found in dedicated HiFi shops, there's not much in the chain electronics or home appliance stores, so yes it is a niche. OTOH, MP3 players are very rare - I know a lot of people who burn CDs and who hold a lot of MP3s on their PCs but most people just aren't that in love with their PCs and it can be tricky finding portable hardware to listen to the MP3s. I agree that as time goes on, PCs integrated with other entertainment technology will take over and MD won't survive. I'd give it another 10 years though. Richard Lang Solicitor Duncan Cotterill Christchurch, New Zealand email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] tel: (++64)-3-379-2430 fax: (++64)-3-379-7097 http://www.duncancotterill.com ___PLEASE NOTE: ___ This communication contains information that is confidential and which may be subject to legal privilege or subject to copyright. If you are not the intended recipient, you must not use, distribute or copy the contents of this communication. If you have received this communication in error, please notify us immediately by reply e-mail, facsimile or collect telephone call to +64 3 379 2430 and destroy the original. We virus scan all e-mails and electronic media but are not responsible for any virus or alternation. - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: Best buy, phasing out MD equip ??
From: "Mike Burger" [EMAIL PROTECTED] blink To tell the truth, I never noticed any correlation between his posting and my defense. I tend to jump to the defense of anyone I feel has at least made a valid point, and I feel has dismissed out of hand. sigh I didn't dismiss him out of hand. I disagreed with his statement. That's all. I guess I need to watch my threads a little more carefully. G Not on my account...I'm just one of the nobodies around here. G Don C. - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: Best buy, phasing out MD equip ??
From: "Richard Lang" [EMAIL PROTECTED] Maybe this is so in the U.S. Here in NZ I would say MD acceptance is similar to the reported position in the UK - two years ago no-one had heard of it, now more and more people have portables, many people (maybe still not most) have heard of the concept. I've noticed that Richard. Based upon what I've read in various UK audio and pro sound/recording publications it seems that MD is far more established in the UK than it ever has been in the US. Interesting. Seems to be used quite often for two track mastering in home studios over there...at least based upon what I've read in Sound-On-Sound and other mags. Over here I would say the home studio mastering device of choice is the DAT recorder, closely followed by the CD recorder. Don C. - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: Best buy, phasing out MD equip ??
...I would contend that MD has not exactly met with mainstream acceptance either and that it is not going to do so in the future. Both items are at present a small niche market in the larger audio equipment marketplace compared to the sales of CD players, DVD players, and even consumer CD recorders. Maybe this is so in the U.S. Here in NZ I would say MD acceptance is similar to the reported position in the UK - two years ago no-one had heard of it, now more and more people have portables, many people (maybe still not most) have heard of the concept. I'll add my bit to this thread too. In the UK, I do not know a single person who owns a consumer CD recorder. However almost every technically-literate friend and colleague has a PC CD Writer and / or a consumer DVD player Also, I know just ONE person who owns an MP3 player. ONE. That includes all of the people who work at my place of work (a VERY technical place, full of like-minded gadget-fiend engineers). A dozen or so people I know and work with own MD equipment, be it in-car units, portable personal units or consumer MD decks. (I will add that I know people with PDAs (PalmV and Compaq iPaq seem popular) and that these are able to play MP3 files - however I am not including these in my total of MP3-player-owners, in the same way that I am not including every person I ever knew who owned a PC as an MP3-player owner) Richer Sounds, Comet, Currys, Dixons, Index and Argos are all stocking healthy amounts of MD gear. And these are all common-or-garden high street chain stores. Blank MDs can be had for 99p (~70 cents I guess?) and that's without even looking very hard. HMV and Virgin Megastores sell both blank MDs and prerecorded discs. So I guess the UK MD 'scene' is dramatically different to the current US situation and perhaps in some ways THE strongest MD market? What are other countries like (europe? japan?) Dave - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: Best buy, phasing out MD equip ??
Don Capps wrote: You can disagree all you like Larry. But in AB comparison where A is the original cd and B is a 192kbps mp3 file, the file is sonically indistinguishable from the original cd. That was my point. And yes, that is on a high quality playback system. My Turtle Beach soundcard has RCA stereo outputs being fed to a Denon integrated amp driving Mission speakers and an old MK sub which I retired a few years back from my main home theater system. Don, if you are talking about a Turtle Beach Sound Card with analog outputs, the chain is so weak at that point, there A/B testing is worth very little. The original Turtle Beach sound card was fine 10 years ago. But they no longer make a card that can be considered HI Fi by today's standards. They have made some real crap since then. You need to copy the MP3 files onto a CDR and then play them through a CD player that can play both MP3 and standard CDs. That would be the only valid way to A/B test (plus you would have to adjust the sound levels for each CD so that they would be equal. Larry - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: Best buy, phasing out MD equip ??
On Mon, 12 Feb 2001, Dan Frakes wrote: [...] Easily over $1000 for an entry-level machine, closer to $2000 for a good system. Not to be nit-picky, but where'd you get these prices? Those are about twice what you should be paying. But I agree, it's still far more expensive. Josh - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: Best buy, phasing out MD equip ??
On Fri, 9 Feb 2001, Mike Burger wrote: You tell me. I can get a decent MD recorder for much $40-50USD less, and not have to pay as much for the media. What's a CF card cost these days for a card with enough capacity to hold an hour or so worth of music? A minidisc is about $1.20 to $1.50 per disc. I think you misunderstood what he was referring to. The Philips Expanium is a CD player that can read MP3s off CDRs. So, the media costs about $0.50 max for anywhere from 4 to 10 hours (depending on bitrate) of music. Josh - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: Best buy, phasing out MD equip ??
Don Capps wrote: As for MP3 players...don't knock it until you've tried it. My Expanium is the best entertainment investment I've made in years. And at 199 USD how much more inexpensive does it have to get? The Expandium is not an MP3 player in the classic usage of that phrase (when people speak of "MP3 players" they are usually referring to things like the Rio). It is a CD player that can play MP3 files, isn't it? I believe that they use a modified CD ROM drive in order to achieve this. But in order to make those MP3 files you have to have a computer and either download MP3 files or convert music CD's "virtual files" to wave files to MP3 files. I realize that there is software that can do this in one step, but it is still not the same as copying a CD directly to an MD. For $200 you can also buy a DVD player that will read MP3 files and has a digital output. Plus you will get about $60 back in change!! True you can't carry it around your neck. But you can't watch DVD's on your player. Since their introduction I still have not seen a drop in the price of portable CD/MP3 players. Two hundred dollars seems like a pretty high price to play for something that isn't even capable of either recording or at least play back DVDs. Aiwa makes a car unit that will play them also. It's $300.00. About $150 more than it's standard CD counter part. You are paying too much extra for the "gimmick" in my humble opinion. Larry - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: Best buy, phasing out MD equip ??
=== = NB: Over 50% of this message is QUOTED, please = = be more selective when quoting text = === So? It still requires a computer ($500) and a CD-R burner ($120 old model). I admit, i use my MD for most of my MP3 music on om computer, but I like to take notes with my mic and record off friends at school. So, rules out MP3. -Rob - Original Message - From: "JT" [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Friday, February 09, 2001 11:31 PM Subject: Re: MD: Best buy, phasing out MD equip ?? On Fri, 9 Feb 2001, Mike Burger wrote: You tell me. I can get a decent MD recorder for much $40-50USD less, and not have to pay as much for the media. What's a CF card cost these days for a card with enough capacity to hold an hour or so worth of music? A minidisc is about $1.20 to $1.50 per disc. I think you misunderstood what he was referring to. The Philips Expanium is a CD player that can read MP3s off CDRs. So, the media costs about $0.50 max for anywhere from 4 to 10 hours (depending on bitrate) of music. Josh - 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: Best buy, phasing out MD equip ??
=== = NB: Over 50% of this message is QUOTED, please = = be more selective when quoting text = === You're correct...I did misunderstand. From the conversation, I thought he was talking about just an MP3 player. However, this brings us right back to the problem of any CD sized device not being as convenient to carry around as an MP3 player...size often does matter. G On Fri, 9 Feb 2001, JT wrote: On Fri, 9 Feb 2001, Mike Burger wrote: You tell me. I can get a decent MD recorder for much $40-50USD less, and not have to pay as much for the media. What's a CF card cost these days for a card with enough capacity to hold an hour or so worth of music? A minidisc is about $1.20 to $1.50 per disc. I think you misunderstood what he was referring to. The Philips Expanium is a CD player that can read MP3s off CDRs. So, the media costs about $0.50 max for anywhere from 4 to 10 hours (depending on bitrate) of music. Josh - 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: Best buy, phasing out MD equip ??
From: "Mike Burger" [EMAIL PROTECTED] You tell me. I can get a decent MD recorder for much $40-50USD less, and not have to pay as much for the media. What's a CF card cost these days for a card with enough capacity to hold an hour or so worth of music? I wouldn't know Mike. My Expanium uses CD-R and CD-RW media which costs me approximately 80 cents per disc. And each disc has the capacity to hold well over one hundred songs even at high bitrates (say 192kbps). That works out to 8 plus hours of VERY high quality (ie: practically indistinguishable from the CD) music on one 80 cent disc. You do the math. Don C. - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: Best buy, phasing out MD equip ??
The way I see it, MD is much more practical and cheaper that MP3 players for portable digital audio. I think MP3 players are massivley overhyped and will die down in the next few years just like the Internet bubble unless the prices come down dramatically. I think its insignificant whether or not MD's are popular in the USA. Whats important is what the individual prefers Im happy with my MD recorder and will stick with it for a few years yet ... Date: Fri, 2 Feb 2001 17:27:23 -0500 From: "Dan Scellen" [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: MD: Best buy, phasing out MD equip ?? He is now the 4th person I've converted to MDs, and I've only tried to convert 5.As a cheap medicine commercial might say, 4 out of 5 Americans prefer minidisc. They just need to be promoted. If people knew about them, and about their capabilities, they would catch on. Easily. - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: Best buy, phasing out MD equip ??
From: "Zaheer Mahmood" [EMAIL PROTECTED] I think MP3 players are massivley overhyped and will die down in the next few years just like the Internet bubble... The internet bubble? Internet use continues to grow daily with a slight slowdown but no sign of stopping. As for MP3 players...don't knock it until you've tried it. My Expanium is the best entertainment investment I've made in years. And at 199 USD how much more inexpensive does it have to get? Don C. - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: Best buy, phasing out MD equip ??
On Fri, 9 Feb 2001, Don Capps wrote: The internet bubble? Internet use continues to grow daily with a slight slowdown but no sign of stopping. As for MP3 players...don't knock it until you've tried it. My Expanium is the best entertainment investment I've made in years. And at 199 USD how much more inexpensive does it have to get? You tell me. I can get a decent MD recorder for much $40-50USD less, and not have to pay as much for the media. What's a CF card cost these days for a card with enough capacity to hold an hour or so worth of music? A minidisc is about $1.20 to $1.50 per disc. - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: Best buy, phasing out MD equip ??
Dan Frakes wrote: Not I... I'd rather carry my E900 and five MDs that a player that holds CD-sized media any day of the week. Say what you will about compression -- and you know that I'm one who firmly believes there is an audible difference between CD and MD -- but for portable applications, where audible differences are less noticeable, MD is simply a better format IMO. I'm still the one that thinks most people can not really "hear" the difference. But like everyone else, psychologically I would probably prefer to listen to the CD. I really doubt that I could HEAR the difference. Since we moved into an apartment, I do a lot of my listening on a Sharp MD-C2 mini system and I am almost satisfied with that. Most of the time that I get a chance to listen to music is in a car. So I'm not the guy who can be too critical. I usd to think I had golden ears. I used to have amazing eyesight too (that part is not subjective, it was a fact) and now I have to wear reading glasses. But I can still appreciate the difference between listening on my Onkyo system than on my "crappy" Sharp. To me, most MP3 compressed songs that I download sound acceptable. I have an Apex 600 DVD player that will also play MP3 files and has a digital output (but I had to buy a coaxial to optical converter from Nate from Canada-who is on this list). I like to make digital copies on to MD and listen to them in the car. Larry - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: Best buy, phasing out MD equip ??
"Francisco J. Huerta" wrote: I've always felt we've been the Betamax of the audio world... not a bad thing, unless everyone stops marketing blanks. (Remember Betamax? It was the format that was superior to VHS... and disappeared.) I know that this is getting way off of the topic. But I owned both Beta and VHS. I didn't think that Beta looked as good and I had a decent quality genuine Sony Hi Fi recorder. Larry - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: Best buy, phasing out MD equip ??
I've always felt we've been the Betamax of the audio world... not a bad thing, unless everyone stops marketing blanks. (Remember Betamax? It was the format that was superior to VHS... and disappeared.) Are we in danger of become another Betamax? -jts Arlington, TX - 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: Best buy, phasing out MD equip ??
John Small quoted from a post of mine, If MD dies in the US and commented, | Sorry, I came in late on this thread. Is there some danger of the format | dying in the US? I wouldn't say "danger," just "theoretical possibility." That thread was strictly speculation; having been computerless for six days, I was catching up with the list last night, so my post to it came later than everyone else's. If you just subscribed to this list, John, then my post would be the only part of that thread that you saw unless you visited the MD-L archives. - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: Best buy, phasing out MD equip ??
"David W. Tamkin" wrote: I wouldn't say "danger," just "theoretical possibility." That thread was strictly speculation; having been computerless for six days, I was catching up with the list last night, so my post to it came later than everyone else's. If you just subscribed to this list, John, then my post would be the only part of that thread that you saw unless you visited the MD-L archives. Things are looking worse for MD than I thought. A few months ago when I visited my local Circuit City (my local CC was never big in the MD format to begin with) they seemed to have the most portable MD units I had seen there (like 3 or four different models-big deal!). But today they only had one unit! All of the Sony's were gone. No players. About 6 or more MP3 players though (along with 32MB storage cards that they were asking $99 for). With the exception of not being affected by physical vibration (which I will admit is a big deal, I do not see any advantages to storing music on tiny, expensive memory chips as opposed to MDs. I suppose if you made the memory buffer large enough (although this would increase the cost of an MD recorder) you could eliminate the concern of physical vibration during MD playback. But it doesn't look good for in the US at this point. People are so stupid. Larry - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: Best buy, phasing out MD equip ??
Dan Scellen wrote: That's true. Just about a week ago, my 20 yr old brother started to use my MDs. He has about 300 cassettes all of live recorded material, and he was perfectly content with them. Well, after a week using MDs, he said to me last night "Minidisc is the way to go. Why have these not caught on yet?" He is now the 4th person I've converted to MDs, and I've only tried to convert 5. It's sad. But until recently prices were just too high. Someone mentioned that editing on a CDR/W drive was easier than on MD. I don't see that. I can stop an MD anywhere I want, then combine, divide, delete, move. You can't easily do that with CDs on a computer. But a computer does not add SCMS. And a CD can hold an equal amount of music without compression. I truly don't believe that the average person can hear the difference between the original CD and it's MD copy. But the 5 to 1 compression still has a psychological affect. Also, a CD holds the same amount of music, but 5 times the "information" since it is not compressed. but is CD is not 5 time bigger than an MD. I'm talking about the disc itself. I'd gladly accept the extra size if CD were encased in jackets like the MD is. This is especially critical in CDR/W where scratches are much more sensitive than even a plan CD. Larry - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: Best buy, phasing out MD equip ??
Larry said: But it doesn't look good for in the US at this point. People are so stupid. That's true. Just about a week ago, my 20 yr old brother started to use my MDs. He has about 300 cassettes all of live recorded material, and he was perfectly content with them. Well, after a week using MDs, he said to me last night "Minidisc is the way to go. Why have these not caught on yet?" He is now the 4th person I've converted to MDs, and I've only tried to convert 5.As a cheap medicine commercial might say, 4 out of 5 Americans prefer minidisc. They just need to be promoted. If people knew about them, and about their capabilities, they would catch on. Easily. Dan Scellen - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: Best buy, phasing out MD equip ??
Larry wrote, | As long as MD is big in Japan and there is an internet, there will always | be a source of MD gear and blanks at competitive prices. But what about repair and service? That is what concerns me. For example, I just bought a JB940 by mail order, but the dealer is in the US. I can't buy one locally as far as I know, but I can get it serviced nearby if something goes wrong. It's not only a matter of the warranty; it's a matter of a facility that has the parts and the service manuals and staff who know, or can learn, what to do. On the other hand, if c"s my W1 needs repair, it will have to be shipped to Japan. If MD dies in the US, we can still import blanks and accessories, but what do we do for service? - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: Best buy, phasing out MD equip ??
=== = NB: Over 50% of this message is QUOTED, please = = be more selective when quoting text = === as for there not being much stuff at best buy, my local best buy has 5 different portable ones, and at least 3 different home units. a ton of blanks, and many md wallet's. - Original Message - From: "Donald Person" [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: "MiniDisc List" [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Saturday, January 27, 2001 10:54 AM Subject: MD: Best buy, phasing out MD equip ?? Well everyone -- I think we're fighting a losing battle. While I personally love MD, I think it's dying out here in the US. The manufacturers didn't do enough in the advertising department to begin with, and now many manufacturers are pulling out of MD all together! Can you believe blank cassettes STILL out-sell MD's and even CD-R's ??? Don't these people realize that MD is the ONLY replacement for cassette because of the ease-of-use and re-recordability?? (But all of us know that already.) Anyhow -- I went to BestBuy last week. Their MD equipment line has been reduced to practically nothing. I saw a couple of Sony MD bundles and a Sharp portable.. THAT'S IT!! I was very disappointed, and decided to just buy blanks and a new MD wallet. Walked to the aisle with blank CD's and cassettes and there they were: A VERY SMALL and OVERPRICED selection of blank MiniDiscs. I just bought a 10-pack and went searchng for the wallet. It seems that Best Buy was out of stock of the MD wallets... And had been for 5 months. They never re-ordered them. I asked if I could make an order request if I purchased so many of the wallets, and they told me: " All re-stocking is computer generated. The computer hasn't re-ordered the wallets, and I don't know when we're getting any more in.." That's it !!! This is so bloody ridiculous!! MD is far better than CD-R or CD-RW! Now there are NO stores in the Albany, NY area that carry a good selection!! Should I give up on the format or what? I don't want to, because it's so handy to have a portable digital recorder.. BUT what can I do if they stop selling the good stuff?? Anyone else having this problem?? -Don - 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: Best buy, phasing out MD equip ??
I wish the local BestBuy, here, was the same way...3 portables (only 2 of them recordable), one home (Sony CD-MD). And their price on blanks is ridiculous...my wife got me an 8 pack, there...$17. I wish I'd known...I'd have pointed her at Circuit City, at the very least, or at Peter Forest or Art Munson, if she didn't have to have them in hand, right away. I'd be very interested in an MD shelf unit, but none of the local stores carry one. I may have to go the way of the net for this one. G On Sat, 27 Jan 2001, Matt Wall wrote: as for there not being much stuff at best buy, my local best buy has 5 different portable ones, and at least 3 different home units. a ton of blanks, and many md wallet's. - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: Best buy, phasing out MD equip ??
This is so bloody ridiculous!! MD is far better than CD-R or CD-RW! Sorry. But here I cannot agree with you. How can a data compressed format possibly be superior to a properly dithered uncompressed digital recording? This statement just doesn't make sense. Don C. I was always under the impression that MD was brought out to rpelace the Tape and not the CD. But most people (including myself) seem to always get into the issue of MD vs CD. Bryan http://bullets.gothic.ie current price of a Hi-space 80min blank in Eire 86p - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: Best buy, phasing out MD equip ??
[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I was always under the impression that MD was brought out to rpelace the Tape and not the CD. But most people (including myself) seem to always get into the issue of MD vs CD. Try carrying a CD or two around in your pants pocket. Big difference! -- 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: Best buy, phasing out MD equip ??
Dan Scellen wrote: When I went to the same Best Buy a couple months ago to see about buying an MD minisystem, the salesperson tried to convince me that MD was dead. He said that it has no advantages over any other format. How can we expect MD to become mainstream like this? If I didn't know what I was talking about there, he surely would have convinced me against minidisc. Dan, this all goes back to the discussion that we frequently have here about what idiots they hire at best buy and circuit city. For example, I was in a Best Buy in a large upscale area north of Philadelphia. There were a young male and female sales person standing around the CD department. Now this is their department. This is where they work. one was the manager. You'd expect that they would have at least a minimal knowledge about CDs and the format. I asked them where the HDCD CDs were. The girl looked at the guy. and deferred to him. He said "what's that?!!! When I described HDCD CDs, they just told me that if they had any they would be mixed in with the other CDs. They didn't have a separate section for them. No kidding. How can you have a separate section for something they you don't even know exists!!! But what really gets me (most of my experience is with Circuit City, which I try to avoid buying things in if it is at all possible) is the attitude and arrogance of these stupid people. I'm sure there are exceptions (probably people working there until they find a job that they really want) but for the most part, the sales persons that they hire are losers who are really only qualified to be sweeping the floors. I don't understand how these places have gotten so big. Their prices aren't good either. But there seems to be some kind of price fixing going on because many of the competing stores seem to have the same prices. Larry - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: Best buy, phasing out MD equip ??
Donald Person wrote: Well everyone -- I think we're fighting a losing battle. This isn't a fight. Who cares if the rest of the people in this country are buying? As long as MD is big in Japan and there is an internet, there will always be a source of MD gear and blanks at competitive prices. Larry - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
