RE: MD: Future of MD
The media wars have always interested me... Let me start of by saying MD is my favorite media but. Dataplay is yet another nail in the coffin for MD. Although the atrac compression has a foreseeable future, the actual media, MD, is dying. For audio, 74 mins on a MD sized disc is ok, when compared to Cd. Keep in mind then that it is compressed. Now, imagine atrac 3 compression on a 500 MB disc. That is going to give you lots of music for a small dataplay type disc. Even further, imagine LP2 mode on a 500 MB disc. What really makes dataplay stupid of course, is the fact that it is a write once type media. But, if they can make write once media that size, then re-writeable discs are just around the corner. Heck, personally I like the idea of being able to put a lot of data onto a tiny disc. Remember it does anything digital, not just music. You will be able to fit a lot of modern games onto ONE of these discs. I dunno what the bitrate of md is but, if 160 MB = 80 mins of music, then (very roughly): 500/160 = 3.125 (3.125 MD discs, per dataplay disc) 3.125 * 80 = 250 mins (500 mins in lp2 mode, i think?) Just my 2c worth. Gerard Naude E-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: Future of MD
Hi, there always be a room for "package media", and people who'd like to get something real like a work of art, favorite music, speeches, etc., etc, in their handsand you can't beat the MD for such purposes, including flexibility, editing possibilities, portability, so far. I think there is no need to worry, I can't imagine the same people who are afraid of simple task like programming VCR ( vast majority?) to enjoy MP3's 'take the music out- take the music in' sort of "fun"! I. - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: Future of MD
On Wed, 10 May 2000 19:27:11 +0100, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: > Over here in Sunny England, MD is slowly but surely finding its feet. S'funny, as a brit, I would have said that MD appeared to peak maybe around six months ago. > All > the Virgin Megastores and HMV stores have MD aisles, I would agree with that, though - there does seem to be more available in HMV and Virgin stores for prerec MDs, but I guess some of that is possibly because there are more titles now on MD? > all the chains (Tandy, > Dixon, Comet, Currys, PC-World, Richer Sounds, John Lewis, Index, Argos, > etc) sell MD portables, MD systems and MD separates... It does seem to be slowly tapering, though. Looking back in say Argos or Index catalogues, there did seem to be more prominence, and MD models, than there are in the current catalogues. As far as the high street stores are concerned, I'd say there's not much difference between now and six months ago - perhaps even more. I bought my first MD recorder / portable, last September from a Comet store, and although there maybe *slightly* more portables on the market now, MDs positioning appears no higher than it did then. > This would not have been the case a year ago, or even six months ago. Sorry to argue! ;-) But IME there doesn't seem that much difference between now and a year ago. The main difference I can see is that time has moved on, MD appears no higher in prominences then than - which does make me wonder how much time there's left in the medium, from a commercial standpoint. By this I mean I wonder how long it will continue as, pretty much, a fringe thing. And with MP3 players hitting the highstreet some time back, and to a certain degree, with the internet bandwagon, perhaps have more prominence (quality and features aside) I do wonder what will happen. Not that it bothers me that much, I'm quite keen on the MD format and will use it, as long as it makes sense to, and there is equipment and MDs being sold. I just wonder how much longer there will be that much thrust of development, in something that's reasonably a fringe format. > Seems to me like MD is actually beginning to take off (here)! I think it's already peaked, and a while back, here in England. That said I'd be glad to be wrong ;-) I don't think it's ever gonna hit mainstream. If it manages to maintain it's current user base, and perhaps increase this, perhaps there's still a fine future for it. I can just forsee a time when sales of the equipment are fairly static, the highstreet losing interest. > (But it could also be just a fad with slow momentum. Hard to tell, > unfortunately) I think MP3 equipment is currently the fad. I remember first seeing adverts for MD equipment, a few years back, and was always surprised it never really caught on. Popularity and fashion, though, are rarely based on true merit. I just wonder if MD has a significant enough user base to be likely to remain as a popular / developing format. I think it's probably the convenience and truly widespread use and acceptance that's made cassette tape still a valid format. I mean people have speculated on it's demise many times, and MD would look to be a potential replacement, but because of such an established precedent, it's still likely to be around for some time. I'd like to think MD would be, but then I'm not so blindly loyal, that I'd ignore a new improved format. I guess it would be a shame for formats to be fairly short-lived, fringe phenomenon, though. I think that's the issue with technology and entertainment these days - with it moving perhaps quicker than in the past, and although newer developments still provide backward compatibility (ie DVD players that can still play CDs, and perhaps newer generation MD equipment, that can play previous generation media), I think the pace of change and moving goalposts, are not something that the masses really want to buy into. Neil ___ Get 100% FREE Internet Access powered by Excite Visit http://freelane.excite.com/freeisp - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
RE: MD: Future of MD
Depends on the unit. If you had a JA30ES, like I do, and had to replace the optical block, like I did, then you'd pay the AUD$300 to get it done too, even though the unit was purchased factory second (scratch on the back of the casing) for AUD$950. I would have done it myself, but I was only going on instinct and did not have a spare laser power meter to confirm my suspicion. Too expensive a gamble to make, even though the symptoms were mildly obvious. Adios, LarZ --- TAMA - The Strongest Name in Drums --- -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] On Behalf Of J. Coon Sent: Thursday, 11 May 2000 12:07 To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: MD: Future of MD The way my 510 was repaired, and some other horror stories I've heard on this list, if it ain't under warranty, you aren't gonna get it repaired anyway, 'cause the cost is prohibitive. Disposible, I guess. If it breaks go get another one and cry a lot. IMHO. I'm glad my 510 was under warranty, 'cause they never did fix it and ended up giving me a new one. - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: Future of MD
Tony Antoniou wrote: > > I honestly don't see that being an issue. All this negativity may be > substantiated by the reaction of some of the major US retail chains, but I > think MD has a stronger future than what we give it credit for. > And if the companies would just get wise and come out with some models designed for musicians, they would sell even more. Musicians want something that is easy to use, can play back at a slower speeds, and not shift the tone or key of the tune, can change the key if desired, is high quality recording, absent tape hiss, would let you play a track back and record to a second track at the same time, not cost an arm and a leg. -- 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: Future of MD
The way my 510 was repaired, and some other horror stories I've heard on this list, if it ain't under warranty, you aren't gonna get it repaired anyway, 'cause the cost is prohibitive. Disposible, I guess. If it breaks go get another one and cry a lot. IMHO. I'm glad my 510 was under warranty, 'cause they never did fix it and ended up giving me a new one. "David W. Tamkin" wrote: > > Tony Antoniou wrote, > > | Anyway, why do we have to be so damn bleak about it? Why not just take it > | for granted and make the most of it, whether it has a future or not?? > > I'm a little bleak about this aspect: if MD vanishes in the US, yes, I can > buy order hardware and discs by mail order, but what about repairs? That's > what concerns me. > > - > 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: Future of MD
I honestly don't see that being an issue. All this negativity may be substantiated by the reaction of some of the major US retail chains, but I think MD has a stronger future than what we give it credit for. Adios, LarZ --- TAMA - The Strongest Name in Drums --- -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] On Behalf Of David W. Tamkin Sent: Thursday, 11 May 2000 9:21 Cc: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: MD: Future of MD Tony Antoniou wrote, | Anyway, why do we have to be so damn bleak about it? Why not just take it | for granted and make the most of it, whether it has a future or not?? I'm a little bleak about this aspect: if MD vanishes in the US, yes, I can buy order hardware and discs by mail order, but what about repairs? That's what concerns me. - 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: Future of MD
What about pre-recs? But nonetheless, working at a major electronics chain myself, I can quite happily say that MD has a safe future, given the amount of people who come in and buy blanks from me (and from the various branches that I've worked at). Anyway, why do we have to be so damn bleak about it? Why not just take it for granted and make the most of it, whether it has a future or not?? Adios, LarZ --- TAMA - The Strongest Name in Drums --- -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] On Behalf Of Dave Hooper Sent: Thursday, 11 May 2000 4:27 To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: MD: Future of MD Over here in Sunny England, MD is slowly but surely finding its feet. All the Virgin Megastores and HMV stores have MD aisles, all the chains (Tandy, Dixon, Comet, Currys, PC-World, Richer Sounds, John Lewis, Index, Argos, etc) sell MD portables, MD systems and MD separates... This would not have been the case a year ago, or even six months ago. Seems to me like MD is actually beginning to take off (here)! (But it could also be just a fad with slow momentum. Hard to tell, unfortunately) - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: Future of MD
Tony Antoniou wrote, | Anyway, why do we have to be so damn bleak about it? Why not just take it | for granted and make the most of it, whether it has a future or not?? I'm a little bleak about this aspect: if MD vanishes in the US, yes, I can buy order hardware and discs by mail order, but what about repairs? That's what concerns me. - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: Future of MD
=== = NB: Over 50% of this message is QUOTED, please = = be more selective when quoting text = === A Palm Pilot with MD that can play MP3, ATRAC, etc. would be cool. Maybe MD optical technology is too old? Check out this new optical storage technology at http://www.dataplay.com/ Even a MD player with fully digital USB port for downloading music files from a PC would be cool that played both ATRAC and MP3 formats, but the consumer electronic companies will never do it because of copyright and piracy issues. It would be too easy to copy, distribute, and use songs from purchased CDs. The music industry is all over that right now. Chris "Shawn R. Lin" wrote: > 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] - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: Future of MD
Over here in Sunny England, MD is slowly but surely finding its feet. All the Virgin Megastores and HMV stores have MD aisles, all the chains (Tandy, Dixon, Comet, Currys, PC-World, Richer Sounds, John Lewis, Index, Argos, etc) sell MD portables, MD systems and MD separates... This would not have been the case a year ago, or even six months ago. Seems to me like MD is actually beginning to take off (here)! (But it could also be just a fad with slow momentum. Hard to tell, unfortunately) - Original Message - From: "Shawn R. Lin" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Wednesday, May 10, 2000 7:32 AM Subject: Re: MD: Future of MD > 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. - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: Future of MD
Albert Tanone wrote: > > Does that mean that the survival of MD in North America is tied to the > # of people w/ a computer vs. audiophiles? (Actually, audiophiles don't > use MD but but musicians do! - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: Future of MD
On Wed, 10 May 2000, Shawn R. Lin wrote: > 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. One of the key issue that I see keeps popping up is that "You need to spend a few hundred dollars for a computer system to be able to find MP3 players useful." Does that mean that the survival of MD in North America is tied to the # of people w/ a computer vs. audiophiles? (Actually, audiophiles don't use MD but that's another story... ;) ) > 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. True.. true.. Albert - 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: 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
On 9 May 00, Stainless Steel Rat <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Just FWIW, when I was over at Cambridge Soundworks at Cambridgeside (Boston > area), I was talking to one of the guys about MD recorders. He had pointed > me at Boston Sound a couple of days before and I was gloating over the R90. > Anyway, MD is the one thing they cannot keep in stock. People want MD. Yeah, I had a similar experience at our local Circuit City. They had 30 packs (or was it 20 packs?) of MD blanks for a pretty good price, but for some reason I put off buying them. I went back in about a week later, and they'd all been emptied out. I had to buy my blanks at a normal price, dangit. Still, it's really good to see that folks are buying MD stuff. I love my little MZ-R37, and am looking forward to purchasing an MD deck for my stereo this month. -- # Erik Arneson [EMAIL PROTECTED] Webring Technical Yahoo! # # http://www.aarg.net/erik/ GPG Key ID: 1024D/43AD6AB8 # # "The worst wheel of a cart makes the most noise." - Ben Franklin # - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: Future of MD
Just FWIW, when I was over at Cambridge Soundworks at Cambridgeside (Boston area), I was talking to one of the guys about MD recorders. He had pointed me at Boston Sound a couple of days before and I was gloating over the R90. Anyway, MD is the one thing they cannot keep in stock. People want MD. -- 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: Future of MD
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 !! Billy Hetherington >From: "[EMAIL PROTECTED]" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >Subject: MD: Future of MD >Date: Mon, 8 May 2000 13:52:27 -0400 > > >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... > >A Concerned MD Fanatic, > RJ Kirkland > >- >To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word >"unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
