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Nice Review (Reply to this comment)
by Ed.Williamson
but I think technology is getting even beyond this. Thanks for a great and well-crafted argument though.
-Ed
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Mar 16 '02
7:39 am PST
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Portable tape recorders are here to stay. (Reply to this comment)
by Emilio
I strongly disagree that portable tape players/recorders should not even be considered an option any more. This may be true for computer buffs who have the time to surf the web for music and spend hours downloading the music and burning it on CDs of DVDs. In other words, if all your music is computer-based, then burning it onto a CD makes sense. But, even then, the option is way more expensive than recording a tape. Tapes and tape players are 2 ,3 or even 5 times less expensive than rewritable CDs and CD-RW drives.
But the biggest advantage of tapes is their simplicity and convenience. There is simply no other way to easily record music off of a radio.
I like to ski to music. Maybe you like to jog to music. Or ride a bicycle to music. Either way, the road noise, or the sound of skis swooshing on snow is too loud to allow you to fully appreciate the quality and depth of digital music anyway. I mean, there is just too much ambient noise to allow for the subtleties of the sound to be really noticeable. So, the quality of an analog tape is perfectly satisfactory. I don't need the additional quality of digital technology, since I wouldn't be able to tell the difference anyway while I am huffing and puffing (while jogging) or loudly swooshing on snow while skiing fast.
I usually listen to music on the radio while I work on the computer. When a good piece of music comes on, I simply hit the record button on my tape deck. Over time, I have filled dozens of great tapes this way. All perfect for skiing!
Now, some day, when digital music media allows me the same simplicity of recording, then I might consider switching. But, considering how paranoid the music producers and distributors are about not allowing any copying of the music, this will probably not happen any time soon.
So, let's be grateful we have analog tapes to accomplish with ease what can only be accomplished with a lot of concentrated effort and a lot of specialized software and/or hardware with digital equipment (to circumvent copy protection schemes).
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Feb 27 '02
3:25 pm PST
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Opinion good, but doesn't take size into consideration (Reply to this comment)
by watsondog
For those of us whose only carrying case is a small purse or overloaded briefcase, a CD player can be far too large and heavy for everyday use. What's more, the CDs themselves can take up a lot of room. I tried using a CD, but have recently changed to a MP3 player because of the hassle of having to carry a larger, heavier purse.
I suggest that anybody reading the above opinion take into consideration the size problem if they don't use a backpack.
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Jul 15 '01
10:20 am PDT
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Ignorant Author (Reply to this comment)
by daemos
I have owned many MANY personal audio devices in my short life. I've owned 3 casset players, about 4 cd players, and one md player. 2 of the CD players I've owned had sony's clamed "G-protection" but guess what? THEY SKIP still, if they are hit hard enough they skip. I've also owned 2 panasonic shockwaves, one metal, and both with VMSS. Yes cool, but like all other cd players they are bulky, skip and don't provide alot of power from the batteries.
Once I got my MD player, it changed the way I listened to portable audio. I could record off anysource, and with MDLP I could use LP 2 to fit twice the music on to one MD without losing ANY sound quality.
You say that you can't listen the MD onto anything? well If you don't have the money to buy a deck for your home theater, just buy a mini-plug to RCA adapter, and plug it from your Minidisc players' line out.
The battery life of the minidisc is ALSO much better. from ONE aa battery the average player now can give you 35-40 hours life. then the rechargeable battery's life is also around that and only takes 3.5 hours to recharge.
MD's here only cost me about 2$ CND which is twice as much as a CD. But with MDLP they can hold up to 4X the music with LP4, sacrificing some sound quality, and 2X with LP2, without sacaraficising any quality. AND you can rewrite MDs, erase tracks, move them, name them.
Also most MD players casing are made of metal, not some cheap plastic. The newer ones which are super light use alumium-magisium compunds to form the case.
MD players are also SMALL, tiny compared to CD players.
Minidiscs are way stronger than CDs and are rewriteable, blank minidiscs are cheaper than cd-rws here (in canada)
On to Mp3 players, THEY SUCK. Limited memory, can't record off ANY source except from the USB port and it's built in mic. They eat batteries like nothing.
In the end I think Minidisc Will dominate the market. It already has in Asia, CD audio is almost dad in Asia. MD has takenover.
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Jul 14 '01
8:48 pm PDT
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Re: Huh? (Reply to this comment)
by soupcraze
I meant the age of the discmans that were the new basis of today's discmans. Not many people at all bought them during the dark ages. Boy, you rate a bit harsh considering that it was just one tiny thing that no one really cares about.
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Jun 04 '01
8:43 am PDT
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Huh? (Reply to this comment)
by gerper
"*CD players have been existent for a long time. The 1st portable devices came into the market in the year 1995"
Huh? I bought my first DiscMan in the 1987, so I'm not really sure where this information came from.
The early 90's were the "dark ages" for portable CD players, as they were really bulky and the anti-skip feature wasn't even an option on many players.
gerper
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Jun 03 '01
5:05 am PDT
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great history/comparison (Reply to this comment)
by seric26
I don't agree with all your conclusions, but I think it's useful to compare and contrast, esp. in this under-utilized category.
I don't think you see the full appeal of MDs, though; the newer models are cheaper than you describe, can both record and play in the same unit, and can play through your computer like any other audio device if connected to your soundcard input.
Eric
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Apr 23 '01
9:09 am PDT
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A good epinion overall (Reply to this comment)
by yusakugo
I'm a bit surprised that you didn't mention anything about the recent push of CD-MP3 players that are currently in their second and even third generation (the latest ones being the RioVolt and the AVC Soul Player). However, it still goes with your conclusion that CDs are still currently king.
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Mar 07 '01
5:30 pm PST
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ONE MORE THING (Reply to this comment)
by soupcraze
Oh yeah, I forgot to mention you can't put an MD disc into a computer, stereo (if it has no MD player), or anything except for your $300 MD player.
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Feb 20 '01
7:21 pm PST
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Re: Dont overlook MD like the author did (Reply to this comment)
by soupcraze
Sure, MD isn't all too expensive. BUT... have you ever considered the price difference between an MD player and a portable CD player? You can get a basic Sony G-protection player for $80 or less. MDs are more expensive, and LESS compatible with things now. Oh sure, maybe a CD can hold only 80 minutes, but you can get a 20-pack for $5 if you're lucky (you can buy Imation 12X 80min 700MB discs there on sale). MD isn't cheap in the long run. Have you overlooked the compatibility? I can take a CD out of my Yamaha burner, and play the CD-R in my computer, discman, Sony R-7000, my home theater system...etc... It's also really cheap for me to do this. Plus, if you read the review, I'm not saying MP3 is good. There is a difference between good and hype, everyone has one these days. I think you completely under-rated this review based on one piece of imformation that YOU simply overlooked.
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Feb 20 '01
7:20 pm PST
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Dont overlook MD like the author did (Reply to this comment)
by yakumo9275
The author obviously hasnt taken much look at MD.
for MP3 players, you pay HOW much for a 128mb stick? and can put what, 10 songs... for $2 you can buy a blank MD and record LP2, 160minutes!!
There is a huge difference. MD is designed to replace tape. You can record everything to MD. cheap discs vs $$$$$ 128mb memory sticks? no comparison.
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Feb 18 '01
10:36 pm PST
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MD player (Reply to this comment)
by Shampoo-Girl
I remembered a time, not so long ago when MD players were only available in Japan. These days, you could get them at the Best Buy store - which reminds me, I need to get one of these after that Dreamcast I've been saving up for.
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Jan 28 '01
7:53 pm PST
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