Re: Minidisc File Formats
Hi, Danny and List. Danny, I'm curious as to what you think precludes you from installing a demo version of Goldwave on the laptop being lent you. It would seem immanently reasonable to ask the PC's owner for the green light to install the demo version, especially if you inform that person of your intent to remove the program via the Windows add/remove programs utility in control panel. Just a thought. Best regards, Rob Tabor - Original Message - From: Danny Miles emowarr...@googlemail.com To: PC Audio Discussion List pc-audio@pc-audio.org Sent: Tuesday, May 25, 2010 3:33 AM Subject: Re: Minidisc File Formats Hi Walter. Thanks for advising me again. No, I haven't thought of CDEX, as I've never used it and assumed that it was simply an alternative to Goldwave but with less features. One of the main issues with putting Goldwave on this computer is the lack of available space for programmes, but if CDEX is so basic I presume it takes up very little room. My stand alone CD recorder doesn't allow editing, so the lack of such a feature isn't really an issue. Can you please advise on where to find it and any tutorials, and whether it needs any additional Jaws scripts? Again, thanks for this idea, and any other ideas or contributions from people will still be appreciated as you can never have enough knowledge. Cheers, Danny On 5/25/10, Walter Ramage w...@blueyonder.co.uk wrote: Hi Danny. If you are unable to use Gold Wave for recordings on that computer then have you tried using CDEX. This will record straight onto the hard drive or on to an external hard drive. Unfortunately though, it isn't an audio editor so when you start the recording then stop it, the resulting file can't be manipulated. You can though do so with Gold Wave if you transfer the saved file to another PC or lap top that has Gold Wave. Walter -Original Message- From: pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org]on Behalf Of Danny Miles Sent: 25 May 2010 09:06 To: PC Audio Discussion List Subject: Re: Minidisc File Formats Hi Gary and Kevin. Thanks for your advice. Kevin, unfortunately copying in real time (which I gather is what you're suggesting) isn't an option for me due to its longevity, but the suggestion was appreciated. Also, I'm unable to put Goldwave on the laptop I'm borrowing, but have previously found it very helpful and will be going back to it when I get my new computer. Gary, thanks for your suggestions, but as I said I think such machines require the same discs as my stand alone recorder, so it wouldn't make any difference to me. I guess what I'm trying to find out is whether there's any machine (apart from computers, obviously) which record straight onto hard drives or SD cards, allowing you to conveniently shift files straight to a laptop without the need to record in real time or edit anything. Many thanks, Danny On 5/25/10, Kevin Minor kmi...@windstream.net wrote: Hi Danny. Here's how the copy protection scheme works in the MD world. If your original recording is analog, that is, you used the RCA or Walkman plug to record analog audio to the MD, you can make one level of digital copy from that MD. You won't be able to make a digital copy of these second level discs. You can, however, make as many analog copies of MDs as you like, copying from the original source in analog, copying that second copy to a third copy in analog, and so forth. As for software that will play the contents of an MD, I'm not sure of that. As I said, I hook my MD recorder to the PC using analog means, and record the result into Sound Forge. I then split the file into individual files and convert them to .mp3. It's a bit tedious, but it is doable. Hope this helps. Have a good day, and don't work too hard. GO REDS! Kevin Minor, Lexington, KY kmi...@windstream.net To unsubscribe from this list, send a blank email to: pc-audio-unsubscr...@pc-audio.org To unsubscribe from this list, send a blank email to: pc-audio-unsubscr...@pc-audio.org To unsubscribe from this list, send a blank email to: pc-audio-unsubscr...@pc-audio.org To unsubscribe from this list, send a blank email to: pc-audio-unsubscr...@pc-audio.org To unsubscribe from this list, send a blank email to: pc-audio-unsubscr...@pc-audio.org
Re: Minidisc File Formats
Hi Gary and Kevin. Thanks for your advice. Kevin, unfortunately copying in real time (which I gather is what you're suggesting) isn't an option for me due to its longevity, but the suggestion was appreciated. Also, I'm unable to put Goldwave on the laptop I'm borrowing, but have previously found it very helpful and will be going back to it when I get my new computer. Gary, thanks for your suggestions, but as I said I think such machines require the same discs as my stand alone recorder, so it wouldn't make any difference to me. I guess what I'm trying to find out is whether there's any machine (apart from computers, obviously) which record straight onto hard drives or SD cards, allowing you to conveniently shift files straight to a laptop without the need to record in real time or edit anything. Many thanks, Danny On 5/25/10, Kevin Minor kmi...@windstream.net wrote: Hi Danny. Here's how the copy protection scheme works in the MD world. If your original recording is analog, that is, you used the RCA or Walkman plug to record analog audio to the MD, you can make one level of digital copy from that MD. You won't be able to make a digital copy of these second level discs. You can, however, make as many analog copies of MDs as you like, copying from the original source in analog, copying that second copy to a third copy in analog, and so forth. As for software that will play the contents of an MD, I'm not sure of that. As I said, I hook my MD recorder to the PC using analog means, and record the result into Sound Forge. I then split the file into individual files and convert them to .mp3. It's a bit tedious, but it is doable. Hope this helps. Have a good day, and don't work too hard. GO REDS! Kevin Minor, Lexington, KY kmi...@windstream.net To unsubscribe from this list, send a blank email to: pc-audio-unsubscr...@pc-audio.org To unsubscribe from this list, send a blank email to: pc-audio-unsubscr...@pc-audio.org
Re: Minidisc File Formats
High Kevin, It sounds like you're doing the same thing with your many disc that I do with old records and tapes. SMILES You don't always have to use the USB inter face if you can go the other rout. My best regards. John. - Original Message - From: Kevin Minor kmi...@windstream.net To: 'PC Audio Discussion List' pc-audio@pc-audio.org Sent: Tuesday, May 25, 2010 12:57 AM Subject: RE: Minidisc File Formats Hi Danny. Here's how the copy protection scheme works in the MD world. If your original recording is analog, that is, you used the RCA or Walkman plug to record analog audio to the MD, you can make one level of digital copy from that MD. You won't be able to make a digital copy of these second level discs. You can, however, make as many analog copies of MDs as you like, copying from the original source in analog, copying that second copy to a third copy in analog, and so forth. As for software that will play the contents of an MD, I'm not sure of that. As I said, I hook my MD recorder to the PC using analog means, and record the result into Sound Forge. I then split the file into individual files and convert them to .mp3. It's a bit tedious, but it is doable. Hope this helps. Have a good day, and don't work too hard. GO REDS! Kevin Minor, Lexington, KY kmi...@windstream.net To unsubscribe from this list, send a blank email to: pc-audio-unsubscr...@pc-audio.org To unsubscribe from this list, send a blank email to: pc-audio-unsubscr...@pc-audio.org
RE: Minidisc File Formats
Hi Danny. If you are unable to use Gold Wave for recordings on that computer then have you tried using CDEX. This will record straight onto the hard drive or on to an external hard drive. Unfortunately though, it isn't an audio editor so when you start the recording then stop it, the resulting file can't be manipulated. You can though do so with Gold Wave if you transfer the saved file to another PC or lap top that has Gold Wave. Walter -Original Message- From: pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org]on Behalf Of Danny Miles Sent: 25 May 2010 09:06 To: PC Audio Discussion List Subject: Re: Minidisc File Formats Hi Gary and Kevin. Thanks for your advice. Kevin, unfortunately copying in real time (which I gather is what you're suggesting) isn't an option for me due to its longevity, but the suggestion was appreciated. Also, I'm unable to put Goldwave on the laptop I'm borrowing, but have previously found it very helpful and will be going back to it when I get my new computer. Gary, thanks for your suggestions, but as I said I think such machines require the same discs as my stand alone recorder, so it wouldn't make any difference to me. I guess what I'm trying to find out is whether there's any machine (apart from computers, obviously) which record straight onto hard drives or SD cards, allowing you to conveniently shift files straight to a laptop without the need to record in real time or edit anything. Many thanks, Danny On 5/25/10, Kevin Minor kmi...@windstream.net wrote: Hi Danny. Here's how the copy protection scheme works in the MD world. If your original recording is analog, that is, you used the RCA or Walkman plug to record analog audio to the MD, you can make one level of digital copy from that MD. You won't be able to make a digital copy of these second level discs. You can, however, make as many analog copies of MDs as you like, copying from the original source in analog, copying that second copy to a third copy in analog, and so forth. As for software that will play the contents of an MD, I'm not sure of that. As I said, I hook my MD recorder to the PC using analog means, and record the result into Sound Forge. I then split the file into individual files and convert them to .mp3. It's a bit tedious, but it is doable. Hope this helps. Have a good day, and don't work too hard. GO REDS! Kevin Minor, Lexington, KY kmi...@windstream.net To unsubscribe from this list, send a blank email to: pc-audio-unsubscr...@pc-audio.org To unsubscribe from this list, send a blank email to: pc-audio-unsubscr...@pc-audio.org To unsubscribe from this list, send a blank email to: pc-audio-unsubscr...@pc-audio.org
Re: Minidisc File Formats
Hi John. I 100% agree with you and Kevin, and for old material (mainly cassettes) I do copy things in real time and edit with Goldwave (when I have the software installed). However, I don't want to generate any more recordings on tape as I already have a collection which will probably never all get converted, and my recordings often need to last longer than 45 minutes before being interrupted. However, for conversion of old recordings I'm definitely behind the method described. Danny On 5/25/10, DJ DOCTOR P djdoct...@att.net wrote: High Kevin, It sounds like you're doing the same thing with your many disc that I do with old records and tapes. SMILES You don't always have to use the USB inter face if you can go the other rout. My best regards. John. - Original Message - From: Kevin Minor kmi...@windstream.net To: 'PC Audio Discussion List' pc-audio@pc-audio.org Sent: Tuesday, May 25, 2010 12:57 AM Subject: RE: Minidisc File Formats Hi Danny. Here's how the copy protection scheme works in the MD world. If your original recording is analog, that is, you used the RCA or Walkman plug to record analog audio to the MD, you can make one level of digital copy from that MD. You won't be able to make a digital copy of these second level discs. You can, however, make as many analog copies of MDs as you like, copying from the original source in analog, copying that second copy to a third copy in analog, and so forth. As for software that will play the contents of an MD, I'm not sure of that. As I said, I hook my MD recorder to the PC using analog means, and record the result into Sound Forge. I then split the file into individual files and convert them to .mp3. It's a bit tedious, but it is doable. Hope this helps. Have a good day, and don't work too hard. GO REDS! Kevin Minor, Lexington, KY kmi...@windstream.net To unsubscribe from this list, send a blank email to: pc-audio-unsubscr...@pc-audio.org To unsubscribe from this list, send a blank email to: pc-audio-unsubscr...@pc-audio.org To unsubscribe from this list, send a blank email to: pc-audio-unsubscr...@pc-audio.org
Re: Minidisc File Formats
Hi Walter. Thanks for advising me again. No, I haven't thought of CDEX, as I've never used it and assumed that it was simply an alternative to Goldwave but with less features. One of the main issues with putting Goldwave on this computer is the lack of available space for programmes, but if CDEX is so basic I presume it takes up very little room. My stand alone CD recorder doesn't allow editing, so the lack of such a feature isn't really an issue. Can you please advise on where to find it and any tutorials, and whether it needs any additional Jaws scripts? Again, thanks for this idea, and any other ideas or contributions from people will still be appreciated as you can never have enough knowledge. Cheers, Danny On 5/25/10, Walter Ramage w...@blueyonder.co.uk wrote: Hi Danny. If you are unable to use Gold Wave for recordings on that computer then have you tried using CDEX. This will record straight onto the hard drive or on to an external hard drive. Unfortunately though, it isn't an audio editor so when you start the recording then stop it, the resulting file can't be manipulated. You can though do so with Gold Wave if you transfer the saved file to another PC or lap top that has Gold Wave. Walter -Original Message- From: pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org]on Behalf Of Danny Miles Sent: 25 May 2010 09:06 To: PC Audio Discussion List Subject: Re: Minidisc File Formats Hi Gary and Kevin. Thanks for your advice. Kevin, unfortunately copying in real time (which I gather is what you're suggesting) isn't an option for me due to its longevity, but the suggestion was appreciated. Also, I'm unable to put Goldwave on the laptop I'm borrowing, but have previously found it very helpful and will be going back to it when I get my new computer. Gary, thanks for your suggestions, but as I said I think such machines require the same discs as my stand alone recorder, so it wouldn't make any difference to me. I guess what I'm trying to find out is whether there's any machine (apart from computers, obviously) which record straight onto hard drives or SD cards, allowing you to conveniently shift files straight to a laptop without the need to record in real time or edit anything. Many thanks, Danny On 5/25/10, Kevin Minor kmi...@windstream.net wrote: Hi Danny. Here's how the copy protection scheme works in the MD world. If your original recording is analog, that is, you used the RCA or Walkman plug to record analog audio to the MD, you can make one level of digital copy from that MD. You won't be able to make a digital copy of these second level discs. You can, however, make as many analog copies of MDs as you like, copying from the original source in analog, copying that second copy to a third copy in analog, and so forth. As for software that will play the contents of an MD, I'm not sure of that. As I said, I hook my MD recorder to the PC using analog means, and record the result into Sound Forge. I then split the file into individual files and convert them to .mp3. It's a bit tedious, but it is doable. Hope this helps. Have a good day, and don't work too hard. GO REDS! Kevin Minor, Lexington, KY kmi...@windstream.net To unsubscribe from this list, send a blank email to: pc-audio-unsubscr...@pc-audio.org To unsubscribe from this list, send a blank email to: pc-audio-unsubscr...@pc-audio.org To unsubscribe from this list, send a blank email to: pc-audio-unsubscr...@pc-audio.org To unsubscribe from this list, send a blank email to: pc-audio-unsubscr...@pc-audio.org
Re: Minidisc File Formats
Hello Danny, I don't make tape recordings anymore either. I just make digital transfers of them using DC7. Making tape recordings these days, is so yester years. SMILES. Why do that when these days, we're using tricks like vacuum tube preamps to make our recordings sound pretty close to what records sound like. My best regards. John. - Original Message - From: Danny Miles emowarr...@googlemail.com To: PC Audio Discussion List pc-audio@pc-audio.org Sent: Tuesday, May 25, 2010 4:26 AM Subject: Re: Minidisc File Formats Hi John. I 100% agree with you and Kevin, and for old material (mainly cassettes) I do copy things in real time and edit with Goldwave (when I have the software installed). However, I don't want to generate any more recordings on tape as I already have a collection which will probably never all get converted, and my recordings often need to last longer than 45 minutes before being interrupted. However, for conversion of old recordings I'm definitely behind the method described. Danny On 5/25/10, DJ DOCTOR P djdoct...@att.net wrote: High Kevin, It sounds like you're doing the same thing with your many disc that I do with old records and tapes. SMILES You don't always have to use the USB inter face if you can go the other rout. My best regards. John. - Original Message - From: Kevin Minor kmi...@windstream.net To: 'PC Audio Discussion List' pc-audio@pc-audio.org Sent: Tuesday, May 25, 2010 12:57 AM Subject: RE: Minidisc File Formats Hi Danny. Here's how the copy protection scheme works in the MD world. If your original recording is analog, that is, you used the RCA or Walkman plug to record analog audio to the MD, you can make one level of digital copy from that MD. You won't be able to make a digital copy of these second level discs. You can, however, make as many analog copies of MDs as you like, copying from the original source in analog, copying that second copy to a third copy in analog, and so forth. As for software that will play the contents of an MD, I'm not sure of that. As I said, I hook my MD recorder to the PC using analog means, and record the result into Sound Forge. I then split the file into individual files and convert them to .mp3. It's a bit tedious, but it is doable. Hope this helps. Have a good day, and don't work too hard. GO REDS! Kevin Minor, Lexington, KY kmi...@windstream.net To unsubscribe from this list, send a blank email to: pc-audio-unsubscr...@pc-audio.org To unsubscribe from this list, send a blank email to: pc-audio-unsubscr...@pc-audio.org To unsubscribe from this list, send a blank email to: pc-audio-unsubscr...@pc-audio.org To unsubscribe from this list, send a blank email to: pc-audio-unsubscr...@pc-audio.org
Re: Minidisc File Formats
High Danny, Actually, your stand alone CD recorder can do editing. But the problem is, you'll need sight to do it. That's why I got read of mine. My best regards. John. - Original Message - From: Danny Miles emowarr...@googlemail.com To: PC Audio Discussion List pc-audio@pc-audio.org Sent: Tuesday, May 25, 2010 4:33 AM Subject: Re: Minidisc File Formats Hi Walter. Thanks for advising me again. No, I haven't thought of CDEX, as I've never used it and assumed that it was simply an alternative to Goldwave but with less features. One of the main issues with putting Goldwave on this computer is the lack of available space for programmes, but if CDEX is so basic I presume it takes up very little room. My stand alone CD recorder doesn't allow editing, so the lack of such a feature isn't really an issue. Can you please advise on where to find it and any tutorials, and whether it needs any additional Jaws scripts? Again, thanks for this idea, and any other ideas or contributions from people will still be appreciated as you can never have enough knowledge. Cheers, Danny On 5/25/10, Walter Ramage w...@blueyonder.co.uk wrote: Hi Danny. If you are unable to use Gold Wave for recordings on that computer then have you tried using CDEX. This will record straight onto the hard drive or on to an external hard drive. Unfortunately though, it isn't an audio editor so when you start the recording then stop it, the resulting file can't be manipulated. You can though do so with Gold Wave if you transfer the saved file to another PC or lap top that has Gold Wave. Walter -Original Message- From: pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org]on Behalf Of Danny Miles Sent: 25 May 2010 09:06 To: PC Audio Discussion List Subject: Re: Minidisc File Formats Hi Gary and Kevin. Thanks for your advice. Kevin, unfortunately copying in real time (which I gather is what you're suggesting) isn't an option for me due to its longevity, but the suggestion was appreciated. Also, I'm unable to put Goldwave on the laptop I'm borrowing, but have previously found it very helpful and will be going back to it when I get my new computer. Gary, thanks for your suggestions, but as I said I think such machines require the same discs as my stand alone recorder, so it wouldn't make any difference to me. I guess what I'm trying to find out is whether there's any machine (apart from computers, obviously) which record straight onto hard drives or SD cards, allowing you to conveniently shift files straight to a laptop without the need to record in real time or edit anything. Many thanks, Danny On 5/25/10, Kevin Minor kmi...@windstream.net wrote: Hi Danny. Here's how the copy protection scheme works in the MD world. If your original recording is analog, that is, you used the RCA or Walkman plug to record analog audio to the MD, you can make one level of digital copy from that MD. You won't be able to make a digital copy of these second level discs. You can, however, make as many analog copies of MDs as you like, copying from the original source in analog, copying that second copy to a third copy in analog, and so forth. As for software that will play the contents of an MD, I'm not sure of that. As I said, I hook my MD recorder to the PC using analog means, and record the result into Sound Forge. I then split the file into individual files and convert them to .mp3. It's a bit tedious, but it is doable. Hope this helps. Have a good day, and don't work too hard. GO REDS! Kevin Minor, Lexington, KY kmi...@windstream.net To unsubscribe from this list, send a blank email to: pc-audio-unsubscr...@pc-audio.org To unsubscribe from this list, send a blank email to: pc-audio-unsubscr...@pc-audio.org To unsubscribe from this list, send a blank email to: pc-audio-unsubscr...@pc-audio.org To unsubscribe from this list, send a blank email to: pc-audio-unsubscr...@pc-audio.org To unsubscribe from this list, send a blank email to: pc-audio-unsubscr...@pc-audio.org
RE: Minidisc File Formats
Hi Danny. CDEX is a small programme, can't remember the size but certainly much smaller than Gold Wave. It is in fact a CD ripper but it is able to convert files to and from WAVE and or MP3. It also has a Digital recorder included and it is very easy to use. I must admit I never really use it as I have and use Gold Wave. However CDEX is very screen reader friendly both for ripping discs and also for the converter and or audio recorder. Probably the majority of members on this list probably have it so can help out if you have trouble. As I said though it is easy to use and is intuitive. All you need remember is F4 is the key to use when you want to configure it once installed. The programme is free and if you do a google search you will find loads of sites offering the download. My version is an older version (1.51) and I'm not sure what version is the latest but I think it is around 1.70 or 1.71, something like that. As I said in my previous email, the recorder is basic, keystroke to start then keystroke to stop but no edit facility. You can save at whatever bit rate you choose. Bearing in mind it is a small programme and it isn't your computer then your friend won't complain about CDEX as they will probably appreciate it them self. Walter. -Original Message- From: pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org]on Behalf Of Danny Miles Sent: 25 May 2010 09:34 To: PC Audio Discussion List Subject: Re: Minidisc File Formats Hi Walter. Thanks for advising me again. No, I haven't thought of CDEX, as I've never used it and assumed that it was simply an alternative to Goldwave but with less features. One of the main issues with putting Goldwave on this computer is the lack of available space for programmes, but if CDEX is so basic I presume it takes up very little room. My stand alone CD recorder doesn't allow editing, so the lack of such a feature isn't really an issue. Can you please advise on where to find it and any tutorials, and whether it needs any additional Jaws scripts? Again, thanks for this idea, and any other ideas or contributions from people will still be appreciated as you can never have enough knowledge. Cheers, Danny On 5/25/10, Walter Ramage w...@blueyonder.co.uk wrote: Hi Danny. If you are unable to use Gold Wave for recordings on that computer then have you tried using CDEX. This will record straight onto the hard drive or on to an external hard drive. Unfortunately though, it isn't an audio editor so when you start the recording then stop it, the resulting file can't be manipulated. You can though do so with Gold Wave if you transfer the saved file to another PC or lap top that has Gold Wave. Walter -Original Message- From: pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org]on Behalf Of Danny Miles Sent: 25 May 2010 09:06 To: PC Audio Discussion List Subject: Re: Minidisc File Formats Hi Gary and Kevin. Thanks for your advice. Kevin, unfortunately copying in real time (which I gather is what you're suggesting) isn't an option for me due to its longevity, but the suggestion was appreciated. Also, I'm unable to put Goldwave on the laptop I'm borrowing, but have previously found it very helpful and will be going back to it when I get my new computer. Gary, thanks for your suggestions, but as I said I think such machines require the same discs as my stand alone recorder, so it wouldn't make any difference to me. I guess what I'm trying to find out is whether there's any machine (apart from computers, obviously) which record straight onto hard drives or SD cards, allowing you to conveniently shift files straight to a laptop without the need to record in real time or edit anything. Many thanks, Danny On 5/25/10, Kevin Minor kmi...@windstream.net wrote: Hi Danny. Here's how the copy protection scheme works in the MD world. If your original recording is analog, that is, you used the RCA or Walkman plug to record analog audio to the MD, you can make one level of digital copy from that MD. You won't be able to make a digital copy of these second level discs. You can, however, make as many analog copies of MDs as you like, copying from the original source in analog, copying that second copy to a third copy in analog, and so forth. As for software that will play the contents of an MD, I'm not sure of that. As I said, I hook my MD recorder to the PC using analog means, and record the result into Sound Forge. I then split the file into individual files and convert them to .mp3. It's a bit tedious, but it is doable. Hope this helps. Have a good day, and don't work too hard. GO REDS! Kevin Minor, Lexington, KY kmi...@windstream.net To unsubscribe from this list, send a blank email to: pc-audio-unsubscr...@pc-audio.org To unsubscribe from this list, send a blank email to: pc-audio-unsubscr...@pc-audio.org To unsubscribe from this list, send a blank
RE: Minidisc File Formats
Hi Danny. I am a proud owner of five minidisc (MD for short) recorders, and somewhere around 400 blank MDs, as well as some albums that I bought from the store. I was curious about how these things worked, so here's what I remember. The minidisc uses what is called magneto optical writing. What happens is a laser heats up the MD, and while the spot is heated, a magnetic field is applied to it which sets the polarity of the material. When the disc is read, these fluctuations are detected by a laser, and you hear what's on the MD. When I got my first MD player in 1993, I also got some literature on how it worked. It used a form of compression called ATRAC. I don't remember what all the letters stand for, but one of the A's is for accustic. Basicly, the MD uses the same trick that .mp3 files use, that is, what the human ear can't hear is removed from the audio. An 80 minute MD is about a fifth the amount of physical storeage as a CD, and the storage is 300 kbps. Later versions of the MD recorders allowed more recording time on an MD by applying more compression to what you recorded. Now for the USB connection to your PC. When I heard about this, I was hoping you could put .mp3 files on the MD and, more interesting to me, copy the contenets of the MD to my PC for editing. When I looked at this player, there were two problems: The program for the PC wouldn't let you copy from an MD, and more important to me, the software on the PC wasn't accessible to screen readers. One thing the software would let you do, and this was something I would have used, was labeling the tracks on my music MDs. Since the software wasn't useable to me, I decided not to buy one of these. Since .mp3 came out, I haven't found much use for my MD units. Two of them are broken, and two of them are somewhere in storage. I have one working unit that I use to record music to my PC and convert it to .mp3. Hope this helps. If you have any other questions, let me know. Kevin Minor, Lexington, KY kmi...@windstream.net To unsubscribe from this list, send a blank email to: pc-audio-unsubscr...@pc-audio.org
Re: Minidisc File Formats
Hi listers, and thanks to Kevin for all of the insight there. Well, I found a USB MD player on Ebay and enquired about the possibility of copying from player to PC, as the blurb about it only rferred to recording and playback (the player in question is the Sony MZ-N510). The person offering the item said that they thought there was copyright protection which stopped you copying other people's discs to the PC, but then contradicted this by saying that they thought it was possible to copy discs which you had personally written (this might be in order to get a sale or just through lack of certainty, but I'm pretty sure that the player wouldn't be able to differentiate between discs recorded on it and on other players). The seller did also inform me of necessary software for linking the player to the PC, and if this is inaccessible then it poses a further problem in any case. Does anyone know about copyright protection on MD players (whether it exists, how it works, etc)? As ATRAC is similar to MP3 I presume it will play on a PC without problem (just as DAISY and other MP3-related formats do), but if USB MD players are a problem in other areas I wonder what people might suggest using. As I previously mentioned, my need to use audio CDs rather than data discs is fine in the short term, but rather expensive if it continues over a long period (I record almost every day to some degree and don't know when I'll be getting a new computer). It was suggested that I attach my Olympus digital recorder to the output source, but I find that this brings out very poor quality results, and I presume that using a DAISY recorder or similar would again require the use of audio CDs. As always, any help appreciated. All the best, Danny On 5/24/10, Kevin Minor kmi...@windstream.net wrote: Hi Danny. I am a proud owner of five minidisc (MD for short) recorders, and somewhere around 400 blank MDs, as well as some albums that I bought from the store. I was curious about how these things worked, so here's what I remember. The minidisc uses what is called magneto optical writing. What happens is a laser heats up the MD, and while the spot is heated, a magnetic field is applied to it which sets the polarity of the material. When the disc is read, these fluctuations are detected by a laser, and you hear what's on the MD. When I got my first MD player in 1993, I also got some literature on how it worked. It used a form of compression called ATRAC. I don't remember what all the letters stand for, but one of the A's is for accustic. Basicly, the MD uses the same trick that .mp3 files use, that is, what the human ear can't hear is removed from the audio. An 80 minute MD is about a fifth the amount of physical storeage as a CD, and the storage is 300 kbps. Later versions of the MD recorders allowed more recording time on an MD by applying more compression to what you recorded. Now for the USB connection to your PC. When I heard about this, I was hoping you could put .mp3 files on the MD and, more interesting to me, copy the contenets of the MD to my PC for editing. When I looked at this player, there were two problems: The program for the PC wouldn't let you copy from an MD, and more important to me, the software on the PC wasn't accessible to screen readers. One thing the software would let you do, and this was something I would have used, was labeling the tracks on my music MDs. Since the software wasn't useable to me, I decided not to buy one of these. Since .mp3 came out, I haven't found much use for my MD units. Two of them are broken, and two of them are somewhere in storage. I have one working unit that I use to record music to my PC and convert it to .mp3. Hope this helps. If you have any other questions, let me know. Kevin Minor, Lexington, KY kmi...@windstream.net To unsubscribe from this list, send a blank email to: pc-audio-unsubscr...@pc-audio.org To unsubscribe from this list, send a blank email to: pc-audio-unsubscr...@pc-audio.org
Re: Minidisc File Formats
as like most digital formats, mini disc has a serial copy management system, so you can't copy from the mini disc player to the computer unless you use the sonic stage software that comes bundled with the player. this converts the atrac format to wave. the wave files would have to be converted to MP3 or WMA, ogg or flaq. from what I know, the sonic stage software is inaccessible for the most part. buy yourself a bookport plus or plextalk instead of messing with an old outmoded format like the mini disc. - Original Message - From: Danny Miles emowarr...@googlemail.com To: PC Audio Discussion List pc-audio@pc-audio.org Sent: Monday, May 24, 2010 8:21 PM Subject: Re: Minidisc File Formats Hi listers, and thanks to Kevin for all of the insight there. Well, I found a USB MD player on Ebay and enquired about the possibility of copying from player to PC, as the blurb about it only rferred to recording and playback (the player in question is the Sony MZ-N510). The person offering the item said that they thought there was copyright protection which stopped you copying other people's discs to the PC, but then contradicted this by saying that they thought it was possible to copy discs which you had personally written (this might be in order to get a sale or just through lack of certainty, but I'm pretty sure that the player wouldn't be able to differentiate between discs recorded on it and on other players). The seller did also inform me of necessary software for linking the player to the PC, and if this is inaccessible then it poses a further problem in any case. Does anyone know about copyright protection on MD players (whether it exists, how it works, etc)? As ATRAC is similar to MP3 I presume it will play on a PC without problem (just as DAISY and other MP3-related formats do), but if USB MD players are a problem in other areas I wonder what people might suggest using. As I previously mentioned, my need to use audio CDs rather than data discs is fine in the short term, but rather expensive if it continues over a long period (I record almost every day to some degree and don't know when I'll be getting a new computer). It was suggested that I attach my Olympus digital recorder to the output source, but I find that this brings out very poor quality results, and I presume that using a DAISY recorder or similar would again require the use of audio CDs. As always, any help appreciated. All the best, Danny On 5/24/10, Kevin Minor kmi...@windstream.net wrote: Hi Danny. I am a proud owner of five minidisc (MD for short) recorders, and somewhere around 400 blank MDs, as well as some albums that I bought from the store. I was curious about how these things worked, so here's what I remember. The minidisc uses what is called magneto optical writing. What happens is a laser heats up the MD, and while the spot is heated, a magnetic field is applied to it which sets the polarity of the material. When the disc is read, these fluctuations are detected by a laser, and you hear what's on the MD. When I got my first MD player in 1993, I also got some literature on how it worked. It used a form of compression called ATRAC. I don't remember what all the letters stand for, but one of the A's is for accustic. Basicly, the MD uses the same trick that .mp3 files use, that is, what the human ear can't hear is removed from the audio. An 80 minute MD is about a fifth the amount of physical storeage as a CD, and the storage is 300 kbps. Later versions of the MD recorders allowed more recording time on an MD by applying more compression to what you recorded. Now for the USB connection to your PC. When I heard about this, I was hoping you could put .mp3 files on the MD and, more interesting to me, copy the contenets of the MD to my PC for editing. When I looked at this player, there were two problems: The program for the PC wouldn't let you copy from an MD, and more important to me, the software on the PC wasn't accessible to screen readers. One thing the software would let you do, and this was something I would have used, was labeling the tracks on my music MDs. Since the software wasn't useable to me, I decided not to buy one of these. Since .mp3 came out, I haven't found much use for my MD units. Two of them are broken, and two of them are somewhere in storage. I have one working unit that I use to record music to my PC and convert it to .mp3. Hope this helps. If you have any other questions, let me know. Kevin Minor, Lexington, KY kmi...@windstream.net To unsubscribe from this list, send a blank email to: pc-audio-unsubscr...@pc-audio.org To unsubscribe from this list, send a blank email to: pc-audio-unsubscr...@pc-audio.org To unsubscribe from this list, send a blank email to: pc-audio-unsubscr...@pc-audio.org
RE: Minidisc File Formats
Hi Danny. Here's how the copy protection scheme works in the MD world. If your original recording is analog, that is, you used the RCA or Walkman plug to record analog audio to the MD, you can make one level of digital copy from that MD. You won't be able to make a digital copy of these second level discs. You can, however, make as many analog copies of MDs as you like, copying from the original source in analog, copying that second copy to a third copy in analog, and so forth. As for software that will play the contents of an MD, I'm not sure of that. As I said, I hook my MD recorder to the PC using analog means, and record the result into Sound Forge. I then split the file into individual files and convert them to .mp3. It's a bit tedious, but it is doable. Hope this helps. Have a good day, and don't work too hard. GO REDS! Kevin Minor, Lexington, KY kmi...@windstream.net To unsubscribe from this list, send a blank email to: pc-audio-unsubscr...@pc-audio.org
