Quote:
Originally Posted by br--
Now here's the disadvantages:
- ATRAC3 Compression. Even if you use their highest compression which is purportedly equivalent to 256kbps MP3, the fact is your lossy music is being compressed TWICE. This is detrimental to the sonics. Also, I personally find ATRAC3 more sibilant when a/bing with other devices.
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Actually it's only compressed ONCE, depending on where you're getting your music from. If you're recording directly to the the device (analog or optical) inputs, the device does the D/A conversion and compression. If you go via the computer, it's done in software and then sent over a usb cable. However, if you're taking a raw source like a CD, then there is only one round of compression involved. You would only end up with it being done more than once, if you were converting an already compressed file such as mp3, to a different compression scheme atrac3.
There is a higher bitrate available on MD, that it seems like people are not remembering. ATRAC 4.5 Type R - The last generation of the ATRAC codec, before going to ATRAC3. This is also known as SP compared to lp2, lp4, hi-lp, hi-sp. This is actually 292kbps and sounds GREAT (if you ask me). The only downside is that you can only encode your music to this in realtime on the unit itself (just like 2 years ago). But the soundquality is very much worht it.
Oh, and as for storage...
you would only need to carry around 63 discs to get the equivilent of 20,000 minutes with of storage at 128kbps mp3 quality. I usally have a coupld of 5pack holders in my backpack, but rarely switchout durring the day. If you like mp3 at 128, MD lp4 will be perfectly fine. In either case, I'm guessing you're not listening through good cans, in a quiet location.
Just a few thoughts.
MD isn't dead, it's just resting
-Jeff