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Alternatives to mini-disc, is there one?

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martinw01908

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Only thing that I can think of to replace MD is an MP3 player that also records?

I would like it to have an FM radio built in that you can record from, takes SD cards for more expansion and also have 1GB of internal memory. I have seen one that almost meets my needs

http://www.digitball.biz/dbhfl.php

I have seen a few others like this BUT:

If you look at the specs it only records from the tuner in wav, sound quality crippling bitrate of only 8Kbps!!

I have not seen any of these anywhere that don't restrict the user to a horrible bitrate. Are the manufacturers being forced by large record companies to make them like this because of piracy worries of making mp3s from the radio?

As if music pirate would be able to sell music radio recordings on a mass scale anyway with DJ's talk all over it?!

All I want is a small player/recorder to replace my minidisc. I like to travel and record foreign radio (yes the jocks and the audio production) while there. An Mp3 recorder would be ideal and is better than a minidisc because it is already in mp3 (i don't have to later convert it)

Is this to much to ask these days? Technology is there. Or perhaps there is a hack for these types ???

Edited by martinw01908
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You need to set your priorities. Remember MP3 is NOT a fidelity format, but a space saving format, wheras MD is a fidelity format, especially with PCM or high rate recording. Also remember cost of media, MD + low cost, flash cards = high cost.. Finally size. md's are small, try alternatives if you must, but if you haven't gone to Hi-MD yet you are doing yourself a disservice.

Good luck,

Bob

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I don't think Minidisc will die!

I feel Ipod is a 'fad' and will probably fade sometime in the future into some other sort of HDD device!

Whilste Minidisc is a format of removeable media!

Not just a pautable audio device!

All sony needs to do is advertise better and make decks for Hi-MD and sterios and allow other companys to...

Then it might beat CD lol

Anyway to the point... Why not stick to Hi-MD for a bit and see where the format goes! :)

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This would be my preferred alternative to minidisc recording. There is no FM radio, and it's pretty expensive, but this would be my choice.

http://bssc.sel.sony.com/BroadcastandBusin...&sp=83&id=82662

Ha,

That ain't portable!

Imagin going onto a bus holding one of them lol! :)

JK... I know its a recorder but its a funny thourght! :)

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Ok you've filled the 4GB with PCM --that's approx 4 - 5 hours. What next.

Even if you could pop in a new card (at around 70 USD a pop) you've got the problem of labelling, retrieving info etc etc apart from the fact that these small devices are easily mislaid --I know I have enough problems with these cards when I'm using professional photographic gear on assignment.

What do you do if you haven't got a computer with you and you are at an all day event or at a rehearsal which might need several "In situ" recordings where you haven't got time to delete part of the stuff to make up more space.

With MD just pop in another (cheap) disc. You can do all your editing conveniently AFTER the event.

The only current feasable alternative IMO at the moment would be a Hard Disc recorder where the HD would have to have something like 40GB of space on it.

If I were out in the field I'd rather take 2 portable MD units rather than a HD unit -any computer user knows hard disks can and do fail. Hard disks by their nature are sensitive devices which aren't designed to get really rough treatment out in the field. MD's are more than rugged enouggh to withstand the rigours of field recording.

Cheers

-K

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