Guest Anonymous Posted January 9, 2004 Report Share Posted January 9, 2004 I see a number of potential problems with the new format: - It is SO SLOW. USB 1.1 uploading is bad but not terrible, and I'm sure that future versions will be USB 2.0. I more mean, everybody already has their music in the MP3 format, so it would be better if uploading your MP3s didn't require converting to ATRAC 3 - especially when the process degrades sound quality. I realize SONY is also a major label opposed to MP3 as a format, but I don't think handicapping their hardware is the answer. - No benefit to removable disk. When your iPod holds 40 gigs of music (Which is something like 500 hours at 192 kbps), why even bother with a removable format? - Will is be able to do download music at the highest quality? It's stupid that NetMD can't. - UGLY. I'm not so into asthetics, but I'd rather have something look a little nicer than the early models. - High speed digital uploading. It better have this. Having to upload all my MDs in realtime would be a pain. - Jukebox 2.0? I hope there's a better system for uploading, however it works. Best would be the ability to drag and drop, but I seriously doubt this will exist. - UMD. SONY comes off as really confused, releasing two such similar formats at around the same time. Is UMD still being released? It would make far more sense if the PSP used this new format. - Will there be alternatives available in the US market? Sony may have made great stuff 5 or 10 years ago, but their audio equipment now is low-quality and over-priced, and most prefer Sharp's MD equipment to Sony's. I'd greatly prefer buying from another brand. - Price. $200 for the entry model hurts plus $7 per gig of disc, means that 40 gigs costs $280. This is about the same as the (also expensive) iPod, except it's a huge pain to carry 40 discs around. Honestly, I still think MP3 based players are better for most people than MD. However, I'll wait and see when it comes out - if it allows high-speed digital uploading, that alone would make it worthwhile to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted January 9, 2004 Report Share Posted January 9, 2004 I see a number of potential problems with the new format: - It is SO SLOW. USB 1.1 uploading is bad but not terrible ... There are problems with High-Speed writing: The media, power consumption and size of the units. One of the reasons, the MD-Format was successful, was the tolerance towards less than stellar media. I still have to find a disc, that fails. I've had tons of CD-R/RW, that failed miserably. - No benefit to removable disk. When your iPod holds 40 gigs of music (Which is something like 500 hours at 192 kbps), why even bother with a removable format? Maybe, but the reliability is less than stellar and Apple refuses to repair them. Heise.de reported about an user, who was 33 days over warranty when his iPod went silent. The unit works, only the headphone was dead. Thinking, it could only be a loose connector, he called Apple-Service and they told him flat out: We do not repair, we exchange. 299 Euros please... - Will is be able to do download music at the highest quality? It's stupid that NetMD can't. That's something, we'll have to see. I think, there is more waiting for us. - UGLY. I'm not so into asthetics, but I'd rather have something look a little nicer than the early models.You're hitting a sore point here. I hope, the hire a new designer... - UMD. SONY comes off as really confused, releasing two such similar formats at around the same time. Is UMD still being released? It would make far more sense if the PSP used this new format.It's a different department, they don't talk to each other. - Will there be alternatives available in the US market? Sony may have made great stuff 5 or 10 years ago, but their audio equipment now is low-quality and over-priced, and most prefer Sharp's MD equipment to Sony's. I'd greatly prefer buying from another brand. I never had any problems with Sony Equipment, so the next one will be a sony again. - Price. $200 for the entry model hurts plus $7 per gig of disc, means that 40 gigs costs $280. This is about the same as the (also expensive) iPod, except it's a huge pain to carry 40 discs around.Only, if you go on a very long trip, normally 2 or 3 Hi-MD keep you entertained for a day... And for TCO, look further up. In addition, the MD takes a cheap AA-Cell, the iPod wants a $150,-- Battery... That's a lot of discs... Honestly, I still think MP3 based players are better for most people than MD. I say, personal choice. A MP3-player is useless for me with 200 discs already there. However, I'll wait and see when it comes out - if it allows high-speed digital uploading, that alone would make it worthwhile to me.Newly recorded material? Yes. Old SP-Material? I don't know. I suspect, that it depends on the SCMS-Status. But we have to wait for that to work out. With best regards Jadeclaw Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tekdroid Posted January 10, 2004 Report Share Posted January 10, 2004 - No benefit to removable disk. When your iPod holds 40 gigs of music (Which is something like 500 hours at 192 kbps), why even bother with a removable format? I prefer removable formats simply because things can be shared easily without hooking up the actual unit to another device. I also dislike hard drive technology in general. I have had my fair share of HDs die on me, and the last thing I want is all my music on a HD, even though they do have compelling advantages over optical discs, namely capacity and speed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Qwakrz Posted March 8, 2004 Report Share Posted March 8, 2004 I would love to see an iPod take the abuse my little portable MZ-R900 MD player has done over the years. It has been sat on (I aint exactly small), dropped out of a first floor window, down the stairs, been at the bottom of a large bag during flights etc Its slightly bent (had to bend from back into shape as it was causing noises when disc spinning), got several large gouges on the case & has most of the lettering scratched / worn off. IT STILL PLAYS without problems The only experience of HDD recorders I have is that if you shock them while playing, you need to replace the HDD I cant wait for the Hi-MD to be released in the UK, I will be replacing the MZ-R900 with the 900 Hi-MD. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iceeedtea Posted March 8, 2004 Report Share Posted March 8, 2004 Re: Original post of the thread Blah blah blah. --- Now that that's been said and done: a) Please don't dig up old threads. Especially one which can be considered 'flamebait'. iPod ! = MiniDisc. Don't compare the two. They have different purposes and user bases. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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