6 ms·

I'm really nostalgic about the MiniDisc format. You've inspired me to check my loft to see if mine still works. Thing is, besides retro coolness, I can't thin

by icu 6y ago

I'm really nostalgic about the MiniDisc format. You've inspired me to check my loft to see if mine still works. Thing is, besides retro coolness, I can't think of any particular use cases that my mobile isn't better suited for.

bayindirh 6y ago
Sound quality, optical in, auto audio tagging when paired with a supporting CD Walkman and using a CD which contains CD-text. Also, it's good for a relatively high quality recording device when paired with the output stage of a make-shift studio mixer. Anyone who wants to read about the sound quality, a relevant discussion is here: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=26440967 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=26440967 The form link is still open. I'd do what I've said there if a couple of people applies.
- ubermonkey 6y ago
  Are you saying MD provides higher sound quality than lossless digital? I find that hard to believe!
  - deleted 6y ago
    [deleted]
  - bayindirh 6y ago
    No, of course not. :D I only say that ATRAC3, while being lossy and old, can provide very enjoyable sound. I argue that sound is transparent in SP mode and very high quality in LP2. I further argue that when combined with Sony's DSP and electronics magic, its sound still holds very well and provides a very rich, detailed and enjoyable listening experience, and can rival today's mid-high end portable devices very, very well. I tell this as a former orchestra player, btw.
deleted 6y ago
[deleted]
temp5565_65 6y ago
I'll start, in no particular order. * better battery life (supposedly up to 40 hours on a single AA, but I haven't benchmarked this independently) * consequentially from the above, your phone's battery is saved for when it _really_ matters, like when you are in the middle of nowhere and need a map to navigate the environment * a more tactile experience compared to a touchscreen * works offline, and even without mobile signal coverage * no adverts * no interruptions, constant bings and bops and notifications from other apps * no need for updates - it's already a "dead" platform and was never updatable in the first place * can still download music from a PC, albeit it takes longer and is slightly harder than loading something onto a micro SD card * no need to fight stubborn mobile UIs, just the buttons to play, stop and control playback * some players come with a dedicated remote controller, which is also much more convenient than unlocking your screen to change tracks * you can focus on just the music or audiobook that you took with you, no temptation to shop for new listens while out and about and no temptation to doomscroll your multimedia feed of choice (Instagram, YouTube, Spotify) * content never "disappears" from your streaming service until you erase it on purpose * as long as the laser module works, this device will be usable into ~eternity if your model runs on AA batteries. Your battery life never degrades, and your device will never be artificially obsolesced by its own battery disintegrating. * the discs are very light and quite small, so it's still possible to get a couple of albums or several hours of speech-quality audio to choose from on the go. * and of course retro coolness That said, there are downsides: * you could mostly get all of these advantages with a single mid-end MP3 player * cables are a pain once one experiences the wireless life * download from a PC is a thing, but it's undeniably burdensome because of how long it takes, and until Web MiniDisc, because of the antiquated formats and runtime environments supported by the official software. * shock-proof, not so much. I don't recommend this for heavy workout in a gym * the proprietary nature of everything chafes. Downloading music back from the player is impossible, remotes are proprietary, DRM is still a problem when the rest of the world moved on. All in all, it's an aesthetic choice. An art project, if you will. It's not for everything, but in some ways, on certain days, the coolness makes up for it.

by icu 6y ago

bayindirh 6y ago

Sound quality, optical in, auto audio tagging when paired with a supporting CD Walkman and using a CD which contains CD-text. Also, it's good for a relatively high quality recording device when paired with the output stage of a make-shift studio mixer. Anyone who wants to read about the sound quality, a relevant discussion is here: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=26440967 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=26440967 The form link is still open. I'd do what I've said there if a couple of people applies.

ubermonkey 6y ago
Are you saying MD provides higher sound quality than lossless digital? I find that hard to believe!
- deleted 6y ago
  [deleted]
- bayindirh 6y ago
  No, of course not. :D I only say that ATRAC3, while being lossy and old, can provide very enjoyable sound. I argue that sound is transparent in SP mode and very high quality in LP2. I further argue that when combined with Sony's DSP and electronics magic, its sound still holds very well and provides a very rich, detailed and enjoyable listening experience, and can rival today's mid-high end portable devices very, very well. I tell this as a former orchestra player, btw.

deleted 6y ago

[deleted]

temp5565_65 6y ago

I'll start, in no particular order. * better battery life (supposedly up to 40 hours on a single AA, but I haven't benchmarked this independently) * consequentially from the above, your phone's battery is saved for when it _really_ matters, like when you are in the middle of nowhere and need a map to navigate the environment * a more tactile experience compared to a touchscreen * works offline, and even without mobile signal coverage * no adverts * no interruptions, constant bings and bops and notifications from other apps * no need for updates - it's already a "dead" platform and was never updatable in the first place * can still download music from a PC, albeit it takes longer and is slightly harder than loading something onto a micro SD card * no need to fight stubborn mobile UIs, just the buttons to play, stop and control playback * some players come with a dedicated remote controller, which is also much more convenient than unlocking your screen to change tracks * you can focus on just the music or audiobook that you took with you, no temptation to shop for new listens while out and about and no temptation to doomscroll your multimedia feed of choice (Instagram, YouTube, Spotify) * content never "disappears" from your streaming service until you erase it on purpose * as long as the laser module works, this device will be usable into ~eternity if your model runs on AA batteries. Your battery life never degrades, and your device will never be artificially obsolesced by its own battery disintegrating. * the discs are very light and quite small, so it's still possible to get a couple of albums or several hours of speech-quality audio to choose from on the go. * and of course retro coolness That said, there are downsides: * you could mostly get all of these advantages with a single mid-end MP3 player * cables are a pain once one experiences the wireless life * download from a PC is a thing, but it's undeniably burdensome because of how long it takes, and until Web MiniDisc, because of the antiquated formats and runtime environments supported by the official software. * shock-proof, not so much. I don't recommend this for heavy workout in a gym * the proprietary nature of everything chafes. Downloading music back from the player is impossible, remotes are proprietary, DRM is still a problem when the rest of the world moved on. All in all, it's an aesthetic choice. An art project, if you will. It's not for everything, but in some ways, on certain days, the coolness makes up for it.