Audio Format Wars Essay, Research Paper
Audio Format Wars
By: Sheldon Khan
Before buying a new car, getting married, or adopting a new audio format it is wise to ask a few questions, peer under the hood, and ask the advice of someone you trust. Will the new format satisfy your needs not only now but, also in the future? Will it look (and sound) as good on all the mornings after you first met?
The analogue cassette is an old and trusted versatile friend that went with you on those morning jogs and cruised in the car with you on Friday nights. However, the powers that be, have declared our trusted friend to be in the last phase of the life cycle. It’s successor must sound better, work better, and have new features such as a digital display for song titles. There are currently two formats competing to be the consumers next choice for sound on the go. They are Philips’ Digital Compact Cassette (DCC) and Sony’s Mini Disc (MD).
What exactly is digital recording? The definition is, “An electronic format that is designed to duplicate sound, while affording extremely accurate control over any changes you might wish to make in the recording” (Mclan & Wichman,1988). In simple terms it means that the digital circuitry samples the signal and then reproduces what it has seen. The quality of the recording depends on the sampling rate of the machine. The sampled signal is then encoded to the tape or disc in 1’s and 0’s, just like a computer disk drive would encode information. However, the biggest advantage of digital recording is the fact that it eliminates tape “hiss” that is usually found present in analogue recordings.
In the Eighties, a Philips invention captured the limelight. The Compact Disc introduced us to a new era of digital sound, or “perfect sound.” In the nineties another Philips invention has taken centre-stage, the Digital Compact Cassette (DCC). DCC is the marriage of the analogue cassette to Digital Audio. Together they form a union that combines perfect sound, high convince and greater versatility. ” DCC is a medium on which audio information is digitally encoded and which reproduces CD quality sound” (Philips Electronics, Sound & Vision, 1995). A number of features have been incorporated into DCC tapes and decks to achieve CD like sound and convince. DCC decks can locate a chosen track on either side of the tape because track and time codes are recorded on the tape. This combined with autoreverse, which is standard on all DCC decks, makes track access effortless but, not as fast as a CD. Another attractive feature of DCC is the text mode. Text mode allows the deck to display support information about the recordings on the tape such as the album title, a complete list of track titles, names of the artists on each track, and lyrics (displayed in sync with the music). Television screens or remote control units can also be connected to the deck to display more extensive information. The tapes have recording and playback times of 60, 90, and 100 minutes. “The well known durability of cassettes is enhanced by the use of videochrome tape: chromium dioxide- or cobalt- doped ferric-oxide” (Philips Electronics, Sound & Vision, 1995). With the new tape shell, the tape and tape drive wheels, which are exposed on the analogue tape, are concealed by a metal sliding panel called a “slider”. The slider helps protect the tape from dirt and dust which contributes to tape breakdown. This along with the videochorme tape and DCC’s digital error correction system help prevent tape dropout. Numerous digital first generation DCC to DCC copies can be made. Any further copies (ie. 2nd, 3rd, etc generation) made from the first generation copy will not be digital. The biggest advantage that DCC has over the competition is its compatibility with its analogue predecessor.
Sony’s Mini Disc is a miniature version of the compact disc that comes in a plastic shell like that of a 3 1/2 computer floppy. “Unlike CD’s, MiniDiscs can be recorded using magneto-optical technology” (Dmytryk, 1993, p. 62). Mageto-optical technology allows a MiniDisc to be recorded on many times. A MiniDisc is smaller than a DCC tape and has random track access like a CD. It also gives the user the capability to edit songs, and the order that they appear in on the disc. To record on a partially full disc, simply hit Record, with no concern for cueing. Recording starts immediately and the new material is added as a new track. It is also simple to remove dead air and unwanted material. The deleted time is added to the total time remaining on the disc. All of this makes it very easy to create your own custom compilations. The MiniDisc, like the DCC allows the user to make multiple first generation digital copies. But second and third generation copies will not be digital. One of the biggest advantages that MD has over DCC is it’s small slim size and durability. By comparison the sharp edged DCC cassette seems a bit clunky and less durable .
Both MD and DCC use data-compression techniques to squeeze digital audio data into a fraction of the space required by a CD or a Digital Audio Cassette (DAT). ” DCC’s Precision Adaptive SubCoding (PASC) achieves slightly better than 4-to-1 compression. While Mini Disc’s Adaptive TRansform Acoustic Coding (ATRAC) is slightly worse at 5-to-1″ (Dmytryk, 1993, p. 65).
Both developers justify the use of compression with these statements,
“The human ear only hears sounds above a certain loudness (dB) level, called the hearing threshold. The threshold of hearing depends on the frequency of the sound. Therefore, only sounds above this dynamic threshold need to be recorded.”(Philips Electronics, Sound & Vision, 1995)
Loud sounds can completely mask softer sounds that are close in frequency. Because our hearing is far more acute in the mid-range than at the high or low end of the spectrum, what you hear is defined by the frequency content during each time slice.” (Dmytryk, 1993 p. 65).
In other words no one will know the difference if certain frequencies are missing.
What will all of this new technology cost the average consumer? Well, a Philips DCC deck cost about $600, pre-recorded DCC tapes cost about $20, and blank tapes cost about $8. While a MD player cost about $500, the pre-recorded discs cost about $20 and the blank disc cost about $10. Of course as the popularity of the format grows, the cost will drop.
Manufacturers are trying to give the public a more durable and better sounding medium for those of us that are always on the go. However, since their introduction about three years ago very few MD and even fewer DCC players have been sold. Some audio experts feel that the reason they have not sold many units of either format is because the average person thinks that there is nothing wrong with the sound quality of a good CrO2 (Maxell’s XLII) or metal (Sony’s CDit IV) analogue cassette. Many people still live by the old saying, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” Manufacturers have built up these new formats as “the greatest thing since slice bread,” in the hopes of changing the way people listen to music. Yet, the public has not jumped on the band wagon of either of these new formats. However, one thing is certain, the days of the analogue cassette are numbered.
It is only a matter of time before either MD, DCC or some new digital format such as the recordable CD takes the place of the analogue cassette.
Ballou, Glen. Handbook For Sound Engineers (2nd ed.). Indiana: Sams, 1991.
Davis, Don & Carolyn. Sound System Engineering. Indianapolis, Indiana: Howard W. Sams & Co Inc, 1975.
Dmytryk, George. “Digital Debate.” Electronic Musician, Vol 9 No.8, 1993, August: 62-70.
Mclan, Peter & Wichman, Larry. The Musican’s Guide To Home Recording. Toronto: Simon & Schuster Inc, 1988.
Robertson, Patrick. The Book Of Firsts. New York: Bramhall House, 1974.
Sony Home Page. www.sony. e-mail: webmaster@sony.co.jpDigital Compact Cassette. Philips Electronics N.V. (1995).
Другие работы по теме:
Aging Essay Research Paper During a story
Aging Essay, Research Paper During a story, an author sometimes chooses to include his opinions on certain important issues, such as aging. This applies to Samuel Beckett?s short story, Krapp?s Last Tape. In this story an old man named Mr. Krapp, relives his life through a sort of audio journal that he has kept through the years.
Cd Burners Essay Research Paper When the
Cd Burners Essay, Research Paper When the very first MP3/CD players arrived at MP3 last year, we fell in love. This invention that shuttled hundred-song CDs around—CDs that previously would only play on other computers—was pretty darn exciting to geeks like us. So excited, in fact, that we overlooked that half the players didn’t work, and the rest lacked the barest features anyone would ask for.
Napster Essay Research Paper Ruling could doom
Napster Essay, Research Paper Ruling could doom Napster A federal court ruled yesterday that Napster must stop allowing users to swap copyrighted music. Napster officials said they would keep operating while they fought in court. Napster was created by a teenager in 1999. Napster’s software lets computer users trade audio files by connecting with one another.
How To Create A Music Cd Using
A Pc Essay, Research Paper With today’s personal computers, creating a customized music Compact Disc (CD) from various original CDs can be done in three easy steps. Not only is this process simple, but the end result provides hours of enjoyment. Before getting started, check that all necessary equipment is readily available and configured according to the manufacturer’s specifications.
Star Wars Film Codes Essay Research Paper
The film Star Wars by George Lucas presents the characters Luke Skywalker, Darth Vadar and Princess Leia in particular ways. This essay will give examples of the different film codes, such as audio, technical and symbolic that help the viewer to see the characters in each of these ways. The Alliance The character of Luke Skywalker becomes more real from the use of film codes.
Sepember 11th Essay Research Paper The stories
Sepember 11th Essay, Research Paper The stories have been all over the television, radio, papers and we have been bombarded by the images that will be hard to forget. On September 11th, 2001 the United States was attacked when four planes were hijacked by terrorists. These planes were forced to crash in to the World Trade center buildings (the Twin Towers).
WAR And PEACE And How It Effected
The World Essay, Research Paper If your computer starts up in the 24 bit version of the game with fuzzy looking graphics, try re-selecting the screen mode from the F11 menu. This
CopywritA Essay Research Paper Canada
Copywrit(A) Essay, Research Paper Canada’s Copyright Law Canada’s copyright law is one of our hardest laws to enforce. The reasonthe police have so much trouble enforcing this law, is due to technology. Thislaw is very easy to break, and once broken, it is very hard to track downviolators. So although some form of a copyright law is needed, the one we havehas, too many holes to be effective.
Mp3 Audio Essay Research Paper What is
Mp3 Audio Essay, Research Paper What is the hottest buzzword around the Internet today? What topic has replaced sex as the most searched for term on the web? The answer to both of these questions is MP3 audio.
An Evaluation Of Nullsoft Winamp Essay Research
Paper Nullsoft Winamp is a fast, flexible, high fidelity music player for Windows 95/98/NT. Winamp supports MP3, MP2, CD, MOD, WAV and other audio formats. Winamp also supports custom interfaces called skins, audio visualization and audio effect plug-ins. Nullsoft also provides a high quality website at winamp.
Creative Thinking
– Car Audio Normalizer Essay, Research Paper Project Description and Overview My proposal for this project is a car audio normalizer. This device would be packaged as a microchip with various input and output pins. The reasons for this device have been experienced by almost everyone with a car audio system of any type.
To Fee Or Not To Fee Essay
, Research Paper Like the old saying goes, “The best things in life are free.” digital media is no exception. Digital media has lately been getting attention due to the legal accusations on a certain type of digital media, MP3s. MP3 stands for Mpeg (a common file compression format) audio layer 3 (which means it compresses any audio into 3 layers for about 1/15th the size).
How Does The SurroundSound Technique
Work Essay, Research Paper How does the surround-sound technique work? Surround Sound which was introduced by Dolby Laboratories Inc to position sound around the audience so that the effects within movies would make them feel as though they were really there. The use of directional sound from different points in the room according to their depth, sharpness and clarity was the main goal.
Mp3 Rise And Decline
“The Mp3 Crackdown” Essay, Research Paper During the last seven years, there has been a market boom with the use of the Internet and e-commerce to manage business tycoon companies to the everyday mom and pop stores. Also, there has been a steady increase in the annual sales reported by big record labels and independent recording companies during the Internet explosion.
Car Audio Essay Research Paper An Introduction
Car Audio Essay, Research Paper An Introduction to Car Audio Have you ever wondered what a car stereo really consists of? It?s not as simple as most people think, but it?s also not as difficult once you know a little bit of the basics. Car stereos are a passion for many, and for those who don?t understand it, this should help you understand it a little bit better.
VCR Vs DVD Essay Research Paper The
VCR Vs. DVD Essay, Research Paper The world was amazed when the first motion picture was made. People came from all over the world to see the first silent movie. Again, people were astonished when they added sound. Finally, when people were able to bring this technology home with them, they were in awe. Everyone needed to have it.
Untitled Essay Research Paper Canada
Untitled Essay, Research Paper Canada’s Copyright Law Canada’s copyright law is one of our hardest laws to enforce. The reason the police have so much trouble enforcing this law, is due to technology. This law is very easy to break, and once broken, it is very hard to track down violators. So although some form of a copyright law is needed, the one we have has, too many holes to be effective.
Radio Waves Essay Research Paper Radio waves
Radio Waves Essay, Research Paper Radio waves travel at 186,000 miles per second through air. In contrast, sound waves travel at only 1/5 of a mile per second. If a modulation is made of the radio wave that exactly reproduces the amplitude and frequency characteristics of the original sound wave, then sound can be transmitted rapidly over long distances.
Visual Art Essay Research Paper VISUAL ARTS
Visual Art Essay, Research Paper VISUAL ARTS “The physical impossibility of death in the mind of someone living” By Damien Hirst (photo courtesy of the saatchi collection)
Digital Music Essay Research Paper Some cable
Digital Music Essay, Research Paper Some cable television companies have been sending music across coaxial cable for years. But until recently, these were sent in an analog format
Nintendo 64 Vs Playstation Essay Research Paper
In the two years of 1995 and 1996, the video game world was taken into another gaming dimension. The releases of the Sony Playstation in September of `95 and the Nintendo 64 in September of `96 has given the gaming world an enormous boost of technological advances in the home entertainment system. Sony and Nintendo soon became heated rivals as each company tries to out sell each other in the gaming marketplace.
Comparison Essay Essay Research Paper Comparison EssayTwo
Comparison Essay Essay, Research Paper Comparison Essay Two individuals dominate the late night airwaves, Jay Leno and David Letterman. Leno uses a conservative humor and Letterman’s humor is progressive. While the two shows claim to be different, they both follow the same format. Both shows include a ten-minute stand up routine, strange co-hosts and interviews with celebrity guests.
Divx Definition Essay Research Paper Definition Paper
Divx Definition Essay, Research Paper Definition Paper Those of us who have taken part in television viewing over the past few weeks probably have heard the word Divx used in countless Circuit City commercials. Although we ve been subjected to hearing this word used repeatedly many of us misunderstand the meaning of it.
Amiga Essay Research Paper Amiga 1080 Monitor
Amiga Essay, Research Paper Amiga 1080 Monitor Modifications A number of Amiga 1080 monitors were built by Toshiba. The people at Toshiba could have done a better job in a couple of respects:
What HDTV Is Essay Research Paper Digital
What HDTV Is Essay, Research Paper Digital describes electronic technology that generates, stores, and processes data in terms of two states: positive and non-positive. Positive is expressed or represented by the number 1 and non-positive by the number 0 (Lasica). Data that is transmitted or stored with digital technology is expressed as a string of 0’s and 1’s.
Music Media Of The Future Essay Research
Paper Watch out Compact Disc, make way Mini Disc, MP3 is coming through. MP3, or MPEG Audio Layer 3, is a new audio format which will revamp the entire music industry once embraced. MP3 files are playable on the computer and retain the CD quality near perfectly. As with anything computer-compatible though, MP3 will be given all the blessings and curses that come along with the internet.
The DVD Revolution Essay Research Paper The
The DVD Revolution Essay, Research Paper The DVD Revolution Specific Purpose: To inform my audience about the features and advantages of DVD video. Central Idea: The DVD video format has superior audio and visual quality to VHS, as well as more special features, which is why it should eventually occupy the place of the VCR in American households.
Sony Playstation Vs Nintendo 64 Essay Research
Paper Sony Playstation vs Nintendo 64 Essay written by Unknown In the last two years of 1995 and 1996, the video game world was taken into another gaming dimension. The releases of the Sony Playstation in September of 1995 and the Nintendo 64 in September of 1996 has given the gaming public an enormous boost of technological advances in the home entertainment system for the common man.
Real Networks Real Audio Essay Research Paper
Real Networks When was the last time you listened to an audio sample of your favorite music artist on your personal computer? If you answered any date at all you have Real Networks to thank. Real Networks was created by Rob Glaser in 1994 as Progressive Networks and was based out of Seattle. Since the introduction of Real Audio, Real Networks technology has grown to be the most popular format for delivering streaming multimedia over the Internet.
Mp3 Essay Research Paper INTRODUCTIONTwo years ago
Mp3 Essay, Research Paper INTRODUCTION Two years ago, MP3 was just another audio compression format. Today, it’s a Net phenomenon that’s at the center of an enormous controversy. That’s because MP3 makes it possible for people with an Internet connection to bypass record stores (and cashiers) and download CD-quality music by their favorite artists–for free.
Uncle Sams Song Essay Research Paper Uncle
Uncle Sam`s Song Essay, Research Paper Uncle Sam’s song, "I Don’t Ever Wanna See You Again" is a song about a guy who gets his heart broken by his girlfriend. In this song Uncle Sam is