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From: cliff@unmvax.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.audio
Subject: Re: Floppy audio?
Message-ID: <586@unmvax.UUCP>
Date: Sat, 19-Jan-85 18:24:24 EST
Article-I.D.: unmvax.586
Posted: Sat Jan 19 18:24:24 1985
Date-Received: Wed, 23-Jan-85 05:38:09 EST
References: <372@nbs-amrf.UUCP>
Organization: Univ. of New Mexico, Albuquerque
Lines: 57

> I noticed in a recent issue of Stereo review (~ 2 or 3 issues back) a single
> page article about a prototype of a new audio recorder that had just been
> reviewed by the author.

PCM machines are available now.

> The interesting thing about it was the effective use
> of a standard computer floppy (I think 5 1/4", single side, double density) as
> the recording medium.  With the benefit of what seemed to be an adaptive
> sampling technique, over an hour of high fidelity music could be recorded on a
> single disk.

Three hours can be stored on one L-750 beta videotape with my Nak Digitizer;
I believe some companies are trying to get their digitizers to be compatible
with all speeds of VHS and Beta which would allow up to 8 hours per tape.

> The reviewer said
> that, while the sound may not be up to par with CD's, he felt it at least
> measured up to any vinyl (or was it any analog medium?) around.  The price
> mentioned was somewhere near $1000 (1100?).

I suspect the quality of sound that I get out of my digitizer is much better
than what you would get off a floppy with their box. (i.e. it is a 16 bit 44k
sampler).  I got my box for $1250 although I believe Techniques selss one for
around $800.  (Of course you need another VCR, but that shouldn't cost too
much more).

> Such a thing, if bona fide, has a lot going for it.  Foremost is the
> opportunity to use it to to record as well as play back - the lack of which is
> CD's chief drawback for me, followed closely by their expense.  On that count
> floppies would be a much a more economical medium once their density could
> measure up.

Floppies measure up to laser disks...I am not holding my breath.

> There too the technique ("adaptive sampling"?) could be applied
> in many directions if it really works.
		     ^^
		     still not holding my breath.

> I've been holding out on buying a tape deck, and if this thing is
> genuinely hi-fi, with the inevitable (?) refinements of any onset technology,
> it could mean the death of tape decks at least (turntables, CD's?  Maybe not,
> too many people have too much to lose there.).

I understand Sony and friends are working on a better resolution VCR.  If it
catches on you might see more interesting PCM boxes.  PCM is here; it works.
(I'm not counting on the death of the cassette for quite a while, 8-tracks
 maybe, cassettes no).

> Ken Manheimer		{seismo,allegra}!umcp-cs!nbs-amrf!manheimer
> 			(Existence is influence.  Probably.)

	--Cliff [Matthews]
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