Explanations

About Hi-MD

“Hi-MD” is a new MiniDisc format. Incorporating the new ATRAC3plus audio compression technology, Hi-MD is a new recording format that delivers longer recording times than standard MD discs. Hi-MD discs can also be used as a computer storage medium for non-audio data such as text and still images.

About ATRAC

ATRAC (Adaptive TRansform Acoustic Coding) is a generic term for an audio compression technology that realizes both high sound quality and high compression rates. Three versions are in use: ATRAC (SP mode (normal MD format)), ATRAC3 (LP2 and LP4 modes) and ATRAC3plus (Hi-SP and Hi-LP modes). Compared with a CD, the compression rate for ATRAC3 is about 10 times higher, and for ATRAC3plus, about 20 times higher.

“Hi-MD mode” and “MD mode”

This recorder has two operation modes, “Hi-MD mode” and “MD mode” that are automatically recognized whenever a disc is inserted.

Disc

 

Mode

 

 

 

1GB Hi-MD disc

 

Hi-MD

 

 

 

60/74/80-minute

Blank disc

The operation mode set in the “Disc

standard disc

 

Mode” (page 59) menu is applied.

 

Disc containing music

Hi-MD

 

in Hi-MD mode

 

 

 

 

 

Disc containing music

MD

 

in MD mode

 

 

 

 

About LinearPCM

LinearPCM is a digital, non-compressed audio coding system. You can enjoy high-quality sound equal to that of CDs by recording in this mode.

The meaning of “no sound”

“No sound” describes a recorder condition in which the input level is about 4.8 mV during analog input or less than –89 dB during optical (digital) input (with 0 dB as full bit (the maximum recordable level for a MiniDisc)).

About System File

The system file is space on the disc that is used to store information other than audio files; for instance, track numbers.

If the MiniDisc were a book, the system file would correspond with the index or table of contents. The recorder rewrites the system file whenever an operation such as recording, adding or deleting track marks, or moving tracks has been done. (“SystemFILE WRITING” appears in the display when the recorder is rewriting the system file.) While the recorder is writing disc information, make sure not to move or jog the recorder or disconnect the power source as this may cause the information to be incorrectly recorded or the disc contents to be lost.

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