Aiwa XR-H330MD - Manual (Page 26)

WHAT IS AN MD (MINI DISC)?
An MD is only 64 mm (2% inches) in diameter, about half the
size of a conventional CD. But an MD can be used to store and
playback a full 74 minutes of'data such as a CD. Unlike a CD, an
MD comes in a plastic cartridge, so that it can be handled with
ease. The cartridge also protects the disc inside from shocks,
dust and scratches. Unlike cassette tapes, which can become
stretched or tangled, an MD is an excellent durable media.
TYPE OF MD
There are two types of MDs: "Optical discs" and "Magneto-optical
discs". Both types use laser beams and optical pick-up technology
to read recorded data during playback.
Optical discs
These are playback only discs. Like CDs, they are used as
prerecorded music discs. You cannot record or edit them.
Label
The shutter covers
the opening only
on the non-labeled
side of the MD.
Recordable MO*^ discs
These are recordable discs which can be recorded on again and
again, like cassette tapes. The recording method called magneto­
optical technology employs a laser and magnetism to record
signals. Therefore, the quality of recorded sound does not
deteriorate even after many playbacks and recordings.
The shutter covers
the opening on both
sides of the MD.
*' MO: An abbreviation of Magneto Optical
Ultra compact size made possible by ATRAC*^ technology
A newly developed digital audio compression technology called
the ATRAC system automatically extracts only the frequencies
that are actually audible to the human ear and cuts the
frequencies which are inaudible. This compresses the amount
of data to be recorded to 1/5 of the normal amount. The ATRAC
system is based upon studies carried out in the field of auditory
psychology and does not impair the quality of the audible sound.
ATRAC: An abbreviation of Adaptive TRansform Acoustic Coding
Quick random access
One of the great features of the MD is that you can search for
desired tracks quickly. There are also quick and easy functions
for random playback, in which the order of the tracks can be
rearranged at random, and for renumbering tracks enabling them
to be played in any order.
THE LIMITATIONS OF MD
Recording on the MD is performed differently from that of a
cassette tape or a DAT. Therefore, the MD system is subject to
the following restrictions.
"TOC* Full" is displayed even if the recording time does
not reach the maximum recordable time of the disc (60-
minute or 74-minute)
"TOC Full" is displayed when 254 tracks are already recorded
on a disc, without respect to the recording time.
*TOC: An abbreviation of Table Of Contents.
"TOC Full" is displayed even if a disc is not fully recorded
on
If there are lots of emphasis data in a particular track, the unit
handles the data as index codes, and tracks are counted, in
addition, without respect to the time and number of tracks.
The remaining time on a disc is not increased even after
some short tracks have been erased
When the remaining time on a disc is displayed, it may not be
increased even after erasing short tracks because the sections
less than eight seconds are not counted.
Certain tracks cannot be joined (the COMBINE function
doés not function)
• Tracks created by editing may not be joined.
• It is not possible to combine a track recorded in monaural and
a track recorded in stereo.
The total of the recorded time and the remaining time on
a disc does not match the maximum recordable time of
the disc (60-minute or 74-minute)
Recording is performed in a minimum unit of one cluster (two
seconds). Even if the recorded section is shorter than two
seconds, a two-second space is needed in recording. Therefore,
the available time becomes shorter.
Track numbers may not be registered properly
When recording from a CD with CD ► MD, small tracks may be
created depending on the contents of a CD.
When using the AUTO MARK function, track numbers may not
be registered properly depending on the contents of the CD.
Digital inputs may not be acceptable
When digital recording is attempted from recorded material with
copyrights, digital dubbing cannot be performed to a recordable
MD from another MD recorded in digital because of the built-in
record restriction function which complies with the SCMS*
standard.
• SCMS (Serial Copy Management System) is the standard to
restrict single digital dubbing between digital audio systems
thus protecting copyrights.
Mini Disc
(prerecorded sound source) Digital dubbing
Recording through
analog inputs
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