MP3 will reign supreme (FORUM: MiniDisc VS MP3)

Member Name: neinel

Product:	FORUM: MiniDisc VS MP3
Date:	28/09/00 (215 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: MP3s are free, have biggest collection of any format, accessible from home, looks certain to replace CDs, MiniDisc, tapes and vinyl; MiniDisc has slightly better sound quality, can record independently without the need for a PC

Disadvantages: MP3 sound quality not quite as good as MiniDisc, MP3 players cannot record independently; MiniDisc has limited collection of albums for sale, not directly compatible with computers, stands no chance as a replacement for CDs, Mp3s, tapes and vinyl

It is difficult to directly compare MP3 with MiniDisc because, despite seeming similar as technologies, their usage has grown to be very different. When MiniDisc was launched, it was hailed as the replacement for tapes and Cds full stop. This optimistic prophesy never came true. Despite having a moderate range of albums released on its format, MiniDisc soon became used largely for personal recordings and practically no one buys albums from Virgin or HMV on MiniDisc. Aside from its limited collection of titles, there is no reason why this should be the case - considering its superior sound quality - BUT IT IS. MiniDisc doesn't seem to have taken off as much as Sony intended but by no means is it a flop. I have many friends who own MiniDisc players and they use them regularly but have any of them ever purchased an album on MiniDisc from a shop? No. Their sole use of them lies in recording from Cds (usually borrowed from friends). For this purpose, I think MiniDisc is very useful - it certainly beats recording on to a cassette tape for quality and track skipping.

MP3, on the other hand, is indispensible in every concievable aspect. Not only does it match the range of music available on CD/MiniDisc/Tape/Vinyl, it beats it, due to the fact that computer owners can record live songs from videos etc. that will never appear in the shops, straight into MP3 format. Thanks to Napster, anyone with an internet enabled computer can obtain these completely free of charge and without even having to leave the comfort of their own home. Having access to practically every CD/MiniDisc/Tape/Vinyl in existence plus masses of unreleased obscure tracks, accessible in minutes without even having to leave your house and FREE OF CHARGE? Correct me if I'm wrong, but this sounds like the best musical invention ever! Oh, but wait, isn't it illegal? Yeah, in the same way recording your favourite CD onto a blank tape is illegal - in other words NO!! Of course, you do need a co
mputer to access MP3s but, with prices for internet capable PCs now as low as £250, this isn't a major problem. You can also buy a portable MP3 player for around £150. As far as sound quality is concerned, MP3 is slightly behind MiniDisc and CD but this is not very noticable and perhaps it will be improved in the future.

To conclude the battle between MiniDisc and MP3, I believe MP3 is the winner by far. MiniDisc still has some future as a handy recording device but in terms of a single format to replace CDs, MiniDisc, tapes and vinyl, MP3 is a dead cert. MiniDisc still has the edge in the personal recording area because, as far as I know, there are no MP3 players that can record without being hooked up to a PC but this isn't a huge problem and it's only a matter of time before such devices appear in the shops. Despite mixed response from the music industry, MP3 has made a massive impact and is changing the way music is distributed. It is only a matter of time before Cds will be a thing of the past, along with Betamax videos, wireless radios and MiniDisc.

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