MP3 (Jukebox) vs MiniDisc (FORUM: MiniDisc VS MP3)

Member Name: goggsie

Product:	FORUM: MiniDisc VS MP3
Date:	01/05/03 (501 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: mp3 - large storage, MD - cheap, MD - small

Disadvantages: mp3 - expensive, MD - one album/disc, MP3 - not futureproof

As a follow up to the excellent article posted by EazyDude, here's some more recent analysis based on how the formats compare a year on. Im currently deciding which to go for ;)

MP3s

1) MP3s are not as good as CD quality sound
-- choose your bit rate, 192kb just as good as CD
2) Most MP3s are not legal copies, but are free
-- Most MDs are ripped from CD ;)
3)You have to get busy and find those MP3s and download them, taking time
-- Now easier and quicker than going down to HMV!
4) MP3s create instant jukeboxes
-- They do
5) No skipping ever on MP3 players
-- Woohoo!
6) Limited memory size of protable players for the moment
-- The new Jukeboxes are up to 30Gb!!
7) Portable players are very small
-- they are but the juke boxes are still quite big
8) More computer time for new songs
--not really
9) Expensive technology
-- comparible to MD except the Juke boxes which are v. expensive
10) Great for parties with the right equipment.

MDs

1) Nearer CD Quality than MP3s
-- not so
2) Robust discs for the car
-- easier still without discs :D
3) Not flawless, can generate errors, can skip or lose date entirely
-- Getting better all the time though
4) Not cheap either
-- comparible to MP3
5) Track versatility - names and order
-- easier to do on MP3
6) Potentially 320 minutes per disc
-- 5000 hours on 1 MP3 player
7) Can swap discs easily
-- no need!
8) Pre-recorded MDs expensive
-- avoid at all costs
9) Un-aesthetic collection
-- cant see collection of MP3s
10) You can do more with an MD player, including put your MP3s on your MDs
-- you can put MDs on MP3 easily enough. MP3 is definately the more versatile format

The only MP3 players i consider are the new juke box ones. I really cant imagine anything more of a hassle that having to plug my MP3 player into my PC e
very morning to dowload an album saved on my HD. The juke box players hold more than can ever be needed so only with new albums must the player be connected to the pc.

The main things to compare for me are, MP3 is better/same for sound quality the players dont skip and they hold more. they are still too big for my liking and way to expensive!
Also, there is a dependany on the PC which could be a problem as technology or formats change etc etc

Minidisc are still quite wee on their own, no stress lugging a couple of albums around at a time. how many albums do you really listen to in a day? The players are little bigger than the discs too wich is rather nice. Also MD is cheaper than the MP3 juke boxes. The sound quality may not technically be as good as high bit rate mp3s but thats not too big an issue when your out walking/jogging around town etc etc

I think MP3 is the best format, its the format of the future too. But at the moment, the players are too expensive and too big compared to minidisc unless you want to go for one of the wee solid state guys and put up with connecting to your pc every time you want to change album and having to store all your albums on your PC or on CD-Rs.

MiniDisc is chaper, smaller and more future proof. id be surprised if current MP3 players werent obselete in 2/3 years time. a minidic will last for as long as you look after it

Summary: