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>As far as I know, their system is the only one that will no >data-based ripping of minidiscs. Depending on how many you have, >however, building up a few digitization stations with inexpensive >SPDIF inputs and MD players with SPDIF outputs could get the job >done quickly. I would look at multiple workstations rather than a >single multi-channel workstation due to the difficulty of >synchronizing the clocks on the MD players. >Of course, making up a half dozen MD workstations would cost as much >or more than the ESDL package. On the other hand, the ESDL package >relies on an out-of-production (as I understand it) MD drive from >Sony. ESDL refurbs and modifies the drive and sells it as part of >the package (again as I currently understand what they are doing). The thing that appeals to me is the error correction and report. That's something that real-time recording generally won't do. I've seen Exact Audio Copy slow down and really concentrate on errors a lot of times with CDs; it's a plus that the person ripping the info doesn't need an extensive training. Having the same kind of peace of mind with MD is a huge plus given the reliability of other magnetic digital media. Whether or not it works as I'm thinking it does is another thing. >Even if you only set up one MD chain separate from your main >digitization chain, the real-time ingest could be done as a >background task in your main lab. That is how I do it, actually. > >If you did two MDs per day as background, you could do 500 per year >with no real increase in workload. > >How many do you have and I hope you've stopped making new ones. >Substitute compact-flash recorders for the MD recorders if the >people are still generating MDs. I think everyone will be happy you >did. I think you can pay for the CD recorders out of the labour >savings <smile>! We're talking several thousands of minidiscs coming from a third party and a variety of storage conditions across Europe. We're not generating MDs here, and it's not within my power at all to stop any future production. Anyway, thanks for the response! > Jim Sam Audio Specialist Hoover Institution P (650) 736-0961 E [log in to unmask]