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Spank-A-Thon · Mar 17th, 2002, 08:07 PM

In order to explain what an optical cable does I feel it may be worth explaining how MiniDiscs record.

MiniDiscs use a method of compression called ATRAC. The ratio is somewhere in the region of 1:4, and similar to MP3 it is a 'lossey' compression format. I.e. it discards information that it perceives to be inaudible to the human ear.

When using a normal analogue lead to record from CD to MiniDisc you can lose even more information. The digital information on the CD is converted to analogue sound. This is passed through the cable down to the MiniDisc unit, which in turn re-samples the analogue signal into digital again to record.

Now this presents various problems. One of the biggies is setting the recording level, another is track-separation. Perhaps the biggest problem though lies with your leads and CD player. If either of them are poor (i.e. CD converts to analogue badly or your leads are 'noisy') then the signal being sampled will be of less quality.

Optical cables eliminate this. It sends the digital information direct to the MiniDisc unit. It also sends the TOC (Table of Contents) info too which makes track-separation a non-issue. Obviously because there is no sound being sent per se, you don't risk unwanted 'noise' either.

Basically because the digital information is being directly compressed by the ATRAC system, and thus there is no digital to analogue conversion happening, you gain much better sound quality.

So that answers what it does. But you ask does it enable drag and drop. I have not seen this but I know PS2 doesn't support it.

However, there is one big problem with using optical cables to record to MD. If CDs (or DVDs) are protected then you cannot record via an optical link. Your MD recorder will recognise the copy protect signal and not record at all - in which case you will have to switch back to normal analogue cables.

Hope this gives you the info you need. If you wanna know anymore then drop me a PM.

- S

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Mar 17th, 2002, 08:07 PM	#2
Spank-A-Thon Carpe Diem Baby! Joined: Jan 2002 Location: Liverpool, UK Age: 49 Posts: 664	In order to explain what an optical cable does I feel it may be worth explaining how MiniDiscs record. MiniDiscs use a method of compression called ATRAC. The ratio is somewhere in the region of 1:4, and similar to MP3 it is a 'lossey' compression format. I.e. it discards information that it perceives to be inaudible to the human ear. When using a normal analogue lead to record from CD to MiniDisc you can lose even more information. The digital information on the CD is converted to analogue sound. This is passed through the cable down to the MiniDisc unit, which in turn re-samples the analogue signal into digital again to record. Now this presents various problems. One of the biggies is setting the recording level, another is track-separation. Perhaps the biggest problem though lies with your leads and CD player. If either of them are poor (i.e. CD converts to analogue badly or your leads are 'noisy') then the signal being sampled will be of less quality. Optical cables eliminate this. It sends the digital information direct to the MiniDisc unit. It also sends the TOC (Table of Contents) info too which makes track-separation a non-issue. Obviously because there is no sound being sent per se, you don't risk unwanted 'noise' either. Basically because the digital information is being directly compressed by the ATRAC system, and thus there is no digital to analogue conversion happening, you gain much better sound quality. So that answers what it does. But you ask does it enable drag and drop. I have not seen this but I know PS2 doesn't support it. However, there is one big problem with using optical cables to record to MD. If CDs (or DVDs) are protected then you cannot record via an optical link. Your MD recorder will recognise the copy protect signal and not record at all - in which case you will have to switch back to normal analogue cables. Hope this gives you the info you need. If you wanna know anymore then drop me a PM. - S