What's In Your CD Player/iPod/MP3/Computer/Hi Fi, Right Now?
I think it is only now that the care that is taken with looking after old vinyl is appreciated--because so many of these older Lps are just not available anywhere else, in any other form. I had not realised that at the time obviously. It is amazing how many there are out there that have not been issued as a cd.
Mariana
- Terence Lee
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- Location: Penang Island, Malaysia
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It's Too Late
Hi Marian
You are so right! When the age of CDs was announced, my friends & I dumped our old vinyl as fast as we could only to realise later that CDs can sound so unmusical, bright and grating to the ears. CDs can never match records for the warmth and presence especially where vocals are concerned. I only have a few records left and not enough to warrant a new turntable. So they remain unplayed in the storeroom along with my laserdiscs (remember those?). The joy in holding a record album cover cannot be matched by holding a CD or reading its liner notes. It's just not the same, is it?
Perfect Strangers? Ah, how could I forget your favourite Bassey song from that album?!
You are so right! When the age of CDs was announced, my friends & I dumped our old vinyl as fast as we could only to realise later that CDs can sound so unmusical, bright and grating to the ears. CDs can never match records for the warmth and presence especially where vocals are concerned. I only have a few records left and not enough to warrant a new turntable. So they remain unplayed in the storeroom along with my laserdiscs (remember those?). The joy in holding a record album cover cannot be matched by holding a CD or reading its liner notes. It's just not the same, is it?
Perfect Strangers? Ah, how could I forget your favourite Bassey song from that album?!
I think it is a great idea to make your own compilations of your favourite tracks and singers-I have been doing it for many years---started off with cassettes from LPs to play in the car--they would take forever to make up, but I listen to them still occasionally. Then I would copy cassettes from cds--much easier and quicker. And then the excitement when I could make compilations of my own cds !! Now I do it all on my Ipod --the easiest ,quickest and most versatile.
And in between all these, I had a period of using mini-discs--they were about 2 inches square---but also incredibly versatile--much more so than a cd--but for some reason, they never caught on-I do not know why--perhaps the high cost of buying the extra equipment.
But what surprises me still, is that the cd is by far the most economical medium to buy--as are dvds, compared to blank cassettes---only last year I had to pay £5.00 for 3 cassettes, [they were for a special purpose]--and also minidiscs. So I wonder why a pre-recorded cd or dvd can still be very very expensive, when the blank cd can be bought for 25p or less--for something like Sony, JVC, or TDK which are the ones that I like to use.
And in between all these, I had a period of using mini-discs--they were about 2 inches square---but also incredibly versatile--much more so than a cd--but for some reason, they never caught on-I do not know why--perhaps the high cost of buying the extra equipment.
But what surprises me still, is that the cd is by far the most economical medium to buy--as are dvds, compared to blank cassettes---only last year I had to pay £5.00 for 3 cassettes, [they were for a special purpose]--and also minidiscs. So I wonder why a pre-recorded cd or dvd can still be very very expensive, when the blank cd can be bought for 25p or less--for something like Sony, JVC, or TDK which are the ones that I like to use.
Mariana
- Terence Lee
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- Joined: Sat Nov 19, 2005 8:29 pm
- Location: Penang Island, Malaysia
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Hi Terence
I also own Laserdiscs!
In fact my children watched a 'Toy Story' LD yesterday!
I LOVED buying Laserdiscs, gosh you really felt that you'd got something for your money, they weighed about 2kilo's each!
I remember once buying about 5 Laserdiscs from a shop in town, and I brought them home on the bus, but had to walk quite a way to get from the stop to my house.
My hand was red raw with the plastic bag digging into my skin it weighed sooooo much! Ouch!
Looked in the mirror when I got home and I had one arm like Olive Oil and the other like Popeye's!
Gray
I also own Laserdiscs!
In fact my children watched a 'Toy Story' LD yesterday!
I LOVED buying Laserdiscs, gosh you really felt that you'd got something for your money, they weighed about 2kilo's each!
I remember once buying about 5 Laserdiscs from a shop in town, and I brought them home on the bus, but had to walk quite a way to get from the stop to my house.
My hand was red raw with the plastic bag digging into my skin it weighed sooooo much! Ouch!

Looked in the mirror when I got home and I had one arm like Olive Oil and the other like Popeye's!

Gray
I do not think Laser discs ever caught on in a big way---which was a shame as they did have potential --I guess it's like everything that needs new equipment--they are difficult to get off the ground.
DVD players were struggling in the first few years, but now everyone can see how great they are--plus because so many people buy the players now, and the discs, the price has dropped right down. Although I do not know the sort of reception you would get on a dvd player costing less than £25.00--which I have seen!!
DVD players were struggling in the first few years, but now everyone can see how great they are--plus because so many people buy the players now, and the discs, the price has dropped right down. Although I do not know the sort of reception you would get on a dvd player costing less than £25.00--which I have seen!!
Mariana
- Terence Lee
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- Joined: Sat Nov 19, 2005 8:29 pm
- Location: Penang Island, Malaysia
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Hi Gray
Apart from being heavy, the laserdiscs were expensive at least in Asia. I remember paying around RM300 (42 pounds) for a "New York New York" boxset. In Tokyo, I picked up a rare Jap laserdisc of Shirley Bassey in concert. I have of course conveniently forgotten that price tag to avoid the hurt but it was a must-buy at that time.
The trouble with laserdiscs is that both sides seem to be glued together and the gum sometimes slip out.
Blu-Ray & HD-DVD is here but does this mean I have to upgrade my collection? Here we go again......
Apart from being heavy, the laserdiscs were expensive at least in Asia. I remember paying around RM300 (42 pounds) for a "New York New York" boxset. In Tokyo, I picked up a rare Jap laserdisc of Shirley Bassey in concert. I have of course conveniently forgotten that price tag to avoid the hurt but it was a must-buy at that time.
The trouble with laserdiscs is that both sides seem to be glued together and the gum sometimes slip out.
Blu-Ray & HD-DVD is here but does this mean I have to upgrade my collection? Here we go again......
- Lena & Harry Smith
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- Location: London UK