kinmonth@null.DEC (06/27/84)
A while ago someone said or implied that a CD had a maximum play time of 72 minutes. Is this correct? Does anyone known for sure what the max play time is? Is this time fixed forever? As manufacturing technology improves, will they be able to sqeeze more on, or are the tracking specifications for the laser pickup such that an older player could not track newer more "compact" discs? I am somewhat disappointed that the max time might really be 72 mins. I saw in a record store the other day a CD recording of Mahler's 2nd with Solti and the Chicago Symphony. What disappointed me was the fact that it comes on two discs. If the symphony does indeed run over 72 mins, it cannot be by much. I think Mahler #2 times usually are in the 75 min range. I'll admit it. I'm lazy and one thing I hate to do is get up and turn the record over (or worse, have to CHANGE records). I have a reel-to-reel deck that accomodates 10.5 inch reels just so I can listen to things like Mahler symphonies without having to fumble around with records and cassettes. I sure hope they'll be able to get a 75 symphony onto a single CD. Does anyone know if records companies will be putting longer works on multiple discs (even if the work might be sqeezed onto one) just so they can sell the set for twice as much? Bruce Kinmonth ...decvax!decwrl!rhea!null!kinmonth
hrs@houxb.UUCP (H.SILBIGER) (06/29/84)
I have heard that the maximum playing time is about 75 min. Beethoven's Ninth has been issued on one side. The At the cuWith the current configuration there is a maximum playing time. There is no reason why both sides of the disk cannot be used. Herman Silbiger CGE
fish@ihu1g.UUCP (Bob Fishell) (06/29/84)
I don't think the play time is actually carved into stone. The 72
minute limit cited refers, I think, to a Denon CD of Beethoven's 9th,
a work which is very popular in Japan. The article I'm thinking of
is over a year old, but at the time, this was the longest CD available.
Perhaps they've extended that to accommodate the Mahler.
--
Bob Fishell
ihnp4!ihu1g!fish