[sci.electronics] Hifi audio recording

luc@kulcs.uucp (Luc Van Braekel) (07/19/88)

I'm designing an automated music programming system for use in a broadcast 
studio.

For the system, I will need devices that can play back pre-recorded
music.  Important characteristics are:

  - HiFi quality
  - large amount of playback time per device
  - quick start
  - if possible, a quick and precise access mechanism for the
    different fragments on the tape.
  - price

I'm not considering ordinary compact cassettes, open reel tapes or NAB
cartridges since I consider that oldfashioned technology.

I am considering the following alternatives:

 1) DAT recorders (Digital Audio Tape - the Japanese thing not yet
    available in the US and hardly available in Europe): good access 
    mechanism, but recording limited to 2 hours per tape.  Expensive.

 2) PCM recording/playback on VHS tapes, using a JVC encoder/decoder.
    A cheap solution when you switch different VHS playback-only
    machines between one or two (for mixing) PCM decoders.
    Maximum 4 hours per tape.
    Disadvantages: the decoder needs 3 to 5 seconds to 'lock' on the
    signal, before it produces output.  No good access mechanism.

 3) Video 8 PCM audio recording

 4) VHS "HiFi" recording.  Not digital, a stereo multiplex signal is
    recorded on tape using FM.  Maximum 8 hours per tape.

I have worked a lot with technique 2), outside this project.
What I would like to hear from you Netlanders, is: what are your
experiences with one or more of these techniques, do you have
additional information, can you correct/verify the above information,
do you know of other interesting techniques (Radio Shack's erasable 
compact disk lies a bit too far ahead in the future, I fear...) ?

You can mail directly to me, I will post a summary to the net.
Other more general reactions about hifi recording techniques are
welcome and can be posted if they are of general interest.
We don't receive rec.audio at our site, I hope sci.electronics is OK.

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| Name   : Luc Van Braekel          |  Katholieke Universiteit Leuven    |
| UUCP   : luc%kulcs@prlb2.uucp     |  Department of Computer Science    |
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