Re: [ARSCLIST] Mitsubishi 2-track digital formats, compatibility, etc.

[Steven Smolian <smolians@xxxxxxxxx>]

Eastman School had, as I recall, both formats.  Someone in their lab may 
have had experince to fill in your blanks.

I think the two were mutually exclusive.  There was a SONY format as well, 
and I don't know if it worked as well on either of the two Misubishis.

Steve Smolian

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Richard L. Hess" <ArcLists@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <ARSCLIST@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Saturday, September 03, 2005 2:32 PM
Subject: [ARSCLIST] Mitsubishi 2-track digital formats, compatibility, etc.


> Hi,
>
> I've just taken possession (been possessed by?) two Mitsubishi X-86 
> ProDigi recorders.
>
> I've spent some time with the limited manuals that I have that came with 
> them and also searching the AES Electronic Library for related papers.
>
> It seems that the ProDigi (PD) format was developed in the mid-1980s while 
> the original machines were developed in the late 1970s.
>
> I _believe_ that the X-80 was the earlier format and the X-86 represented 
> the later format (it indeed says "ProDigi" on it).
>
> There is one empty card slot in each machine, but from the information 
> that I have, that is the serial AES/EBU interface and this will force me 
> to transfer tapes through the analog domain which is not the end of the 
> world, although I worry about the Digital-to-Analog converters in the 
> X-86 -- I don't really worry that much about my RME Multifaces.
>
> I have seen in some of the AES literature references to the X80/86 format, 
> which, to me, would imply some compatibility.
>
> So, at the moment, the big question is:
>   If I have to transfer a tape that was made in 1982 on a Mitsubishi 
> machine, will it (theoretically) play on my X86s?
>
> The other underlying questions are:
>  (1)  Did they ever implement > 16 bit ADCs/DACs in the machines? A 20-bit 
> was considered a future option. Did it ever get implemented?
>  (2)  If the answer to my big question is NO, was there any compatibility 
> upgrade to the X-86 that would let it play X-80 tapes?
>  (3)  I have assumed after reading the AES articles that there is 
> absolutely no interchange between Sony DASH 2-track and the Mitsubishi.
>        Did I miss anything?
>  (4)  If the answer to the Big Question is NO, do you know of anyone who 
> can transfer X-80 tapes.
>
> Pohlmann (4th ed) didn't seem to have anything to say about the ProDigi 
> format--though there is a brief mention of DASH.
>
> Thanks for helping me with my confusion.
>
> Cheers,
>
> Richard
>
> Richard L. Hess                           email: richard@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Vignettes Media                           web: 
> http://www.richardhess.com/tape/
> Aurora, Ontario, Canada             (905) 713 6733     1-877-TAPE-FIX
> Detailed contact information: http://www.richardhess.com/tape/contact.htm
>
> --
> No virus found in this incoming message.
> Checked by AVG Anti-Virus.
> Version: 7.0.344 / Virus Database: 267.10.18/89 - Release Date: 9/2/2005



--
No virus found in this outgoing message.
Checked by AVG Anti-Virus.
Version: 7.0.344 / Virus Database: 267.10.18/89 - Release Date: 9/2/2005