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

[Scott Phillips <scottp@xxxxxxxxx>]

I recall absolutely no compatibility between the DASH and X-80 formats.
For some reason I had it in my head that there was some compatibility
between the X-80 and the X-86 for playback, but it was just too long
ago. 

-----Original Message-----
From: Association for Recorded Sound Discussion List
[mailto:ARSCLIST@xxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Richard L. Hess
Sent: Saturday, September 03, 2005 1:32 PM
To: ARSCLIST@xxxxxxxxxxxx
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
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