Sony MZ-B10 - Manual (Page 56)

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Explanations
About the DSP TYPE-S for ATRAC/ATRAC3
This recorder supports DSP TYPE-S, a specification for high-level Sony MiniDisc decks
equipped with digital signal processors (DSP). This specification allows the recorder to produce
high-quality sound from tracks recorded in MDLP mode. Since it retains DSP TYPE-R support,
the recorder produces superior results during recording or playback in SP (normal stereo) mode.
How the MiniDisc got so small
The 2.5-inch MiniDisc, encased in a plastic cartridge that looks like a 3.5-inch diskette (see
illustration on the left column), uses a new digital audio compression technology called ATRAC
(Adaptive TRansform Acoustic Coding). To store more sound in less space, ATRAC extracts and
encodes only those frequency components actually audible to the human ear.
The meaning of “no sound”
“No sound” describes a recorder condition in which the input level is about 4.8 mV during
analog input or less than –89 dB during optical (digital) input (with 0 dB as full bit (the
maximum recordable level for a MiniDisc)).
Quick Random Access
Like CDs, MDs offer instantaneous random access to the beginning of any music track.
Premastered MDs are recorded with location addresses corresponding to each music selection.
Recordable MDs are manufactured with a “User TOC Area” to contain the order of the music.
The TOC (Table of Contents) system is similar to the “directory management system” of floppy
disks. In other words, starting and ending addresses for all music tracks recorded on the disc are
stored in this area. This lets you randomly access the beginning of any track as soon as you enter
the track number (AMS), as well as label the location with a track name as you would file on a
diskette.
B A
A — User TOC area
Contains the order and start/end points of
the music.
B — Music Data