Date   : Thu, 12 Apr 2001 13:01:03 +0100
From   : "Colin Fraser" <colinf@...>
Subject: Re: storing BBC tape programs on minidisc?

I have successfully stored audio data from other devices (old synthesizers
have tape interfaces) to minidisc.
Haven't tried it with a Beeb but there is no reason it won't work.
Best thing about it is the mono mode on MD gives you 140+ minutes recording
on a single disk.

The encoding used by minidisc/mp3 etc. only removes data when it doesn't
have space to store it.
For a full bandwidth audio signal, it dumps the data it believes will not be
audible based on the spectral content of the signal.
For such a simple signal as FSK encoded binary at 1200 baud, it is unlikely
to have to drop any data at all.
Even when it drops data, it does so by reducing the bit depth first, which
causes a gradual increase in distortion.
You'd have to induce a lot of distortion to reach the low quality of an old
mono tape deck.

Colin f