Date   : Mon, 15 Nov 2004 09:54:24 +0000 (GMT)
From   : Brian Widdas <brian@...>
Subject: Re: CD tape data?!

On Mon, 15 Nov 2004, Christopher Dewhurst CCARE Panel Clerk wrote:

> Hi all,
>
> > Somebody raised the possibility the other day of recording tape sound
> > files to CD. Would these be loadable via the standard tape cables to
> > the BBC or has anybody done it?
>
> [Snip]
>
> > I used it to transfer downloaded software from my PC to a Beeb when I
> didn't
> > have a cable.
>
> In my experience, playing CDs and Minidiscs of the tape signal into my real
> BBC hasn't been very reliable. Admittedly I don't have a Microsoft PC so I
> haven't tried Dom's suggestion.
>
> I wondered whether it has something to do with the tape speed? Music tracks
> from US TV programs always seem to be a semitone higher; I was chatting to
> someone recently and said they believe the picture to shift towards the blue
> end of the spectrum - as though the tape is being played faster. I know
> little of physics - does anyone understand anything more about this and
> could it be related to my BBC tape experiences?

Seems unlikely to be related to tape speed. Conversion between NTSC and
PAL (US and European video standards) is a fairly complicated issue, and
there are good reasons why things can sound higher-pitched when played in
the UK (especially films), but they're not related to cassette speed.
Tapes, CDs and Minidiscs should all play at the same speed they recorded
at, or they'd sound awful.

Brian
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