Mini disc player + optical port

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the use of optical ports and cables in relation to mini disc players and their connectivity options with computers. Participants explore the prevalence and functionality of these connections, as well as their experiences with mini disc technology.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses unfamiliarity with optical ports and questions their prevalence on computers.
  • Another participant notes that optical ports have been present in higher-end audio equipment for several years and mentions their appearance on some sound cards.
  • A participant shares that their father’s mini disc player does not use the optical connection and suggests the presence of a USB connection instead.
  • It is mentioned that newer Sony NetMD players allow for faster copying from computer to disc, despite the traditional recording method being cumbersome.
  • One participant comments on the cost of optical cables, suggesting they are not as expensive as implied.
  • Another participant states that very few computers have optical ports, indicating they are primarily for high-end receivers.
  • Participants confirm that the mini disc player in question does indeed come with a USB cable.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express varying levels of familiarity with optical ports, with some agreeing on their limited presence in consumer computers and others sharing differing experiences regarding mini disc player connections. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the overall prevalence and utility of optical ports.

Contextual Notes

Some participants reference the cost and availability of optical cables without providing specific details about their quality or compatibility with different devices. There is also a lack of consensus on the necessity of optical connections for mini disc players.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in audio technology, particularly those exploring connectivity options for mini disc players and the use of optical cables in audio setups.

Pauly Man
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My friend just bought a mini disc player, and apparently it uses an optical cable to connect to a computer. I think I know what an optical cable is, but I've never heard of an optical port, and I've never seen one on a comp before. Are they a fairly recent development, or am I just blind?
 
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Fairly recent -- they've been around on higher-end audio equipment for a number of years now, and I think I've seen some sound cards with them recently.
 
Hi Pauly. My father has a mini disc player, but doesn't use the optical connection. I think there is also USB.
 
Now that I think about it, Greg is right...they do come with a USB connection, but you still use an optical cable to plug into the player. I never liked my MD player, because of the way you had to record onto the media. But supposedly, with the newer Sony NetMD players, you can copy from computer to disc at 32x the normal speed.

Like damgo said, Optical technology has been around a while, but the cables are expensive. Excellent sound quality, however.
 
Thanx for the replys guys. I see him tomorrow so hoepfully I can find out if it has a USB and sought it all out for him. :wink:
 
Optical Cables actually arent that expensive. You could probably buy a 7-10 ft optical cable for around 10 bucks.
 
Very few computers have optical ports. Its probably there for connecting to high end recievers.
 
Thanx for the info guys. We got it sorted, it did have a USB cable with it.
 

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