News Release：Pioneer Introduces New MD Recorder "MJ-D7" Loading Innovative High Quality Recording Technology, "ASRAC System"

MJ-D7

Tokyo, Japan, April 15, 1998 --- Pioneer Electronic Corporation announced its introduction of the "MJ - D7" MD (Mini Disc) recorder having the innovative high quality recording technology, "ASRAC System" (Audio S ignal ReActive Control System) to the Japanese market at first with introduction to Europe and US markets following soon.

< Planning Concept >

In the past few years, demands for MDs have grown highly and it is estimated that the cumulative production volume will top 20 million pcs. by 2000. Pioneer's Midi and portable types of MDs have won good reputations in the global market. In order to respond to customer's expectations for much high quality MD recorders, Pioneer has newly developed a new stand alone MD recorder containing a very innovative mechanism of its own development that can produce a very high quality sound. It is expected to become a mainstay product of the digital audio equipment for home use.

< New Technology >

The new "ASRAC System" has been developed by Pioneer by drastically renovating the past recording technology of the MD recorder. Previously, when recording to MDs, the "ATRAC (Adaptive Transform Acoustic Coding) System" was used. The newly developed "ASRAC System" can record even minute signals that are left out in the "ATRAC System", thus achieving a high quality recording level. "MJ - D7" is equipped with another innovative function of Pioneer, "Digital NR (Noise Reduction)", which is already incorporated in the Pioneer's high grade cassette tape decks with good reputation. "Digital NR" can reduce noise by a large margin at the time of recording from other media whether it is digital or analogue. Furthermore, "Legato Link Conversion" is also used in this model which enables reproduction of wide - band range replay of up to 40kHz; for the first time in MD.

< Main Features >

1 ) The newly developed high quality recording system, "ASRAC System".

Recording onto MD is done by a high efficiency encoding technology called "ATRAC System".
This system divides the input music signal into three bands; high - band, middle - band and low - band.
As recording is done by sorting the data considering minimum audible limit characteristics and the masking effect, almost the same length of recording time as CD and compactness of its size have been both achieved. The newly developed "ASRAC System" adopts DSP (Digital Signal Processor) and analyzes the frequency of the input signal and divides it into three frequency bands. And then, it ensures that each band chooses the best masking function for the input signal. (For example, when the input signal has many high - range elements, more information is allotted automatically to the high - range music signal.) This not only increases a total amount of information, but also maintains a high quality recording level.
Discs recorded by using the "ASRAC System" are compatible with the "ATRAC System" and can be replayed by any MD recorders including portable and car stereos: "ASRAC System" is another original technology developed by Pioneer, for the first in the industry.

2 ) Loading "Digital NR (Noise Reduction)" --- analogue sources are also accepted

"Digital NR" is a technology that drastically reduces the noise in the signal with no negative effect to the music signal. It functions while recording from analogue / digital sources and automatically suppresses the noise which is included in the input signal and enables reproduction of clear sound in the case of analogue too. Clear sounds recorded through Digital NR can be replayed by other MD recorders. Moreover, sounds recorded by other MD recorders will become clearer when replayed by Digital NR.

3 ) "Digital REC Volume" Function enables high quality recording of high - end models

When recording from digital to digital, "Digital REC Volume" enables adjustment of the recording level from +12 dB to -48dB. Utilizing this function, even when recording from CDs of different sound volume levels, it enables recording with and even sound volume level at the least sound deterioration. Previously, this technology was adopted only on high - end models.

4 ) "Legato Link Conversion" enables wide range replay up to 40kHz -- the first in MD recorders

In order to reproduce authentic original sounds, musical elements in frequencies above 20kHz are important. Unfortunately, signals above that frequency are removed in the MD and CD formats.
"Legato Link Conversion" takes the advantage of the sound characteristic that as the frequency becomes higher, the amplitude decreases. (1/f response).
Utilizing this technology, the signals in audible range up to 40 kHz based on 1/f response is reproduced, and as a result, achieves the most vibrant lifelike sound.

5 ) "Z - Concept" for accurate signal processing

Audio technology has progressed in two ways; frequency range (X-axis) and dynamic range (Y -axis). Pioneer has developed a "Z - Concept" which improves the signal reproduction, transmitting signals, and signal conversion, thus improving accuracy of the signal in the "time" dimension (Z-axis).
It is necessary to have such control signals as can stably revolve disc-driving motors in order to read information recorded in MD format accurately as a stable signal. However, high frequency noise produced by other circuits has a negative effect on disc control. "MD - D7" adopts "Z - concept" to eliminate unnecessary high frequency noise and to realize stable disc driving. In addition, shortening of the transmitting signal circuit and improving the accuracy of signal conversion have thoroughly been pursued.

6 ) "Time Skip" Function

In addition to Forward / Rewind function, the jog dial equipped to "MD -J7" enables to search time by 30 / 60 seconds per a click. Compared to the current way of inputting the time directly, "Time Skip" function achieves much easier operation. In particular, this function is helpful in music searches while editing.

7 ) "Medley Playback" Function

The function fades out the last portion of each track and switches smoothly to the first part of next track as if a medley of one piece of music or song.

8 ) Other Features

• "Name Clip" Function
  As the name of the music or singer is stored by pressing the "Name Clip" key, user does not have to input the same name again.
• "1 / all Synchro REC"
  This function, automatically catches the input signal of when to record and stop. This is useful in recording a single CD.

< Main Specifications >