Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, October 25, 1994 TAG: 9410250063
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: David Butler
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
A: Yes. Until recently, there were two types of CD changers: carousel and removable magazine. Although the 5-disc carousel is definitely easier to load and unload, you can avoid disc handling altogether by storing your collection in 6- or 10-disc magazines. If you're considering a CD changer for the car, make sure it uses the same type of magazine as your home unit.
The trend toward larger changers began in earnest several years ago with the introduction of an 18-disc model (three magazines). Then, last year, a 24-disc changer was introduced at the remarkable price of $299. Instead of using removable magazines, it stores discs horizontally in a rotating tray. With two-dozen discs hidden inside, its electronic catalog (two 8-character descriptors per disc) is an indispensable feature.
Now imagine a changer that can hold your entire disc collection. Imagine no more! Changers developed for juke boxes and radio stations can accommodate 60, 100 and even 360 discs! Despite hefty prices ($3,500 to $8,000), a respectable number of these rugged workhorses are finding their way into the home.
A quick survey of available changers revealed no fewer than eleven models that hold 50 discs or more. However, the real surprise was this: more than half of the models are targeted specifically at the consumer. In fact, the last three 100-disc changers to enter the market sell for under $700! Instead of endless shuttling of records, tapes and discs, your entire music collection could be only a couple of button pushes away!
For the CD connoisseur, one high-end changer holds two removable 50-disc magazines. This approach yields virtually unlimited capacity since it takes less than 30 seconds to replace both magazines. Moreover, high-capacity magazines are a great way to store discs. At 81/2" tall, they only take up the space of 21 jewel boxes.
One unusual system can handle even the largest collection. An external elevator retrieves the disc from a modular 250-disc storage unit and then loads it into a user-provided CD player. Up to four storage units can be stacked. (Yes, that's 1,000 CDs!). Likewise, up to four disc players can be stacked, making this system the ideal centerpiece for a multi-room audio system.
Not surprisingly, disc management becomes a key issue as the number of discs increases. Most consumer changers rely on a 1- or 2-line character display and allow each disc to be given a unique name and group assignment. Most changers allow you to create custom playlists with tracks from different discs. On the down side, naming your discs without the aid of a keyboard can be tedious and time consuming.
One advantage of higher priced changers is that you can use a personal computer to catalog and manage your collection. A variety of computer programs are available that can keep track of disc title, artist or composer and even song title. One program can even store and display a scanned image of the cover art! Another is being developed that will include an extensive data base of available CDs.
To receive a comprehensive list of companies that manufacture high-capacity CD changers, please send $1.50 and a self-addressed envelope to David Butler F-431, Department TWN, 14713 Pleasant Hill Road, Charlotte, N.C. 28278-7927. The list includes toll-free phone numbers and a summary of each company's products. You'll also receive information on software for controlling a CD changer from a personal computer.
Q: I understand there's a government radio station that always broadcasts the exact time. How do I receive it?
A: WWV, operated by the National Institute of Standards and Technology, broadcasts a continuous clock tick with a voice announcement at the top of each minute. You'll need a short-wave radio to pick it up (2.5, 5, 10, 15 and 20 Megahertz). A free Windows utility (WTime) is available from PC Magazine that automatically synchronizes your computer's clock to WWV via modem. The call takes less than a minute.
by CNB