MusicCAST Burning CDs

Burn Some CDs - Some Considerations

Here's a thought... You've got all your songs digitized in one place. Why not make some great compilation CDs like you've always wanted? Yamaha's MusicCAST makes this an easy process. Simply select Make a CDR/RW from the Recording Menu Screen and you'll be able to either duplicate an existing CD, or record songs from your music library to a blank Audio CD-R/RW.

Editor's Note
The Yamaha MusicCAST can only record to AUDIO CD-R/RWs. This is due to the fact that the MCX-1000 is classified as a Consumer Audio Device, making it subject to the rules associated with SCMS (Serial Copy Management System) an outdated, useless copy protection system developed back when the RIAA was concerned with this new CD technology resulting in a loss of revenue due to pirating and CD-R/RW drives were not prolific in desktop PCs.

SCMS prevents the illegal production of multiple generations of digital copies from a copyright-protected original. Making a single copy for personal use by owners of the Digital Audio Home Recorders is permitted. The SCMS status of an original is indicated by a copy bit which is present on an original CD and is placed on a recording at a frequency of 75 frames per second. For originals which are subject to copyright protection, the copy bit is continuously 'on' (high state). For so-called 'SCMS free' discs, to which no copyright restrictions apply, the copy bit is continuously 'off' (low state). For an original which has itself been copied from a copyright-protected original, the copy bit is toggled every 5 frames between 'on' and 'off' (high and low states). SCMS distinguishes between three possible copying situations, and provides appropriate copying strategies in each case.

While I may not be informed as to all of the logistical details involved. I would love to see Yamaha slap a VGA/DVI port on the back of the MusicCAST for the next model and re-classify the unit as a PC. It already has a PS/2 port, hard disk, ethernet port, PCM-CIA 802.11b card, an optical drive, and its own operating system. Face it, it's a computer. If Yamaha could reclassify the unit, they could allow several things to take place:

• Recording of songs onto standard (and less expensive) data CD-Rs
• Burning of MP3 discs, allowing all the hard work done by the Gracenote CDDB database to be transferred to portable MP3 players and other desktop computers in your home.
• Consideration of adding consumer-friendly digital video recording features

It may be just a dream, but since the unit is so close, it warrants some investigation for a future model. With the rise in popularity and interest in Home Theater PCs, exploration into this area by a major electronics company would be very welcome.