MESSE11: Tascam Upgrades Combination CD/MiniDisk Player

US MD-CD1MKIII upgrades the digital I/O and supports WAV file playback by the CD player 07/04/11

Tascam has updated the world's only combination CD Player / MiniDisc recorder to create the MD-CD1mkIII. Here's their press release...
The original model and its follow-up have been big hits with contractors looking for the advantages of MiniDisc in a compact size. The new model upgrades the digital I/O and the CD player now supports WAV file playback in addition to MP3 files.
The MD-CD1mkIII includes a CD player and MiniDisc recorder transport, each of which can be operated independently. Individual inputs and outputs are available for each, plus a "common" output containing both signals. Each transport has both a coaxial and optical S/PDIF output, and the MiniDisc has coax and optical inputs. An optional LA-MC1 balancing kit offers balanced XLR inputs and outputs to the MD-CD1mkIII when required. The MD-CD1mkIII can be controlled through wireless remote, RS-232C or a PS/2 keyboard.
The CD transport supports pitch change from -50% to +16% speed. CD Text is displayed on the unit. Most CD disc formats and play modes are supported, and a digital output level can be employed with fade in and fade out. The MiniDisc section supports recording in SP, MONO, LP2 and LP4 modes, and can mix modes on one disc. The MD-CD1mkII can dub from CD to MiniDisc at up to 4x speed, and continuous playback is available from one transport to the other. Both the CD and MiniDisc include Auto Cue and Auto Ready functions.
Packing hours of playback in only 2 rack spaces, the MD-CD1mkIII is the ultimate choice for cramped installations requiring the flexibility of MiniDisc.
CD Features:

Applicable discs: audio CD / CD-R / CD-RW / CD-ROM (MP3/WAV)
CD-text display (Stop: Disc title, Play: Track title)
ID3 tag display (Song title)
-50 to +16% pitch control with selectable steps (0.1 to 1%) for audio CD
+/-6 semi-tone key control in semi-tone steps for audio CD
Key control without affecting playback speed
Various playback modes: all / single / program (up to 99 tracks) / random
Various repeat modes: all / signle / program (up to 99 tracks) / random / A-B
Auto cue (-72 to -24 dB in 6 dB steps)
Auto ready
Digital volume on output (-infinity, -54 to +18 dB)
Fade in/out playback (1 to 30 seconds in 1 second steps)
EOM (End of message) for indicate the end of track or disc (1 to 99 seconds in 1 second steps)
Time search by numeric keys on remote controller
Power on play
Time display mode: track elapsed / track remain / disc elapsed / disc remain (When playing the MP3 file or WAV file: track elapsed)
Directory play mode for MP3 discs or WAV discs
RCA unbalanced analog output
S/PDIF optical digital output
S/PDIF coaxial digital output
Remote control by PS/2 keyboard

MiniDisc Features:

Supports SP (stereo) / MONO / LP2 / LP4 modes
Recording in different mode (ST/MONO/LP2/LP4) in the disc and playback the disc which contain the different mode of the song is possible
Edit functions: erase, divide, combine, move, title
Grouping function and group playback
Overwrite
Auto track increment with input audio level and track information data from S/PDIF input
Manual track increment by pressing the record button during recording
Sync recording by input audio signal
Input monitor
Digital volume on input (-infinity, -54 to +18 dB)
Fade in and out recording (1 to 30 seconds in 1 second steps)
Pre recording (off, 1 to 6 seconds in 1 seconds steps)
Various playback modes: all / single / program (up to 25 tracks) / random / group
Various repeat modes: all / signle / program (up to 25 tracks) / random / A-B
Auto cue
Auto ready
EOM (End of message) for indicate the end of track or disc (1 to 99 seconds in 1 second steps)
Time search by numeric keys on remote controller
Power on play
Time display mode: track elapsed / track remain / disc elapsed / disc remain
RCA unbalanced analog input and output
S/PDIF optical digital input and output (SCMS)
S/PDIF coaxial digital input and output (SCMS)
Remote control, editing, and title input by PS/2 keyboard

Combined Features:

COMMON output for CD and MD output (priority can be set)
Headphone output with selectable source (MD, CD, or common)
Dubbing from CD to MD (whole disc or track by track):
- 4 x: in SP mode
- 2 x: in MONO / LP2 / LP4 mode
- 1 x: from MP3 or WAV discs and when CD's pitch control/key control on
Continuous playback between MD and CD (no limitation)
Independent operation of MD and CD
Auto title input from CD-text and ID3 tag
Wireless remote controller
RS-232C serial remote control
LA-MC1 optional balanced I/O card
2U rack mount size