The Letterville BullBoard: OT - Interesting Technology Trivia

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Posted by Kimberly Zanetti (Member # 2546) on :

Ever wonder why the audio capacity of a standard compact disk is 74 minutes? Thank Beethoven - and Norio Ohga.

In the early 1980's, Sony was helping to develop a new digital music technology. Mr. Ohga, then the company's president, insisted that no matter what else, the new format had to be able to play Beethoven's Ninth Symphony without interruption. Mr. Ohga, you see, had been a classical vocalist before getting into electronics.

By SETH SCHIESEL, The New York Times

Posted by Ian Stewart-Koster (Member # 3500) on :

WoW ! well, good idea really, I suppose!

Posted by Bruce Williams (Member # 691) on :

"Mr. Ohga, then the company's president, insisted that no matter what else, the new format had to be able to play Beethoven's Ninth Symphony without interruption."
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That makes sense, what with the 9th being one of the longest pieces of world-class music. If the jukebox industry had been in charge, instead of Mr Ohga, a CD's capacity might be 3 minutes.

Posted by Roy Frisby (Member # 736) on :

Well, that makes more sense than the reason the
railroad is two horse asses wide. Something about
the Romans, chariots and such!

Posted by Ray Rheaume (Member # 3794) on :

Cool, Kimberly.

I always got a kick out of why cartoon studios always did characters with three fingers instead of four...to save money.
Between Disney, Warner Brothers, Hanna-Barbera and all the rest over the years, they have probably saved MILLIONS in labor time on skipping pinkys. [Eek!]

Rapid

Posted by Bob Rochon (Member # 30) on :

Ray I beg to differ that 4 finger info. Draw a cartoon with 4 fingers and it just doesnt look right. Whether it saves money or not. [Razz]

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