Week+1

__**Week 1**__

__**Question #1:**__ __Divide into pairs. Compare and contrast a Sony Walkman, a Discman, and an Apple iPod, and describe the differences in their product and interface design, as well as how they deliver music technically.__

__**Sony Walkman:**__ -Analog -No software, electro-mechanical. -magnetic based -Runs off 4 AA batteries. Its only features were Dolby B/C noise reduction decoding and base boost.

__**Discman:**__ -Laser-reader based -Little firmware to translate from digital to the headphone output source, -use of CDs (Max 20 tracks at one time) -Retailed for $350 in 1984 Some Discman included: -Plays Back CD-R/RW Discs with MP3/ATRAC3/ATRAC3plus Audio -Volume limiter -Sound Effects- Grove, Digital, mega bass -18 Playback Modes

__**iPod:**__ -Hard drive based (Max 40,000 tracks at one time) -XML software -mp3 and mp4 -Files are already digitized, no compression needed for headphone output sources. -Digital -rechargeable battery -downloadable content from online services -Click-wheel navigation -Retail price starts at $59 for the iPod Shuffle in 2012 -Starting in 2006, Equalizer settings were added to improve audio and minimize distortion with various headphones.

Students: Pat Colucci Kristina Waters