New format seen at Tower.

[Jamie Tate]

I was just at Tower and on the same shelves as the SACDs and DVD-As there was another format. I forgot the actual name but it's something like Data pack or Data cart or something like that. Anyone know what they're about? I'm assuming it's some sort of MP3 format.

[metalbob]

Originally posted by yesman
I was just at Tower and on the same shelves as the SACDs and DVD-As there was another format. I forgot the actual name but it's something like Data pack or Data cart or something like that. Anyone know what they're about? I'm assuming it's some sort of MP3 format.

Is it Data Play? As far as I know, the company is already out of business and only a few titles were ever released. I think it was heavily supported by BMG, with other labels scheduled to release titles, but they were all scrapped.

I have a prototype of one of the blank discs. It is square like a minidisc, and it is about the size of a quarter. I guess they have X amount of room on the prerecorded ones and more music can be added etc. I think the package is the size of a jewel case though. Kind of a confusing format that is meant to be "safe". Basically a stupid idea when society is dictating what the new formats will be. I guess some labels feel better when they try and force a new format on their own terms.

[Jamie Tate]

Data Play. That's it. So I guess it's DOA then?

Thanks metalbob. Does it sound good or is (was) it an MP3 format?

[Sckott]

The format was almost like the 70's Playtape. It was a one song use, usually, and was a neat idea to get singles to teenagers digitally in walkman flavored playback.

Sorry to say, but it was stupid. Teenagers were quite married to thier CDR drives and Kazaa, Napster, what have you - for free.... Wrong market to sell things to!

[metalbob]

Originally posted by yesman
Data Play. That's it. So I guess it's DOA then?

Thanks metalbob. Does it sound good or is (was) it an MP3 format?

I never actually heard it. The one I have is blank and I never got a player/recorder to test it out. I think the format used is MP3, but I am not sure.

[BradOlson]

I didn't even want to support DataPlay at all as I knew it would not last in any market. The dataplay.com website no longer loads as well as it did so that's definitely a sign that it is DOA.

[Grant]

I was reading about this last winter. It was an attempt by the record industry to market a secure (read: non-copyable) miniature format to the teenagers. Sckott is right. Why would anyone choose this crap when they have computers and portable mp3 players?

[metalbob]

Originally posted by Grant
I was reading about this last winter. It was an attempt by the record industry to market a secure (read: non-copyable) miniature format to the teenagers. Sckott is right. Why would anyone choose this crap when they have computers and portable mp3 players?

The players themselves were a few hundred dollars. Kids are lucky enough if they can scrape up a few dollars for that bulk pack 100 CDRs...

[Grant]

Just another way the record industry throws away money...

[RetroSmith]

Yup.. dumb Idea. Too expensive also.

[BradOlson]

I agree that it was a stupid idea all along. The music industry throws away money too much on formats that are guaranteed not to last.

[Dave]

Originally posted by Grant
Just another way the record industry throws away money...
...and passes the cost of their mistakes along to the consumer...

[BradOlson]

Exactly right. BTW, dataplay.com doesn't load at all. That means the format failed.

[metalbob]

Originally posted by Dave

...and passes the cost of their mistakes along to the consumer...

EVERY industry does.

[BradOlson]

Exactly right, metalbob.

[chrischross]

I can't even see DataPlay discs becoming collector's items. They really need the big cut-out saw (preferably a chain-saw) taken to them.

Dumb idea, dumb concept, dumb execution. Amazing that some marketing group got paid money for even dreaming up this concept. And to see that it takes up valuable bin space better devoted to other hi-rez formats, that just takes the cake.

[bmoura]

Originally posted by metalbob
Is it Data Play? As far as I know, the company is already out of business and only a few titles were ever released. I think it was heavily supported by BMG, with other labels scheduled to release titles, but they were all scrapped.

Yes, some of the Tower Records stores were carrying the DataPlay discs from BMG & Arista.

I say were because DataPlay is now out of business. They died before Universal Music could even get their DataPlay discs released.

At the local Tower Records store in San Mateo, CA all of the Data Play discs were sent back to the distributor. So all that remains now are the Data Play dividers in the Audiophile section.

[GoldenBoy]

Ah yes, DataPlay. Next! :rolleyes: :laugh:

Talk about Vapourware - they could barely get the players out before going belly-up. Are these executives required to take training courses in stupidity and futility when they take these high-paying jobs? That way they can really run a company into the ground before ceremoniously being asked to 'resign' as they walk away with their multi-million dollar Golden Parachutes. I knew that DataPlay was a stupid idea that would never catch on (although I recall TechTV raving about it when it was first announced at CES a year or two ago :laugh: ). All one can do is ask, 'Why?':confused: