Compact Disc player#CD changer

A CD changer is a CD player with a mechanical device that allows you to play multiple CDs one after another, without the user would have to make a manual change. CD changer can be found as well in the home as the shop and restaurant sound system and in motor vehicles.

The units are equipped with a magazine, in which the user sorted his CD collection ( without covers ). Most CD changers have a device that ignores empty CD compartments. So it is not absolutely necessary, the entire capacity, which can range from 50 to 400 CDs to fully exploit. Newer devices allow playing multiple CD and DVD formats. The devices are used in addition to the home use in shops, restaurants and bars. In that regard, may CD changer be regarded as the successor of the classic Jukebox. Due to the great success of the music storage and playback in MP3 format they lose, however, both in the private and in the professional field in importance.

Variations

In the simplest and earliest variant of the so-called CD changer magazine consists of a turntable that has approximately the size of an LP. In it, three or five wells are recessed into which the discs are inserted. Transport to the playback drive is motorized and controlled.

A further variation is the tray design can be superimposed in the five to ten discs in a magazine made ​​of plastic, which is then passed as a whole in the actual CD player. This design is typical for car radios with a separate CD changer.

The so -called carousel models for home use can accommodate between 50 and 400 CDs. The CDs are thereby placed vertically in a circular tray and motor transported to also vertically integrated player ( see photo). The advantage of this system lies in the fast access times, because the magazine can rotate faster or slower as needed.

In another variant, the CD changer are also vertical, but deposited in a row. In this case, the CD drive moves mechanically to each CD, so the CD magazine does not undergo mechanical stress, such as the carousel magazine. This is considered a more gentle for the media, but the access times are longer.

The NSM in their jukeboxes offered and available for home use system stores the CD lying in their own tray. This protection of the CD is particularly high and the access times are 1.5 to 7.5 seconds.

Organization

Archiving a variety of CDs require numerous supports on the part of the device, but also requires the user a certain talent for organization and appropriate care. The one-time installation of a CD changer is, depending on the capacity, very time consuming. The device should have the technical means to identify CDs by name. This makes later retrieval simple. Some devices even allow the possibility of designating each title. In support of this device can be connected to a standard PC keyboard. The subdivision of the total capacity in different styles allows precise playing of CDs, which have been associated with this. This will avoid, for example, that during a birthday party hear a Mozart aria. There is not a CD changer via the aforementioned devices, possibly by hand a collection must be made ​​in order to find the inserted CDs at all.

Advanced features over regular CD players

The normal CD playback is also available with the CD changer as before possible. However, to have an advantage over regular devices, CD changers are usually equipped with very comfortable additional functions. Playback of the entire supply, or only a particular style associated with CDs, random play individual titles from the entire stock, the creation of complex programs, consisting of various titles of several CDs, the permanent filter out less appealing tracks from a CD and the opportunity from to play multiple CDs existing body of work without interruption, are among the useful facilities of a CD changer.

Benefits

Besides the already mentioned additional features that provide the most equipment, the careful handling of the medium is one of the biggest advantages, because the CDs are dust and light, in the recommended vertical position. Most damages of CDs done by mishandling that arise when inserted into the player. Such damage can be reliably avoided by the use of a CD changer. Thus, the value of a CD collection increased accordingly.

Disadvantages

CD changers are quite expensive apparatus, in which malfunctions can be remedied only by a qualified specialist workshop. To the cleaning of the lens may already belong to a common device which may be performed frequently by the user. The effort to archive and set up the CD changer is high. Playing individual, for example, borrowed CDs is cumbersome with a full magazine when not part of a separate feed for individual CDs provided.

• Consumer electronics
• Automotive electronics