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I have had similar experiences in two areas: First, when I come across a CD issue of some vinyl record I used to love years ago, but haven't played for a long time. I rush home, put the CD in the player, and am disappointed: It doesn't sound nearly as good as I remember the old vinyl! Far less punch, duller in the higher frequencies,...
So I dig up the old vinyl record for a direct comparison (I haven't updated my stereo for many years; the setup is the same as in the old days, and I have kept all the old vinyls). Without exception, the CD quality is significantly better in a side-by-side comparison. Through the rosy haze of memory, the sound quality of vinyl recordings had improved to beyond the perfect reproduction...
Second: I had all my Super-8 movies digitized. Setting up the projector, shading the windows, mounting the screen... We never did that anymore, too much hassle. The digitizing shop did a poor job: Images were grainy, movements jerky, color was poor. Again, I set up the analog equipment for the same image size as my video screen, and compared side by side. Especially the movements were far more jerky in the original. They appearently did som sort of morphing when converting the 18 fps Super-8 into 25 fps video - interpolating movements between the frames. Yet they managed to retain a sharpness where I can see the indiviual grains in the photograhic film, when I stop the video at a single frame.
So: Maybe the sound of your MP3s never were better. They always had the click and ticks and garbled sound - but that was the norm in those days. (When CDs arrived, you could buy T-shirts that said "Music will never be the same without the hizz, clicks and pops".)
You may know that Norway was the first - and I belive still the only - country to close down the national FM radio networks during 2017; only a few community radios are left on FM. A fairly large number of "rebels" were fiercely fighting against digital radio, and painted the most rosy images of how perfect FM is, both in coverage, sound quality, channel selection etc. I saw what was coming, so before the FN teardown started, in 2016 and 2017, I spent my summer vacations driving around the country with a brand new high end FM/DAB car radio, recording (on a digital recorder, using the line out from the car radio) the sound while switching back and forth between the DAB and the FM transmission of the same channel, and I took notes of available channels as I moved around.
I was not surprised: Once FM was gone, I was blamed for lying. For corrupting the recordings of the FM sound just to make it sound worse. For using some cheap, poor quality and low sensitivity receiver when I reported 'no FM coverage'. Now that we no longer can drive the same routes for the FM zealots to try to pick up some FM signal, they can claim that it was there - I am the one lying, claiming it wasn't!
The recordings of the FM/DAB comparison remains in my archives. I can play them to anyone who insists that FM had perfect quality. They may accuse me of lying. But I know that nothing is better than nostalgia at raising the quality level of something you once had.
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Interesting theory, but it's nowhere near that subtle. You'd have to be pretty much deaf to not hear one of those loud CLICKs.
I should find some app that displays the sound wave. I'm sure those clicking noises would stand out visually as well.
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Isn't that available in practically speakin any sound editor? (My choice is Steinberg WaveLab, but there are free alternatives available.)
In any case: MP3 encoding can be compared to text encryption (that is, modern methods - not the rot13 class!): No bit error could change the wording of your encrypted letter to, say, add a "not" before a claim, and the encrypted text still being valid. The only way to do that is to decrypt, edit and re-encrypt. Similar with MP3: No bit error could add a click to the MP3 encoded sound, leaving a valid MP3 encoded file, without decoding it first and re-encoding it afterwards.
I can assure you: Those clicks were not added to the file while it was MP3 encoded! Any click sound was either present in the original sound before MP3 encoding, or they are added in the decoding/playback process. Any bit rot that could have affected the sound would have left the file as garbage, invalid MP3 encoding that couldn't be decoded at all. (The MP3 format provides some error correction to handle bit errors, but this corrects the error, and doesn't leave a click.)
Of course: In theory, a really huge amount of bit errors might change your file into a bit pattern that happens to be another valid MP3 file. In theory, bit errors might also change your MP3 file into a triple-X rated JPEG image. That doesn't happen.
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Member 7989122 wrote: Isn't that available in practically speakin any sound editor? (My choice is Steinberg WaveLab, but there are free alternatives available.)
Possibly. I just don't have any, as I generally have absolutely no need for them.
Member 7989122 wrote: No bit error could add a click to the MP3 encoded sound, leaving a valid MP3 encoded file, without decoding it first and re-encoding it afterwards
I'm not buying that. In fact, right now, I just copied an MP3 file to a temp folder, loaded Visual Studio, loaded the MP3 with it and, using its binary editor, changed exactly 3 bytes; one near the start, another near the middle, and the third near the end, and saved everything back. No encoding involved in doing that, I'm sure you'll agree? VLC didn't complain the file was suddenly invalid, and playing it back, a 3-byte difference is probably so small I couldn't hear anything wrong from start to finish (after all, when audio is sampled 48,000 times a second, a 3-byte change is assuredly not enough for anyone to hear it).
So I then selected a large random block of binary data with VS, hit Delete, and saved it again. This time, I definitely heard a glitch, in the sense that it clearly skipped over a fraction of a second at the spot I deleted data from the file.
If what you're saying were true, how would streaming possibly have any sort of fault tolerance?
Member 7989122 wrote: I can assure you: Those clicks were not added to the file while it was MP3 encoded!
?? I never made any such claim, and I'm certainly not even thinking this is what happened. What I've kept saying all along is that I had files sitting on disk, that I know had played back just fine in the past, then one day, all players play back some audible glitches for a small subset of files, that could best be described as a tick or click noise, but carry on playing as it if was supposed to be part of the recording. In other words, the binary data has changed (and I had WinMerge confirm that's the case--comparing with an older backup that worked fine). In some cases, even the byte count remained exactly the same.
Member 7989122 wrote: Of course: In theory, a really huge amount of bit errors might change your file into a bit pattern that happens to be another valid MP3 file. In theory, bit errors might also change your MP3 file into a triple-X rated JPEG image. That doesn't happen.
That much we agree on.
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Maybe your hearing is improving.
It was only in wine that he laid down no limit for himself, but he did not allow himself to be confused by it.
― Confucian Analects: Rules of Confucius about his food
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That happened to me quite several times, exactly as you say, but not during the last years. I don't understand in some of the replies if people mean "the player broke it" or "the specific player plays the noise". Anyway I could hear the errors no matter the player. I finally assumed that it was hardware, a disk corruption. But I don't agree with the "why would this only happen with MP3 files?", because that has happened to me with any kind of file, like images or other immutable documents.
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If the filesize is different then something wrote data to alter the file, either accidentally or on purpose. So you know what happened, you just don't know what did it. Is there any rhyme or reason to which songs have been affected- a certain label or artist or genre? Do you know, even roughly, the date when you first created the mp3 and what date is listed as the last modified date now? If you do a search on copyright or music using a range around that time period, perhaps in conjunction with the label or artists there may be some online talk about music files being altered around that time period.
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Good idea. It never occurred to me to check those thinks. Next time I'll take a look at it comparing the file details with their copies in the backup. Anyway I cannot remember to have found that issue in the last years, so I just assumed that whatever was causing it, just got improved.
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I still use the scanner of a "all in printer" that doesn't print anymore. Has been scanning a page in 30 sec more or less during years, but now is getting longer the longer I use it at once. If I have to scan 20 pages the first one is 30 sec or so as it has always been, but the last ones are over 3 minutes. What it is already annoying me pretty much.
As I am thinking anyways in an "office" (actually private usage + some gaming) upgrade next year, I will probably send the old devices to recycle.
I have seen there are "by pass" scanners, where the scanning lense is fixed and the pages get through (as in printers), some specs I have read say around 15 pages pro minute.
Any experiences over there with such things? Do you think better the ones where the light / lense move?
My scan usage is mostly for documents and pictures but in non-professional expectations. Mostly use 300dpi (sometimes 600dpi, very, very seldom something higher). I just want it to be reliable and if possible not over-priced.
If you are happy with your device I would like to ask you: what do you use? I'll check them up.
Thank you in advance
M.D.V. 
If something has a solution... Why do we have to worry about?. If it has no solution... For what reason do we have to worry about?
Help me to understand what I'm saying, and I'll explain it better to you
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... well following on from OG's earlier post, why not a laser printer with an ADF?
one machine, 2 jobs, great for occasional and heavy jobs.
I bought a laser (replacing inkjet) about 6 months ago.
scanned all of maybe 4 pages and printed a whopping 5.
but being a laser (xerox in my case) it could just as easily do 500 pages in 1 sitting.
(compared to a $50 inkjet with ADF - yes they do exist, but apart from the $100 ink every 2nd time you turn it on, at $50 for the machine how reliable would the feeder be? - from my experience also crap.)
<< Signature removed due to copyright violations >>
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I still have my inkjet (but only because the tip isn't open) as I figured I'd use it as a scanner instead of buying a dedicated one / using my phone.
So when I needed it recently? "Cartridge not recognised" ... To the tip with it! Useless damn things.
Probably, I'll stick to using the phone - it's probably faster than scanning anyway, and a similar resolution.
"I have no idea what I did, but I'm taking full credit for it." - ThisOldTony
AntiTwitter: @DalekDave is now a follower!
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OriginalGriff wrote: ... To the tip with it! Useless damn things.
offered my last inkjet to a rag and bone man (only needed ink). ... wouldn't touch it even though I straight away offered it free.
<< Signature removed due to multiple copyright violations >>
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lopatir wrote: ... well following on from OG's earlier post, why not a laser printer with an ADF?
one machine, 2 jobs, great for occasional and heavy jobs.
I thought the same when reading the thread below.
lopatir wrote: I bought a laser (replacing inkjet) about 6 months ago.
scanned all of maybe 4 pages and printed a whopping 5.
but being a laser (xerox in my case)
Which one?
I still have a HP Color LaserJet 2600n, but it is asking for replacement too. The sensor for yellow is did break a couple of years ago, but I deactivated the "avoid printing if toner X is low" option and worked again. I haven't replaced it before, because I still have a set of unopened toners I wanted to use. But it has lately started to make the pages grey all over and print quality has dropped pretty much. So I am starting to think on recycle it and the toners (AFAIK the size of the toners is not compatible with newer models, I will check again before sorting them out), although I might give it a try to open it and try to clean it myself before with the hope of a easy to fix issue.
M.D.V.
If something has a solution... Why do we have to worry about?. If it has no solution... For what reason do we have to worry about?
Help me to understand what I'm saying, and I'll explain it better to you
Rating helpful answers is nice, but saying thanks can be even nicer.
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I'll chime in as an old SysAdmin. Check out the fuser drum inside. If its dirty, clean it carefully. If its ancient, replace it and the toner(if needed), after first carefully taking a vacuum to the interior. If you still have some toner left, shake the cartrige carefully to better distribute the toner powder inside (be careful not to spill any).
Most laser printers will last ages as long as you can find toner and replacement fuser drum. They're infinitely more reliable than inkjet. I kicked my HP inkjet to the curb when I bought my Dell workgroup printer in 2007. LAN printing is also a must, be it wifi or cabled(preferred). I tend to cable (CAT6 of better) my stuff for security and speed.
Depending on the scanning needing to be done, it might be a better idea to look into a dedicated document or photo scanner, with much better specs and features, than an "all in one" can provide.
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Overtkill wrote: I'll chime in as an old SysAdmin. ...
Yes, please. And thanks for the tips.
Overtkill wrote: Most laser printers will last ages as long as you can find toner and replacement fuser drum.
I still have tone, I'll check if I can find the fuser drum to replace it, just in case I break it when trying to clean it
M.D.V.
If something has a solution... Why do we have to worry about?. If it has no solution... For what reason do we have to worry about?
Help me to understand what I'm saying, and I'll explain it better to you
Rating helpful answers is nice, but saying thanks can be even nicer.
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If all you care about is scanning, I really can't complain about my $60 Canon CanoScan LiDE 100...although this is now years old and I have no idea with its current replacement is. It might not compare with my decades old $900 HP ScanJet scanner (with SCSI interface thank you very much), but the price makes it a winner.
Bonus: Windows 10 detects it without having to install any third-party driver + infestware, so your system is left pretty clean.
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Thanks for the information. I'll check it out
M.D.V.
If something has a solution... Why do we have to worry about?. If it has no solution... For what reason do we have to worry about?
Help me to understand what I'm saying, and I'll explain it better to you
Rating helpful answers is nice, but saying thanks can be even nicer.
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I've had an Epson V-20 flatbed for many years used once or twice yearly to copy docs and photos. Nothing outstanding but good enough for my needs.
"Go forth into the source" - Neal Morse
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Thank you 
kmoorevs wrote: once or twice yearly
I use mine three to five times in month (I like to have a digital copy of all documents that we receive and/or send).
M.D.V. 
If something has a solution... Why do we have to worry about?. If it has no solution... For what reason do we have to worry about?
Help me to understand what I'm saying, and I'll explain it better to you
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Quote: I would like to ask you: what do you use? I'll check them up.
I bought a Canon 9000F Mark II as soon as it became available. Why? Because it can do all the usual scan functions PLUS:
It can scan 35 mm transparencies. It can also scan B&W negatives and color negatives in both 35mm and 6X6 sizes. It can scan 35mm stuff in 2000 DPI resolution. Good enough for me. When it scans negatives, both B&W and color, it instantly converts them to positive images.
All the old family photos now exist as jpgs. No fading or scratching anymore!
Note: I just seen the horrible price being charged by Amazon  . I bought mine in 2013 for around $150!
Another note: The following is much less expensive:
Epson Perfection V550 Color Photo, Image, Film, Negative & Document Scanner with 6400 dpi optical resolution
modified 11-Dec-19 7:06am.
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Thank you very much. I will definitively have a look
M.D.V.
If something has a solution... Why do we have to worry about?. If it has no solution... For what reason do we have to worry about?
Help me to understand what I'm saying, and I'll explain it better to you
Rating helpful answers is nice, but saying thanks can be even nicer.
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I've got an Epson Perfection V600 which works nicely. Like you, I've been going through the old negative and slides and digitizing them.
The enthusiasm kinda wore off after a week of doing it, though, so now it's just every once in a while. I've got thousands... 
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I estimate I scanned about 4,000 old family photos, mostly negatives. The nice part is that I could distribute the JPGs to all family members and especially my kids. Once all the family photos are scanned, I now rarely have to scan negatives, but the fact that everything is now digitized makes the purchase of the scanner well worthwhile. I have never regretted the purchase! The photos are now easy to store and view on my computer and they will not deteriorate over time.
A final tip: If you have both the negative and a paper copy of a photo - scan the negative. You will get better results.
modified 11-Dec-19 7:55am.
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I have a Brother Multi function laser printer... MFC9340CDW it's old nowadays, but it works really well, it's fast, reliable and can scan in flatbed mode (page by page) or do multiple pages at once if you load the page feeder.
Not that I print much, but when I have to do it usually are contracts and quotations for the next day and at late night so I wanted something reliable, fast and that would be super expensive.
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I'd recommend steering clear of Darryl Revok[^]. 
"These people looked deep within my soul and assigned me a number based on the order in which I joined."
- Homer
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