Yes, in july 1, 1979, SONY presented to the world the TPS-L2 that will change it. They weren't aware of how much that product will change the way we listen to music, but they indeed changed it, forever. So, today it's the 40th anniversary. Wow, 40 years! Long live music and long remembering to the walkman. SONY has published a special webpage and video about this date. Thanks to Tsunekichi Takenaka for the link. You can read also my TPS-L2 review here.
I think I posted this before but people outside the UK couldn't watch it. https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/articles/9dd5bda0-f21f-44e6-8bce-df281b97b6bb Anyway, here is the summary The Walkman and its impressive headphones (1980) [WATCH] Tomorrow's World - A demonstration of developments personal audio headphones As well as changing the way musicians could create music, in the 70s and 80s technology was having a profound effect on how we listened to it. But not all new gadgets were a success. The hilarious "stereo radio that you can feel" that Kieran Prendiville demonstrates at the beginning of this clip is lost to time, most likely because it looks ridiculous. The Walkman, however, was a huge hit in the 1980s - due, in no small part, to its small headphones, which Kieran proves to be impressively sensitive. The report is very favourable, but all the emphasis is on the headphones, which are said, and proven using test equipment, to be a massive step forward from previous models due to the new magnet technology used. I wonder if the Walkman would have been a success if it had been put on the market with conventional over the ear cans.
I have attempted to download the video but couldn't so here are some screenshots Tomorrow's World was a must watch program when I was a teenager. As the name implies it was all about the latest technological developments, some just appearing in the shops; others (like adaptive cruise control) decades away from release. The stereo radio mentioned at the beginning. Techmoan reviewed this recently and wasn't impressed. The presenter here doesn't devote much time to it, just saying it is difficult to demonstrate sound and vibration through the medium of Television. An introduction to "The smallest cassette player in the world". No mention of Sony from the BBC of course as that would be advertising. Some conventional headphones on a test jig How the test jig works - Microphones inside Spectrum Analyser Pink Noise result from conventional headphones Introduction to the Walkman's lightweight headphones Measured frequency response from the Walkman's headphones The presenter points out better Bass, Treble, and much higher sensitivity A comparison of the iron magnet from the conventional headphones (left) and the rare earth magnet from the Walkman headphones (right) The conventional magnet can't lift this weight The MDR-3L2 magnet (with handle attached so he can grip it) has no problem. The presenter points out that the Wlakman uses the same type of magnet in it's motor making it smaller and more powerful than a conventional motor. At both the beginning and end the presenter apologises for not being able to demonstrate the sound quality of the Walkman over the TV "because the quality is quite superb". You have to remember that before the TPS-L2 all headphones looked like the first pair he demonstrated. The amount of time devoted to the MDR-3L2s shows what a breakthrough they were. A final thought. The TV he is using to display the results is a Sony. I wonder if Sony provided all the test gear. Although the Sony name wasn't mentioned there was nothing to stop manufacturers using "As seen on Tomorrow's World" in their press releases, if the live on TV demonstration turned out well like this one did.
Arghh, I cannot see most of the videos. they blocked them for us in Spain! Do you think you can download them with jDownloader and them send to me so I can post them here in our server? You can also use Maxthon browser, which is awesome. it features a video downloader integrated that works perfectly.
Ok, thanks to @Longman I can upload the video so you can ll watch it. Watch the video. I must say I'm impressed that this guys used a real time signal analyzer and a signal generator of pink noise to make a quick analysis of the differences between two headphones. Wow. When I discovered audio analyzer, pink noise and all that, I was delighted... but this guy did it 40 years ago!
Some background information about the programme this clip was from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tomorrow's_World A shame their is no equivalent on British TV these days, the closest thing being Channel 5's Gadget Show, As I suggested earlier I wonder how much help (such as test equipment) Sony provided for the demonstration. The programme was an ideal showcase to demonstrate your latest, soon to be launched (in the UK) technical product. Either that or they might have borrowed the equipment from their technical departments. If you remember Nicam Stereo TV sound, that was invented by the BBC.
Belated Congratulations! It's just a shame they didn't make a 40s anniversary model, I mean they still do have a line of mp3 walkmans. Slapping some 40 years logo and tweaking the circuit board could have at least been done... Or did I just miss out on it?
Totally, and considering their top line model has two audio jacks, this could have been a blast to the past... ... and with the Guardians of the Galaxy TPS-L2 hype this would have attracted a fair share of the fanbase of those movies and comics. Then just make a bag with beltclip for it and you're good to go. *Shakes head in disappointment* A missed opportunity.
Some more 40th information on the Sony Website https://www.ginzasonypark.jp/e/release/19006/index.html The Walkman was first released to the market on July 1, 1979, "The Day the Music Walked." July 1 (Mon), 2019 will mark a milestone 40 years since that day, and it will be the first day of #009 WALKMAN IN THE PARK - an experimental 40th anniversary program that focuses in on the people for whom the Walkman has been a part of everyday life. "My Story, My Walkman" shares Walkman episodes from the lives of 40 celebrities, while the Walkman Wall presents around 230 versions of the Walkman from throughout history, synchronizing stories of people's music experiences with the various changes Walkman has undergone over the years in this fascinating program that we invite you to come and enjoy.
Japan Times https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2...nniversary-sony-opens-retro-exhibition-ginza/ Someone get their photo in front of this!
We need to amp it up for the 41st birthday, set up a board to discuss options, get vintage audio shops involved, try to get some Sony Shirts from Japan and do something cool!
i'm celebrating the Walkman every day, don't need a special reason/occasion. just wouldn't mind one of those shirts
Well I made myself (unknowingly) an unofficial 40th anniversary walkman, so what if we made the anniversaries a "make your own model" kind of case-mod day if Sony doesn't offer one for us? Or maybe just an own private design competition or something like that... Just a thought.
Sony just released a special edition of their current "walkman". It's basically just the usual with a cassette screen and special case. https://presscentre.sony.eu/pressre...nd-new-streaming-compatible-walkman-r-2914734 https://www.engadget.com/2019/09/05...yNYv28WyZOiLRgAEH0W95MVDo1N6iEdz8z1mzTS3m36EC
