QRS vs. PianoDisc
An Apples-to-Apples
Comparison

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2024 Update

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QRS Pnomation3 (PNO3) and PNO4 [released in 2024] vs. PianoDisc Prodigy II player piano system comparison.

When it comes to enjoying the ultimate music experience on a player piano, piano owners are faced with a common dilemma:

"Should I buy a piano with QRS PNOmation (PNO3 or PNO4) or Prodigy II (formerly iQ and Prodigy) by PianoDisc already installed?" or

"Should I retrofit a player system within my existing piano?"

The questions we will consider in this article are:

• What makes these two player piano systems different?
• What are their similarities?
• Which one has more features, or can be said to be "better" than the other?

In this author's opinion, the two systems are similar, as you will be able to see and hear in person, however, a major point of difference you may want to consider, first, is how music is purchased from each company.

To be perfectly clear and honest, only ONE COMPANY allows you to enjoy their ENTIRE MUSIC LIBRARY as a yearly subscription in addition to a renewable parts warranty with the subscription, whereas the other company does not offer this benefit. 

Side note: YAMAHA does not yet offer a "Spotify-like" subscription experience, to date, unfortunately, enabling users to access and listen to their entire music library, as this article has been updated in 2024. 

Find out which company is which, below.

The question remains: Which player piano system offers 'the best' player piano experience?

While the two digital player piano systems are known to be “the best” on the market (aside from the highly acclaimed Yamaha Disklavier), the question many buyers face is:

“What are the differences between one system and the other: QRS PNO3 or Prodigy II by Piano Disc?"

• Both offer a host of comparable options and features.
• Both are worth the price of >$8,000 to $10,000 installed, and
• Both offer cutting edge technology.

Below we present a side by side, apples-to-apples comparison of the two systems, as well as the merits and demerits of each, which can help assist you in making a practical buying decision.

QRS vs PianoDisc:
Capabilities, Features, and Benefits

Eliminated boxes. Both QRS PNO3 and Prodigy II allows for wireless (Wi-Fi) smart phone (iPhone and Android) and tablet (iPad and Android) control. 

PianoDisc recently updated their Prodigy II system to include WiFi technology, in addition to using bluetooth with a very limited range, to play music.

A simple web browser can be used to "control" both the QRS PNO3 and PianoDisc Prodigy II player systems.

Each system's full wireless control has eliminated the need for a traditional infrared remote and “CD box”, normally placed underneath the piano's keyboard, which has characterized traditional player piano systems for so long.

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Record Integration. Both systems allow real-time pianist recording and stereo system audio integration.

The QRS PNO3 allows for record integration through "PNOScan". This feature allows networked lessons, performances and recordings to be seen and heard via a TV monitor, iPad, or computer screen.

The same goes for PianoDisc Prodigy II.

The two systems can record, process, and duplicate position feedback of the keys’ movements leading to improved accuracy and performance.

Sound Integration - The built in MIDI sounds in QRS PNO3 allow for performance, practice, and playback capabilities.

Prodigy II by PianoDisc features record integration through Apple devices (Apple/Mac), Android devices, Windows computers, and other music playback devices.

Sound integration in PianoDisc is enhanced through its Silent Drive HD that records the piano via MIDI interface, with 127 levels of note expression. This ensures that the system delivers a beautiful, responsive, and fully expressive piano performance even at whisper-soft levels.

(Rumor has it...composer Danny Elfman had a system installed within his music studio's Bosendorfer grand piano.)

Ease of use. PianoDisc Prodigy II makes operating a player system easy, as you can operate it within the range of the system's wifi signal from your piano. One simply plays, pauses, stops, and adjusts the volume as they normally would on a stereo system.

In addition, Prodigy II works with on Android and iOS devices via bluetooth, hence ensuring that you can use the latest computer and/or music playback gear to operate your piano.

The QRS PNO3 also has a jukebox style interface which offers stealth updates, instant music purchases, and easy playlist creation via a web browser over Wi-Fi.

The QRS PNO3 piano can also be used through a traditional remote control and push play, hence optionally eliminating a network, tablet, or smartphone.

Instant availability of music. QRS PNO3 stores all music on the system, which can be "unlocked" through song purchases made on the QRS website, or through the interface itself when connected to the internet.

This activation feature allows all music to be available instantly when you need a song, album, or collection - with no necessity for an internet connection. The music can be customized via playlists for the perfect experience.

QRS is the only company which offers an all access music pass subscription which gives you access to their entire music library on demand. They offer a 1-Year, 3-Year, or 10-Year option in addition to a parts warranty which covers the player system's components. A QRS All Access Music subscription can be purchased here, through our website. 

Only QRS Music Technologies offers a subscription and warranty renewal benefit. No other player system company offers this benefit. 

Flexibility. Both QRS PNO3 and PianoDisc Prodigy II allows you to play music purchased through their company, or standard midi-files downloaded for free on the Internet.

Huge music collection: QRS Pnomation systems have one the largest music libraries in the world with over 12,000+ song titles https://www.qrsmusic.com/music.asp in every genre and growing each year.

PianoDisc also has an extensive library with titles in every music category, hence thousands of songs to choose from.

Both QRS PNO3 and PNO4 can play the piano through specially programmed videos online or through various DVDs, allowing you to watch a pianist play the piano live in concert on video integrated with your piano.

One other feature that's QRS and PianoDisc feature is the ability to stream songs and videos via YouTube, directly to your computer, phone, or tablet, for free.

More Features:

QRS PNO3 has a number of features that are categorized into a (1) playback bundle, (2) playback and record bundle, and the (3) playback, record, and practice bundle.

The (1) playback bundle has the following features:

• PNOmation Playback Engine
• Controller and Processor
• Speaker for background music
• Wi-Fi interface for network integration or stand-alone mode
• Pin Light Port Extension (PLx) - Status
• I/O Ports
• USB
  
• Headphones
• Voice Prompt feedback
  
• IR Remote
• Sing-along features.

The (2) playback and record bundle, in addition to the features of the playback bundle has the following:

• PNO3 sensors and integration
• Record
• Playback
• Save
• PNOcloud auto record, auto save and auto upload feature set
• Practice and Perform capabilities.

The final category - the (3) playback, record, and practice bundle has a Key Stop Rail for practicing in silence. Headphones and practice in silence capabilities are the most preferred in this category (for late night practicing, to not wake the neighbors).

PianoDisc’s Silent Drive system offers 1024 levels of expression and uses flash memory to store music.

Besides the basic system that plays the piano's keys, everything else comes as an optional add-on component. The accessories offered include a tone generator, am optical record strip installed under the keyboard for MIDI recording/output as well as silent operation with headphones, and powered speakers. 

QRS vs PianoDisc:
Technology, Capacity, and Controls

System Technologies/Operating System

The QRS PNO3 & PNO4 systems complements the life of the piano. These components are built to tolerances and with materials that suit various climates and conditions when being played for long periods of time. QRS's PNOmation offers a migration path to the latest technology.

QRS uses fully encased solenoids with Teflon impregnated solenoid plungers to deliver stable and accurate control over the range of motion. They are self-lubricating and resist corrosion. A lost motion cap on the bottom ensures proper throw that guarantees the necessary dynamism.

A longer plunger and solenoid delivers more accuracy and the necessary dynamism to support this feature. 

PianoDisc uses flash memory to store music. Besides the basic system that plays the piano keys, everything else is sold as an add-on, optional component. 

Electronic components of the Prodigy II Silent Drive are hidden inside the piano and they control all aspects of playing.

You can download PianoDisc music from iTunes or the company website and play it via your iPad, iPhone, laptop, or desktop computer. 

Both systems allow upgrades to their software and hardware components.

Both can be said to provide the confidence and support to move forward with an upgrade, as the rest of the system remains intact.

Capacity and Controls

QRS produces PNOSCAN which is an optical MIDI Record strip (similar to PianoDisc's ProScan and ProRecord Quiet Time) a tone generator, and the capability to play MIDI files from CDs and MP3 players.

The QRS song library is grouped into a series made up of the performance series, tribute series, concert series, nostalgic series, Sync Along series and DVDs.

QRS uses an embedded web app system, easy navigation and control using a simple touch screen user interface. (View a Sample, here.)

With iQ and Prodigy systems, you can download music from PianoDisc’s music store, organize and store it, then play it on your piano.

Grammy winners, Top 10 chart artists, winners of international piano competitions, Piano Sync and the most popular CDs of superstars from the music scene are all available for play.

Comparison and Differences

Both the QRS PNO3 and PianoDisc Prodigy systems are retrofit that are designed to be installed in any piano. Their capabilities and technologies allow them to be readily installed.

Both can be operated through a wireless device such as an iPhone or iPad or an Android phone. They both come with a variety of options including: aux. speaker hook ups, volume controls, and background orchestration. They are capable of a vast level of dynamic ranges, from a deafening roar to the quietest whisper.

Both the player piano entertainment systems are based on solenoids and plungers that are computer-activated, which move the piano's keys.

The plungers and solenoids act to ensure there is proper sound integration, and feedback can be deduced from the piano's action.

Both provide for compatibility. A player piano system should complement the life of the piano. Both the QRS PNO3 & PNO4 and PianoDisc iQ and Prodigy systems provide for forward and backward compatibility by ensuring that the user’s piano’s player technology remains relevant in line with the emerging technologies.

Both systems provide essential software (and hardware) updates to ensure that the user’s piano is suited to emerging needs. These updates serve to assure the purchasers that once they acquire a piano system, they would not need to acquire another one again upon emergence of new changes, but will only need to update their current system to suit the new changes.

QRS PNO3/ PNO4 and PianoDisc Prodigy II music tracks can be balanced from the user controls, a very important component especially when there is background or vocals. Piano and audio tracks can be individually balanced, separated, and optimized, to fully maximize your playback experience for the best equalizing effect.

How are songs purchased through each system?

PianoDisc: Most music must be purchased as an entire album, hence, whole albums must be downloaded at once.

QRS: Users may purchase individual songs ("singles"), as opposed to an entire album.

Customers can also download an entire organized customized playlist of songs, with a single click through the QRS PNO3 and PNO4 systems.

Conclusion

The player piano as a single instrument has revolutionized the manner and form in which music is played.

Due to its effectiveness in improving pianists' and piano owners' music experience. the popularity that has accompanied its invention has advanced its technology, design, and use.

QRS PNO3 & PNO4 and PianoDisc iQ & Prodigy are two of the systems that have gained popularity in their usage.

Individuals seeking to purchase a piano system for the first time as well as those seeking to upgrade their existing piano systems, should gain a clear understanding of the basic features, benefits, and capabilities of each, to align one's decision to their requirements.

The capabilities, system requirements, operating technologies, music selections, music capacity, and ease of use and control are all important factors worth your consideration of QRS PNO3 & PNO4 and PianoDisc iQ & Prodigy systems.

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