sfbp

A lot of points skipped over in the previous response IMO. One thing if you want to do LP transfers, you need 2 things to do it well: 1. a MD deck, that you can hook to your existing stereo amp output. These are cheap nowadays, but they only do SP, LP2 and LP4. For all that they're worth having. 2. the MZ-RH1 so you can do uploads from the deck to computer. You also neeed: 3. The MZ-RH1 so you can put MP3's onto the minidisc without conversion. 4. the MZ-RH1 to record from microphone. Decks don't have the microphone input, and there are some nice portable-recorder-features built into the RH1. All the models you mention are fine for going the other direction (CD->MD), whether by optical or by USB (SonicStage) download. The RH1 is the latest and later than the RH10. The RH10 won't allow you to upload things you record on a deck. Good luck! I can help a bit with LP->MD->CD. Stephen

As the proud possessor of a receiver with as many digital (optical or coax) inputs as I could possibly want, here's my question: Who cares about whether the MD deck has a phenomenal D to A section, if I'm using SP/DIF out? Many of the posters here have been assuming it's worth the money to buy a high end ("pro") deck such as MDS-B5 or MDS-JB920 or JA333ES, preferring these over later models. But surely there is NO DAC involved if the receiver itself does the job of conversion? I am pretty impressed with my Onkyo TX-SR605 and am thinking that it's likely the more recent designs of amplifiers could well be doing a better job than the older models that don't have digital input. I really don't know on this point, so would welcome some opinions. A subsidiary question is whether Type-S makes any difference when optical out is used. I have been playing my JE640 (Type-R only) into the Onkyo and comparing with the MXD-D400 (which has Type-S) and I do not see a huge difference, if any. Using analog output the JE640 was definitely not listenable at least with LP2 recordings, which are starting to make up the bulk of my on-MD collection. But now it seems quite acceptable. Stephen

Agree 2000%

Sure, this would be easier - the only thing this requires is (I think) the Sony authentication web server, which was back up the last time I needed it. But the way I suggested doesn't require it, that's all.

I have been looking at the specs for the so-called :GigaJuke: line, whose last produced model is the NAC-HD1 (NAC-HD1E in Europe). Does anyone here own one and would like to comment on its usefulness/reliability? Can anyone confirm the hint in the manual (pages 26, 106) that Atrac Audio CD is a fully supported format? Or did they remove the feature and fail to clean up the manual? Seems like the only thing missing is a CD writer, but that's no big deal since you could transfer things to a PC with same, over network connection. There are other issues (such as the FM and AM sections being unsuited to N.America, but they don't concern me particularly). I *would* be interested to know if the hard disk can be substituted and how it gets formatted - since this will among other things affect the longevity of the device as a whole. There's a hint in this auction that it's possible to replace, but my Japanese isn't very good and the translation brilliantly ambiguous. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all! Stephen

Dunno but their line of NetJukes probably will. I'm about to start a thread about the so-called GigaJuke, NAC-HD1.

#1. if they are copy protected, you can't copy them. That's the idea #2. if you still can make SonicStage talk to them, then the latest (4.3) version (possibly all 4.x version, I am not sure) will allow you to remove the copy protection as part of the "File Conversion Tool" accessible from the main menu of SS. If you decrypt the files (clue: the FCT will rename their extension from .oma to .OMA, though some files, eg AAL, are ending in .oma and are not even encrypted) then copying them to another hard drive and reimporting into a fresh install of SonicStage will allow you to play them, transfer them, whatever, just fine. Hope this helps. Stephen

The only difference I have noticed is that some used blanks seem (I presume) to get physically warped. I can hear it sometimes when a disk is playing in a deck, as a persistent rattle or tap sound. One can only hope that the repeated banging of something (!?) against something else (!) doesn't degrade the player. I know that originally one of my decks seemed to have something comparable when recording (only), and that was traced to a loose piece of plastic floating around inside. However this noise I am mentioning now is on playback too. Perhaps the higher quality disks are more rigidly constructed?

Why do we keep getting :new content: on this post only to find no new postings. Maybe the poll should be closed? Just my $0.02 Merry Christmas (and custard) to all! Stephen

Do you get the same result in Linux? Seems like it's a bit of a coincidence that a Microsoft codec produces perfect results on a Microsoft operating system Basically I'm wondering if these "distortions" you see are essentially deviations (differences) from WMA or whatever Microsoft considers the "default" codec. Some Sony units (eg CDX-GT510/610/710) do support WMA. Are you sure that none of the new generation (sorry I don't have anything past straight ATRAC/+ MD) has WMA support?

Before you rush out... let me add a voice in chorus to bobt's comment. If you have lots of recordings you made "from before", you have basically one option, the RH1 (also known as M200 by the magic addition of a microphone which is a separate, duh!). There's another way, a (second-hand) MDLP-capable deck with optical out, if you want to preserve the digital nature of your LP recordings. Common models (and there some much more expensive alternatives) include MDS-JE640, MDS-JB940,MXD-D400, MDS-JB980 (not available in US/Canada) and possibly some others. However this route means you have to do it at x1 playback speed, reliable but time consuming. If you want to make recordings "now and in the future", the NH700 (also not available in North America, however it is somewhat easier to get a wall charger for it which is all you need in this case) is an ideal portable to record and upload, provided you stick to HiMD format. Actually any HiMD model will have the same record-then-upload capabilities. Look for something with an H in the name but no D in the name. Then look to make sure it has microphone or line input if that's what you need. The equipment browser is pretty helpful http://www.minidisc.org/equipment_browser.html Good luck, and we are always happy to answer further questions here. Stephen

oh..... thx, will try that. I know it doesn't work with the Atrac3 codec mentioned by chaoscreator. Avrin, I just tried my portable Atrac CD player into my new stereo. Result- horrible, nothing to do with Atrac, was horrible just playing a normal CD. Is there a specific volume level to use for the "out"? I recall you mentioning various details of the best level to use in this situation for MD units.

Well done Avrin. I couldn't see that he meant an Atrac CD. In addition to portables they also can be played in a number of car stereo units (made mainly by Sony but I think I know of at least one other manufacturer, Kenwood, which made some for a while). One possibly viable solution to Atrac playback would be to make a proper 12 volt rig for one of these car head units, and set it up in conjunction with your home stereo to use the (line) output which as intended to go to a power amp for a car, and send this to the TAPE input of your (home) amplifier. I'm thinking about doing this just for fun. The power requirements are quite hefty, though - you could easily blow up the average wall charger that has a 12 volt output, and the head-unit manuals don't seem to mention the actual requirements. Possibly I might be able to get a (small, sealed, wet) lead battery of the kind that's in my house burglar alarm and this would do the trick. I like Atrac CD's very much but they have to be decrypted by the unit (unlike regular MD which are "raw" music data that can be played on any player). The quality is quite excellent, especially Atrac3+, equivalent to HiMD of course. You CAN put Atrac3 (but never Atrac3+) files onto a CD yourself, and play them yourself with a PC-based music playing program (including one that is NOT SonicStage, providing you decrypted them). However now the disk will not be playable in a portable unit designed to play "Atrac CD"s. Make sense? Better stock up on AtracCD players, if that is your preference, Sony stopped making them, and although they are cheap, they are quite hard to find.

Sounds like PxEngine got terminally messed up. Avrin?

If they're from your own CD's you're best to start with the CD's and compress to MP3. You can go back to the original computer and decrypt all the files, then transfer them to the new machine, but this is a waste of time if you have the CDs.

I just blew an hour trying to get it work. No dice. SonicStage is 100% fine. Will keep fiddling. Assume you will be trying 32-bit W7, else there's not too much point. Added: maybe I will poke around with a "pure" SB install, looking at Avrin's posts on that topic..... (a bit later)... no good. Installs (after a lot of fiddling) but program runs briefly and then exits with no error message, logged event or trace that anything happened to it....

The Net MD units mentioned record from USB only. Otherwise they will act as a player for discs made in other machines. The MZ-RH1 is fully equipped with inputs (line, optical, microphone, USB) and can record in NetMD or HiMD format. As you have no doubt noticed, it is the most capable of all portable units insomuchas it can upload the older (non-HiMD) formats to the PC. As to connecting to the NE410, I haven't upgraded to Vista. If I upgrade to Windows 7, I will have to carefully consider whether I get the 64-bit version (or not). IF I do, then I will need the 32-bit emulator (actually it's a copy of XP) if I want to stay connected. But for now, XP is just fine.

I think that's a bit strong. You should be able to find the last two units Sony seems to have made, still new (although there will be plenty of other models popping up from time to time "NIB" on Ebay and elsewhere), however in most cases it will be somewhere online. AFAIK the last NetMD unit is the MZ-DN430, a very nice little unit which has been sold off by companies for as little as $15 - however you will find one somewhere for WELL under $50. You have an MZ-NE410 which is not so much different. I think the sound on the newer one is a little clearer perhaps. To do uploading you will need the last portable made, namely the MZ-RH1 (the same as MZ-M200 except that the MZ-M200 package includes a plug-in microphone). These are still available at certain stores, new, for example at http://www.minidisc-canada.com I would guess that Sony is still distributing these, as they seem to show it as a current product on their own (Sony's) website. My NE410 is still going strong (it's out on loan to a musician, currently). It and the RH1 are the first and second portables I acquired, so you are in company (I won't say that it's good company, heheh). Prepare to become an addict...... Stephen

I think you had better define "quality recording". I use the PC to output all sorts of optical signals from broadcast sources. However this reminds me of another point that I've been meaning to ask. Is the Type-S reproduction something that happens before or after D->A? If it's after, then optical out (playback) from a deck into a receiver (I recently got one with opti input) should be fine even if the deck doesn't have Type-S. Or will the Type-S actually affect what goes out the digital output of my MD deck(s)?

On my JB980 (and also the JE630 and JE640) there is input level control when recording from Optical. There's no optical out modification, but this is easily achieved by uploading (either via optical or SonicStage) to WAV file and normalizing the wave to make the peaks as close to 100% as you wish. Is this what you mean? Certainly the larger the dynamic range, the greater the fidelity - i.e. if you can make the waves reach 100% at the peak for a given recording, that recording will be as good as it can be. Scale Factor Edit may be what you are talking about. It's irreversible (unlike a software wave editor) and only works under certain conditions (doesn't work for LP tracks?), and takes a lot longer than normalizing as mentioned above. This is presumably because the CPU's of PC's are now 10x faster than when the 980 was built? There's an actual button for it on the JE640 (doesn't exist on the JE630), but the feature is available from the Edit menu in other decks including the MXD-D400 and JB980.

Could it be mechanical? Does it depend on exactly which MD is inserted into the machine?

Maybe you could modify this for the headphones of your choice?

Right. Couple of notes: 1. Doing it this way, you will be filling up your hard disk with unwanted oma files. That's ok, but probably best to delete them so you don't get muddled. 2. You CAN convert any files that are oma "after the fact" by rightclicking the file showing in SonicStage and selecting "Save in WAV format" 3. You should take a look at the import dialog box carefully. There are two choices 256K and PCM(1411 Khz). It's not 100% clear to me that if you use the default (256K) that you don't subsequently introduce artifacts when the system spits out WAV. This is because, even if you have SS set to export to WAV every time, it does it by working on the already uploaded oma file, which will be in lower quality than if you had set it to PCM. Of course if you do make this change, #1 becomes even more important as the unneeded (and encrypted, unless you bother to decrypt them before something goes amiss with the slightly fragile key setup for Sonic Stage that locks them to this computer, copy of Windows, date etc etc) oma files will now be 5x as large. What a pain! But the end result is worth having or many of us would not be here. I actually record any digital source to LP2 (sometimes LP4) as this is uploaded to PC's HD with no change in the bit patterns whatsoever and can be saved to HiMD with consequent packing (16 hrs or so of LP2 on 1 1GB disk). But microphone recordings I use PCM, and I upload in PCM (of course). If you don't make this subtle change, your WAV files will be subtly degraded as there are now two conversions (SP->256K and then 256K -> WAV).

Exactly correct. The only way other than the RH1 would be optical out from a deck, which will NOT preserve the track marks. However if you didn't have TOO much stuff you could probably add the marks back in again.

Will it "discharge*? If you leave it alone for a couple of weeks, and swap it back in, you may be amazed. In future though, the recommendation (I think) is to run it down once per month, and recharge using the wall charger, NOT usb. Good luck! Stephen