MDane

It is possible that the reason the files were OMA is that there was a (bitrate) conversion through the SS software (maybe by accident?). In other words, if you will notice, when one changes (converts) bitrates within the SS program, the files will automatically become OMA from oma because the "add copy protection" box is defaulted to be unchecked, therefore unintentionally making files non-DRM. This is just a theory, but it would explain the sound quality loss. However, when running the standard file conversion tool, the conversion is so quick that it would be impossible for the software to mess with the files overall...unless there is some flag Sony built in just to be mean...but that is way too conspiritorial, even for me, lol.

Hello, I am offering my N505 Net MD for sale. I just had to have this when it came out, but probably only used it once or twice, and even then only to test it out...so it is basically new. It comes with everything as when new, but I have misplaced the headphones that come with it (I had been using them with my E105). However, if I find them, I will include them...or I can add a new set of Sony eabuds for an addtional $5 if desired. Price = $25 + actual shipping. Paypal/US only please.

I could run his post through Word, and it would have more red and green "squigglies" than a bag of gummi worms. That said, I agree with you.

Everything in this post is sold...please remove thread. I will list more discs later when time permits (yet in a new thread).

Might be the way to go. I have listed several blanks on here...never got a bite, but sold the same sets immediately on Ebay.

LOL. In case he comes back, I have a Net MD, MZ-M505 never used it other than trying it out....and tons of blanks. Chances are he didn't set up the email when replied to feature.

Awesome deck, as you likely know. The last ES level MD head unit for the US. $100 firm, $10 to ship. Comes exactly as seen. Paypal/US only please.

I understand totally how you feel right now. I was totally ready to sell my M200 after my fiasco. But in retrospect, it is partly my fault and Sony's as well. I feel their "copy paranoia" is why they set up SS as they do, but I realize I also should have learned all I could on this forum while using my M200, rather than come here only after I had the problem. But look at it objectively (if possible)...you can currently get a 5 pack of 1GB discs for $20-30, and once discs are full, you can upload and start over fresh. If using say 256kbps, you can record many hours...and at that bitrate, it is pretty much lossless to the human ear, particuarly for voice recording. Heck, ATRAC3+ 64 kbps is pretty tight for talk recordings...and 5 HI-MD discs could record several days in that bitrate. In addition, I have noticed that even professional (purchased) podcasts distributed in mono MP3 @ 48-64 kbps don't even come close to my recordings made in 66kbps (old Atrac3 with JE440) from the radio of the the exact same talk program material, and those I have done in 64kpps (with the M200) are even better, revealing no loss to the human ear with talk recordings, unless you go back to back with the original. So that alone is one semi-justification to stick with ATRAC based recording for talk/dictation. Anyway, just as you did...I also just uploaded stuff with no worries, and lost quite a few things due to this. But now I know all you have to do is simply click on "file conversion tool" and walk away. In a few minutes, every last ATRAC upload on your computer is DRM free...ready for backup, transfer, etc. Try this, and you will fall in love with your RH1 again, or at least like it...or at least tolerate it, lol.

In the defense of Sony, if one uses a RH1/M200 to record live via mic in PCM...they can then convert to WAV using SS with none of these worries. The same could be said of anything recorded on these units in real time. In other words, once you learn the tricks, it is not so bad. Even if you never convert recorded (uploaded) files, you can use the file conversion tool, say once a month or so, and you will have DRM free OMA files for everything. Also, once you convert to WAV...or any format conversion (at least on later versions of SS) the DRM is gone, unless the "add copy protection" is checked...and why would anyone do that. On that note, look in the optimized files folder, as you may still have a few salvageable files, as I discovered from my old SS 3.4...but not many.

I went through an almost identical scenario. My motherboard went kaputt, and I took the HD (with all of my uploads) and installed it on another computer, attempting to fool SS to think it was the same unit. This didn't work, and I also had never removed the copy protection. I also trued several other things with no luck. To make a long story short, I was SOL...and several posts on this forum finally brought me to the realization that the old uploads were gone. At least I was lucky enought to still have most of the source MD's to upload again.

Both disc lots sold, still have SD card/reader.

If you happen to have an old POS (spare) PC, try installing, say 4.2 on it and try the unit then. I also have a M200, and have several old PC's that I cannot give away, but they are perfect for things of this nature...as I made one of them a dedicated upload unit. \ Anyway, if you do install SS on another computer, and all works as it should, this would eliminate the software or the host computer as the culprit. Also, just out of curiousity, does the M200 work OK as a stand alone unit (not attached to the computer)? If not, that would show the harware to be the culprit...or at least one of the problems.

As far as MP3's go, I typically import one group of 4 files at a time (Coast 2 Coast podcasts). Each file is around 38 minutes long, all encoded at 48kbps. I have never actually timed it, but I am thinking the time for this is about 3 seconds, max...and we are talking about a PII, thrown-together computer. Even when I do say 5-10 shows at a time (which could be as much as 40 largish files) it still takes maybe 20 seconds. So I would suspect some conflict in your setup. Maybe others can ring in on their MP3 import experiences...but with mine I could only imagine it working better if it was drag and drop. However, I have never paid much attention to the titles, as to what the software does with them, to them, etc.

FWIW, I have found that MP3 import and transfer works flawlessly since I have recently changed to SS 4.2....actually a little smoother than doing the same processes with ATRAC files, which is funny in a way. Of course this is not a fair comparison since a. the importing of the MP3 file really doesn't require an actual physical import since it is already on the hard drive, and b. I am transferring MP3's to a the E105 which is a flash player, therefore much quicker to write data than my M200 if I were to do the same process. But to make matters a little more interesting, my computer is well under the minimum recommended requirements for any SS software, and my USB is 1.0...and it still works like a charm....but SS would totally bog my computer down with occasional lockup with the previous 3.4 version.

In my case, I use a MZ-E105 (under $20) for playing back MP3's, yet still have a MZ-M200 for handling any MD uploading / live recording. The two work together well as the E105 will play anything that the M200 can create. In other words, I use it as the "portable counterpart" to the 200. Regardless, you will have to use SS to add files to either unit to be played.

For sale: Five Memorex 80's. As seen, no additional cases, labels - $7 shipped. Ten Sony Bianca 80's. As seen, discs only - $18 shipped 8GB SD card & Reader. Perfect for Atrac backup! $20 shipped. Paypal / US only.

Hello, for sale is a MDX-C5970 car minidisc SP deck, asking $50 + actual shipping. The deck and faceplate are mint. However, as said in the title, there is a catch: The deck has no speaker output. I picked this up maybe 5 years ago, as a friend had hooked it up incorrectly, and shorted out the onboard amp. However, since the RCA outputs work fine, for someone that plans to use an amplifier, this deck is pretty much perfect. Every last (other) feature works as new, and the display is still as bright as new - which it should be as the deck has been used very little. I had intentions of using it with an amp myself...but picked up an 8500X around the same time, and the deck never moved from where I stored it. Now, upon rediscovering it, I feel it needs a good home, rather than sit idle any longer. The C5970 is one the more popular SP Sony MD units for those "in the know", as it was from the last series of US MD decks before Sony decks "Xploded" into red everything w. odd looking buttons, etc. As seen, I have the deck, faceplate, and harness...but may have more odds and end (screws, trim plates, etc). I will dig around and update as soon as I find more, but for now assume the items seen are all that is included. Hopefully there's someone here that appreciates the deck, as I would rather sell here than Ebay!

I agree that SS has evolved into a decent piece of software. However, to be fair, had I not lived through 2.2 and 3.X versions, I might not be so enthused. Regardless, if for nothing else it is perfect for the NW-E10X models, but I am still wishing a couple defaults weren't there when using uploading units...for example uploads w. copy protection, and only two SP upload conversion choices (256/PCM).

Don't assume anything with Sony, lol. For example, when I first got into MD, I assumed any MD unit would have a digital out (since many earlier Sony CD players do). Of course I could go on for days with all of the happy assumptions that were shot down. Anyway, in the past I made similar recordings from Music Choice as you are speaking of. Even using the digital out of the "cable box" there would be no track marks. Also, as you mentioned earlier, the songs are so close togther than no setting will allow the gaps to be picked up. For that matter, set the recorder to the most sensitive setting and you often get a track mark at any music break in the middle of a song. The only way to do it right is to manually put the track marks in, which is a total PITA on a 5 hour recording! But at least you can now have 5 minute marks.

Really, or you just messin'? Anyway, I come up with lots of stuff like that...but I tend to assume it is already known so I don't bother mentioning it unless someone asks. Currently I have been thinking about a plan to make a Net MD do an upload to SS...oversimplified: by fooling the computer in question to allow check-in of any random disc via cloning methods...but it may not work out (if Sony alreday thought of it first, lol). Or maybe someone already tried this and failed (or got it to work). I dunno, I am a newbie here too.

I actually have a few of those too...but didn't know they were that rare until recently!

I don't know offhand if there is a home deck that will do that too. The trick I know is to get a deck that will TOC clone - for example the MDS-JE440. Then make a full disc of anything in the intended bitrate (in this case LP4) with your portable with the 5 minute auto track marks. Don't edit, move, etc...just a complete disc with the 5 minute marks. Then you can use that disc to clone the 5 minute trackmark TOC to any new discs you record in the same bitrate with the home deck. Just make sure they match as far as being the same length disc recorded in the same way (as in a straight recording from beginning to end, non edited, same bitrate, etc).

FWIW, when I switched from SS 3.4 to 4.2, this process is almost immediate...maybe 2-4 seconds total, when before it could easily take maybe 10+ seconds.

Yep, nothing beats them. If I could change anything, I would want it to have a rechargeable internal battery and built in male USB connector like the Bean and a few of the other Sonys do...but otherwise it is near perfect for what it does. Question: do you know the specific bitrates it will play? Since later versions of SS have so many to choose from now, I find that occasionally something won't work in the 3+ choices. I guess the only way to be sure would be to install SS 3.0 on a test computer...unless you or someone else has a specific list.

1. I guess I need to try the conversion tool rather than doing it the way I have been...by right clicking the song(s) in question, and choosing "convert format". This is what has produced the phenom I mentioned above. 2. Yes, that is what I found to be the case. I was able to import the "alien" files, but not play or convert them. Blog: If only Sony could have simply made a drag and drop scenario for their hardware! It's a catch 22, as I have found no portable that holds a candle to the E105/107's, and I have a 10 year MD collection to boot - and love the mic recording of the M200. If nothing else I am learning a little more about computers (and stress).