MDane

Yes, that would be great if there is such a way. Anyway, I have now been "optimizing" my uploads recently with my latest 4.2 install...but still haven't gotten my old files back from the other HD yet however. Anyway, although the new OMA files are in the folder...if I delete the originals (small oma) I no longer have access to them via SS...and if I try to point to the new version of the file, it will not work. What gives? BTW: Still waiting to see if anyone has any answers to my Q's in post #24, hint hint.

You've peaked my curiousity. Can you explain this a little further...or give a link to an thread on this?

So there's no known "restore" software for the "locked" files at this point? If not, I guess I will go back and see how many locked files I have where I no longer have the original source to re-upload. If I deem it worth the trouble, I guess I could take the old HD in question and install it in another computer...getting it running at least well enough to start SS again...apply DRM stripping, and then transfer the newly rendered files. A couple more DRM stripping Q's: 1. If I delete the "non-optimized" files from the original transfer (to save HD space) as mentioned in this thread earlier, will this effect SS negatively? Why does SS keep both versions? 2. I notice all of the new (optimized) files are sitting in the folder randomly (not grouped in any way). How in the heck can one make sense of them when they have quite a few? In other words, say I want to transfer them to a second computer...wouldn't I have a bunch of random songs more less - and have to sort through them to put them back in groups, etc.?

Update: After studying nearly all of the posts in this forum section until I got a migraine...and I may have found my issue. The files I am having issues with were uploaded via M200. However, I didn't do the DRM stripping process as described here in post 1. Now that I have a new computer...plus a new installtion of SS 4.2, I am guessing that the raw files will simply not import and work properly. Thoughts? Luckily if this is the case, I can still re-upload most of the files in question...and at least do the DRM stipping this time...as I had no idea about that previously.

I got 4.2 up and running after finally finding the 4.2 complete file. Anyway, when I went through the process above, attempting the format conversion, a message said "Playback is not allowed. The file format may not be supported by SonicStage." That's BS...as these are files that were in SS 3.4 before! When I tried to use the file conversion tool, I got something very similar. The weird thing is that I seem to be able to access the tracks that originated from CD without even doing a conversion, but all of my ATRAC files uploaded by the M200 will not do anything, in any way. Any ideas?

I also have a JE440 (love it). As far as portables go, and what your requirements are, check out the E105/E107 (flash). IMO, they are the best thing since sliced bread, as they complement MD's perfectly (read below). They play virtually all ATRAC's and are tiny / rugged - are actually made for excercise (doubles as a stopwatch even w. a loop to wear it around the neck). Expect to get one for only $20 brand new (old-stock)! It may be the best kept ATRAC secret out there, as they were eclipsed by the cheaper (when new) IPOD's of the same memory capacity...so they didn't sell many...but read any review and you will see what I am talking about. However, you would probably want an RH1 or M200 to get any of your old MD's into file form...so if you were looking for a way to play previously made MD recordings portably (that you don't also have on CD or Mp3) this would not be for you as the uploading decks are expensive. However, if I understand you correctly, you said you simply make MD's from CD's? If so, then you would really like the 105/107's as you can simply stick a CD in the CDROM and transfer it in your choice of ATRAC3/3+ bitrate directly. It is by far the best jogging portable I have found, and best of all it uses a conventional AAA with 70 hrs playback @105kbps (in theory, lol). In addition, if you actually save the file you plan to transfer to your SS library, you also have a (compressed or lossless) backup that you can put on MD later for any reason (assuming you have an MD unit that you can use with SS).

What I did to move back into the MD world recently was buy a MZ-M200 (most "musician" stores in the US sell them - or can get them) and got an E105 for portable use (which is only about $20 on Ebay NOS). The M200 will upload any old MD recordings, and the portable will play virually all ATRAC's as well as MP3, WAV, etc. Of course I can still use all of my older MD stuff too...and as mentioned in another thread, if I stay with 132/66, I can interchange my music with all devices I have untouched. The home deck records talk radio/Music Choice, the car deck plays SP/LP MD's, and the Net MD is a slave for making MD's from SS...no need to drag it or the M200 around since I have the tiny / versatile E105. Ipod Schmipod.

If you only need a LP player to access a few songs, don't waste money on an expensive unit unless you plan to use it. Look for a basic Net MD for, say appx. $20. For that matter, I could likely sacrifice one of mine if you are interested.

You guys ought to jump on that (I already have one).

I am sure we can work something out...Email me.

Will I need to find a complete install file to add 4.2? BTW, I run 2000 Pro on one computer, and XP on the new one, so sure, 4.3 is probably not a good idea.

I've bought yet another MZ-E105 (like I need that). I can't seem to ever find/win an auction for the 1GB version (E107) as the 105 must have been the most common / popular...but no biggie...I have one for music, another for talk. I figure I can stop buying them when I have spent what it would have cost to buy one new Nano, lol. I have already given a couple away to friends / family...they love them. They are the perfect portable companion to the MZ-M200/RH1, as they will play back anything you can upload with those, as well as playing the new 3+ bitrates...and are small and indestructable. So for me it's hard to resist them at $10-15 brand new (and it seems that the nation's unsold old stock of them has been hitting Ebay recently through supersellers). They so kick the Nano's butt as a small portable for excercise, etc. and can play back all of the ATRAC stuff, of course! Best of all, using the E105 keeps my M200 mint - as it only leaves the computer area for live recording now.

So let me get this staight...should I look for 4.2 also, and hold off on my 4.3 install - since I run W2000? For that matter, where would one find a true 4.2 (full install) file. I noticed that I have the 3.4 installer.exe on my old computer, but I am under the impression that if I run that file, Sony will simply load the newest version, hense 4.3? If not, and I can simply stick with 3.4 if desired - My question then would be...is there any advantage of using either later version of 4.X over 3.4...as I have used 3.4 for a while with no major issues (other than the typical expected bugs that ensue).

One thing to add...I agree with what was also mentioned by another person here... Simply "give in" and stick with what works. I have "settled" with using 132 (LP2) for recording radio shows, Music Choice, etc. and 66 (LP4) for talk radio recordings. When doing this, I can use the files freely in all of the following units I have with quick and clean transfers in either direction: MZ-M200, NetMD, MDS-JE440 (my home deck), KMD-673 (my car deck), NW-E105/107 (Psyc - the ultimate flash portable...as of today anyway). If the occasion arises that I need serious sound quality, then I use the M200 in PCM which can then be converted into whatever I desire later, or to a lesser extent I can record in 3+ (256kbps) for super long rec time in HI-MD mode...but then the same issues arise with compatiblity with Net MD type units. Frustrating as it is, the M200 has several firmware frustrations (aka limitations) that remind one of SS software...like only offering two compressed bitrate choices in HI-MD mode, and will only record Atrac3 in the LP2/4 rates...and only like a Net MD unit (yielding only appx 170 mb per standard disc). Keep in mind however, that since I have a MZ-M200 I could (in theory) use all of the new neat "plus" bitrates on SS when transferring say a ripped CD to HI-MD...but once again this would often get into slow and messy conversions and reconversions when using any of my other equipment...as I am not one to make my ($3XX) M200 into a do-it-all IPOD...especially when $10-20 (on Ebay) will buy me a Psyc which is so much better as a true (non-video) portable, and the IPOD is no substitute for an MD in-dash head unit, hense no messy cable, IPOD to get stolen, sat on, drink spilled on, etc. Don't get me wrong, it took me a while to get all of this staightened out...nearly 10 years with the format in all of its changes. Now if I can learn as much about computers as I have about using the equipment, I will be set...as I am also getting ready to install 4.3 on a new computer and must "somehow" get my old 3.4 files to work on it.

Glad to know the discs are still out there. As far as standard MD's go however, I (like most of us) have way too many already. I bet I have at least 25 I have never used...and 100+ that I may even use 10% of them (to record C2C for example with my home deck). Even those end up uploaded after editing.

Sorry to drag up an old thread (but most of these are). Anyway, I have also experienced the slow SP upload issue with my MZ-M200. Keep in mind however I had been unknowingly using a bunch of other Sony units with the (3.4) software in question, as well as on the same USB connection - namely a Net MD player, a Psyc, and a Sony Bean. The main reason I still used the Net MD even though I have a M200 is because I thought I would be doing the 200 a favor by using the Net MD as much as posible, for example, when making Atrac3 discs and such (for car deck use). But judging by the time it takes to upload SP...I was putting unecessary wear on the 200! So at this point I am still confused after reading the thread...that it may or may not cause driver (slow)issues if I continue to do this, even if I keep the HI-MD unit on its own USB cable/port. Also, what about the other players - as they too use their own driver? On an somewhat unrelated SS note, I read several conflicting things about this too... I have a new computer and am about to install SS 4.3. I have read that I will have issues getting the old (3.4) ATRAC / library files to work from my other computer when I transfer them to the new one. Bottom line, what is the most straightforward way to do this. I read something about having to "register" them...and something else totally different. Please advise! I had planned to simply use my old HD as my D: and simply import the old stuff...but I am sure it won't be that easy, lol.

I have tried this a few times and it works as advertised. Overall, the file size may be a little smaller than the original...but not much (if any). The bottom line seems to be that this is a feature mainly for those that plan to use Sony portable devices, yet want a pure file on the HD...otherwise you might as well keep your files in WAV or whatever original format.