BIGHMW

Dear Legions Of Warrior Nation™, Well folks, It had been a great ride, but as you already know, back this past Monday, I made it official, I had officially retired ("decommissioned" in military terms) my entire lineup of non-HD amp MD (MiniDisc) and Hi-MD Walkmen, with the exception of my 3 MZ-RH1 Hi-MD/MiniDisc Walkman Recorders, and also my 3 NW-HD5 HDD-based Network Walkman Players, which will all continue to be used, although one at a time. All the retired units were given a big 21-gun salute for their 10 great years of service and all are resting comfortably in climate-controlled storage, either gaining or maintaining their resale value should the time ever come to sell them, as the MiniDisc format and its related units and accessories are getting tougher and tougher to locate. Most recently, to etch my loyalty in the MiniDisc format in stone, as well as to assure I have massive stock for years to come for certain live field recording purposes with my MZ-RH1, as well as for use in HMW Studio One, my two Volkswagens and for non-Walkman home listening purposes, I just purchased 80 new Sony Premium Gold Series 80-minute blank MiniDiscs on eBay and will soon be purchasing a massive amount of HMD-1GL (2nd Generation “Blue” Series) blank 1GB Hi-MD discs as well for data storage purposes. The NW-HD5 and MZ-RH1 will both continue to carry the Sony flags of the various ATRAC codecs of compression technology, which also include ATRAC 4.5, Types R and S, ATRAC3, and ATRAC3Plus, and SonicStage software support which flew from 1992 until 2007 (ATRAC from 1992-2007, and OpenMG/SonicStage from 2001-07), when both were unceremoniously dropped by Sony after YEARS of restrictive mismanagement. Also the Sony D-NE700 ATRAC/MP3 CD Walkman remains in service, along with my newly-acquired Sony SRF-M97 AM/FM Digital Tuning Walkman, my vintage Sony WM-B47 Cassette Walkman, my Zoom PS-02 Portable Headphone Studio, and also my Sony MZ-1 tabletop MiniDisc Recording Walkman, so it can be used for both studio dubbing and for live DJ purposes. Now many of you might have been confused about whether or not I am going to use a remote with each the HD5 and with the RH1, and I wanted to clear that confusion up today, so here is the official lineup of portable audio equipment (not including AC/DC power supplies, cases, pouches, and other minor accessories) and preferred setups that I intend to go on with: NW-HD5 Network Walkman > RM-MC40ELK LCD Remote > MDR-EX90SL Stereo Earphones MZ-RH1 Hi-MD/MiniDisc Walkman > RM-MC38EL Black Remote > MDR-EX71SL Earphones D-NE700 ATRAC/MP3 CD Walkman > RM-MC33EL Silver Remote > MDR-V700DJ Headphones (all combinations of units, remotes and headphones are interchangeable.) Other aftermarket portable headphones/IEM’s (in-ear monitors), and major accessories that will continue to be used that I own, include the following: Meier Audio Corda Headsix, Boostaroo Revolution, and FiiO E3 Headphone Amplifiers Sony MDR-EX082 and MDR-EX85SL N.U.D.E EX Series Stereo Earphones Sony MDR-V300 Studio Monitor Series and MDR-D777SL Altus HD Series Stereo Headphones Sony ECM-DS70P and ECM-MS907 One-Point Stereo Microphones Sony SRS-Z750 and SRS-67 Walkman Active Powered Speakers Sony MDR-NC22 Noise Canceling Earphones and MDR-NC60 Noise Canceling Headphones Sony RM-MC60 Walkman Remote More accessories, similar or related to the above, which are related to the three aforementioned portable audio setups, will be put into use later on. I hope this clears up any confusion that some of you Legions might have had over my last post, of course you already know that my entire lineup of home, car, and pro units and their accessories (both OEM and aftermarket) will continue to be used until the very day I am no longer on this earth, which hopefully will not be for another 60 years or more. Well Legions, I’ve gotta go now, as I am currently listening to a custom MiniDisc super-compilation of The Spencer Davis Group that I did two years ago, here on another edition of “Groovy 60’s Saturday” (part of “Classic Rock Weekend”, which also includes “Super 70’s Sunday”), and also having some Morning Joe (decaf, of course) and some breakfast, so until next time, Peace Out, vote for Barack Obama and of course the Democrats, continue to show your defiance of The Fourth Reich (The Bush Administration), and keep the Faith where it belongs! The Legend™ himself, Ray Jackson “THE HEAVY METAL WARRIOR”®, (The Big H-M-DUB™), a.k.a. AK47™ (Tha Big 47)

Don't worry fellow MiniDisc-heads, I'm not running with the massive flock of iSheep out there, yes it is about the sound, and that is why I continue to use ATRAC, in the form of my NW-HD5 Walkmen (ATRAC/SonicStage support was one of the mandatory requirements), and don't worry, I also did not retire my trusty accessories for it, mainly, the ever-so-versatile RM-MC40ELK remote, or the MDR-EX90SL IEM's I use for it. BTW, I still use MD in my stuidio, home and car, as well as with the RH1 for the purpose of uploading legacy MD for use on the HD5. As for field recording purposes, there is no question that MD will always be used in my household for that purpose. Here are those updated details: http://forums.minidisc.org/index.php?showtopic=21587

Dear Legions Of Warrior Nation™, Well folks, It has been a great ride, but officially upon taking role call on my Walkman count yesterday, I made it official, I have retired ("decommissioned" in military terms) my entire lineup of non-HD amp MD and Hi-MD Walkmen, with the exception of my 3 RH1's, which will continue to be used, although one at a time, starting with my first one I got from B&H Photo & Video back in July of 2007. This move was made mainly because I already own an arsenal of NW-HD5 Network Walkmen, those have been taking place of my earlier-retired MZ-NH700 Hi-MD Walkman as of earlier this year, and I enjoy having a unit whose rechargeable battery (removable and user-replaceable) lasts nearly twice as long as many of my AA-powered Hi-MD Units, in fact, it last up to 40 hours on a single charge. The HD5 carries the Sony flags of ATRAC and SonicStage support which flew from 1992 until 2007 (ATRAC from 1992-2007, and OpenMG/SonicStage from 2001-07), when both were unceremoniously dropped by Sony after YEARS of restrictive mismanagement. Also retired was my SRF-59 analog AM/FM Walkman, after just taking delivery on my imported SRF-M97 digital tuning AM/FM Walkman. Also, all of their supplied remotes, headphones. earbuds, and some other accessories were retired, and all are definitely worthy of a 21-gun salute for their great years of service. Not retired and kept in service was my Sony D-NE700 MP3/ATRAC CD Walkman (I own 2 of them, in silver), which is used in my AK47 CD/DVD "hustle bag", as part of my "try before you buy" setup, tandeming with a silver RM-MC33EL and MDR-V700DJ cans, which offers potential buyers (including YOU, the fans) the chance to listen to my music before they buy it... ON THE SPOT!!! As for their immediate future, they are all being kept in good, isolated, indoor climate-controlled storage, as the hope is that they will grow in resale value over time should the time ever come to. As for the home, car, and pro decks they will continue to be used, as MD is still a very formidable media for home and pro recording and for listening in my two VW's, my 1999 New Beetle GLS 2.0 (WarHorse) and my 1963 Transporter Kombi (PimpWagen), which are identically equipped with the MDX-C5970 deck and MDX-65 6 MD Changer, which will tandem with my HD5's and Connects2 ASONWHD001 Walkman interface, in which will be installed in the future months to come in both vehicles. Well Legions, I’ve gotta go now, as we are both currently watching ESPN Baseball Tonight, and also having dinner, so until next time, Peace Out, vote for Barack Obama and of course the Democrats, continue to show your defiance of The Fourth Reich (The Bush Administration), and keep the Faith where it belongs! The Legend™ himself, Ray Jackson “THE HEAVY METAL WARRIOR”®, (The Big H-M-DUB™), a.k.a. AK47™ (Tha Big 47)

Can soimeone cue up the theme from Welsome Back Kotter for this guy? As an owner of two RH710's (as part of my vast arsenal of units, I say congrats on your find, now don't forget to buy a remote for it, virtually any LCD remote from Sony's lineup will work with it, I myself have a couple of RM-MC55ELK Black remotes for use with mine, to go along with my black MDR-EX85SL IEM's (see http://forums.minidisc.org/index.php?showtopic=20235 for my pictorial of my MZ-RH710 and accessories).

Although I now use an NW-HD5 DAP as my main player (ATRAC/SonicStage support was mandatory for me during this transition) , I still swear by MD and Hi-MD for all of my recording needs, including using my arsenal of MZ-RH1's (I own three of them, all 3 black, all 3 U.S.-market models) as uploaders (to my HD5) and my arsenal of legacy units as recorders. Now, starting with myself and GuitarFxr, let's all convert my old high school classmate and legendary model Cindy Margolis into an MD freak just like us, and her contact address is cindybiz@aol.com. Let's get her to ditch her soon-to-be obsolete iPod in favor of the technology that NEVER goes obsolete and always seems to hold up its resale value..... MiniDisc and Hi-MD!!! We'll also teach to say what I do when it comes to my loyalty to the MD format: ATRAC OR DEATH!!!

I basically use my arsenal of MZ-RH1 units for only two purposes, playback/recording of my favorites and field recording, and uploading of my legacy MDs to my PC for transfer to my NW-HD5 DAP. Other than tha, that's all I use a Hi-MD for, I can definitely buy the theory of not using Hi-MDs as storage media, especially if you already own a DVD burner, in which you can store a whopping 4.7 GB of data on one DVD, and for only a few cents per disc, as opposed to about $7.00 per Hi-MD, but, the durability edge goes to most magneto-optical media such as Zip, MO, MD, and Hi-MD, so what should I use for mass storage of either DVD-R/RW/RW-DL or Hi-MD?

The stock microphone that comes with the MZ-M200 is also known as the ECM-DS70P, I got one along with my second MZ-RH1 that I just got a few weeks ago, and right now I am just using its extension cord along with my Japan Edition (JE Version) MDR-NC60 headphones, as yet another option to go to along with the supplied Japan-only 0.5m connecting cord and also the regular 1.5m connecting cord, so I can have some more versatility with both of them. The ECM-DS70P is always readily available through Sony themselves at http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores...ductId=11028763 as well as on eBay, but if you are going through eBay, be sure to watch out for knockoffs, something you won't ever have to worry about if you choose to get it through Sony directly.

I found this out last year, when I bought my first RH1 unit (I happen to own three of them, one is in action right now while the other two are in my desk drawer in HMW Studio One standing by as backups just in case anything happens to my main one), I uploaded Will Smith's Big Willie Style MD to my PC before eventually downloading it to both my Old School Sh*t (my rap/gangsta/hip-hop/funk Hi-MD-based compilation) Hi-MD and my NW-HD5 HDD Network Walkman.

Thanks for the tip, T.C. I will indeed keep that in mind when I buy batteries for my Blackberry 7130e, my multiple RH1's and my HD5's, they all run exclusively on rechargeable LiIon batteries and seeing that I have an arsenal of units (and their accompanying batteries), I will indeed do that myself. But one other question, will they still stay dry if I do that and keep them in like a marked Tupperware or Rubbermaid storage container along with the bags and silica pouches as well? I don't want them to be put in the same place with some of my food while they are in the fridge, they might inadvertantly get thrown away, being mistaken for rotten items. I just want to not only keep them fresh, but also isolated from the rest of the food.

Good call dude. BAN SPAMMERS!!!

How about bringing back ATRAC/ATRAC3plus!!!??? The best damn codec ever produced, period. (Geez, I would have to paraphrase an FSN show that nobody watches)

Although I now use an NW-HD5 for my listening purposes (same great ATRAC/SonicStage support and SQ as MD and Hi-MD have given me for years), I would highly (and definitely at that) recommend an M200 over the iPod. What is it that would make all these people become mere "iSheep" and go for a piece of crap like Apple puts out. Yeah, granted it has 160 GB, but I have a few questions for you: 1) What happens if you unit breaks or if the embedded battery can no longer hold a full charge? How do you get your music back to transfer to another unit? At least my HD5 (I own 3 of them and have all my backup files and music on either MD or CD, smart move.) has a replaceable battery system in it that allows quick user-replacement of the battery in it, a must and also a rarity in the HDD world. And at least with MD and Hi-MD, if you unit breaks, you still have your music on the master disc itself, and can easily transfer it to another unit without restrictions of any kind. 2) Are you sure you want to become another one of the many brainwashed sheep out there that go around with those crappy iBuds they include and be ridiculed by all of us on both this board and the Audio T-Board? At least have an open mind about MD and Hi-MD, and while you're a it remember this slogan that I like to use: ATRAC OR DEATH!!! P.S.: I still own all of my MD/Hi-MD units, includng two RH1's myself and would never trade them in for one of those pieces of crap that Apple puts out, would you?

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I just simply (and anyone with a couple of pro decks can do this) dub my finished MD's onto CD-R with my Sony MDS-E10 Pro MiniDisc Deck (using the optical out) to my HHB CDR-850 Pro CD Recorder (to its optical in). With pro decks (and there are pro units available of both MD and CD formats) you don't have to worry about copy protection such as SCMS or any of that crap.

As an American, I am shocked and appalled by this pending legislation, it's against everything this country )used to) stands for. It is also unenforceable and unconstitutional, and what if you self-produce your own music (I am a musician, see my MySpace Music site for details) on CD-R and DVD-R for the fans to purchase as opposed to having them manufactured (impossible for most small-time musicians like me, and against everything the underground music scene stands for)? Are they going to seize my own self-produced material that I wrote and produced myself??? It proves that the mainstream entertainment industry is trying everything they can to shut down the underground music and film industries and trying to homogenize us into selling out to Clear Channel and the MPAA/RIAA and their tyrant-like ways. If they (the RIAA/MPAA) have their ways, there wil no longer be any underground clubs or music scene as we will all be forced-fed all of this JACK-FM crap where they "play what they want".

Do you mean to tell me that they can seize my CD's/MD's/MP3 player although it contains compilations (recorded on MD and then uploaded to my PC and then to my NW-HD5 through my MZ-RH1) that consist of music I bought LEGALLY in a record store and then ripped to MD in order to make my custom compilations??? That sounds like the RIAA/MPAA crap that I keep hearing about, I can understand if you download it off of the internet, but custom MD mixes??? That is total bull-loney. Time for anarchy if you ask me.

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Although I now use an NW-HD5 HDD Walkman for my personal music purposes, I thank God (and all of the members of the MDCF and A-T-B over the two years I have been on it) that I still have all of both my legacy and Hi-MD units, just in case. I am sure that this "iPod police" will eventually go away as they wil soon realize that there are just too many of them (iPods and other MP3 players and their owners) to check each and every song and/or program that is on it, besides, All I ever put on my HD5 (and also on Hi-MD) are MD compilations (recorded in legacy stereo SP on my decks and then uploaded to PC through my RH1) I made from CDs that I bought legally on either eBay. Tower Records, or Amazon or here in Port Townsend at Quimper Sound Music & Media over the years, so they aint got crap on me, at least here in the U.S.

Hey Joplin, how much do you want for just the RH1? I need a second RH1 unit in case the current one I own ever dies on me. BTW, I am just a little bit south of you, here in Port Townsend, Washington, just a Port Angeles/Victoria ferry ride away from you, so I am sure that shipping costs should be cheap to get it across the border. I get my next paycheck tomorrow, I then just have to wait for my stimulus check (another $300.00 USD coming my way), which should be later this week, and then I'll PM you about negotiating for it (just the RH1). Go ahead and either post up or PM me a quote. Thanks, Ray Jackson

I am looking for a trade. I have 2 black RM-MC38EL remotes, and I am willing to swap them with somebody that has 2 RM-MC35ELK Black to go with my 2 RH1's. I prefer the higher resolution of the 35ELK (such as included with the Japan Ediition RH1 Silver) over the U.S.-equipped 38EL Black that came with my black RH1's. OR.... If anybody can provide me with a link to a site that has them available (NOT the silver 35ELK). I will be more than glad to take that. I tried the Sony DAPC and they do not carry it. Even MiniDisc Access only had the silver one, MiniDisco, no such luck, same thing with MiniDisc Canada. Thanks for your help, Ray Jackson MDCF user ID: BIGHMW

Thanks Bob. I meant all of that too.

Good thing I got all of my imported units already (except for one NW-HD5 from the UK I will be bidding on at 10:21 am PDT), this is total BS, I am definitely keeping my 3 NH700's (all CDN versions), my 2 RH710's (all EU versions) and my 2 D-NE700's (both AU versions), because if I sel them now I might have another case of "seller's remorse" that may force me to go into the (if this law passes) black market just to get MD/Hi-MD/HDD equipment. Tell me, would this (law) also apply to stuff bought on Japan Direct, Bluetin, Audio Cubes and "buyfromjapan" on eBay? If so better start importing and stocking up on blank discs, RH1's, and other MD/Hi-MD/HDD units, Eggo/Altus headphones, NUDE EX and NUDE earbuds and other goodies for our units.... RIGHT NOW!!!

I agree. MiniDisc is the the best thing Sony ever invented and for them to discontinue the format altogether is total BS. I can't believe that they are sill making cassette tapes/decks and not MD/Hi-MD (except for the MZ-M200 and who knows how long that will stil;l be around), although I have gone to the NW-HD5 for playback/listening purposes (same great ATRAC/SonicStage friendliness as MD/Hi-MD) I still, even 10 years later (my management, Len Enders got me into it in 1998) prefer MD and Hi-MD for everything alse, and my RH1 as my legacy MD uploader to load up tracks for my new HD5 as well as Hi-MD for my lineup of Hi-MD units (most of my collection is either stored away, either as backups or as an investment that can return BIG $$$ later on for all of you fellow collectors out there on the MDCF and ATB.), and I think that Sony has made another one of their boo-boos as far as marketing is concerned. Sony had a great thing going and they (once again) turn their back on it. Ideas are meant to be worked out to full potential, not put to sleep due to something like pressure from the recording industry or any of this DRM crap. Since 1998, MiniDisc (and eventually Hi-MD) have been nothing less than a godsend for me especially when it comes to recording "on the spot" (live) or for setting up recordings to make custom CDs (try doing that with a cassette, let alone edit or rearrange or erase tracks), that was the whole reason behind MiniDisc in the first place, since 1992, it has set the standard for digital recording for even the consumer let alone experienced professionals worldwide. It is a slap in the face of advancing technology by going backwards like a bunch of hicks in a redneck small town, instead of working to make it even better.

...and I am still not done filling it up!!! BTW, the "genres" are named after all of my previous Hi-MD's ("Bell Bottom Glory" [70's FM classic rock], "The Acid Journey" [60's FM classic rock], "The Smooth Groove" [smooth and classic jazz], etc.), and this is the only way I can distinguish the different groups of artists rather than just using generic genre terms, as that would get real confusing for me, after all I now can put up to 20 gigs on one unit as opposed to carrying 20 1GB Hi-MD's along with my Hi-MD units. The only thing I don't like about HDD as opposed to Hi-MD is that you are limited to whatever you have on the player as opposed to having all the versatility ("AA" battery capability/swappability, radio remote compatibility [with the MZ-NHF800 or NH700] trading, swapping between MD/Hi-MD, recording live on-field, etc.) in the world like you do with MiniDisc and Hi-MD.

I myself use a 40ELK remote with my HD5.