BearBoy

I don't have an MZ-R50 but, assuming that the Line Out functions in the same way on that device as on my Sony MiniDisc portables, then the volume control is bypassed. I don't often use Audacity but a couple of things worth checking: 1. Make sure that you have selected your "recording device" correctly from the Audio Setup drop down menu: I'm using a Focusrite Scarlett interface but you just need to select whatever input method you're using on your PC. 2. Make sure that the recording levels (the top level with the microphone symbol) in Audacity are up: If you then press record in Audacity and play on your MZ-R50 you should see the audio being recorded in the left and right channels. Once you have finished recording, save your Project (File > Save Project > Save As). Audacity saves its Projects as *.aup3 files. If you want to create a more universally playable file then you'll need to Export it (File > Export Audio > Export to Computer) and choose the format you want (.wav, .mp3, .aac etc). That should (hopefully!) give you a file you can play back more easily. Hope some of that might help. Let me know how you get on and, if it's still not working for you, we can try to work out why.

Hi @Vienna snitzel. Welcome to the forum. The MZ-R50 only had a digital input, not a digital output, so the only way to get sound from it to your PC is via an analogue connection (use the 3.5mm Line Out connection rather than the headphone output for the best quality). How are you connecting it into your PC? Audacity should work fine but some more information regarding how you are connecting the MZ-R50 to your PC would help diagnose your problem. Is the MZ-R50 your only MiniDisc device? Many of the Hi-Fi decks have digital outputs, which would give you better quality. Additionally, it is now possible to rip the actual recordings from a MiniDisc with no loss of quality using the Web MiniDisc Pro software and a NetMD compatible device.

The display on this one on eBay looks pretty bright too: LINK

There are some photos of an owner's MD-101A on the MiniDisc Wiki here: LINK Always a bit hard to tell with photos on the internet but the display doesn't look dim to me.

The MZ-R70 was released in 1999 and MDLP (ATRAC3) wasn't introduced until the following year. The OP already stated that they had some MDLP discs that don't play back on the MZ-R70. So, yeah, I think that's incorrect.

Hello. Is it possible the recordings are in mono? Mono SP would give you 160 minutes on an 80 minute MiniDisc.

@Syrius - good to hear you've got it, at least partially, working again 👍

Hot on the heels of the replacement screens for the MZ-RH1/MZ-M200, MDGadgetry are taking pre-orders for replacement OLED screens for the Sony MZ-RH10: MDGadgetry link: https://mdgadgetry.com/products/Replacement-Screen-for-MZ-RH10-p750245452 Link to the r/minidisc Reddit announcement:

Understand completely. I don't think I would be confident to try it either. I've carried out some maintenance on decks (MiniDisc and cassette), and am happy enough soldering wiring in guitars, but portable MiniDisc recorders would require a whole different level of precision/skill that I just don't think I have.

@zzzuppp - have you seen that you can get replacement OLED screens for these now?

Much as I'd love an RH-1, I fear I completely lack the skills required to resurrect it. Very generous offer though @Syrius! Hope it finds a good home.

No, it's not an April fool, we appear to be back 🙂 We seemed to run out of bandwidth especially early in March?

Hi @tsfrance. What model of Bravia do you have? Might be worth asking over on AVForums - Sony TV Forum (UK based) or AVS Forum (US based) as if this is a wider issue I am sure others would have flagged it.

Hi @Rossen - welcome to the forum! I'm not a SonicStage user but I don't think it can do what you're trying to do? @sfbp is something of a SonicStage expert and should be able to confirm. Do you have any portable NetMD MiniDisc devices? It is now possible to transfer tracks from a MiniDisc to your PC using Web MiniDisc Pro but it needs to be done from a Sony NetMD portable (or one of the Aiwa clones) as it exploits the "anti shock" memory buffer. As decks don't need this, it's not possible to do it with your MDS-JB980.

This video by "Spare Time Repair" popped up in my YouTube feed this morning. Thought it might be of interest to some people here 🙂