Leland

I had a problem installing this as it choked on OpenMG secure module.msi. It had apparantly deleted this after restart and couldn't find it. I had to grab that part of the install files by starting the install again and copying the file from the temp folder, put it where I knew it was, point to it when first running sonicstage then when it finished the installation and appeared frozen, clicked finish on the window BEHIND the progress bar. Finally, it actually worked. From the shinanigans I went through, I was surprised it worked, but it did. Frankly, all around this required some bravery and what I have come to call "poking" at windows xp (or 2000 or 98) but it worked. The average user who may be less computer confident would have had real trouble. Sony needs to hire some better programmers. Key difference is the ability to write a normal audio CD from my library. SWEET! Also can write ATRAC cd and MP3 CD. I was already able to do this from my home computer because it is a VAIO (sony) but to be able to do this from any brand computer such as my IBM laptop is very cool. I have not explored other differences yet. Now I am ready for my NW-HD1 to arrive Tuesday, with SS 2.1 already installed. Cool! :cool:

bhangraman, I don't know what the problem might have been with your system. I just backed up my 15 Gig SS 2 database using the backup program and it took 40 minutes. I was doing it on a laptop with a 1.5 gHz Pentium M (Centrino) from HD to HD, one internal, one on a secondary IDE using the internal bay. Considering that laptops are not usually speed demons, there must be some other consideration with your system.

Both the MZ-NHF800 and NW-HD1 are shipping now from Sony.com. You can also order them by phone at 1-877-865-SONY. I ordered the NW-HD1 and paid about 10 dollars for 1 day shipping. They said it will ship Monday for delivery Tuesday. I would assume the MZ-NHF800 would be the same. Sweet!

I suppose one reason there is this belief is that no such restrictions exist if you use SS on a Sony VAIO computer. I have a VAIO and it is really nice to be able to burn normal CD's from SS. Gives me an "out" when I need one. The other reason is from a comment made by a Sony rep in Europe. See the following article: http://www.minidisc.org/himd_mdcenter_news.html

I think Jake is trying to get you to buy the Bjork album. Is she on a Sony label?

I'm not sure you are describing it properly. My N10 has the ability to change recording levels on the fly during recording without being in pause or record pause. I have not used Sharp, but the newer Sony units can do this. It was a deliberate change to the functionality. If you are listening to headphones while recording to monitor your efforts, you can even hear the increase/decrease in the volume when changing record levels on the fly. You do have to select manual record mode before you begin recording, but after that you can change the levels on the fly.

If you wait for Hi-MD you will have all the capabilities of the N10 plus the ability to record in the Hi-LP and HI-SP formats, so you lose nothing. You will be able to make standard old format MD's using the USB connection with Sonicstage. As long as the disc is formatted in NetMD mode rather than HiMD mode, you will have the option of SP transfer for compatibility.

While there are clear limitations to moving individual songs from one computer to another, there is no problem moving an entire library. You simply use the backup program, then restore the library to the new PC. You could use this method to move your library from the PC in Japan to your PC in OZ. The only issue is what media to backup onto. You can use CDR, DVDR, DVDRW or a hard disk drive. Or I guess you could use floppys: lots and lots of floppys :grin:

I have imported many mp3 files and have also never had this kind of artifact.

It does say that, but as you mention, none pictured. Also, if you look at the shots of the unit, there is no means of attachement for such a battery holder. Other units all have a threaded hole so it can be screwed on. I'd say 99.9% sure there is no AA battery case.

I have used the remote from my MZ-N10 on the 600D and it works fine also. You might not be able to do everything you want, but you can be confident in some basic functionality.

Information someone on this list received from a Sony source indicated that the 1 gig media would be in short supply for several months following launch while they ramp up production.

It looks like the round dial next to the display works as a scroll wheel to navigate playlists. On the Sony Japan website, there is a nice flash based description of the device. Also, my guess that the Vaio Pocket and NW-HD1 were developed by different teams is confirmed. In the Asian Wall Street Journal today there is an article about the NW-HD1 describing it as the best shot yet Sony has to compete with the Ipod. It goes on to quote Shizuo Takashino, executive deputy president at Sony and responsible for both the Vaio and the Walkman divisions. He says the Vaio Pocket came out of the Vaio group and that Sony is known for letting its business units develop products autonomously and that ultimately one of the two gadgets - either the Walkman or Vaio player - probably will win out in the market. He is quoted as saying "They overlap a bit, but I think that's OK. I suppose from the standpoint of focus and selection, it's not the best thing"

It is interesting that this comes short on the heels of the Vaio Pocket, but is not branded Vaio. It is half the size, same capacity, no color screen, roughly similar battery life and the same list price in Japan. It makes me think there are competing development teams in Sony, one from the computer group and one from consumer electronics. Another idea would be that the Vaio Pocket was a decoy while they readied this more compelling unit for sale. It is surprising that the announcement is so close to the first ship date. For something this new, that is uncommon for Sony. For me, this product is perfect. I can use my existing SS2 database, but migrate to a HDD system. If it looks good in person, I'm getting one for sure. My biggest problem is that I will be outside Japan during July so I won't be the first person on the list to have one as has been the case a few times in the past.

Sony just announced a new HDD music player that is the closest thing yet to an ipod killer. 20 GB, much smaller than Ipod, almost as small and light as ipod mini, 25+ hours battery life. Shipping in Japan July 10. Check it out. http://www.sony.jp/CorporateCruise/Press/2...200407/07-0701/

Just having an IDE bus or other internal IO would not make it faster. Nor would it in any way facilitate drag and drop any more than USB could. I think the limitation is in the MagnetoOptical write speed. They would have used USB 2.0 if they would have benefitted from the increased speed. The didn't because it was irrelavent. Other bottlenecks in the process, like write speed. It has always been an issue with Magneto Optical. The trade off is that you get an extremely stable and reliable and long lasting finished product compared to CD or DVD R or RW.

Why is this particularly desirable when you can just plug your HiMD into a USB port and off you go? Anyway, the speed for writing data to HiMD is painfully slow. I would use it seldom. I'm not saying it isn't useful, I think it is, but only for particular things because it is so slow.

The new Vaio Pocket HDD music player from Sony can display and store photos from a digicam to it's HDD without a computer. You use the hi res color lcd display on the unit to review and save the pictures. I saw this unit at BIC camera and the display is really pretty nice. Much better than just the BW display on an Ipod. I would have bought it except it only supports Japanese at this stage.

To sxc: Yes, I fully recant my "sux" comment and would now say that Hi-LP (64kbps) is fine for travel use. My test was a bit unfair as I was playing it throught a fairly high resolution home stereo setup. Not audiophile, but mid-range stuff bought some years back from specialty shops, not mass merchandisers. to skytherx: Yes, Ety ER-4S. I use them for noise isolation as I fly a lot. No other way to do it. I tried the ER-4P's but didn't like them. Even though the 4s is underpowered by a MD player, it is loud enough for me. I use it as a bit of a hedge against being able to turn it up too loud and damage my hearing: a real risk for headphone users. Sometimes I use the EQ to boost the bass a bit. I have an Airhead amp if I really need to add some boost. Even though the 4P played louder, there was a definite loss of fidelity and presence that I didn't like.

I have a US model NH600 and I ran it for 27 hours on a new alkaline battery.

Ok, I'll probably get fired as a moderator for this, but I'm going to say something pretty inconsistent with my earlier post in this thread, but feel I must. After what I mentioned above, just for kicks I thought I would try the 48 kbps mode, just to see. Hey, if the trade off was good enough, time on a disc with quality, who knows? My source was my SS database which is recorded in LP2. Then I went on a trip, and rather than listening through a fancy stereo system, I just used headphones while on a train and a plane. The phones are Etymotic ER-4S, so pretty good earphones. Result: Frankly I was really surprised how good it was. I might even use it so I can delay a transition to something else for another product lifecycle or so. Much better than LP4 on Net MD. So, there you go. I have to weigh in as contradicting myself and saying that if I can get 45 hours on a single disc, the quality of 48 kbps is acceptable for travelling.

I did a test with the NH600D. I put a new alkaline battery in it, Duracell, not one of the "ultra's", and ran it. The source material was LP2 on a 1Gig HiMD disc. The unit ran for 27 hours when I stopped it and there was still some charge left. Of course, when you slew from track to track etc or use the antishock capability you will eat battery faster. Still, not bad.

I think you have to be careful. Unless the software changes, the way it currently works is limited. If you record in Hi-SP to the SS database in the first place, that is what it will transfer to the HiMD as so you will not have extremely high capacity discs. If you record in PCM, the first time you transfer to HiMD, you will be able to select a bit rate for the conversion that will be done on the fly, after that subsequent transfers will be done at that rate as it saves the file. The way SS works, it will transfer at the rate available IF it is compatible with HiMD (which is all of them except PCM) OR you can force it to convert to the lowest compression rate (48) and maximize space. That is the only flexibility you have, which I think is too little.

One other thought, you can still rip your CD's at ATRAC3 132 (LP2) and simply use that. Actually, with HiMD, you can avoid ATRAC3plus altogether if you want to. Since I found the quality of Hi-LP to be too low and the compression of Hi-SP to be to little, I would probably use this strategy. That way your database is compatible with Net MD too, in case that was ever needed.

Has anyone done any real battery life tests with the NH600 using alkalines? Based on the original post, it sounds like it might be less than we expected or the 25 hours or so that is claimed. Any takers?