Christopher

There's really not much more to learn about Hi-MD other than what's available on information on minidisc.org and the minidisct.com/forums. Nonetheless, check this out: http://minidisc.org/part_Hi-MD_Sony.html Also, I was able to talk to Sony myself and they told me that it was going to be May. I definitely ask of you to ask regardless, as it can only make my inital statement more valid. Not to be pretentious, but not everyone believes you these days.. What unit were you thinking about getting?

There may be incompatibility, so just follow the directions and see what your success is.

Do this before installing Sonicstage II:

Did you try to hack the unit?

Hello, I'm sorry to say I already have my first staff member leaving me, but it's not over anything bad, of course. iceeedtea is leaving the staff for personal reasons. He contributed quite a bit of effort and devotion to his endeavor [sonicstage 2] and any support that was necessary after he released it. I thank him for his couple months of service, and hope that one day, when he's ready, that he'll come back here and help out the community again. I hope that you all are as appreciative as I am for the things he did around here, because there's not too many people like him and I doubt we'll have another person that can fit in the footsteps he left behind.

All you do is download this: http://www.minidisc.org/download/ss20e/SS2...0E_20040319.exe And install it. Did you already install Sonicstage 1.5, though?

I did some research on some complaints that other people who own your unit have made and there's some similiar remarks, but nothing that would really assist in this situation. The good thing is that it works, just not on certain discs. I can understand how that would be frustrating, nonetheless. One thing I did see was a fellow put a disc in when the unit was off, and let it stay off for a little while and then turned on the unit - and the disc played. Not saying that will work, but it's worth a shot. Your unit is old indeed! It's from 1995 and the ATRAC codec has progressed quite a bit since ATRAC-2 [the version your unit employs]. I'm not really sure about your woes, though..maybe someone else will chime in? Doesn't make sense to me how it'll record on some discs, but not others..even when they're the same brand! Must be nerve-racking. p.s. You're welcome for the welcome. :happy: This place still needs a good bit of work, and we're terribly understaffed! I think I'm going to develop arthritis soon..

Kinda. Before I throw down the linkage, it's pretty much just for titling and such, but nothing yet in terms of actual transfer [high-speed or real-time]. You can however buy a device like a Xitel that has a usb > optical out, effectively allowing real-time transfers [aka 1:1] to your unit, then employing the aforementioned software for titling. Sony's software is too difficult to decipher, unfortunately.

Before you install Sonicstage II, be sure to follow the uninstall directions in this thread for your pre-existing Sonicstage installation: http://forums.minidisc.org/viewtopic.php?t=4171

I am very familiar with the device you're talking about, as I own one myself. Unfortunately, this device only transmits information one way, and that's to the MD unit. For best analog results you can use line out, with a male to male analog stereo cable; one end in the line out [aka headphone jack], and the other end in your "mic in" on your computer.

Hello, and welcome to the MDCP forums. :happy: Anywho, try reading this thread. Make sure you read everything first before taking action, though.

Hiya, and welcome to the forums. So, before I continue, are you sure this thing can read a disc at all? Where did you buy the MDS-501?

Welcome to the forums. :happy: Unfortunately, Minidisc portable recorders cannot be set to record at specific times each day. What I recommend is a small bookshelf with MDLP capability [with am/fm, timed recording, etc] and a portable player-only unit [for portability, of course].

Nope, you'll have to put in the titles the old fashioned way.

Actually, I'd buy it in Japan - it'd be much less expensive. Are manuals and software an issue anymore? Minidisc.org carries a hundred of english manuals for units these days and we'll definitely have the Hi-MD unit manuals, and English versions of Sonicstage [which your Hi-MD unit will need] are already available! Of course, you may want to buy in America for a warranty..

Hook up the usb bit to the computer, and set the default sound card as this device. Plug the analog bit into your mic-in, slide the record switch and press play [with whatever media player you're employing and group of tracks you've selected] on your computer. Works pretty well, but I honestly think you should opt for one with a digital connection instead of analog - that way, you don't have to worry about setting track marks manually [although this one may be able to do it automatically?] and fiddling with volumes.

I don't think the quality loses that much when you employ 3-pole headphones; although I have read some people call it 'muddy', which I don't agree with at all. I employ a Sharp DS8 and I use a pair of 3-pole Sony MDR-D66 'eggos', and it sounds fantastic..

Welcome to the forums. You cannot transfer music from the MD to the PC in a high-speed digital scenario. You can transfer it digitally via a deck with an optical out, or in an 1:1 analog configuration. Hi-MD addresses this situation by allowing uploading via USB. Please try searching next time.

http://forums.minidisc.org/viewtopic.php?p=19938

Well, the thing is I never really take my Minidisc unit(s) out and about too often, but when I do, I always let them reside in the felt bag that came with the unit [i presume the N910 has one too], or a small neoprene pouch that I bought at Wal-Mart. I keep the pouch/felt bag in my cargo pocket [if applicable], back pocket, or in my jacket. I'll then take the unit out of whatever case I'm employing when I've moved to a location where I'm stable and just let it reside on top of the pouch/bag. It's hard for me to really describe how to be gentle with a unit, as it's a technique that is easy to learn, but sometimes difficult to master. :wink:

Yes, you'll be able to reformat pre-existing MD blanks and hold data on them. This data will only be accessable through a Hi-MD unit, though.

Welcome to the forums, and don't be absurd about posting long messages..I rather have it that way! :happy: Anyway, here are the answers to your questions: 1.) That is true to an extent. Battery life is obviously on par if not better than most portable cd players today. Most current MD players and even ones from the days of the old simply don't skip, and I doubt you'll run into any real problems in the reliability aspect. 2.) Sonicstage 2.0: http://forums.minidisc.org/viewtopic.php?t=4210 Manual for MZ-N910 english: http://www.minidisc.org/manuals/sony/sony_...n910_manual.pdf 3.) Hi-MD will debut in Japan in June or early July.

Easy there. Welcome to the forums, first off. Second - take a deep breath, relax, and do exactly what I say. Go here: http://forums.minidisc.org/viewtopic.php?t=4171 Uninstall OpenMG and Sonicstage as per the directions. Then download Sonicstage 2, here: http://forums.minidisc.org/viewtopic.php?t=4210 And do exactly what it says. Get back to me after that.

The reason why there is an issue with the N1 and NetMD period is because it's basically the same internal structure as the N900, a prior non-NetMD unit. Sony thought that they could add NetMD to it and market it as a functional unit - and in most cases, it works fine. Unfortunately, there were a few bad batches that could not handle the overall stress that NetMD induces on the "inferior" internals and hence the issue.

Yes, the projected costs are around $7, but don't be surprised if you see overpriced e-tailers and retail stores charging from $10-$15. I wouldn't pay any more than $10. Locations to get Hi-MD units and media are still pretty nil. I expect that to change towards the end of this month.