Christopher

Everyone who is interested in the release date of Hi-MD needs to go here: http://forums.minidisc.org/viewtopic.php?p=19200

Well, it's been established that it's May/June for Europe. Welcome btw, konrad. :happy: [i'm from Ireland myself, specifically Skerries] Anyways, I just got off the phone with etronics.com, and they said they will be selling Hi-MD products in April.

For real? Could you call etronics? If not, I will..

LOL, just a simple typo highland. :rasp: Yes, there definitely is a line forming. I think one greater than we realize - as Sony has certainly revolutionized the Minidisc format to make it much more attractive to anyone with interest in portable audio. The question is, how is Hi-MD NOT appealing? I'm going to purchase a NH900 as soon as possible. I can't wait. :happy:

Hello, and welcome to the forums. :happy: Anyway, the last portable non-professional unit to feature a digital out was the first Minidisc recorder made by Sony, the MZ-1. This unit is beyond obsolete and contains an inferior ATRAC. I would not recommend it. For the best functionality in terms of uploading recordings, I suggest you look into the new Hi-MD format. Are you familiar with it? Search around and you'll learn a good bit. There's also some information about it on the main site, minidisc.org.

Ok, calm down tiger. I'm moving this to the User Opinions forum.. First off, I recommend you go to the NetMD forum and read how to uninstall Sonicstage. I then want you to download Sonicstage 2 and give that whirl. And yes, I understand your frustrations, but you need to realize that they've released a newer Minidisc format called Hi-MD. This format corrects the issues that plagued the limited hardware associated with regular Minidisc.

Unless you live in Asia then there really isn't any other places you could get it repaired besides an authorized Sony dealer. Sounds like you're getting a new unit, eh? If so, I can help you find the right one.

Things have been updated a little bit, so please try this again: http://forums.minidisc.org/viewtopic.php?t=4171 and then http://forums.minidisc.org/viewtopic.php?t=4210

Next time, please do your homework before you purchase a unit! This is very important. Yes, you cannot record from the radio internally. As for #2+3, I suggest you try this: http://forums.minidisc.org/viewtopic.php?t=4171 and then download Sonicstage 2: http://forums.minidisc.org/viewtopic.php?t=4210

So the unit doesn't turn on at all? If so, I think the only thing you can do is get the unit repaired.

Here you go: Please post in the relevant forum! - I cannot stress this enough. It's not very fun to sift through every post and have to move them! This hasn't been an issue as much as it used to be, but please use some common sense next time and make sure the topic your discussing is in the right place. Makes the database much nicer! No flaming or trolling - Be respectful of other posters and please keep discussions tasteful. If you want to yell at someone do it in private [PM] please. No excessive or continual use of profanity or vulgarities. We like to keep it clean here. No spamming - This includes PM spam, It's OK to have a link back to your webpage in your signature but any off-topic spam will be deleted. That includes 'helping people' by advertising your site to them or soliciting other members. This also includes links that have a referral ID in them. If you continue to be a pest you will be banned. No advertisements in your signature - If you have a site and make money off of it, don't mention or put a link in your signature. No nudes or overly "sexy" pictures - All posted or linked pics must be PG-13 or lower. Moderators have the right to judge what is not appropriate. No multiple usernames per person - Only one username is allowed per forum member. No more lifts on bans - Being banned means that you can no longer post to the MDCF. You are also banned for life and if we suspect you signed up under a new username that will be banned too [if we're mistaken we apologize]. No double posting - Post to the correct forum! I have instructed the moderators to delete double posts. Remember these rules are meant to not only keep the site helpful but also for the general enjoyment of everyone. If you feel that certain remarks or links are innapropriate please PM me, or a member of the Moderating Team with the post and we will handle it. Not really rules but suggestions: - Its ok to go off-topic but if a discussion gets really off-topic go post it to the Music + Etc. forum. - Use an appropriate thread title, please! - Please post in English. I don't have a problem with other languages but this is an English board.

What? That's absurd. :whatever:

If you're new, then the world of Minidisc gear and technology must be overwhelming. It's completely understandable - there's been more than a decade and a half of innovation and research. One of the key components of tomorrow's [and some of today's] Minidisc units is the digital amp. Just before you assume they're all the same, halt. Far from it. First off, catch up on this: http://minidisc.org/classd_amp.html Good bit of technical know-how, but it's important for you to read if you're seriously interested in a portable [or bookshelf/etc] unit that features this technology. That aside, I've read a great deal of user opinions and reviews [some of my own] that reveal certain characteristics in the various brands and their digital amps. It's very surprising, actually, how some of the least popular brands can deliver sound that would absolutely surprise an average listener. Remember: Regardless of the technology you use, there is a performance threshold when you compare it to a full sized solid state amplifier with a proper power supply. ----------- Sharp? For example, let's start with Sharp's 1-bit digital amp technology; they were the ones who started it all, at least in the portable sense. Sharp units have a very unique sound [focusing on detail, soundstage and clarity], and if you're a Sony-only user this depth and soundstage would leave you breathless upon first listen, since Sony units have a delicateness to them, so to speak. Newer-generation Sharp units usually carry a 8 or 5 mw output [at 32 ohms], and the sonics are extremely refined. Some have complained that bass is lacking on Sharp units, but I simply believe it's inadequate headphones. Regardless, a unit like the MD-DS8/DS70 [has an eq]/DS5, etc are an excellent starting digital amp player-only unit for the budding conisseur. The portable recorders are even better. Units like the MD-DR420/DR7/DR80/DR77, etc combine the modern and sophisticated sound of the digital amp with Sharp's highly respected recording features. The digital amp does not apply to the recording though, only for playback. I would definitely recommend one of these units as a great starting MDLP and/or NetMD unit for anyone. Definitely give off the best starting impression for the Minidisc format. Sharp's bookshelf systems are in a class beyond the portable units. Featuring beefier output and better components to compliment the digital amplifier, most are extremely surprised upon first listen, even if they've been attuned to analog home theatres most of their existance. Unfortunately though, if you do employ a Sharp "Auvi" [this is what they've dubbed the home systems with a digital amp, and the older portables], they come with horrid stock speakers that need immediate replacement for the true quality in which the source can provide. Luckily for a few of us, units like the SD-NX10, SD-SG11 [with Minidisc functionality] and a few others [look here in the bookshelf/audio systems in the Sharp section] were put on eBay by Sharp's factory outlet in 2003 for hundreds less than the MSRP and sold like wildfire. They still float around the internet, but not for the prices they once were. I also happen to own a Sharp SD-AT100 combo dvd player/amp, and I will attest to that unit's fantastic picture quality and superior sound. There are also amp-only units like the SD-AT1000 with 5.4mhz oversampling and sound on par and better in some aspects than most high-end analog amps. As for oversampling, the highest they've gone is 11.2mhz; portables and most of the bookshelves are at 2.4mhz, and a few at 5.4. There are some flaws to oversampling at such rates, though.. On paper, the 1-bit amplifier will prove to be better because it addresses the weaknesses of portable audio. Portable amplifiers are weak because of size and power consumption. When you have a class-D amplifier that is suited for use with lower voltages [and lower power consumption], you'll get a better result than a standard amp which is squeezed for power. Sharp's 1-bit technology's supersampling techniques [interpolated] will contribute for better sound as well. I definitely recommend a newer-generation Sharp 1-bit digital amp product. Unfortunately, there are no Sharp Hi-MD units. ------------- What about Kenwood? Most people associate Kenwood Minidisc products being Sharp MD unit clones with no differences - this is true in some cases, like the Kenwood DMC-S9NET and the Sharp IM-DR80; there are also older units as well that have similiar looks/functionality. Nonetheless, Kenwood did make a bite into the digital amp realm with their portable players, like the DMC-S33/S55/S77. These units actually sound different than the other brands. Owning the DMC-S55 myself, I was able to detect very early on that Kenwood's digital amp products do not have a detailed and wonderful natural sound like Sharp units, but more or less hovering above the muddy range. Kenwood features equalizers with these units [whereas most Sharp's don't, except for the DS70]. Once enabled, the Kenwood instantly impresses onto you a signature sound that will most likely be unforgettable. Everything I heard was so perfectly defined I actually couldn't believe I was listening to an ATRAC-encoded track! This is also known as "colored sound", which many people seem to be keen on. The DMC-S** player-only series of units carry a 4.3mW [16 ohms] output, and actually sound a bit louder in areas than a Sharp. If you're interested in something different, and not to mention one of the best user interfaces [the remote is the best I've ever used] possible, give Kenwood a shot. The asthetics are a bit odd, but the units are absolutely fantastic. I expect great things from Kenwood in the future. There are times I favor the Kenwood sound over a Sharp, but think of it as wine - each is favored for it's different color in taste. Unfortunately, there are no Kenwood Hi-MD units as of yet. ----------- What about Sony? This is where the most common confusion begins. There are actually two types of digital amps when you look upon Sony digital amp units, and they are the HD digital amp and digital amp. The difference is very important. Newer Sony units like the MZ-RH10, MZ-RH910, MZ-E10, MZ-N920 have a different digital amp than the HD inclination, and it's just dubbed "digital amp". This is mostly in the power-consumption sense, and carry NO benefits towards the sound. The only Sony HD digital amp units are found within the Hi-MD range, and they are: MZ-DH10P, MZ-NH1, MZ-NH900, the download-only unit MZ-NH3D, and the player-only unit MZ-EH1. In regards to the HD digital amp, this review was written by bhangraman: ..and Panasonic? This review was written by Leon of his Panasonic SJ-MJ97, and is the only credible review of a newer-generation Panasonic digital amp unit. ------------- Essentially, it's difficult to really establish what is better than the other. Each have their own merits, but obviously Sony or Sharp will be embraced by the novice; they both sound a bit different but share one aspect: a great impression and beautiful sound. Sony is actually more 'natural', but you lose out a lot of the high and low ends when you're listening with portable equipment - Sharp tend to place higher emphasis in these regions. Both Sharp (Auvi) and Sony lack real warmth, but Sony moreso because of the crippled bass response and weaker amplifier. Sony's highs are also harsh and sibilant, because the amp/DAC combo does a poor job at sound reproduction and so crap comes out. You can't hold the amp 100% liable for this because it's not the technology on which the amp works, but how each company designs their electronics. I would definitely suggest a Kenwood however [seems like the best in-between Sony/Sharp], if you can accept the asthetics; they have really come around with the user interface and remote design, and in the portable player-only sense this has been a nusance in recent times with Sony/Sharp. I honestly think each brand's digital amp is somewhat genre-specific, and one may excel in certain areas over the other. ---------- Want to purchase any of the aforementioned units? Click on a picture [or link below it] to go to a trusted e-tailer that sells these recommended units with digital amps. [if pricing seems too high, try Froogle instead.] Currently available Hi-MD Recording units with digital amplifiers: ---------- [Purchase the MZ-DH10P] [info about unit] [Purchase the MZ-RH10] [info about unit] [Purchase the MZ-RH910] [info about unit] <a href="http://www.audiocubes.com/product_info.php?ref=5&products_id=942&affiliate_banner_id=1" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.audiocubes.com/affiliate_show_banner.php?ref=5&affiliate_pbanner_id=942" border="0" alt="Sony MZ-NH3D Type-S Hi-MD MiniDisc Downloader"></a> [Purchase the <a href="http://www.audiocubes.com/product_info.php?ref=5&products_id=942&affiliate_banner_id=1" target="_blank">Sony MZ-NH3D</a>] [info about unit] Hi-MD Player-only units with digital amplifiers: ---------- <a href="http://www.audiocubes.com/product_info.php?ref=5&products_id=943&affiliate_banner_id=1" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.audiocubes.com/affiliate_show_banner.php?ref=5&affiliate_pbanner_id=943" border="0" alt="Sony MZ-EH1 Type-S Hi-MD MiniDisc Player"></a> [<a href="http://www.audiocubes.com/product_info.php?ref=5&products_id=943&affiliate_banner_id=1" target="_blank">Sony MZ-EH1 Type-S Hi-MD MiniDisc Player</a>] [info about unit] <a href="http://www.audiocubes.com/product/Sony_MZ-EH930_Type-S_Hi-MD_MiniDisc_Player.html?ref=5&affiliate_banner_id=1" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.audiocubes.com/affiliate_show_banner.php?ref=5&affiliate_pbanner_id=1206" border="0" alt="Sony MZ-EH930 Type-S Hi-MD MiniDisc Player"></a> [<a href="http://www.audiocubes.com/product/Sony_MZ-EH930_Type-S_Hi-MD_MiniDisc_Player.html?ref=5&affiliate_banner_id=1" target="_blank">Sony MZ-EH930 Type-S Hi-MD MiniDisc Player</a>] MDLP Player-only units with digital amplifiers: ---------- <a href="http://www.audiocubes.com/product_info.php?ref=5&products_id=605&affiliate_banner_id=1" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.audiocubes.com/affiliate_show_banner.php?ref=5&affiliate_pbanner_id=605" border="0" alt="Kenwood DMC-S33 MiniDisc Player"></a> [<a href="http://www.audiocubes.com/product_info.php?ref=5&products_id=605&affiliate_banner_id=1" target="_blank">Kenwood DMC-S33</a>] [info about unit] <a href="http://www.audiocubes.com/product_info.php?ref=5&products_id=580&affiliate_banner_id=1" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.audiocubes.com/affiliate_show_banner.php?ref=5&affiliate_pbanner_id=580" border="0" alt="Kenwood DMC-S55 MiniDisc Player"></a> [<a href="http://www.audiocubes.com/product_info.php?ref=5&products_id=580&affiliate_banner_id=1" target="_blank">Kenwood DMC-S55</a>] [info about unit] <a href="http://www.audiocubes.com/product_info.php?ref=5&products_id=604&affiliate_banner_id=1" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.audiocubes.com/affiliate_show_banner.php?ref=5&affiliate_pbanner_id=604" border="0" alt="Kenwood DMC-S77 MiniDisc Player"></a> [<a href="http://www.audiocubes.com/product_info.php?ref=5&products_id=604&affiliate_banner_id=1" target="_blank">Kenwood DMC-S77</a>] [info about unit] <a href="http://www.audiocubes.com/product_info.php?ref=5&products_id=571&affiliate_banner_id=1" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.audiocubes.com/affiliate_show_banner.php?ref=5&affiliate_pbanner_id=571" border="0" alt="Sony MZ-E720 MiniDisc Player"></a> [<a href="http://www.audiocubes.com/product_info.php?ref=5&products_id=571&affiliate_banner_id=1" target="_blank">Sony MZ-E720</a>] [info about unit] <a href="http://www.audiocubes.com/product_info.php?ref=5&products_id=561&affiliate_banner_id=1" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.audiocubes.com/affiliate_show_banner.php?ref=5&affiliate_pbanner_id=561" border="0" alt="Sharp MD-DS30 Auvi 1-Bit MiniDisc Player"></a> [<a href="http://www.audiocubes.com/product_info.php?ref=5&products_id=561&affiliate_banner_id=1" target="_blank">Sharp MD-DS30</a>] [also available here @ Minidisco] [info about unit] <a href="http://www.audiocubes.com/product_info.php?ref=5&products_id=549&affiliate_banner_id=1" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.audiocubes.com/affiliate_show_banner.php?ref=5&affiliate_pbanner_id=549" border="0" alt="Sharp MD-DS70 Auvi 1-Bit MiniDisc Player"></a> [<a href="http://www.audiocubes.com/product_info.php?ref=5&products_id=549&affiliate_banner_id=1" target="_blank">Sharp MD-DS70</a>] [info about unit] <a href="http://www.audiocubes.com/product_info.php?ref=5&products_id=397&affiliate_banner_id=1" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.audiocubes.com/affiliate_show_banner.php?ref=5&affiliate_pbanner_id=397" border="0" alt="Sharp MD-DS5 Auvi 1-Bit MiniDisc Player"></a> [<a href="http://www.audiocubes.com/product_info.php?ref=5&products_id=397&affiliate_banner_id=1" target="_blank">Sharp MD-DS5</a>] [info about unit] <a href="http://www.audiocubes.com/product_info.php?ref=5&products_id=376&affiliate_banner_id=1" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.audiocubes.com/affiliate_show_banner.php?ref=5&affiliate_pbanner_id=376" border="0" alt="Sharp MD-DS8 Auvi 1-Bit MiniDisc Player"></a> [<a href="http://www.audiocubes.com/product_info.php?ref=5&products_id=376&affiliate_banner_id=1" target="_blank">Sharp MD-DS8</a>] [info about unit] <a href="http://www.audiocubes.com/product_info.php?ref=5&products_id=874&affiliate_banner_id=1" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.audiocubes.com/affiliate_show_banner.php?ref=5&affiliate_pbanner_id=874" border="0" alt="Panasonic SJ-MJ19 MiniDisc Player"></a> [<a href="http://www.audiocubes.com/product_info.php?ref=5&products_id=874&affiliate_banner_id=1" target="_blank">Panasonic SJ-MJ19</a>] [info about unit] <a href="http://www.audiocubes.com/product_info.php?ref=5&products_id=594&affiliate_banner_id=1" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.audiocubes.com/affiliate_show_banner.php?ref=5&affiliate_pbanner_id=594" border="0" alt="Panasonic SJ-MJ57 MiniDisc Player"></a> [<a href="http://www.audiocubes.com/product_info.php?ref=5&products_id=594&affiliate_banner_id=1" target="_blank">Panasonic SJ-MJ57</a>] [info about unit] <a href="http://www.audiocubes.com/product_info.php?ref=5&products_id=595&affiliate_banner_id=1" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.audiocubes.com/affiliate_show_banner.php?ref=5&affiliate_pbanner_id=595" border="0" alt="Panasonic SJ-MJ97 MiniDisc Player"></a> [<a href="http://www.audiocubes.com/product_info.php?ref=5&products_id=595&affiliate_banner_id=1" target="_blank">Panasonic SJ-MJ97</a>] [info about unit] MDLP Recording units with digital amplifiers: ---------- <a href="http://www.audiocubes.com/product_info.php?ref=5&products_id=361&affiliate_banner_id=1" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.audiocubes.com/affiliate_show_banner.php?ref=5&affiliate_pbanner_id=361" border="0" alt="Sharp MD-DR7 Auvi 1-Bit MiniDisc Recorder"></a> [<a href="http://www.audiocubes.com/product_info.php?ref=5&products_id=361&affiliate_banner_id=1" target="_blank">Sharp MD-DR7</a>] [info about unit] <a href="http://www.audiocubes.com/product_info.php?ref=5&products_id=873&affiliate_banner_id=1" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.audiocubes.com/affiliate_show_banner.php?ref=5&affiliate_pbanner_id=873" border="0" alt="Sharp MD-DR77 Auvi 1-Bit MiniDisc Recorder"></a> [<a href="http://www.audiocubes.com/product_info.php?ref=5&products_id=873&affiliate_banner_id=1" target="_blank">Sharp MD-DR77</a>] [info about unit] <a href="http://www.audiocubes.com/product_info.php?ref=5&products_id=566&affiliate_banner_id=1" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.audiocubes.com/affiliate_show_banner.php?ref=5&affiliate_pbanner_id=566" border="0" alt="Sharp IM-DR80 NetMD MiniDisc Recorder"></a> [<a href="http://www.audiocubes.com/product_info.php?ref=5&products_id=566&affiliate_banner_id=1" target="_blank">Sharp IM-DR80</a>] [also available here @ Minidisco] [also available here @ teamdigital.net] [info about unit] <a href="http://www.audiocubes.com/product_info.php?ref=5&products_id=631&affiliate_banner_id=1" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.audiocubes.com/affiliate_show_banner.php?ref=5&affiliate_pbanner_id=631" border="0" alt="Kenwood DMC-S9NET NetMD MiniDisc Recorder"></a> [<a href="http://www.audiocubes.com/product_info.php?ref=5&products_id=631&affiliate_banner_id=1" target="_blank">Kenwood DMC-S9NET</a>] [info about unit] [Sharp IM-DR420] [also available @ minidisco] [info about unit]

I deleted the other two threads you created and the response to the MZ-R900 thread you also made, simply because we don't need the same question here over and over. Alot of this information was available already, I recommend you utilize the search feature next time. Anyway, what you need is an analog male-to-male stereo cable [easily available at your local electronics store], and you can hook one end to your headphone out and the other end to your microphone in on your computer. Then you would utilize a program like this to make the transfer a little bit easier: http://christian.klukas.bei.t-online.de/fi...md/winNetMD.htm Obviously, the transfers would be 1:1. You could also go down the deck route. By purchasing a deck with a digital out, you would have a pure digital upload to your computer granted you had a soundcard with a digital in. An average Minidisc deck and soundcard with optical in would run you around $150ish. Hope this helps.

Yep, so as of now it's April in US, June in Europe. I don't think the rumors were true - they surely would've announced something by now.

They announced the release date for Europe [June], and showed off a few units. Hi-MD wasn't really the focus for Sony at CeBit. So, it's still April.

Heh, figured you'd probably just buy a new one; they're about a dime a dozen these days..

Welcome to the forums! :happy: There is indeed a difference between a real-time dub and a high-speed dub. For the absolute best recording, it has to be done in real time. Now, I don't think I have my wires crossed when I say this, but when you use a 2x/4x type of recording, you're actually using a lesser version of ATRAC than the one you'd use in the 1:1 scenario since you're utilizing different processors. The differences are very slim, but it is noticeable if your ears are tuned to such. I agree about LP2 sounding fine in portables, but in a home system the differences between it and SP are very noticeable! It just doesn't sound right to me sometimes, but I've learned to accept it. btw - I own a SD-NX10 bookshelf.

If you require NetMD transfers, which is the ability to transfer *.mp3's faster than realtime, usually up to 32x, then go with a NetMD unit like the Sony N10. It's flexible and within that price range on eBay. I think the N910's are a little bit more expensive than that there, but that would be another good unit for your needs. If you want a superior sounding [ala digital amp] and superior recording unit without NetMD [meaning you'll have to transfer *.mp3's digitally through a device like a Xitel in a 1:1 scenario, or through a device with an optical out (soundcard, dvd player)], employ the Sharp DR7/DR480. It's within your price range and is one of the best Minidisc units ever made. Absoulutely unrivaled amp, sound and much more. You may also be interested in Hi-MD. Know about it?

Hm. What's your budget? Welcome to the forums, btw. :happy:

I would definitely purchase it off the internet. If my assumptions are correct, they'll probably charge a little higher than the MSRP at stores. If your R700 is faulty, and makes a "buzzing noise", I don't know if you could fetch that much. When I sold my R700 I got around that much and the unit was in near-mint condition. eBay is an odd bedfellow, sometimes in your favor, sometimes not. If I were you I wouldn't expect more than $75 - $100, assuming it's a complete package. No problem about the Avery! I haven't made a Minidisc label in a long time. Life sure has gotten busy since then. I need to get back into the groove with that..

Well, now wait a minute. This isn't entirely true. I know that Hi-MD devices will be compatible with Mac's in the data sense, whereas the computer will be able to read the "mass storage device" and you'll have some limited functionality that way. If Hi-MD takes off then Mac compatibility may come.

Created a new forum for FAQ's and such, entitled "New to the format(s)?". Slowly a database of information for those who are new shall reside within, and hopefully make this a better learning experience for those who desire such. The visitors of the last 12 hours is now below the users who are currently online at the bottom of the main index. I also changed the little logo next to that, you may have to press "refresh". p.s. Also fixed a little bug that was was associated with the forum you're in; a mod had screwed up Moderators: + Users browsing this forum:, but that has now been corrected.

So, you will use the unit for music, right? :happy: I couldn't figure that from your post. If so, would you want NetMD for the high-speed transfers? Honestly, if I were you, I'd just wait and get a basic Hi-MD unit [NH700] if you're not going to use it much for music. If you are, then get the NH900. Since you seem to be keen to recording in a mic scenario, then you'll definitely enjoy the high-speed digital uploading. p.s. btw, the R909 is not NetMD, the N909 is. Not to nitpick, just want to make sure you know. :sleep: Welcome! :happy:

You should purchase the unit from an e-tailer like Minidisco or audiocubes. The relevant addresses are in the "links" section at the top of the forums.