doclloyd

One question that hopefully someone can answer for me regarding upgrading from SS 1.5 to 2.0: How do I update the database? I've read in other posts to uninstall everything from the current SS setup (including all modules, etc.) and install the new 2.0. Does that still apply with the download available via http://www.connect.com/download.html?? I guess I'm just wondering how my current database of music will be affected, if at all. Also, what is people's experience with SS 2.0 and the current line of NetMD portables? Is it working for you? If anyone has any advice, i would love to hear it. Thanks!

I have these same questions. After looking over the specs for the two top-end models specifically, I noticed that on the minidisc.org specs page they list "USB Powered" under the Connectors section. Does this mean the units can be powered/charged over the USB cable?? If so, that would be great to know for when traveling with one of these Hi-MD units... if I knew I could charge it by plugging it into a USB port on my notebook, that would be one less charger to take with me on the road. If anyone can clarify, that would be great to know. Also, I noticed on the NH1 the LiIon battery is actually removable, unlike the N10. Does anyone expect that Sony or someone else will come out with a higher capacity battery later? Otherwise, I know I can already get a higher capacity gumstick battery for the NH900 model...

Other than the LAM-X1, does anyone know if Sony is planning to release any non-portable Hi-MD equipment? I currently have a Sharp Auvi SD-11 bookshelf system in my bedroom and a MXD-D5C 5CD/1MD deck in my living room entertainment center. Of course my existing stuff won't work with the upcoming Hi-MD format, which is holding me back from being an early adopter of the new format. Without the ability to listen to my music everywhere I can now (ie. replace all the equipment), I'm not sure how fast I'll adopt Hi-MD. Oh, and any info about Hi-MD head units for cars would be great too. Thanks.

Has anyone ever used a wireless microphone with their MD recorders? A friend of mine is going to use one with his camcorder and it seemed like a natural extension to use something like this with MD. Any experiences or brand recommendations would be great. Thanks!

http://www.sharpusa.com/products/ModelLand...058,660,00.html Sharp SD-SG11. Nice little system. I think it's the one the "Guest" was trying to refer to, but failed to actually list the system he was talking about. Can be had @ minidisco.com as well. It's a nice system. I just got one this week. haven't tried all the features yet, but it does have a timer play/record function which you can set. I think you may have to set it each day, however. But with a 3-hour recording, you'd have to put in a new MD anyway.

I figured it'd be something like that. Oh well, it's not the end of the world. I just need to take notes off the lectures on the tapes -- will probably delete it all once I'm done with it in a few weeks. If I need to transfer music, I'll look for a deck. Thanks for the response.

I've started transferring some tapes to MD via a friend's boombox. Currently, I've started doing this by connecting a stereo mini-plug from the headphone jack to the line-in on my N10 portable. Is this the best way? Should I use the mic input instead? Should I go even farther and use a mini-plug to RCA and record via my D5C deck? Something I've noticed is that I hear the tape playing mechanism in the background (it's all voice stuff on the tapes.) It's not the end of the world, but it is a little annoying for those pauses in speech. Any ideas on this would be appreciated!

sorry, posted in the wrong forum

Alright.... it appears to have been a simple solution that the rest of you can learn from. I recently started using a different keyboard on that deck (mini-keyboard, multimedia keys and all that)... it appears unplugging the keyboard has done the trick. Perhaps a key was stuck or it wasn't interfacing quite right. In either case, life is in balance once again. Thanks all for your help. :-)

I recently started having a problem with my MD/CD deck: it won't play back MD's properly. It will just sit there and be stuck at "0:00" and think it's playing fast or slow, but nothing. However, if I hold in the pause, record or other button on the MD side, it will start to play. What could be causing this? I've had the deck for a little over a year and a half and this would be sad if it was crapping out on me. Could it be damaged by something as simple as humidity? Would it be worth getting fixed? Advice, thoughts are welcome. Also, the CD player side is just fine ... and it seems to record ok too, just playback (which is fairly important too.)

I just wish where I could actually get the remote keyboard.. Otherwise, if Sony decides to push this kind of device, I think it would take off, mainly for mp3 playing capability in a CD deck. Although, DVD players and other CD decks have been adding this capability for a while too.. I'd be curious to see how well it does.

What does everyone think of this new deck from Sony? Seems to have some good features, still offers 5 disc, but with CD/RW and MP3 abilities now, group mode and a digital optical out! This is nice for at least playback with the home theater setup, if you have the connections available (like I do). I doubt it allows for any digital recordings to other devices. Too bad they got rid of the keyboard input though. It's one of the best parts of my D5C. But having some of those other features would be nice (group mode, mp3). I'd love to hear everyone's thoughts/opinions on this. Who thinks it's a worthy upgrade from the D5C? Is it worth $300 (going price on Crutchfield)? http://minidisc.org/part_Sony_MXD-D400.html

I think what would be nice is the ability in SonicStage or OpenMG (for the NetMD users out there) if the software allowed for importing of more filetypes, especially those like OGG. Since it's an open standard, there should be no licensing concerns there by providing a plugin for it. Otherwise, using digital out to your portable of course works with every format. But as far as playing other formats directly on the MD, it'll never happen... there's been lots of discussion on it on this forum and others as well...

I've noticed that a few of the European models people have discussed on this forum have lower headphone output. Why is that the case? Is everone in Europe trying to save their ears or something? (Silly people... )

I haven't noticed any problems with my N10, except for a bad TOC write on a MD I had, but that wasn't a problem with the portable. I also haven't noticed a volume issue; then again, I'm not sure what you define as not loud enough. I have the EX70SL's and find that they are plenty loud for me :-)

It seems recently there have been a couple of new topics started by non-administrators. They don't even seem to have any connection to what's being posted as news on www.minidisc.org. Perhaps look at locking those down. :-) That's all. Thanks!

I've seen pics of those Vaio laptops. Pretty slick concept. I do wish they had an internal MD drive, even if it's only for audio. I've seen external NetMD drives before, even sold on minidisco.com (not available at the moment), but internal would be much cleaner. As for data MD, it's been discussed many times before that it doesn't look like Sony will do this again.

If I pick up a mono-mic and try to record in LP2/LP4 mode, will I only hear sound in one side, or does it not matter? I'm just trying to decide as to whether or not I'd need a mono-mic or a single-point stereo mic. Thanks for any feedback.

You have sparked a bit of my memory... that was in my earlier years, when I had no money to spend so I didn't pay much attention to what was out there. So ok, it hasn't worked before, but neither did Sony have things like MDLP or NetMD to spark more interest in the medium or ease of use. In their push against MP3 players, now would be a great time to revive this market for MD equipment other than portables. More stuff with MDLP (esp. for car decks - lots of decks are out there, but so few with MDLP). Agreed, so far it's a niche market. But there's always the possibility that it won't be... maybe it's all a big dream, but that's what I'd like to see. Which is the whole purpose of this forum I think. :-)

Guest, what do you mean it hasn't worked so far. The point of my post is that much of this equipment is lacking in the US (lack of selection in decks and boomboxes/mini-systems with MD). It seems they are pushing the medium a little bit more now, especially with all these new portables coming out this year. Having more places to listen to your music makes it all the better. That's what I'm saying :-)

Here's what I think what Sony should do to make MD become more popular in the US: * More car stereo MD head units. For all those mixes people have spent putting together for workouts/train rides could be listened to while driving. Beats taking your portable into the car with you to play back your mixes. That and more cars don't come with cassette decks (or have Aux-In ports). * More non-portable playback ability Equipment like boomboxes, mini-shelf systems and decks for component systems in the entertainment center (I love my MXD-D5C!!!) Having more options of how to listen to your MD will only further entice people to use it as a recording/playback medium. * Computer drive I've seen this mentioned before, but I'll say it again. Having a drive in your PC (NetMD enabled of course) would make mix creation that much simpler vs. plugging in your portable, etc... (less clutter is good). An external drive would be nice too. Yea, I've seen one available, but more widely available and cheaper would help. Oh, and Mac and Linux support. :-) Ok, so I'm dreaming a bit much now... but these are just requests. There, my rant is done for now. Thanks for reading.

I think what you're looking for can be found here: http://www.minidisco.com/minispecs/tmocx.html I know you're non-US, but it's a reference point at least. This TOSlink to miniplug optical cable might just be a normal optical cable with a mini-plug adapter on the end of it. They are sold here in the US like that sometimes... to me, all the brands seem to work just fine. Good luck. Hopefully somebody in your area sells them. Or there's always the internet. 8)

Have you tried using the supplied AC adapter? it's been working just fine for me and I've read that it usually isn't a problem in the US anyway. Also, the other thing to check is whether or not the "built-in battery" switch is set to "on". I can't remember if mine was set to off when I received it, but it's something to check before getting worried.

I have mine in a desk drawer, somewhat orderly.. stacked, some lined up (so I can read the ends). Keeps them off my desk, where I currently store my blank MDs.

Thanks for the link. $40 isn't bad for a mic. Do you find the optional battery module to be a necessity, or does that really depend on what kind of recording I'm planning on doing?