lamewing

THis happened on my NH900s with full batteries and the AA battery pack attached. It is just a screw-up in the design.

Okay, I am interested enough to wait and see. But why couldn't Sony have gotten a release date a bit further away from Christmas? I guess they don't expect to sell tons in the States? I hope that isn't the case at all.

My 2 cents.. I love the hardware that Sony makes....but they have been cutting corners on some of their current items. Still, the pocket vaio and the (?) HMP-A1 were gorgeous machines. I still don't understand why they left the idea of removeable batteries in the HD5 for an internal one in the new shiny, fingerprint attracting models..sigh Anywho... in regards to the iPods DRM. 1. The AAC files do have some type of DRM built into the file, I believe. 2. The mp3s don't have any such thing. The files are just copied to the iPod and placed in multiple folders that the database tracks. On a windows machine anyone can just change the view settings to see hidden folders and can access the files. Unfortunetly, they are scattered all over the place. This seems to be a weak DRM used soley to placate the RIAA, etc. Sony on the other hand places such a draconian restriction on the SStage files that if you copy the files to another HD and then reformat and reinstall Windows you are pretty much screwed as SStage won't recognize the old files. If I am wrong regarding SS, please let me know, as I had to reimport MANY CD's due to this.

Oh, sure thing. Actually, the 2nd NH900 sold 34 minutes after I put it on ebay. I guess with minidisc australia no longer shipping made someone jump on it...or just good timing. The EH1 is still up on ebay. The item number is: Item number: 5833187127

I recently listed 2 NH900s and 1 EH1 here and so far 1 of the NH900s has sold and will go out today. That leaves the following: 1 NH900 good condition with a extra battery 1 EH1 player NEW from audiocubes. Even includes the 3-line Kanji capable remote and voltage adapter. Both are now listed on ebay if anyone wants to check out the details and pictures. Thanks. Joe

That still makes no sense because it would be cheaper to make one unit versus creating several models of so many of their units. Heck, some of the MD units aren't even physically the same. One unit with a single firmware that supports unicode and everyone would be set.

I actually liked the NW-HD2 the best. All the good looks of the HD1 plus new colors and a blue backlight....Japan only, of course.

I am a little confused as to why the radio frequencies should even be an issue. Cowon, who also sells some very nice mp3 players, allows for setting the radio frequencies based on your country. It is just built into the firmware. WHY can't Sony just make a single unit with the options to adjust for each country? It would seem to be such a simpler thing to do, yet Sony seems to go out of their way to add differences to each country's specific model. I just don't understand the business model at all. Joe

It is too bad that they don't sell any type of minidisc or HiMD portables (and only one deck)...

I really am not a great iPod fan, but this is getting silly. 1. 6 months for a battery. Sure, some batteries are bad. That can happen with any battery, but I did own four iPods, a 5GB 1st gen, a 20GB 2nd gen, a iPod mini 2nd gen, and a iPod nano. Each was exchanged for a newer model because I enjoy new tech (stupid idea though) and now use the Cowon X5L and A2. In NONE of these cases did my battery ever lose more than about 10% of its total maximum charge and that was with HEAVY use. 2. Ludicrous prices? Ever looked at the price of a battery replacement for a NH1 or EH1? Compare the sizes of those batteries? A battery replacement (which can be done by an average person) costs about $35.00 to $60.00. Sure you can pay $100.00 if you want someone else to do it, but how much does Sony charge to replace the battery in the E10 or N10, if they even replace the battery (I don't know)? 3. Actually, there isn't an extended battery replacement warranty, the warranty covers the entire devices. Plus, nowadays, most credit cards provide extended warranties anyway. 4. You can eaisly get a lemon device that needs replacement, again and again BECAUSE (not 'cos) of bad workmanship, but that can happen on any device. The minidisc market is not defect free. The DR7 I bought from audiocubes.com wouldn't record out of the box, the replacement had problems too!!! 5. iTunes screwing up your PC. Hmmm, I have also seen what Sonic Stage can do to a PC registry!!! Not to mention the latest Sony fiasco and what their draconian DRM has done to folks computers lately. My point is that this incessant iPod bashing is rather stupid. It seems many folks do it just to make themselves feel better about their purchase. I am rather happy with my Cowon equipment, but I don't go around bashing Apple because I don't like their new products..I just go on with my life. How about all of us just do this and stop propogating "stories" that are not 100% based in fact.

I can understand your desire to keep all the music on MD and then never have to use the PC again, but the comment about what happens when when folks who use a HDD DAP get new device, gets full, broken or stolen is a bit naive" 1. Get new device = you still have the files on your PC. Who really deletes all their computer files. Most folks that use SS still have a back up on their pc. Now is you use just a standard MD/MDLP deck that is another story entirely. 2. Gets full - that is the strenght of a HDD DAP, you can transfer data at USB 2.0 speeds unlike the USB 1.1 on a MD/HiMD recorder. So, this really isn't important. The idea of having an infinite amount of storage with MD is flawed (besides the misuse of infinite in this case) because you can only really carry a few discs (comfortably) with you at any time. 3. Gets broken or stolen - Broken, warranty or buy a new one depending on how it was broken. Just spend a little time to retransfer the music one evening. If it was stolen, buy a new one and do the same. How is this any different than having your MD broken or stolen. Sure you have discs, but no player. Same with those who use HDD DAPs, they have files, but no player. In both cases it is no harder than buying a new player. To each their own, but the comments made above seem to misinform folks rather than provide acurate info. In regards to my favorite players... 1. Cowon X5L 2. Cowon iAudio 5 3. Sharp DR7

I SO agree with you. Just like Apple has the iPod and Sony has the MD-4878385738 version 3.294VDR models... I would love for words or some thing simple...Loved SP, Mono. Even LP2, LP4 was okay...but now ATRACplus 352 is going too far.

Did this as well this afternoon. I am still confused by the various bit rates for the lossless recordings, especially with the conversion to 352kbps when transferring to the HiMD. Any clues why there are multiple bit rates for lossless?

I have had it now for two months or so. Its only weakness (for me) is the built in mic is a bit weak. The recordings are lectures only, so I just sit up front. It sounds incredible and it is pure drag, drop, play at USB 2.0 speeds. Guys and gals. If you are interested in my gear, that is cool But please DON'T quote me prices, in comparison to my sales price, from minidisc.au or audiocubes, especially if the quote is wrong. My equipment is in the States and ready for quick shipment. If you don't like the price, that is cool too, but don't try and talk me down based on those online stores. Thanks.

Hey folks, I am offering up my 2 recorders and 1 player for sale here before I ebay them. The 2 silver Nh900s were purchased off ebay and work perfectly. Both are in very good condition. I am also selling a silver EH1 player (with new power adapter) which I bought from Audiocubes about two weeks ago. In addition, I have about 17 discs which include a blue HiMD disc, Sony Biancis, Happy Colors, Bit Club, Twinkle, 2 Miffy and 1 Hello Kitty (blue) discs. I am selling off everything because I have decided to use a HDD DAP player (Cowon X5L). If anyone is interested just post, send me a private message or email me. Thanks. Joe Edwards

Fewer than I used to... Previous units include: 2x R70 (blue) - sold 2x R900 (red and blue)- sold 1x R909 (red) - sold 1x N910 (silver) - sold 1x N920 (orange) - broken 2x DR7 (blue) - 1 sold and 1 broken 1x DR77 (silver) - sold Current units include: 1x Sony MXD-D40 2x NH900 (silver) 1x MZ-EH1 (silver)

Yep, Kinda got that from my expereince. But that really makes no sense in that combining tracks was one of the strengths of the MD format. Now it looks like Sony mucked that up really well. In the end I just put a line out from the NH900 to my trusty Cowon X5L and am now doing a direct recording to mp3, which I will copy to my PC later (I keep a full set of the lectures on my PC and the DAP). This really makes me rethink the HiMD plan. /cry I found some info through google searches that says to never combine on the disc and then try to upload. Instead combining is done on SS 3.2

Okay, I am recording my Historical Geology class today and set the NH900 to PCM recording with a HiMD disc (blue). I use a simple stereo mic and set the track marks for every 15 mintues. After 1 hour and 10 minutes I have 4 files. I am able to combine tracks 1 and 2, and tracks 3 and 4...into new tracks of 1 and 2. I cannot combine these last two tracks. I get an "cannot combine tracks" error. Has anyone ever seen this before? Thanks. More bad news. I just tried to upload the recordings through Sonic Stage 3.2 and it makes it to 49% of the first files and BAM, the program crashes. I guess I will have to go with "old skool" line in recordings to my PC. What gives. I gave up on MDLP for this very reason and now I have to do it because Sonic Stage isn't working correctly? "sigh" Anyone have a clue what is wrong? Thanks.

Acutally, I can believe it. This isn't the only year we have had a large number of strong hurricanes. It simply occured before both of us were probably born. It is simple, nature is a bitch. Stop the doomsaying nonsense please. I CAN BELIEVE this to be TRUE. Gaia is punishing all the pod peoples.

Thank you Greeny!!! NH1, the Earth is about 4.6 billion years old. Much has happened in that time. Earthquakes and Tsunamis happen...thank plate techtonics for that. We have nothing to do with that. Hurricanes run in strong and weak cycles of decades. We now are back into a strong cycle. Folks have forgotten the 60s and 70s...Hurrican Camille, Typhoon Tip, etc.

I am sorry to say, but the geologic activity (including the results from such activity such as a tsunami) cannot be blamed on global warming. A small increase of CO2 in the atmosphere isn't going to play a role on geologic activity. Instead, just the opposite is true. See above for the hurricane. There have been much worse in the past. Heck in the late 70s(?), a typhoon hit India killing 3/4 of a million people. 35,000 from an earthquake is only 1/20th that number.

Actually, car traffic account for very little. The largest % of CO2 to be released in the air is from geologic activity. I am not saying that cars don't play a role, but it isn't that great compared to natural occuring processes. Cars play a significantly larger role locally in regards to affecting the environment. Also, there are other man-made things that have a MUCH greater affect than cars. 1 hour of use of a gas-powered push lawn mower equals the pollution creadted by 40 CARS in that same hour!!! There is much more to this than cars and people need to understand this. Try researching how much pollution is created and energy used to make 1 aluminium can or 1 order of french fries!!! Also, the concept of global warming having an effect on hurricanes needs a great deal more study, especially considering the warming/cooling cycles of the planet go in periods of time that are much greater than a few centuries also, hurricane strenghts also show patterns of waning and waxing over decades. This isn't the first time we have had bad storms in one year. In regards to Wilma..while it is a Cat 5 now, the inner eye-wall is pinching itself off and should force the creation of a new eye. When this happens the system will probably drop to a class 3 hurricane by the time it reaches landfall.

Well, I did start a thread asking for opinions, but it seems to have been moved or deleted. I have no idea which, but when I do a search, nothing shows up. Anyone seen a lost topic...? (there is no reward). Found it manually. It seems the search couldn't locate it...weird. Anywho....how about a notice (email) when a topic is moved so the person who started it has a clue where to find it later on? Thanks.

BUT that isn't due to a poor battery design, but instead due to a lack of sufficient power based on a poor power supplied / power required ratio. eg. poor design. The iPod (and other DAPs) could eaisly have better batter life if they simply had larger batteries. Just look at MD vs. HiMD. MD has lesser power requirements and used larger capacity batteries while the newer HiMD units have greater power needs, but were designed to use smaller capacity batteries. The result is that we went from a MD unit that could play SP/LP2 for 31hrs/38hrs. to a HiMD unit that plays SP/LP2 for 10hrs/12hrs and HiSP/HiLP for 8hrs/10hrs. This isn't the batteries' fault, but instead the designers' fault. In all actuality the lion battery in the iPod/Sony DAPs/NH1/etc is more advanced than the NiMH battery.

Acutally the batteries in the iPod are actually quite nice lion batteries, better than NiMH. I think you are confusing the quality with the hardware with the quality of the design. Now if the batteries in the iPod were removeable, like the NH5, then things would better all around. Of course, I shouldn't go and compliment Sony on their battery choice, considering that they made the their new DAPs with internal batteries...taking a step backward. "sigh"