JeffS

So did 1.5, but both versions only allow you to split and join tracks that are on your local machine. Then you can transfer them to the MD. A real PITA if you ask me. -Jeff

I got into MD in 98 and still have my very first disc and it sounds great. I usually bought whatever was on sale instead of going for the more expensive stuff, and save for a couple of broken ones due to extreme abuse they are all working great. Standard abuse is pretty much daily though. I'm not exactly gentle with them, and there are a few that haven't had a shutter in years. In short, MDs will last... -Jeff

can't do it on an R-50

Never mind.... found it... maybe I should get my eyes checked... it was under the edit menu for editing. Doh'!!!!

Ok, I've split and joined tracks numerous times in the old sonicstage software without a problem. I've got SS2 on now since I reinstalled everything on my computer, and I can't for the life of me find where that function went... Am I just too blind to look in the right place? Is it still there? help.... thanks -Jeff

I tried the objsir.exe. It wouldn't run, it gave me errors trying to connect to the internet. (no there isn't a problem connecting to the internet.) I tried uninstalling everything, SS, SB, the OMG module, removed all the atrac3 files, the Sony Shared folder under program files/common and the sony corp directory from application data. I then went into regedit and removed any trace of sony I could find. Here is where I think something got missed. When I rebooted, and went to reinstall in asked where to put my converted files, and it came back to the same directory that I had been using (which was on my D drive, so I know it's not a factory default.) It still got the same batch of errors. This is with SS1 and SS2 I can use REAL to transfer files, but that's not the answer I'm looking for. Now that I've wiped out my atrac3 collection (probably better off that way) I just want to reinstall and have functionality. I'd like to do this WITHOUT reformatting and redoing my whole da*n OS. Ice, do you by any chance have a detailed list of where the hell Sony puts all of its crap? what am I missing? I've never had a problem with netmd before, and this is starting to bring me to the limit of what I can take. thanks for any help. -Jeff

I've since posting this also tried to install sonicstage 1.5 (after removing 2.0 and wiping out all traces of the database stuff) and it won't function either. Now I'm desperate. I've got 75% of my cd collection in atrac3 format and it would really suck if all that work wen't for waste. thanks -Jeff

Help...... Ok, now that I've got that out of the way, here is what has happened. I had sonicstage 1.5.whatever, and after the SS2 build came out I waited until I heard some good reports, and decided to give it a shot. Everything was fine for a while (weeks?). Now it won't start up and gives me an error that it can't find the database file or the file is corrupted. So with that it gives me an option to create a blank database and start over (annoying, but workable). Dropping in a blank database doesn't work AT ALL. I've reinstalled, uninstalled/reinstalled, attempted voodoo, everything I could think of, but I can't get it to work. Does anybody have any suggestions? thanks for any help. -Jeff

There is another tool I didn't see mentioned above (though I may have missed it) try m4p2mp4. You have to legally own the music and have the propper playback key, but it will convert your encrypted file into an unencrypted mp4 file very fast. I found it on the net at http://www.techfreaks.org/utilities/m4p2mp4.zip -Jeff

Well, if it wan't for landing on the thing, I'd say go with the 510. It's a great little machine. On the other hand, if you're going to kick the crap out of it. S1 is the only option. good luck -Jeff

I've got a 510, and the cable is pretty basic. it's a standard USB A to USB mini 5. It's a standard cable, but the jack format is more common today on smaller electronics (netmd,mp3,camera,pda,etc) There is also a Mini 4 but it looks different as well. Good luck -Jeff

yup, head over to sonystyle.com look under the support section for minidiscs. you can download the apps there. Sorry I don't remember the exact address. Sony should be sorry for making their site so complicated to navigate.

ebay the 410, or keep it around as just a player. If you're looking to go inexpensive, pickup the 510 (next model up) it doesn't have a mic input, but it does have line in. The line in works great with a battery powered mic. I assume if you're doing heavy recording you'll be using a mic that wants a bit more juice than just the plugin power. good luck -Jeff

In the words of Pink Floyd: Is there anybody out there?......

I use RealOne with MD, but mainly for converting .rm files to MD. It transfers fine, and there is no checkout issue, however the tracks are still Track Protected (TRPROT) so you can't edit them on the MD recorder itself. the Nero/Simpleburner, or DaemonTools/Simpleburer are the best for functionality. SonicStage isn't bad, but it's annoying if you make a lot of different mixes. 3 copies of a song just isn't good enough. -Jeff

Is there an SDK for netmd? I'd like to create something for TOC edits. What I'd really like to do is make something that can insert trackmarks at specific times. Using sonicstage to do this is quite a pain. (No it's not difficult, but I'm trying to split hour long radio programs into 5min. segments for easier listening and place finding.) thanks for any info. -Jeff

check your cable, make sure you're getting a good connection on both sides. Sounds like either your AUX input isn't working well (try another audio source or different cable or both) or you're not making solid contact either in the MD unit or the aux jack. is the AUX a miniplug jack on the front, RCA pigtail onthe back, or RCA input on the back? good luck -Jeff

In my display options, I have the option for Title. However it doesn't do anything on the main body lcd. I'm assuming that it will show up on the remote. I haven't gotten around to getting an lcd remote yet. I agree, that there are risks, and each person should make the decision based on whether or not they can deal with the potential outcome. Never gamble with something you aren't willing to lose. -Jeff

I've got a 510 and I personally love the extra features. As for not working right, there are a few glitches, but most of them can be worked around. Yes, the LCD is too small for them, but if you have an lcd remote, you should be fine. Otherwise, you can figure out your position by counting from each button press. 6 band eq. works fine this way, melody timer is great (I'm a train commuter so I use it daily), others like Line Out, vs. headphones, are great. good luck Besides, it's easy to change it back if you don't like it. -Jeff

Get the 510. It's not much more expensive, has line in and a remote. you'll need a mic with it's own power source to record via line in, but you'll be all set. -Jeff

When you reinstalled windows, was it a clean install? (ie: fdisk, format, install, reload programs from installer discs/files?) Or did you install windows over windows, to try to fix some flakey driver? If it was clean, then I'm really not sure what's going on. If it wasn't which is what I suspect, then you've probably got something corrupted, and it needs to be wiped out compeletely. It's probably part of sony's software and just needs to be cleaned up and reinstalled. On the flip side, can you record from a physical cd to md via sonic or simple? have you tried encoding a small .wav file? The hardest part will likely be figuring out where the problem is, so you can figure out how to attack it. good luck -Jeff

A long time ago there was some discussion regarding this same topic. Not to be confused with MD-Data which is made for computer access, but to actually transfer data to a normal MD. The theory was originally to use an audio encoding like a modem, and record. This was kind of like the old cassette tapes for storing programs (way back in the day). The problem with this was that audio that is beyond the normal range of hearing and depending on how it's grouped with other sounds will be altered by the compression algorithm. Then it was believed that if the normal block of data, could be transformed into an audio codec, that seperated each varying bit of data, by a predefined pitch value and octave. The theory was that this would survive the atrac encoding process, and be reproducable into an audio format that could then be decoded as data. As you may have guessed, this didn't come about. Or if it did, it was not widely distributed and used. It was probably a pet project for a handful of people, until it got moved to the back burner, or they gave up. if you want data on an MD, get one of the md-data drives. I've got one that I don't use, if you're that interested. external, scsi, slower than a floppy, $15/disc and only 120megs. I got it because I was a minidisc nut, and found a good deal. if you're looking for doing any kind of data storage, don't bother. -Jeff

I have to add yet another thing, to follow up to the comment about another 5 years for MD. While this may be the case, and HD players may die out, MD isn't targeted with the same feature set in mind. MD is more along the lines of a replacement for cassette. Yes, cassette tape is long since gone from the mainstream (please don't flame me for that statement). Yes, there are some people out there with great decks, and can do magic in the analog world, and they are very portable. MD brings all of this into the modern age. Analog and digital recording, the same level of editability (is that a word?) and more editing options. All this plus you never have to fast forward or rewind, you must skip to position. If your goal is to have thousands of songs in one small portable device, go for an ipod/nomad/archos or equiv. If you're looking for something more versatile with as many features and more, go MD. Ok, one more thing. If you want your buddy to hear something you've been listening to, you don't need to copy in realtime to his machine, or give up your machine for him/her to listen to a song. Just pop the MD out, and hand it over. simple as that. (assuming (s)he has MD of course). -Jeff ps. sorry for the continued long posts...

Go for options, and budget. the 910,810,710,610,510, and 410 are all NetMD units. as is the N10. look for featureset, battery type, size, weight, etc. if you get a unit that only uses the gumstick battery, you'll be stuck if you don't bring a charger on a trip with you, OR you'll have to use the attachable battery compartment. AA batteries are quick and easy to replace no matter where you are. but the gumstick units, are nice and streamlined (ok, I'm actually drooling over the cool stuff, because I went for the 510) 8)

not sure about your internal noise issue, but I can help with charging. With a battery inside, and ac power hooked up, press STOP. The unit has to be in a stopped state already, and pressing it one more time will start charging. It will say charging on the display, and you'll see the battery symbol flash it's meters. good luck -Jeff