JeffS

In short, Yes. If your source is digital, and optical, you will use a toslink optical cable. Essentially, it's just a simple fiber optic cable that will transmit the light signal from your pc to your MD. The side for the MD should obviously have a mini-plug end, or an adapter to make it one. The other side should have whatever kind of connection you have there. More than likely it will be a toslink (kinda squarish thing). If the digital signal from your pc is not optical, but is digital, this won't be quite as easy. They both transmit in SPDIF, however you will need to convert the digital signal to an optical signal. The good news is, this isn't hard to do. The bad news is, unless you're a do-it-yourselfer, it could cost a few more dollars than you care to spend. check out the midiman co3 for a good converter, that will also strip the scms bit. and Browse the net, espcecially minidisc.org for instructions on building your own. good luck hope this helps -Jeff

When it comes back as "SAVED" that means that you have the write protect tab set. Close that, and you can then make changes to your MD. HOWEVER!!! if you transfered via OpenMG, Sonic Stage, or Real One, you still won't be able to add/delete trackmarks, or delete tracks/disc. You will get an error that says Tr Prot (Track Protection). HOWEVER Yet Agin... If you transfered via Simple Burner, then you will have no problems. And yes, converting mp3s, to a cd image, or burning a disc, just to then reencode them to md, IS a pain. To simplify, there are a couple of programs you might want to consider... m3u2sb (converts, and mounts the image and launches simple burner, you do the rest) SimplerMD (converts, mounts, launches, transfers, and starts all over again depending on how many tracks you're moving) They each have a different set of software requirements, to do this, so the choice is up to you. Good luck -Jeff

Personally, I always go SP. This might have something to do with the fact that I usually (read always) use my MZ-R50, which is SP only. Seriously though, a lot will depend on what your source is. Are you recording from a mic or plugging into a board? How much time do you need to record? What are you recording... How important is quality? From a mic, I'd say probably SP, but again, it will depend on the quality of the mic(s) you're using. if you're recording speeches, presentations, etc, lp2 or even lp4. If it's a concert (which I'm assuming) I'd urge SP, just so that you get the best source sound. You can always resample it later. if you've got a deck with optical out, getting pure digital into your computer to adjust, tweak, etc, would be no problem, or just going optical to your recorder in lp2, to consolidate space. jut my $0.02 -Jeff

Be Careful!!!!!! A coworker of mine, almos bought a hd based player a few days ago for WAY cheap. The problem was it was one of the RIO players. Nothing against them personally, but the company just went bankrupt, and there are many places liquidating stock at the moment. This if fine if you can survive with current drivers, and hack what you will need in the future without support from the manufacturer. That is not a prospect most people (even that techie-geeks) want to handle. ((yes, I can say geek, because I am one, kind of like when comedians of a certain race.... never mind, I don't want to start a flame war)) Seriously, if it's a good deal, AND you know what you're getting into, go for it. it sounds great. On the flipside. I've been an MD user for years, only recently did I discover (read purchase new hardware) the joys of netmd. DAMN this is great stuff. I was going to convert all my CDs into omg files, but have actually opted, to go mp3 instead. with the programs to wrap around simpleburner, and just straight imports, I've got the best of all worlds. remember MD is a portable format, so load your discs up with as much music as you want to take with you. If you want Hi-Fi, go DAT. If you want to go mp3, go MD. Good luck which ever player you buy. -Jeff

I've since done the hack, and love the additional features. the Melody Timer, is GREAT. I commute daily. I'm a little disappointed however, in the fact that sound settings, display settings, etc, don't stay. They always reset to default. I'm guessing this has something to do with PDM not working. (it works but only for a few minutes) Is there an addition to the hack to add FULL functionality? the EQ is great also. -Jeff

Just to throw in my 2 cents, here are my opinions about lp2 v lp4 v mp3 Most mp3's that I've made sound pretty good, even at 128 (using the right encoder, as mentioned previously). However, I don't usually listen to many mp3s anywhere but through my computer with headphones (average quality). SP (ok, I will mention it), sounds FANTASTIC!!! I was a longtime user of an R50, and those discs, sounded, and still sound exactly like the CD (even with good headphones.) LP2, sounds almost as good, and definitely worth it, when the amount of storage you gain is involved. I've also found some things that don't sound good in lp4 have marked improvement in lp2 (synthpop, electronica, etc) Things of course brings me to LP4 I use LP4 for almost everything! (looks around at shocked faces in the crowd). Even with really good headphones, I think it sounds great. However, take into account my normal listening environment. I use it mostly for listening in my car while driving, while riding a commuter train, or sitting my an averagely noisy office. Consequently, the sound is execelent, as I'm not looking for absolute audiophone acoustics in a sound dampend room. Hey if I was playing it through a multi-thousand dollar stereo system, I'd probably say it was junk. Most things sound fine in lp4 (your ears may vary), but as mentioned earlier, lp2 will greatly improve what doesn't sound good. Give them each a try, and target where you're going to be listening. If you're looking to archive your entire music collection from CD, go SP. If you're archiving from mp3s that are good quality, probably lp2. If you just want to listen to a portable, in a portable environment, give lp4 a shot. Hey everybody, sorry for rambling on so much, but thats just me. -Jeff

So far, since doing the hack, I've been able to do all the feature (or so I thought) Admitedly, I'm planning on buying an lcd remote, but it's not the next thing on my shopping list. Is the variable pitch control, different from the speed control? I got that to work, along with all of the eq settings, and stuff... what am I missing? thanks -Jeff

Currently, I'm using Total Recorder, and it works great. it's not designed to really edit sound files, but it can handle splitting larger files into smaller ones. if you're just looking to record, it's good. Another side bennefit is the fact that it can record, from one format to another, faster than realtime. Useful, if you're trying to copy a Real Audio stream, and place it on MD -Jeff

Thank you! this rocks, -Jeff

I got it from the Sony store in downtown Chicago. When I first called, and asked about what was in, they said out of stock. When I got to talking to the guy, he seemed suprised they hadn't received simpments yet, but were expecting them soon. As for the hack thing, I'm not touching mine, until I can get confirmation one way or the other, how possible it is. Hopefully enough information will get discovered, and we can all "upgrade" -Jeff

There has been some discussion in the 707 hack thread regarding the ability to hack the 510. I'm assuming this would also apply to the other new models, 410,610,810, etc... But this is only a guess. The problem has been that the mentions of the hack within the thread seem to be few and far between, and also only mention having serious problems, that are never resolved. Can anyone out there confirm that this hack is possible or impossible? I've got a 2 week old, 510, and like many others I'm sure, I really don't want to destroy it by accident. My guess is, that there is some brave soul who will be willing to take the challenge and report back. Any takers? -Jeff

It's been available for a few weeks. I got mine from Sony (retail gallery in Chicago) and they are still waiting on 610 and 810, but 410 and 510 are out. the website, probably needs to be udated. you might want to call the 800 number and order from a person, to confirm the availability -Jeff

I've got the 510, and personally, I love it! I've heard that it can charge a battery, but I think it will only do this with a NiCad. I'm currently using NiMH batteries in there, and it does not appear to charge them. There is mention of a hack for the 510, and I'm currently trying to figure out what is and is not enabled by doing it. Like you, I want line out, but I also want the timer (sleeping past your trainstop really sucks) The 610 is nice because you also get the radio option which is cool. it was a tough call for me, though my final decision was set by two factors. 1. they didn't have the 610 in stock 2. I'm not too crazy about the blue (personal opinion) good luck with which ever unit you get -Jeff

So, is there anyone who can confirm that Melody Timer can be enabled on this unit? I'm very leary of killing a newly purchased product, but I would love to have that feature. -Jeff ps. sorry for seeming so anal....

age: 28 first MD: MZ-R50 (in 1998) second MD: MZ-N510CK (purchased last week) MD Rocks!!!! -Jeff

Actually, I did read the whole thread and saw the one instance on page 9 referring to the 510. However it also appeared to be a bit more complicated requiring dismantaling to get into test mode. I'd like to know what features are enabled by going through this level of trouble. I mainly want line out and melody timer. if there is anything cool requiring an lcd remote, I'll pick one up but if it will make the unit flakey, I'll keep it running as is. -Jeff

I've been scanning this thread, and it appears that these hacks work for the 500/700 and 505/707, but what about the new 510? Is there a hack for this model? If there is, what will it do? What features are enabled by doing the hack? thanks for any help. -Jeff

I bought my 510ck a week ago in Chicago at the Sony store downtown. It came with the inline remote (non-lcd version), car remote, cassette adpater for the car, cigarette lighter power adapter, and ac wall adapter. some headphones, and a blank md. software included sonic stage 1.5, simpleburner (didn't check the rev), and of course the netmd driver. it's also got a small leather case for the MD that's designed for use while in your car.... This is the package that is being sold in the US. I'm not sure how it is packaged elsewhere. good luck -Jeff

Sorry for answering a question with a question, but are you planning on paying full price? Or is this one of the deals off of uBid that was posted to minidisc.org last week? Assuming you're paying retail, get the 510 over the 505, it's newer, comes with all the extras, and has the new and improved type-s atrac, for better mdlp playback. oh, and it's only $20 more than the 410 (at retail price) otherwise, ask yourself this... Am I ever going to record from something besides my computer? the 410, is limited to netmd/usb downloads. It also only has a headphone jack. There isn't even the option of getting a remote after the fact and plugging it in. :cry: I'd go 505 or 510, and since the 505 is last generation, I'd step up to the latest. just my $0.02 take it for what it's worth good luck -Jeff

I agree with Guest. load that puppy up, you won't hurt your system by listeing to more besides, the more you have on one disc, the less discs you have to carry with you

Haven't gotten any feedback from my post. From searching through the forums though, I think it might be a bad laser write head. Not cheap to fix/replace. I haven't had a chance to get a hold of Sony, and find out where the nearest place to have it looked at is though. I hate to lose the recorder, because it rocks for live stuff. good luck with our 700 -Jeff

The only "problem" you'll see is that the estimated battery times will now be longer I've been using ni-mh cells since shortly after I got my first MD, and it is the way to go. -Jeff

Technically this is true, regarding the memory effect of Ni-Cad, vs. NiMh and Li-Ion cells. However, rechargable batteries, are only rated, for a finite number of charges. Admitedly that number is in the thousands (or 1000, I forget), but it is a limit. After that, the will not hold their charge as well. With this in mind, it can help to prolong battery life, doing a full drain cycle on the battery, in hopes of "resetting" it, similar to the "shock" method used to recondition a dead ni-cad battery. In practical use, it will probably be at least a few years, before you have problems, and by then, you'll either have a new MD, or just opt to buy a replacement battery. -Jeff

Greetings, I recently pulled my R50 out of the closet after a year, and tried to make a recording. The sound came through (while monitoring with headphones) and I saw the disk filling up at the top of the LCD. Afterwards, it saved the data, and updated the TOC. As soon as I hit Play, it came back and said BLANKDISC HELP!!! Is there an easy way to fix this? Is it something I can tweak in service mode? (haven't tried that, but I'm willing to try anything.) I'm almost prepared to buy a new 510ck as a replacement, because I wouldn't mind upgrading to NetMD, but this is an amazing unit, and I hate to lose it. Besides, nothing can make recordings like the R50. As a side note, (and I'll post seperately if I should) will the R50 remote work in the 510? my understanding is that in the US it doesn't come with a remote.... Thanks for any help. -Jeff