bluecrab

I thought it was OK and watchable. Whether it is worth your time I cannot say. I borrowed it from the local library, so the price was right. An important part of the plot involves dealing with overcoming drug addiction, rarely shown well in a movie, and this was no exception. Still, my interest was maintained throughout, the music was good, the cast attractive, and of course MD had a minor starring role. Another plus was that the movie had three languages - English, French, and Chinese (the latter two subtitled in the version I watched). That always seems better than using bogus accents. I did finish the movie, but there were no other definite MD sightings. There was some gear that COULD have included an MD deck, but I couldn't really tell.

In the 2004 movie, "Clean," (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0388838/) we see Maggie Cheung buy a portable MD in Paris. There's a shot of a disc, too, and also a scene where the unit is handed to someone else, who listens to it. I haven't finished the movie yet, so I don't know if MD makes another appearance.

Is there any reason I couldn't get one of those little USB > Optical converters, play music from iTunes, and have it wind up on MD, with track marks? I know it'd be real time, can live with that. Anyone doing or done this? What kind of results? Music path would be: iTunes > USB > USB/Opt converter > MD. Thanks if you know!

I recently upgraded my integrated amplifier. It seems to me that LP2 MDs now sound either much better or much worse, depending on how good/bad they were to begin with. The good ones, though...really, it's easy to forget I'm listening to such highly compressed audio. I think the Type S helps, too. I am hearing stuff on LP2 that previously, I didn't notice on SP or in somes cases, perhaps even on CD. I'm old enough so that the high-frequency dropoff applies to me. In fact, I even have some diagnosed hearing loss. Almost all my MDs are recorded using standalone gear.

This JVC unit had a remote with a QWERTY keypad: http://www.minidisc.org/part_JVC_XM-448.html

When you say you "rarely" have a problem with the newer MDs, is that literal? IOW, do you sometimes have a problem even with the newer MDs? Does the problem occur with both sources? Of the many, many MD blanks I've used, I think I have had maybe two problems with any MD of any kind, whether recording or playing back. And that includes use of some ill-reputed Memorex MDs. However, you never know, any batch of media could produce some bad ones. Still, where your problems includes different brands of MD, I am inclined to think it's not that. When you do figure out how to record with the CMT M100, that should help provide an answer. Perhaps it's the MZ-R700. I do not have that unit, but I do have several of the related MZ-R500, and these can be quite flaky, especially during playback.

The car MDs are like any others - depends on which MD unit is going into which car. If you have a pro do it, they can probably install pretty much anything anywhere (but check with the installer first). I put a Sony CA680X in my prior vehicle (1997 Mazda B2300 Xcab p/u), took it out when I bought a new car (2006 Ford Escape), and installed it in the Escape. I had it working, although the fit was just a little off. Then there was a speaker problem (due to water), so I took the Escape in to a local car stereo guy. For 75 USD, he fixed the speaker and also re-installed the MD unit quite nicely. If I were doing it again, I'd have it done professionally. (I have to say, though, the MD unit went in to the Mazda easily and never gave me any trouble.)

Glad to hear you fixed the problem, Proud. I also have the CA680X, a wonderful car deck, and although I have never had the exact problem you noted, similar stuff has happened on occasion. There are a lot of buttons and settings and it's easy for something to get stuck like that without its being obvious. Doesn't make you a d-bag at all. See HCwDB for some real ones! ;-)

Welcome Phil! News and more equipment information! Who says MD is dead!!??

It ruined all my discs!!!

Do LP2 and LP4 use a psycho-acoustic model as does SP? I was just wondering. Sometimes an LP2 disc sounds really good - very near CD quality - while other times it sounds about like some old 45s. (Yes, I am taking into account that sources have different quality.)

From what I have seen on ebay, it's simply working like any other marketplace. The in-demand MD units and paraphernalia are going to get a higher price than the less desirable ones. For example, you can pick up the MDS-JE330 deck pretty cheap, but if you're looking for the MDS-JB940, that's going to cost you. There's bargains to be had, though, if you can be patient. I thought the advice about staying calm when bidding was good. If you know the maximum you want to pay for an item, you are all set.

Juan22, I am glad for you - perhaps even envious - and hope the rest of your bus ride was equally enjoyable. You DOG, you! ;-) If I am being anglo-centric here, then I refer you to http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=unit

I took it the same way - a lot of dissing of MD. It's not my own style to be putting down what I perceive as older audio technology (possibly excepting 8-track, although even that has its proponents, still). Awww, they couldn't find enough pre-recorded MDs....awwww, MD takes a long time to record...and so on. And the guy who complained about the car MD unit? Huh. I'm delighted to have MD in my 2006 Ford Escape. No way I would have left in the truck it replaced (which I donated to a local YMCA). Someday, you'll hear this: "You're still using an iPod? Come on, those things were never any good!"

It does sound reasonable, although I do not have a CE375 to compare. I actually tried two CD sources. One was the MXD-D400 and the other was a a Sherwood CD-7080R, with its dual Burr-Brown DACs. That's no contest, the D400's CD player is all right, but out of its league vs. the Sherwood. However, IMO the D400's CD is better than some - my Aiwa XC-RW700, for example. It might be interesting to take a look at the specs for the CE375 and the D400 and see how they compare.

I recently put my foot down and, totally ignoring any possible WAF, replaced my Marantz PM-68 Int. Amp. with a NAD C372. The NAD obstinately refused to be friendly with my Technics SH-GE70 EQ for a while, but finally agreed to shake hands and be pals. Minidisc now sounds better than ever. Truly near-CD. In fact, good MD is far better than some CDs. (Not news, I suppose.) The downside: Flaws are exposed. Older ATRAC versions are audibly inferior to newer ones. I'll have to re-record some MDs. Oh, and even LP2 (via Type S) sounded very good - if the source was good to begin with. This is great, I'm in love all over again! :-)

Right now? Right now I am listening to a Van Morrison comp on MD. My own "Best Of," I guess. SQ = SP Disc = HiSpace 80 I/O = Sony MXD-D40 > Optimus SA-155 Int. Amp > Sennheiser eH150

Yeah, I have two of those units ;-) Actually, if I recall correctly, a couple of guys took the bait on that one!

Always a good idea to check. Yes, the 530 is newer than the 510 and if I recall correctly, doesn't suffer from the same problems. However, the numbering scheme varies. For example, the MDS-JE4*0 series is newer than the 5*0 series. (The 4*0s all have LP mode.) If optical out is important to you, check to make sure it's there on any deck you might consider. There is actually an excellent section right on this site, that will tell you what's what: http://minidisc.org/part_Decks_Sony.html (That is just for Sony decks, the rest of the Equipment Browser covers a lot more.) Good luck!

The MDS-JE510 was notorious for this kind of scenario. Mine succumbed years ago. I did try to fix it, but failed to do so correctly. If you do decide to get a deck off Ebay, I'd suggest not going with the MDS-JE510. Most of the models after that seem to be less buggy, hardware-wise, then the 510. If you decide to try to repair the unit yourself, one possible method is here: http://members.tripod.com/~snnake11/ Good luck whichever way you go with this.

I have an agreement with my wife, where when a new thing comes in, an old one has to go out. I circumvent this whenever possible, but sometimes I really have to go along. To me, it's almost unbearably restrictive. To my wife, it is still "the most clutter I have ever had to live with." I did manage to get most of the wires pretty much out of the way, not an inconsiderable feat given that the main system has 8 full-size components, two speakers, a sub, and five switches and so forth. Small stuff like a portable MD doesn't even count, as far as I am concerned. ;-)

Wanted something on- or over-the-ear (not in) that also was foldable. Decided to check out the Sennheiser PX-200. http://www.sennheiserusa.com/newsite/produ...?transid=005207 These are somewhat controversial, as some users liked them a lot, but others reported they sounded tinny, lacked bass, and so forth. 50 USD was about my upper limit - actually more - than I wanted to spend, but since I like the two Sennheisers I already have ((H150, HD202), thought I'd take a chance on the PX200. Could always return them, after all. On first use, they DID sound kind of tinny. I was disappointed. Some reviews said they get better over time. One guy said to try positioning them carefully, so they are low on the ear. On second use, I tried this. They sounded much better! I guess the big test will be next week, when I try them out on a long flight. The do fold up compactly, although getting them folded and in their little case is rather more complex and fussy than one would hope for. Oh, and they look pretty cool, in use or folded!

Simple test: If you have a blank MD or one that can be appended to, try this: 1. Put a CD in the CD section of the MXD-R3. 2. Put the MD in the MD slot. 3. Try to dub from the CD to the MD, internally. You don't have to record the entire CD or even an entire track. 4. Stop recording. 5. Play back the MD, making sure you're playing the track or tracks you just recorded. 6. Let us know the results. The MXD-D3 is indeed SP-only and won't play LP tracks, at least so you can hear them.

No question about it, part of the thrill that's not gone for me with MD is that they are media you can look at, pick up....feel. I like the sound of the MD as it goes into a deck. The whirring, the clicks of the controls, all that stuff. For that matter, I like the look and feel of cassettes, too, and spent part of yesterday and today listening to those. They still sound OK when played on a good deck, and then there is the extra kick of of listening to recorded waves, rather then a digital interpretation of waves. Had I space for one, I'd get a nice turntable. There is just nowhere for me to put one. Although it would be a practical thing for me, a DAP is something I have not yet been able to convince myself to get. Hey, at least I'm happy!