iceeedtea

Welcome to MDCF. :smile: You can't. .OMG files are encrypted, and thus, without the proper key, you're unable to do anything. I haven't seen a codec for .OMG files for Linux so far, so, I haven't been able to test anything, either. But that's what I'm guessing - since all the files are encrypted, that == unable to do anything. Meh. :whatever:

Welcome to MDCF. I've seen you posting over on T-Station [that is you, right?] before. :smile: I'm willing to bet that the NWMS70D works with SonicStage 2.0. I'm poking at the registry entries for SonicStage, and I'm seeing something for the NW-MS90D. In addition, I'm also looking at the original, un-packaged-up installer directories, and I see MS70DUSB.cat and MS70DUSB.ini. So, I'm 90% sure it should work. If it doesn't, just grab the original installer disc for the device, and install the drivers only. SonicStage was designed to work with all Sony OpenMG-compatible products, so, that's my reasoning for why it works. :smile: Good luck.

Welcome to MDCF. :happy: SonicStage doesn't play nice with Windows 98, especially first edition. I don't know why it doesn't work for you. Error in "Metallic.dll" sounds like a problem with the "skin" of SonicStage 2.0. Try downloading the installer again. Did you run the md5 check to verify that the download wasn't corrupted? Try uninstalling everything as per the instructions in this thread, and reinstall. Since you use Windows 98, you'll have to manually go through your computer and find those directories such as "Sony Corporation". Delete "Program FilesCommon FilesSony Shared", as well. In addition, "iceeedtea's build" is just a trimmed version of the original installer, so it may not contain some items that may be required for it to function properly under Windows 98. "iceeedtea", that moron. Remind me to slap him when he comes back around here. :whatever: No, you shouldn't need to install NE420 drivers, since they're already included with the installer. Just running through the setup process will automagically install everything you need in one shot. Give that a try, see how it goes for you.

Yes. This is possible. In SonicStage, open "My Library", select the file(s) which you wish to convert ATRAC3 -> ATRAC3+, and select "Convert Format...". Choose your bitrate, and allow the program to chew away at the files. I cringe at the thought of this. At least you're informed of transcoding.

I apologize on behalf of "iceeedtea" for failure to properly describe what the customized "build" does. :dry: That moderator is a complete and utter idiot. This was posted over on T-Station the other week: All he [okay, okay, I] did was remove Chinese + Korean support, DirectX 9.0, and some other useless things that made it so large. The only reason for doing so was for mass distribution [piracy?] of the software to the masses, since not everyone is patient enough to spend hours on end downloading a 230MB .iso file [which doesn't even include Hi-MD/NetMD/CD-R(W) support natively]. Not worth it to most people, since it wouldn't even work properly with their NetMD units. So, being the bored person I was/am, I set to work and ripped out a bunch of stuff from the .iso [which originally from a ATRAC3+ PCDP version of SonicStage 2.0], added in things like the Hi-MD/NetMD drivers, CD-R(W) writing in three different formats, etc. The result was a 36.4MB file, after being heavily compressed down using WinRAR + SFX'd. It's incredibly user-friendly, I'd think. Download, click a few simple buttons, you're done. Otherwise, if someone were to grab the 230MB ISO version, they'd also have to install NetMD drivers seperately, but they still wouldn't have CD-R(W) writing [which, oddly enough, adds no space at all to the install]. None of the NetMD software provided by Sony allows for direct MP3 -> MiniDisc unit. Even in the older software, all it would do would be to decode the MP3 into .wav format, and then encode that into ATRAC3 (in LP2/LP4) to send to the unit. M3U2SB just acts as something "between" the NetMD software; it still utilizes the NetMD interface. Thus, it does the same; MP3 -> [decompression to .wav] -> [conversion to ATRAC3 (LP2/LP4) -> MiniDisc unit. Hope that explains some. :smile: Very likely. Try doing a clean install, following the instructions in this thread. I have no problems with SonicStage 2.0, nor have 93% of the other users out there. And the ones with problems have fixed their issues by clean-installing. Much simpler than troubleshooting the exact cause....

You're doing something much, much worse. What you've done, is record to your HD in a lossy format [WM9]. This, already, is a very low-quality sound format. By sending it to your NetMD unit in LP2 mode, you decompress the low grade sound to .wav, and SonicStage reconverts it to LP2. Transcoding == bad. If you want true LP2 quailty, copy your discs using SonicStage -> LP2. Simple, yet effective, but you will be unable to play the files in any other media player Thus, give EAC 0.95pb5 a glance. Copy your discs to your HD in .wav [uncompressed] format, and import them into SonicStage [or write to a CD image with Nero, mount the image, and transfer using Simple Burner]. And....don't use Windows Media Player. It's bloated. Give foobar2000 a look. Heck, even Winamp is better than WMP.

Quoted: Read the instructions before installing, and you would know.

This is correct, "caffienated sponge". In audio, this is commonly refered to as "transcoding". Very bad. This is why I have always recommended users to copy to MD using their original sources, and not from a MP3 copy of it, if humanly possible. Edit: To explain further, what SonicStage does with ATRAC3+ files, is that it decodes the lossy file back to a .wav, then it encodes it to a LP2 file. Even lossier. Bad. Oh, yes, welcome to MDCF. :smile:

Please read this and follow the instructions carefully, deleting the specified directories and registry keys. It is not a hardware issue with your N910; it is software. Don't you just love Sony? :whatever: Failing that, try it on a different system, perhaps? In addition....make sure that you look through the registry and delete any CDDB keys.

Why check them in? Just tell SonicStage to delete the files, and reimport the files from the sources [CD, MP3, etc.] To 'check-in' a file only tells the MiniDisc to delete the file on the disc; no data is transfered back to your computer.

Read. Follow the instructions for reinstallation. Download.

BeatJam is nothing but a glorified, customized version of OpenMG. Just as buggy as its Sony counterpart. Best that you stay far away from it and use SonicStage. I do. Since it seems that I'm always the tech who is stuck troubleshooting problems of users. You will only run into problems with strange MP3s; most will work fine. SonicStage/OpenMG/BeatJam do not seem to like variable bit rate MP3s, MP3s with too high or too low of bitrates. If you run into problems, take a look at the Nero + Simple Burner method of transfer. And yes, Simple Burner works with Sharp units. Transfered files will be of the same quality as if you transfered it directly using MP3 -> [ATRAC3 conversion] -> MD. Execpt, this process takes a bit longer, since you need to burn a virtual image file to disk [the process, actually, is MP3 -> [decompress to .wav/pcm for standard Audio CD format] -> Simple Burner -> MD].

I don't see why not. As long as you install the included NetMD drivers on the disc that comes with your unit before you install SonicStage 2.0. BJ = BeatJam? That's what Sharp NetMD units are bundled with; why wouldn't it be compatible? Either way, it should work with SonicStage. Sefu of MiniDisc Australia had transfers working with SonicStage and an IM-DR80. For future reference, don't double post a question. I deleted your new topic in the NetMD subsection. Thank you.

Well, I spoke to "Sefu" of MiniDisc Australia/T-Station/MD.org, and this was his reply (since, I don't think he minds if I post this...?) I recieved this in my inbox just this morning: So, I'd give it another attempt, sending an email. In case Team Digital questions why you wish to have it repaired, direct them to posts of other users who had their units replaced. That is an if situation. :smile: Contact Melanie of TD, and they should respond this time. Be nice in your email over; these are good guys. It's their servers, not their lack of customer service. Good luck.

No. Hi-MD is able of storing .mp3/.doc/.whatever files, given that you copy them to the device using Windows Explorer. These files, however, will be unplayable by the device. However, if you copy music to the device using SonicStage 2.0, the files will appear as .HMA files when viewed outside of SonicStage. These files will be unreadable outside of the software due to encryption/DRM, but will be able to be played back. In other words, it just "stores the audio". [link] :smile: Hope that answered some.

Well, what file format are you attempting to convert? SonicStage only allows conversion of .wav and .mp3 to ATRAC3/ATRAC3+. SonicStage does not allow you to convert secure media formats [DRM'd .wma, .m4p, etc.] that can be obtained from online music sellers like the iTunes Music Store. On a side note, it would behoove you to watch your language in the future. Profanity is not tolerated here on the MDCF, even if it is just an acronym, "wtf". This is a G-Rated board.

Instead of developing seperate programs for their different lines of products, Sony decided to have a "all-in-one" program, SonicStage, which supported their entire range of products - NetMD, Hi-MD, ATRAC3+ PDCPs, Network Walkman, etc. In addition, to develop seperate program for seperate devices would equate more time = more resources = more money. Thus, that is why the option is there in the program; it's a "blanket solution" of sorts. :smile: Actually, kurisu, ATRAC3+ works correctly on Network Walkman units, even up to the new ATRAC3+ 256kbps bitrates. But you are correct, in that it does not work on normal, "older-generation" NetMD/MD units. Correct me if that is not what you meant....(?) Adding this to the NetMD FAQ. :smile: Oh, yes. Welcome to MDCF. Grab a drink, stay a while.

I answered your post over on T-Station [Link], so I'll answer here as well, just for reference :smile: Also, moved from "General Tech" -> NetMD, since it's more of a NetMD issue, not hardware.... Did you run SonicStage before installing the proper NetMD drivers? Uninstall SonicStage completely, removing the program itself and its components (OpenMG Secure Module, Limited Patches, etc.) Reboot, and install the NetMD drivers before reinstalling SonicStage from your CD. Or, take a look at this. It installs everything you need in one shot.

Install SonicStage/OpenMG 2.2 and then install Simple Burner. Place the CD into your computer drive. Open Simple Burner. Click 'Rec'. Enjoy. That of which was stated in my previous post, the Nero/SB method.

Welcome to the MiniDisc Community Forums. :smile: Well, I don't know of any software that gets simpler than SonicStage. The only software that I know of that can transfer to NetMD is (mainly) driven by a graphical interface - OpenMG, SonicStage, Simple Burner. You could try RealPlayer 10 to see if you like it; then again, do you really want to go near that spyware-ridden bloated piece of junk coded by vile, greedy monkeys out for your money? I've heard of people complaining about things being too user-unfriendly (not enough large buttons for them to hit), but, your complaint is the first of its type I've ever heard. :rasp: Give SonicStage 2.0 a shot. It's a lot better (personal opinion) than 1.5, since it's more "user-friendly". About Simple Burner: I don't really understand what you're saying. You mention a problem with "ImageDrive"; I assume you are talking of the one bundled with Nero to mount images? If that is the case, try using this to mount your discs instead. Let me know if that isn't what you meant.

Yes and no. It will not work for the "older" generation of NetMD units, but it will work for Hi-MD. It is not purely for Hi-MD, as it has been reported to work on Sony ATRAC3+ PDCPs. Yes. If you're feeling brave, and don't mind issues/not being able to read the text in the program, take a look at this. It does not work properly on English operating systems; then again, it should be simple enough to figure out what does what in the program, no?

None at all. I'm going to try resending an email. I'll get back to you as soon as possible. Until then, I don't think anyone should deal with Team Digital until they explain what's going on. Update: I talked to another moderator on T-Station, and he said he'll get in touch with Team Digital shortly. Either way, I'll try resending an email this afternoon.

Read this. During installation, tell it to re-create a new database for you. After installation, you will need to re-import your media and re-convert it to ATRAC3. Or, you could try and tell it to use the existing database, but I am not quite sure if it works that way. The advantage that SonicStage 2.0 has over OpenMG 2.2/SonicStage 1.5 is that it has unlimited checkouts. However, some restrictions still apply on the songs on the actual disc.

Well. With NetMD, you are only able to transfer in LP2/LP4 modes. LP2 is better than LP4; however, some people (myself, included) think that its quality is still inferior. LP2 can store 160 minutes worth of audio, by the way. Also....it would be a good idea to stay away from the "older" generation of NetMD units. All sorts of restrictions on NetMD "transfering" of audio from your computer to the player. Your best bet would be to hold off until this summer and to purchase a "Hi-MD" unit. You will be able to transfer higher-quality audio to the player at high speeds, including utilizing it for data storage. Do a search on the board, see what you find. Personally...if you only have MP3s (and not the original CDs), you'd be better off getting another audio device and not MiniDisc. If you have the original CDs, you can transfer CD -> MD and retain quality. But MP3 -> MD is very bad. Think, having a stuffed bear. You take out some of the stuffing (conversion of CD -> MP3). Then you take out more stuffing (MP3 -> MD). Not much is left of the bear. Etc, etc. For now, I don't know what is "cheap" and is good. Everyone's in a flurry about Hi-MD, I haven't kept track. If you're still interested in a "older-generation" NetMD player, check out one of the recommended sellers.

Yes. 5 hours of recording time is achieved by setting the R500's recording mode to LP4. However. Your audio will sound like absolute and utter crap. As: a) You are converting to a lossy format (MP3) to another lossy format (ATRAC3). LP4 is very low quality, and should only be used for voice recording. The second one is the stressing point. Even if you went CD -> LP4, it would still sound bad. MP3 -> LP4 = worse than that.