RichM

No, it hasn't been abandoned, I got Simpleburner 2 with my Hi-MD unit. You can find a download here. Administrator edit: Don't hotlink t-board, when the link just comes back to this forum [in this case, simple burner 2]. I have altered your post accordingly.

Some 'feature' requests here... * Provide more information for advanced users. Such as a change log with each build, 'cause we're not all dummies you know. Seriously it would be nice to know what Sony have changed between versions and builds of SonicStage and it's components. * Increased application robustness. It really doesn't take a lot to break SonicStage. So ideally I would want it to handle errors gracefully, by keeping the application running and presenting an error message (see below) rather than starting then closing with nothing indicate what has gone wrong. This would probably increase the memory foot-print. * Meaningful error messages, or even better, provide a list of the error codes and a detailed explanation for each. * The ability to set the process priority within SonicStage, so it doesn't hog the processor if you don't want it to whilst it's encoding. * A superficial one... how about some clear-type font smoothing, afterall this is not 1996. * Sorry to reiterate but... Mac support. Need I say more.

I've lost a few sets of earphones that way, but never a remote.. but there's still time!

True, however this seems to be the PC version rather than a HDD reliant PS2 version. I did find a pre-order for a PS2 XI but the price is too low to include any bundled hardware with it. However the games HDD is nowhere to be found in Europe, at least in the 'land of fish and chips' here. Edit: Please do prove me wrong... In actuality I have a PS2 HDD, it was part of my PS2 linux kit, but you need a utility disk in order to format it so it's compatible with games. But hey it's no big loss very few European games, if any at all, would have the code to acknowledge the existence of the HDD in the first place. *sigh*. Edit 2: Looks like I extinguished another thread...

I really don't like the design of this new PS2. Not only from a aesthetic point of view, but the fact it doesn't allow for the tardy HDD. So you can't run the linux kit on it or the games that require the HDD. Although having said that, we'll never get the games HDD in Europe, so the latter is a non-point for us Europeans. I don't think it'll run hotter, SCEI have been working to reduce the size of the chips (by reducing the process size) for years. I also believe the Emotion Engine and Graphics Synthesizer have been combined into one chip. These efforts reduce the heat produced, therefore reduced the cooling required, but also makes the chips cheaper to produce. My late version 9 PS2 runs cooler and quieter than my venerable version 1 and my US version 7.

I cannot comment on the NHF800, but my 'euro-crippled' N10's surround modes were truly appalling. I tried to get on with them, but the novelty wore off very quickly. I often likened them to listening to the music down a tunnel. Having said that, the surround sounded a little better with SP then with LP2, no doubt due to the lower compression of the former. The NH1's surround modes sound better, less metallic, but I still don't use them. The only time the surround modes get listened to is when I cycle from Sound Off to EQ sound modes.

I beg to differ Mr. Admin. SonicStage 2.x allows unlimited check-outs rather than 3 as in the case of SonicStage 1.5 and it's predecessors. With Simple Burner there's no check-in/out.

If you want frills like a backlit 1-line or 3-line remote, you have to buy the top of the line model. Omitting some features keeps the price of the low end models down, and also adds an incentive for buying the high-end models. The only Sony MD portable with a back-lit main display was the MZ-S1 'sports' portable. I could wrong here though, but generally not even the high-end models have a back-lit main display. Another thing is, a wise consumer always researches prospective purchases so as to limit unpleasant surprises. Woah, overkill. Why didn't you get an NH1 in the first place? Getting remotes aftermarket is incredibly pricey. Wouldn't a MC33EL or MC35ELK from Audiocubes do instead. These are the models that this remote is supplied with (usually). As for compatibility amongst MD units and remotes, my MC40ELK works fine on my hopeless N10, which is the previous generation Sony high-end model. It'll almost certainly work to some degree on yours it's just a question of how much. Don't bother asking Sony Centre staff anything, they're just there to hover round custumers and try and flog stuff to them at rediculous prices. Hmmm well, I thinks it's best if you get a MC33EL or a MC35ELK, to minimize your risk, plus these I find are superior ergonomically to the otherwise superior MC40EL(K). But this is my personal opinion.

This is true, firmware updates for their optical drives are often 'iffy', but it is a different division though. However I really don't think that Sony's current portables would allow for users upgrading the firmware (although there may be an outside chance that the current Hi-MD crop may do). Just imagine if Sony did release firmware upgrades for their portables, forums like this will fill up with people who have screwed up their firmware upgrade by unplugging their portable at the wrong time or using hacked firmware.

Can you explicitly tell me which unit and which remote do you have? I'm starting to think my seemingly well founded assumptions are wrong.

Sorry, okay I'll clarify. To get the menu on the remote (RM-MC33EL, RM-MC35ELK) you hold down the "Display" rather than pressing it. If it's worked you'll get "Edit" flashing on the remote. You can twist the volume control to change the menu item, wrong! - pushing the jog lever at the bottom of the remote changes the menu item. "MainPMode" is the one after "Edit". I must assume you've got a MC33EL, even though you havn't explictly said so. If you're using it on a Hi-MD unit the NH900 manual will give the best idea how to use it since NH900 has a similar remote (I think the difference is that it displays different/additional symbols in the right-hand of the display), and most functions on the remote are defined by the unit you're using it on. Opeating manuals are here by the way.

The MC33EL does allow you to do this, it's buried in the main menu after "Edit",it's called "MainPMode". You choose the mode then press the group "+" and "-" to locate the particular artist or whatever. This is similar to the remote that comes with the NH900 (MC38EL I think), judging by it's manual. MC33EL - No, but nor does my MC40ELK, unless it's a 'doubled-up' button.

There's a primitive image of it in the manual here. I've never seen a photo though, but as Kurisu said, they all look the same. Why do you want to see it?

I too am very sorry that your R900 has passed on, Cori. I must admit I'm quite fond of my R900 also, even though I have had newer more capable units. It has outlived my N10 for one thing.

Indeed it does come down to personal requirements, for people who want a less 'PC-centric' personal audio device there are not alot of options out there.

I do this all the time, I prefer recording using the hardware codec (Atrac Type-R), but titling with a portable unit is arduous to the say the least. So I titled in SonicStage, in fact this only thing I used SonicStage 1.5 for.

I think if you change the SS storage folder that should work. It still retains paths to previous music files even after you change this folder location.

Okay then... Well yes, and no. MD units only can read the various flavours of Atrac, Sony's proprietary codecs. Therefore and MP3 has to be converted to a readable format before it can be transfered to a NetMD unit (Atrac3) or a Hi-MD unit (Atrac3, Atrac3plus). To convert from one lossy format to another, will usually result in a loss of sound quality. Furthermore you have to use the Sony supplied software which has problems reading some MP3s and it also does not allow true drop and drag. Well, yes, and no. An Hi-MD unit and can be set to behave just like a NetMD, so no. But I think it's likely that Sony will switch to a totally Hi-MD range, so it's likely NetMD will be rendered obsolete that way, so yes. If you have hundreds of MP3s, a digital audio player that directly plays MP3s would be a more suitable choice than a MD, NetMD, or Hi-MD unit. Don't get me wrong, I've been a proponent of the MD format for years, but I think it's the wrong choice for people who mainly use MP3s.

I'm pretty sure that the RM-MC33EL will work on a NH700, it works perfectly on my NH1, so theoretically it should work as well with the NH700. There are (broadly speaking) usually two versions of the most sophisticated remotes (i.e for high end Sony MD models), the Japanese version, which displays Kanji and Roman text, and the rest of the world version, which displays Roman text only. A "K" on the end of the model number signifies that it can display kanji (e.g RM-MC40ELK). However the Japanese equivalent of the remote you mentioned, the MC35ELK, has higher resolution LCD display than the MC33EL. Addendum: As for what would happen if you try to display kanji on a roman only remote, I am not sure.

Yes there is a superior battery you can get for the NH900, the NH-14WM. Bluetin.com and AudioCubes.com sell this battery. If you bought this battery you should see a dramatic improvement in battery life. Take a look at this thread.

This is common amongst a lot of digital cameras (free batteries and no AC adaptor) not just Sonys.

This is perhaps because Quick Mode is on, this on by default. Quick Mode sustains audio data in what can be described as the playback buffer when the unit is not operating, the effect is that the disk starts playing straight away when you press play, even if you leave for hours. If you turn Quick Mode off playback will take longer to happen since no audio data has been buffered, and it takes a bit of time to refill the buffer before continuing playback from that buffer. However since the buffer has not been sustained while the player / recorder has not been operating you shouldn't have the high degree of battery drain. Quick Mode is a convenience thing it allow almost instantaneous playback at the cost of battery life, I find it doesn't make that much impact on my NH1 personally. Should be page 77 of the NH900 manual, the option is in Option - QuickMode on your unit.

Yeah, I hear you. But there is a tendancy amongst some to buy a product they have not properly researched, then gripe about it because it doesn't live up to their expectations. I've said to much, I'll shut up now.

There are a number components that come with SonicStage. In addition to program itself, when you run the SonicStage setup it installs the NetMD driver, a SonicStage 'add-on', some patches and the OpenMG secure module. This module AFAIK is the one responsible encrypting and decrypting the communication between the NetMD (or Hi-MD) recorder and the PC. Without this your PC cannot communicate with your NetMD device and vice versa. The first thing to check is to see if the OpenMG secure module is indeed installed (it'll be in Add/Remove Programs). If it's not install it seperately if you can, the latest version of OpenMGSM is version 4 which is included with SonicStage 2.1 (3 came with 2.0). But I think it is else it should install when you run those installers. I don't own a Sharp NetMD recorder, but is this 'Beatjam' the Sharp equivalent to SonicStage or Simple Burner? For now I'll assume it is. All of these programs, if they communicate with the NetMD recorder, depend on the OpenMG secure module and what I think's going on is a version conflict or there's something screwed-up in your Windows registry relating to that module. What I suggest is to uninstall Beatjam, SonicStage, Simple Burner and RealPlayer and all the associated modules. I personally am not familiar with Beatjam or RealPlayer so I don't know what installs with them, but Simple Burner only installs itself. There are guidelines on uninstalling SonicStage here. The general idea is to start from scratch here. It's probably best to stick to one program here so install your favourite (i.e Beatjam OR SonicStage), making sure the OpenMG secure module has installed after the install procedure is complete. If this doesn't help, and if I was in the same situation I resort to more drastic measures, but I hesitate to mention them. I really hope this helps, I know these problems can be infuriating.

You don't have to buy a Sony personal audio player, there are plenty of other good players from other manufacturers with less restrictions. But that's the thing about consumer choice. If you plump for a particular format / player you should accept it 'warts and all', but only doing so after thoroughly researching it.