jadeclaw

I would try the cleaning first, it sounds like the narrower track pitch of 80 min. discs just pushes the whole thing over the limit. If that doesn't help, then maybe the focus alignment might have to be corrected. But that should only be attempted by a trained technician.

Hi-MD units cannot natively play MP3-files. SonicStage converts to Atrac before transferring.

I think, the 7 to 9 bucks per disc are simply because of the low yield. When the production process runs more smoothly, the price will definitely go down. Just give Sony the time to iron out the problems.

Checked the manual and it doesn't even mentions charging. However, the unit is basically identical to the NH700 and for that one, charging starts definitely, when you press Stop after you plugged the power supply in.

Dial-up is 53kBit maximum, that makes 6.6kByte per second. One hour of Linear-PCM is 650MByte = 665600kByte. Now we divide that by 6.6kByte, that gives us 100849 seconds. We divide that by 3600. That gives us 28 hours download-time for one hour of linear-PCM. So, the only way to go is to used compressed audio. The best way would be to use OGG-Vorbis and encode the files with 64kBit datarate. You will get a quality, that is a bit below FM-Radio but well above WindowsMedia and useable download-times - 1.2 hours for one hour of audio. The OGG-Encoder can be downloaded here: http://www.vorbis.com/download_win_1.0.1.psp For playback use Winamp2 / 3 or 5.

Well, the radioshack converter will do the job as well. The difference: plastic versus metal case...

You can copy all kinds of file from and to Hi-MD using Explorer on windows or the Finder on MacOS or Konqueror on Linux and of course use Hi-MD to transfer data between all of these systems. To play music ON the Hi-MD unit, you have to use the supplied software (SonicStage) for that. The DRM-stuff has only to do with music transferred to and from MD with SonicStage. The files copied in data mode are completely unaffected by this.

Hmm, Turntable with digital out... Interesting... Anyway, try this one: http://store.yahoo.com/minidisco-store/co2.html It solves your problem. Converts optical to coax and to optical. Direction is selectable and you find the suitable optical cables and miniplug adaptors there as well. And don't forget to mention Minidisc.org...

The R90 possibly has a dirty lens. Had the same problem with a S38. After carefully cleaning the lens, it recorded fine again. Also check the recording head for accumulated dust and clean that carefully too. The head is in the lid, exactly above the lens. On a sidenote, the recordings made with the dirty S38 skpped on all homedecks but my old banged up R37 played them fine...

Ouchies... That hurts.

Definitely. The problem: The inner volume of a car's passenger cabin is not big enough to allow frequencies below 40-50 Hz to be radiated properly. It is a physical problem, that can only be circumvented by making the car bigger. Try a stretch limo... However, some people think, they can overcome that problem with power. Result: Number plate rattling and angry neighbors. And of course, the whole thing sounds like crap. but that doesn't matter, as these 'car audio enthusiasts' are usually avid techno or hip-hop fans - crap sound for crap music...

Throwing a cd-drive against the wall is not recommended. First, it leaves ugly dents, second, cleaning the drive-closed switch inside the drive would have fixed the problem. It takes usually 5 to 15 minutes to fix it. Oh, and often it is enough to pull out and plug the power connector back into the drive.

1.) It is. On playback, nothing is written to the disc and the disc can be write-protected durting playback. 2.) It can be repeated multiple times on multiple PCs. There is no copyprotection on the resulting files as the usual wave recording programs produce standard Wave files. 3.) It is 1:1. 4.) No. The uploaded music ends up in SonicStage and cannot be written onto an Audio-CD. 5.) Between 3x for Linear-PCM to 7-8x for Hi-SP to 16x for Hi-LP. 6.) It depends a bit, when it happens. Most likely the track on the MD is trashed and no longer playable, not even standalone. In addition, there is NO data on the PC from that failed upload.

Something is wrong with the recording head. Either the head itself is missing or bend up or the cable connecting the head to the electronics is broken. Methinks, it needs service.

@koninc: USB is 5Volts. But that doesn't really matter, as modern voltage converters can make anything out of that as long as the whole kaboodle doesn't draw more than 500 mAmps... But as I said earlier, Sony is just another word for 'not thinking' Regarding 'not thinking': Sony just bought the MGM studios for 5 billion US$. No, not because of the studios, main goal were the old movies, that noone wants to see anymore...

Yes, it should. Seems, every type has a different way of resetting...

If wave is shown among the recording controls, yes. And yes, you have to select the recording controls first.

Europe around x-mas shopping season ~ November-December.(tentative). USA: On sale in homeopathic doses, you need a good nose to find them... ----------------------------------------------------------------- Old memories come up, in the sixties when colour tv started here, electronic stores actually tried to sell 'colour tv antennas' - despite the fact, that the old one was good enough...

Ouch! That would be the third time in my life, I've seen software damaging hardware... I hope the best.

Take out the battery and wait 30 seconds, then put the battery back in. And of course, restart the PC before reconnecting the recorder. If SonicStage keeps on crashing on your PC, remove it completely and install the 2.1 instead: http://www.connect.com/download.html However, if you want to use the hopelessly overpriced online musicstore, you're stuck with SonicStage 2.0

It wasn't meant for the NH1. It was pointed at bongomaniac, who hasn't decided yet, when he takes the NH900. For that, there is another one: http://www.zbattery.com/zbattery/gppb12us140-c2.html The Battery: http://www.zbattery.com/zbattery/gp14m-oc2.html The NH1 battery is different and has to be charged internally. Btw, none of the Hi-MD units can be charged via USB.

Well, two possible reasons: 1) Other USB devices are getting in the way here, Jenoptik card drive and camera software and PDA synchronizer software had been reported in creating problems. Unplugging any other USB-devices and then trying again seems to be the best thing + terminating any software providing automatic synchronizing functions. 2) It's a DELL. And you're in DELL-Hell. For anybody else interested in buying a new PC: Avoid DELL, Compaq, HP and Gateway like the plague. Shop-assembled with standardized components is the way to go.

1): Well, you will use SonicStage for that. 2): Checkout limit is now set to unlimited since SS2.0, so you can download as often as you want. 3): If you take a NetMD unit, it is LP2 & LP4. For SP, you have to record off the Soundcard. If the soundcard is a good one with optical digital out, recording real time to SP gives the highest quality. If you take a Hi-MD unit, things change a bit. In addition to LP2 & LP4, you can also use Hi-SP and Hi-LP. Hi-SP is as good as the old SP, Hi-LP is a bit better than LP4. I strongly suggest to get a Hi-MD unit, as it gives you 140 minutes in SP-quality on a 80 minute disc, plus being able to use the new 1GB discs. (7h 55min in Hi-SP) My recommendation: All Hi-MD recorders except the NH600. Second recommendation: Use SonicStage 2.1 : http://www.connect.com/download.html (unless you are living in Europe and are keen to use the online musicstore)

Latexxx you are right and wrong at the same time. Why? It depends on the soundcard. If the Wave-channel is available for recording, then the recording is fully digital, as the data is taken before it reaches the actual hardware. If only LineIn or Stereomix is offered, then there might be a problem: LineIn without Loop-back cable: it might be analog, atleast expect resampling artefacts, LineIn with loop-back cable: definitely analog.

Well, if it can record on double layer DVD-R recordables, then you will get 2 hours. Only problem: There will be no double layer rewritables. But don't expect it being able to copy rentals digitally. The only thing, that would work is an analog copy via a Macrovision decoder.