jadeclaw

SP/DIF means SonyPhilips/DigitalInterFace. It denotes the protocol and the data-format. All consumer-equipment with this connector can talk to each other. However, the naming varies a lot: Inputs: SPDIF In == Optical In == Digital In Outputs: SPDIF Out == Optical Out == Digital Out The standard connector is the well known TosLink connector, that black rectangular thingy. If it is an output, it has a red light in it. Portable equipment usually has a 3.5mm plug instead, often combined with Line-In, which isn't a problem, as optical cables have plastic plugs. Suitable cables are available at your local HiFi-Shop. Note: Digital out is inactive on a computer, if the required soundcard-driver isn't installed.

Hmm, LP4? Then start with the JE640 or the JB940 or younger. JE530 and JB930 cannot play LP4. I suggest, you look here and then buy accordingly: http://www.minidisc.org/deck_table.html Look for MDLP. Unless your soundcard doesn't have digital in, the deck should have digital out as well, as that improves the soundquality. Oh, and a home deck makes editing much easier as well.

Then consider yourself lucky...

Not necessary, dropping HDD-based players always result in a fatality. If it survives the first impact, it will fail later. Why? Read on: http://www.seagate.com/support/tutorials/h...rview_page.html And Seagate should know... By the way, I once managed to drop a harddisk onto a carpeted floor. After that, it was quite noisy and failed completely a very short time later.

Thanks in advance.

Then check the manuals - None comes with a disc.

Hmm, your "no disk included" made me wonder first, if a local dealer strips the packages. But Sony themselves are taking them out. Checked Sony's site using Altavistas Babelfish. Btw, in Germany, the NH600 comes without disk and battery too - so this is standard. When you have it, please report about the results. Especially about uploading and exporting, since the manuals aren't specific about that. Oh, and where can we listen in?

Well, the sounddata is directly accessible, that makes breaking any protection much easier. What is wondering me is the fact, that the support and spokespeople at Sony always give out conflicting information, while the manuals are ambiguous about the software side. However, the manual for the NH900 states that transferring PCM-Recordings can take a long time due to the limitations in the MD-System. (Page 121) That tells me, that PCM can be uploaded... If you want an advice, personally, I would take the NH900. Reason: The edit mode, especially the rehearsal mode when dividing tracks, like it's done on home decks. That allows to edit out unwanted parts very precisely. Much easier and quicker than with a wave editor on a pc. The manuals are available onsite. http://www.minidisc.org/manuals/sony/Sony_...tion_manual.pdf http://www.minidisc.org/manuals/sony/Sony_...tion_manual.pdf http://www.minidisc.org/manuals/sony/Sony_...tion_manual.pdf http://minidisc.org/manuals/sony/Sony_MZ-N...tion_manual.pdf http://minidisc.org/manuals/sony/MZNH600D.pdf (covers only the US-Version.)

Same here for Germany, except for some classic radio, PC-based playout systems are the norm. Optimod is the norm as well

Good idea Ice. *drops skytherx into the ignorelist*

The problem with your typing style is: First, it is hard to read. Incomplete sentences breaking the reading flow, replacing words with numbers or single letters making it worse. Second, your writing is convoluted. The reader always has to sort out your writing in his mind, hoping that rearranging the sentences and words will make sense. Remember, when you are writing here, you are not writing for one of your local peers, this is read worldwide and someone who is less proficient in the english language should understand it as well. Don't see my posting as a personal attack, just consider it as an advice.

Hmm, is that MP3 file a clean 192kBit file or is it VBR(variable bitrate)-encoded? The problem here is SonicStage, which has problems decoding certain more exotic MP3-extensions. I suggest to convert to .WAV first and then importing that into SonicStage. Since MDs are cheap, you have to do it only once anyway. Btw. I don't like Björk - But that's a completely different matter anyway...

A word or two about the radio of the NHF800: First, the frequency range covers the same range here in Europe, so FM is fine. Sound quality might be impaired, as Europe uses a 100kHz channel grid, while in the US, the channels are 300kHz apart and the filter is selected for that. AM-range is bigger than here in Europe and the 9kHz steps is there as well, so that works too. So that leaves us with the Weather/TV range of the US-Model. It allows to listen to private and police communications and that is prohibited in several european states. So check local laws before importing the US version. The canadian version is less problematic, as the Weather/TV range isn't there.

And exactly that is the problem. CDs directly ripped to Atrac 256k outperform any MP3 of the same datarate, giving the HD1 the potential to be one of the best sounding HDD-players. The discussion of MP3 playback always remind me of those, who complain that their old roof rack they had for their 1960's VW-beetle doesn't fit on their new Chevrolet...

I think we have the first confirmation for the Mac: http://forums.minidisc.org/viewtopic.php?p=24593#24593

Well, that confirms my suspicion. If it confirms to the standard, it will be useable on any OS, that supports the standard. It would be great, if Sony gets a grip here and supplies the necessary drivers/plugins to use the sound functions as well.

Andy, you're on the right track here, the windowing layer has to be heated by the laser to achieve the magnification effect. And that costs energy. But that doesn't explain the shorter running time in NetMD-Mode, as with old discs, this heating isn't necessary. I expect, that the second or third generation of Hi-MD players will have a considerably higher running time. Btw, Sony never had the most enduring players out there, other brands outperformed Sony players regularly in the battery life department. On the other paw, compared to my R37, the numbers are indeed very good. @Fast Eddie: Get used to it, Skytherx is the provocative one here.

Had been answered previously, so I'll make it short. According to Sony, Hi-MD units appear as USB mass storage device. WinXP, Win2k and WinME work driverless, Win98/98SE need a Driver, which is included. Sony sez, no Mac or Linux, but since these can handle USB-mass storage, it might work anyway. Music is a different case, Sonicstage is Windoze only.

Well, since this has been answered before, I'll keep this short. From what I have seen from various OpenSource projects, it looks like that NetMD recorders don't have the hardware provision to transfer the sounddata back to the PC. Solution: 1.) Get a home deck with Digital out and if not present, a soundcard with digital in. Then record realtime onto the PC. 2.) Get a Hi-MD recorder. Anything recorded with that one can be uploaded via USB.

I strongly suggest to use the optical link. It will improve the soundquality further as the complete D/A-A/D conversion cycle is removed. Btw, most CD-Players send the trackmarks with the sounddata, so that these are placed perfectly...

Den, I suggest that you watch this forum. If the recorders hit the shelves, you will read it here first. Btw, the the retailers relied on Sony - however, Sony screwed it up...

Hmm, now that got me thinking... Methinks, that the encoder in Sonicstage is inferior compared to the Hardware encoder in a deck. It seems, that I have to repeat the comparison I've done before when I get my Hi-MD unit... And thanks for the soundcard-tip, it's the cheapest Envy24-card I've seen so far. Btw, VIA claims true bit playback via Digital out for this chip...

According to Sony's press release, it is ATRAC only. WMA/MP3 via Sonicstage. See Translation.(Link in my post above). I hope, the Hi-MD department takes this as an example designwise...

Advice: Dropping delicate electronics is never recommended.