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SonicStage does not transfer Atrac to Net-MD, it can only transfer Atrac3(+) and as the 3(+) format does not have a mono feature it has to convert it to stereo. Hence your bigger image (Sony did not write mono into the feature list for Atrac3(+)) Also, the only version of Atrac3(+) that is L&R encoded is LP2, all others are encoded using M&S. This means that the only format that will encode twice as long in mono will be the LP2 format (would give same length as LP4), all others will only reach 10-20% extra space by using mono.

AFAIK, you have to go into the menu and change the disc mode to MD. This will then allow you to format the disc again back to Net-MD mode.

Dont worry, it seems you may not be the only one Sony, in their infinite wizdom, have decided to launch the MZ-NH1 in the UK with 0 units available for upto 6 weeks after the launch I have yet to find anyone who has one they purchased from a UK shop (i.e. not imported)

For those still waiting, 1x black MZ-NH900 instock at dabs, grab it while you can

Be-Direct has rasied the price of the minidisc's MZ-NH800 = £189.99 MZ-HN900 = £189.99 MZ-NH1 = £239.99 This now makes amazon the lowest price MZ-NH1 at £224.99

the 900 is the one that uses the gumstick, the 700 & 800 still have a bulge

As for the audio quality Download sonicstage from the links you will find in this forum and try encoding some of your fave tracks in the different bitrates & then play them back. This will allow you to hear (if you use headphones rather than silly little PC speakers) the relative quality of the encoder and different bitrates

Amazon just sent me a reply to the email I sent them. I will post in its entirity

NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO!!!! Amazon has just changed the delivery tme on the NH1 Was 2 to 3 days NOW 4 to 6 weeks HOW LONG DO WE WAIT!!!!!!!!!

Ok, who thinks that the smooth good looks of the NH1 will win out if they sound the same?

I have an MZ-NH1 on pre-order in with Amazon for what seems like over a year (17th June). I really would like to see my Hi-MD before the weekend BUT dont really suppose it will happen.

dabs are reporting that they have the NH900S in stock for £202 Could this be the start of the UK high end players?

Woohoo... Amazon.co.uk has change their shipping to say "Usually dispatched within 2 to 3 days". Looks like the NH1 has started to ship Also my order has been changed to state this as well. Here is hoping I get my nice shiney new MZ-NH1 tomorrow or on Monday -EDIT- www.dabs.co.uk has the NH900 in stock NOW!!!! in silver only & there are 2 left. £201.99 inc vat (add delivery) You have to shop by brand as a search fails to reveal them.

MP3's dont have any form of DRM on them. The format was not designed to have any and to keep the MP3 extension there should not be any. WMA however can only be converted as long as it has not had DRM applied to it. This means any paid for downloaded WMA's cant be copied. If all you have are MP3's you should be ok.

Your best bet will most probably be a HDD based MP3 player (NOT the sony MZ-HD1) However if you have already invested in any part of minidisc (blanks etc) then, like me, you may consider going with Hi-MD. Hi-MD will transcode from MP3 to Atrac and allow you to play them back.

Yeah, R900. I was still asleep when I posted that. Thanks

It all depends on what you plan on doing with the player. I have gone for Hi-MD for a few reasons 1. I have no luck with HDD based players (I have broken all that I have ever had) 2. I have LOADS of 74 & 80 min MD's from previous MD units I have owned. 3. I have had an N900 for ages. It looks like it has been through a shreader, dropped and sat on (bent out of shape, I had to re-bend it back) from the marks on the outside of the case. AND IT STILL WORKS!!! I hope the NH1 lives upto the N900 in terms of usability and robustness.

I migt suggest finding a cheap online retailer and get a 900, They can be had for cheaper than you can buy the 700 / 800 on the streets (or alot cheaper than from sony store or sonystyle online)

It has an encrypted wav option as the recording setting. It will allow you to upload PCM data to the Hi-MD now. BTW there is a wav & an Encrypted wav. Only the encrypted one can be transfered.

Thats one of the reasons I amstaying with Amazon, they may not be the cheapest but I know the store as I have used before & I dont think BE have it right & you may have to fork out some more money or have the order cancelled. Good luck though & if you do get it, I will be the one out of pocket.

The downloader actually makes a temp file in your temp folder. I let the downloader download the files & at the first screen when it asks you to click next to install I copied that folder into a new one & then let it install. I now have a copy of the install software (Its big) incase I need to re-install at any point.

Well it should be ok. The release date did slip a bit but still looks to be on target. Sony has, on the UK website, said that today (30/7) is the official release date for them but stated delivery in 14 days??? hmmm. I have had a pre-order with Amazon since 14th June (god it has been that long) and the NH1 is holding up a few things as I refuse to pay for each item to be delivered seperatly.

Oh no, a retailer got caught by Sony's false adverts. Dabs is offering "3 free Hi-MD discs with each Hi-MD bought". However when you add the 600 to your basket it adds a pack of 3 Hi-MD compatable 80 minute discs. I really cant wait for this to end up in court for the trade description act.

its all to do with the voltage diferential between the 2 electrodes. In a Ni-Mh the voltage between the 2 electrodes is 1.2v, in Li-ion its 3.4v There is no easy way to make a Li-ion cell with 1.2v because that would mean changing the chemical structure & would probably make an even worse battery than a Ni-Mh is.

I had problems the first time around as the software tried to remove 2.0, then apply a botched version of 2.1 mission all the major bits. It then deleted the temp folder, restarted my PC and complained that the temp folder was empty when it re-booted. Did the same install again (click re-install when it says its already installed) and it worked fine.