jay_zhead

No, the new format will not be playable by old equipment.

According to current rumors, Hi-MD will launch either on May 2nd or May 4th. If that is true, then you'd be able to get them in about a week or two. Latest estimate I've ever heard for a US release was mid-May, but it was from a retailer and I don't trust them. I don't know where you heard "end of may". In the media there were reports that the official launch will be on May 4th, so I think that is the most likely date.

I think you'll be able to burn files you RECORDED, not downloaded. That's just fine and dandy with me, as that is what I need

Sony said that they will include a CD burner and maybe a WAV exporter. Any of these two ways will allow you to convert the uploaded files into any other format you wish.

"Recording Lectures..." Um.. I'd say that's a no brainer. I was yet to see an ipod with a mic preamp built in...

Hey, aren't you guys forgetting one thing? The NH3D is a DOWNLOADER. It doesn't have a record function. It can only recieve files from the PC. Thus, it's useless to me (as half the reason for my MD is to record gigs), any for many other people as well, I'm sure. So it is NOT an NH-1 that costs less, it actually is a lesser unit.

I don't think it was a "deliberate design decision", but rather just a cost-related decision. From the first RF's and NF's, the MD unit itself was not changed from the same model without a radio. The radio was instead added to the remote, and as the unit cannot accept feedback audio from the remote, you cannot record radio programs. If they were to make radio recording functionality, they'd have to design a new unit altogether that has radio embedded in the unit itself; or change the design of the remote control plug (and keep in mind that that same plug is used in dozens of different products besides the MD). I guess there is just not enough demand for that kind of thing for them to take such drastic measures.

Actually, the Hi-MD-Linux marriage may come in the near future, as Sony is reportedly gonna be shipping Linux-based machines to Asian markets (at least that's what I've heard). It's quite possible they'll just release a Linux version of SonicStage. I use windows, so it is of no use to me, but I have a few friends who use Linux and they've asked me about compatibility when I told them about the Hi-MD. I think that if Sony would release Linux-based Vaio machines, it's only logical to add Linux support for their own software products. As for cracking ATRAC... If SONY add a WAV export feature to SonicStage it will probably never get done, as there would be no real need for the crack. If the software (which is more or less freely available) can easily encode/decode the format, then people will just be content using the SonicStage software. It can already encode, now the only gripe is converting uploaded recorded tracks to WAV without burning them to a CD first. If they don't add that functionality, then it'll probably happen pretty soon. People will not be content in going this roundabout way: burning the recorded tracks to a CD and then ripping them back into the computer... However, if no-one will be able to crack it, we'll be forced to do this extra step... but whatever. I'm still gonna get the unit Also, one important thing to consider, is that Sony now owns and operates SonicFoundry, who makes the leading professional audio editing tool for windows - SoundForge. SoundForge 7 had already been released AS A SONY PRODUCT. If ATRAC decoding functionality is not added to SonicStage, I'm willing to bet that version 8 of Sony SoundForge will have an ATRAC encoder/decoder built in. The only minor "hitch" is that it's a $450 piece of software But for me this will be very useful, as I work in audio production and the place I work at owns a copy of SoundForge. They will also upgrade it when a new version is available, so I'm hoping that my new Hi-MD will benefit from the new SoundForge

1. It'll be fine. I suspect it will be about the same quality as your MP3's. The only way to know is to try it. 2. When you press the group button, a single group name is displayed. Then you can change the group with the forward-backward slider. When you press play (enter) it will start playing the selected group/album. 3. I don't think so. The unit is the parallel of the R70, the R700 and the N700 series, all of which do not have a backlight on the unit's display. The backlight is only on the remote. If you must have it on the unit, go for the NH900. 4. Neither. You plug the AC adapter into the unit and then press the Stop/Cancel/Charge button. The unit will charge the battery to it's fullest capacity, and then turn off automatically. 5. If your question is about copying music TO the device, then YES! There are NO copyright restrictions onto the source of the MP3s. Any MP3's will do (any WAV files or CD's too). The copyright management comes into play when copying tracks FROM the MD back to the PC: you cannot upload files from the MD that you had downloaded to it from a different computer (say, at your friend's house, for example). You CAN however upload music that you had manually recorded to the MD (via the line in, Microphone or Optical inputs). Also, you can copy MP3 files from any computer to the Hi-MD as data, and then upload them anywhere, but the MD will not play them as such. But as for your music library - don't worry. The software will convert any MP3 sound file to ATRAC and download it to the MD. 6. The remote of the NH900 has exactly the same functions of the NHF800 minus the radio. The NHF800's remote is bigger only because of the tuner. 7. I'd probably say New-York. In any other country it will be more expensive, besides Japan. But in Japan you get Japanese-only software and Japanese-only manuals. Plus, it will only be released there in June. In the US it should become available within the next month, and it will be cheapest.

I don't know, maybe I am biased, but I figure that Hi-MD is exactly what you need. I have the exact same needs as you (only I record my band). I never use an MP3 unit to record, I only use MD. It provides great quality recording with a stereo mic that fits it. And no, you don't lose a lot of quality on the analog transfer, you hardly lose any quality. Although I do not see how this is relevant, as the Hi-MD will provide you with a digital upload feature. I am not familiar with the unit you mentioned (iRiver), so I'm not claiming to be an authority. But in my experience, Hand Disk recorders have proved unreliable. You drop that thing once - and your whole library of recordings is gone. The MD is sturdy and reliable; my unit absorbed a ridiculous amount of abuse over the years and is still working perfectly. Plus, you'll have your recordings on a reliable storage medium - the MiniDisc is much more reliable than a regular optical disc (a CD or a DVD). A single STANDARD disc formatted with the Hi-MD format will provide you with enough time to record several shows, and it costs about 2$.

I guess for whoever lives abroad it is somewhat of a risk to import from the US. However, it is a risk that could be considered. I've bought 3 MD units in the past. In the US the warranty is for 9 months only, but an extended 2 year warranty can be bought. The problem is it costs about half the price of the unit. Being afraid that my unit might break, I've shelled out and bought the extended warranty for the first two times. Both times it was useless to me, money thrown out to the wind. Those things just don't break. My first unit, which was bought in 1998, is still working well. My second unit, the R70, is also in great shape - even though it took SO MUCH abuse I can't even begin to tell you. It was dropped numerous times, it was stepped on, it had coffee spilled on it... and it keeps on ticking. Both units were intensively used: I carry an MD with me everywhere I go, pretty much every day. When I got my second unit, I gave my first unit to my little brother, who still uses it. When I got around to buying a NetMD (the N707), I decided: the hell with it. I'm not getting the extended warranty this time. Although my N707 is not that old yet, I can account for it not having any problems either, even though it too was dropped a couple of times already... So yeah, of course you're taking a risk when you're wavering the warranty. But in my experience that risk is minimal, as SONY products in general (and MD's in particular) have a reputation of being sturdy and reliable. So in your place I would consider the option of importing from the US. However, there are other people with different experiences. I've had a friend who's MZ-R90 broke once, so it must not be 100% foul proof (but what technology is?).

I don't know. It seems to me that the NH900 has a wonderful jog dial, bigger than most home decks I've worked with, plus the optical out (for me) is no longer needed taking into account the fact that the new units stream the sound via USB in real time (there is your digital out), as well as the upload capabilities. As for the sound quality... I've worked with MD decks and haven't noticed any difference in sound output quality compared with portables. There is no question however that a deck is much more convenient to use in a static environment (such as a studio or your home). I was merely stating that there is no use for it TO ME, people who use the technology more at home than on the move should definitely get a deck.

I think that SONY will probably wait to see how well this new format catches on, and then decide on the variety of models and the prices for Hi-MD decks. I'm sure that eventually Hi-MD decks will follow. If the format becomes widely successful, then there would be many models and they would not be expensive. If not, then... :smile: As for me, I do not have a need for a deck. The MD's portability is it's #1 factor for me. If already I'm gonna carry large equipment for a recording, I'd prefer to carry a Laptop equipped with a 24bit/96khz sound recording system, it would be about the same size and weight as an MD deck. And the MD portables have 99.9% of the features found it decks, so...

The specs say that the NH900 will have the HD Digital Amp, but even before I knew that I settled for it, I just like it more than the NH1, mostly because of the dry cell pouch that I really need. I do a lot of important recordings with the MD as well as listening to it all the time, so I can't be caught in a situation where I'm unable to record something as my battery ran low. I'm used to the fact that I can go to any corner store and get "AA" batteries to power my MD in case of a need for it. Also, the 900 is just more appealing to me. I did not like the swapping of the displays on the NH1 (because, if fact, what Sony did was just swap the displays - the narrow display, which is traditionally on the remote, was put on the MD while the 3-line display was put onto the remote). I don't like neither the fact that the display on the unit is so tiny, nor the fact that the remote got so fat. So, it seems that it does have a Hi-Def digital amp, but it is unknown if it's the same one as the NH1 has. Currently, judging by second-hand information and the specs, I think that the NH900 is the better unit (at least for me). And, co-incidentally, it's also cheaper

Wow! Really? If it does ship, I'm ordering a NH900 that same instant you post it did! *fingers crossed*

DataVision lists the NH900 and the NH-1 as "In Stock"! What is that all about? http://datavis.com/webapp/commerce/command...12&prmenbr=2000