Damage

1. Difference is there, but under normal circumstances, you may or may not notice it, and varies with the headphones you choose to listen to. 2. I believe the RH10 and NH900 will use the basic stick remote, but with RH10, it'll come color coordinated with the base unit. As for multiligual display, the NH900 US units can only display Latin characters on unit (due to LCD resolution limtation). The remote that comes packed with NH900 can only display Latin characters for similar reasons (though the remote itself can display certain subsection of Japanese Characters, mainly the kanas). However, this is moot, since the SonicStage 2.X/3.X does not transfer complex eastern asian languages properly depending on your OS. Keep in mind, that Sony's Digital AMP (unlike HD Digital AMP) offers no enhanced sound quality over Sony's analog amp.

I'm at a point where I'm ready to swear off motorolas for good. However, after using the Sidekick, I don't know if any other phones would satisfy me (the sidekick is DOA, screen is cracked to heck, and I'm too cheap to get the new Sidekick II). But the phone is essentially an Ericsson product, Sony got out of making cell phones awhile back, IIRC. We used to have Sony cellphone back in the day with a jog wheel. Ah, those were the days.

Last I heard, there are private servers for DC and PC versions of PSO (Ver 1 and 2), but I'm not sure about other DC on-line games. I'm sure you know, considering how porous the PSO is, that you'll need extra protection if you don't want your well crafted Lvl 100+ HUnewearl getting trashed by some jerk with a Action Replay. At anyrate, I'm boring when it comes to desktop, and currently using one of the prepack wallpapers that came with XP. :-p It's the reddish looking one if you're curious. And if you're wondering about my PSO, I'm on XBOX

You got PM, and a free bump.

Search as in within the track, or within the disc? All remotes can search within the tracks (AFAIK), as so long as you hold the FF/RW position lever. If you're talking about Search within a disc by artist, genre, etc. then the only remote capable of such, and only with a HiMD unit is RM-MC40ELK.

Currently, there are no evidence of any HiMD Head units yet. However, the 2005 XPLOD CES catalog does show that all of their MP3/CD Head units are now capable of decoding ATRAC3/plus tracks burned by SonicStage. The lone MD unit was a MDLP Headunit, I believe it was a dual unit with CD Playback, but I could've been looking at 2004 catalog. If this is any indication of things to come, (that is, the XPLOD line is lagging about ~2 generation or years), the earliest we could expect a HiMD unit for cars? Probably 2007. If the 2nd gen unit takes off, we may see it pushed up for 2006. Or it could already be in work for 2006 release... No one knows. Alternatively, you can always carry a dock with you, and use a regular DC connector unit sold by Sony or other company to draw power from your batteries. The Dock, as unwieldy as it is, does have its line-out/headphone out exposed, so this is a plausible way of drawing power from your car. Finally, since most Sony Units can be driven by the standard remote port, wouldn't it be easy to include a remote out that connects to any Sony unit, and allow control from the head unit? So, in the case of NH1, you can see the title scroll in the Head unit while it plays. Just a thought.

Re SonicStage burning rights: Any tracks you purchase from Connect.com is limited by the provider/licensor of the tracks. Generally, I've noticed that non Sony/BMG tracks have very limited rights when it comes to CD Burning for ATRAC3plus or Redbook. Warner Bros. tracks seems to be the most limited with 3 check-outs and no redbook burning. Anything that you import yourself, CDs, MP3s, have unlimited transfer rights. Or at least, my MP3s and tracks from SonicStage 2.x does. Just to sort of back up OCedHrt, you can input Japanese characters, and the information will be retained in the Properties Window of the track/album/whatever. However, in the Main SonicStage screen, the characters promptly turn into garbage... Which matters very little, since the US units do not support display of non-latin characters, even on a MC-RM40ELK paired with NH1 or NH900. Natch.

Sorry, Psychowood, the radio tuner remotes are physically incompatible with non radio units (radio remote uses ++ connector vs the traditional --, Vaio pocket uses -Y- connectors).. However, you can use non radio remotes with radio units. In otherwords, you can not use the Radio remotes with your NH600D EL denotes that remote is backlit. the K postfix denotes high-res display for asian (Japanese and Chinese)languages. Contrary to what pictures show, none of the radio remotes are backlit. Finally, the model recommended for all HiMD units are RM-MC40ELK, thanks to its extra large display and jog-wheel navigation on the remote.

No, no, no. You need the monkey guy listening to his NH1 on the bus and wagging his tails back! But this time, you need someone using the DH10P to capture the said monkey guy listening to his NH1. To make this all cool and nifty, you'll have to use some special effects, like single hue for background or something. Finally, for that nice little touch, have everyone listening to a Sony device listen with a set of white EX71s or 81s. Now that's synergy! Too obscure?

To add in my two hundreth of a dollar (whilst waiting for track to transfer): I'll second the PX100 suggestion. For sub-$50, the PX100s are mighty hard to beat in comfort or sound quality. They're with a friend on the other side of the country now, but from what I remember, the entire sound was rather agreeable (I can't quite term the sound quality now, it's been a long while). MDR-V6 (MSRP <$80). These phones, much like EX71s, have love them or leave them quality all over it. At the onset, they sound much like EX71s out of the box, big bass, harsh trebles. However, all of these issues sort itself out post burn-in, bass is reduced to managable levels and so is the harshness, and sounds much more accurate to the source recording (as many have pointed out). Though I can't vouch for such claims, and I will not, they sound remarkably clean and balanced, and frankly, I can't find, at the moment, to replace these as my preferred set of cans. The next model in line is MDR-V9 (7509), they cost about $170 more on average. MDR-CD580 ($100 MSRP) - These are interesting, in that they work remarkably well for DVD and/or Home Theater, along with Classical/Soundtrack type of tracks. Anything else however, they sound as if something is missing. The cables on the MDR-CD580 and higher can be replaced with third party cables if so desired (though a little alteration might be required). Technics RP-DJ1200 (Discontinued?) - I happened on these by chance for $40, and they are the best $40 I've spent on a set of headphones. Their sound signature reminds me a bit of V6s with stronger mid-bass... And a very flat soundstage. Oddly enough, those "virtualizer" or "spatializer" 3D gimmicks work very well with these. MSRP was supposedly $120, you might luck out and get them cheap like I did. As for EX71s, try not to get them tangled up, first and foremost. Don't tug on the cables, tug on the earbuds. The white ones seemingly have somewhat thicker cables than the black ones, and may be slighlty more durable than the ordinary EX71s. They maybe delicate, but with small attention, they should last you a good deal more than six months. Finally, fun things to try with EX71s: 1. Duct Tape up the three holes on each buds. 2. Use a small needle to make the holes larger on the paper membrane surface. 3. Use the Large Earbuds if you use Medium. Try the Medium if you use the small buds. They change the characteristics quite a bit. 4. If you've lucked into the Apple In-Ear phones (my condolescences), try to large buds with those, they make the In-Ear phones usable, but does nothing for it's claustrophobic sound. It can't be helped.

NH1 uses LiIon stick battery. It charges upto 80% in under an hour (with the unit telling you in minutes how long you have to charge) and to capacity in 4 hours max. NH1 is thinner than NH900, by about 75% in my estimation. NH1 comes with the 40ELK, which is a must, even for other HiMD units. And in a pinch, the NH1 can double as a nice pocketwatch. Note that none of the charging docks come with USB ports, if that's what you're concerned about. However, you can use the USB port with the 900, unlike the NH1 (where it's either USB cable or charging dock, but not both). Sonically, the two are fairly close to one another (I won't say identical since I've not done AB testing to verify), since both are powered by HD Digital Amp. NH900 is a very nice unit indeeed and should fit your needs well. I have both, and currently, the 900 is gathering dust.

http://ipodlounge.com/reviews_more.php?id=5545_0_6_0_M This should answer some of your questions regarding EX81s. I haven't used them myself, so I can't vouch for their accuracy however.

Hot NH1 AXXion, thumbnailed for your safety!

Next time C|Net puts up a preview for iPod, we should all go and throw in negative reviews just for fun: "Pros: It looks good Cons: Scratches easily, bad battery life, Hard Discs prone to crashing, Monochrome display, no remote support" You know, throw in some misconceptions, half-truths, and opinions construed as facts. That'll get them going. ;-) Personally, I'll withold all of my opinions until I have the sucker in my hot little hands.

I second asking about the status of 1st gen units, whether or not Firmwares are necessary, the $300 question. And the MP3 recording possible for all units, the $150 question.

The figure of 5 hours is for MD in HiMD, the 4:30 is for 1GB HiMD. I lifted that figure from jadeclaw's link given above. Huh? So, is that a typo (maybe it was 14 hours and 30 minutes) or is it really limited to 4 hours and 30 minutes?

Real time only, the battery specs shows that you can still play your good old MD discs, just not record on to them. Interestingly, the battery specs makes no mention of MP3 recording times. While I see why Kurisu thought some of the MP3 options were limited to 2nd gen units, this still doesn't answer the $300 question, whether or not the 1st Gen units are capable of playing MP3s via SonicStage 3. Or the corollary $150 question, whether or not the 710 is also capable of MP3 recording (which I suspect it will). At anyrate, again, nice to know my units are wholly and utterly obsolete.

can only record in Hi-MD mode: Meaning, if I have the specs right, Rumz, you're limited to: PCM, MP3, HiSP, HiLP, HiLP-48kbps So, if you still want HiMD and MD recording action on one unit, you're limited to 1st gen stuff.

Interesting. Any word whether or not Sony intends to do a pure HiMD Camera unit as suggested?

I guess the DH10P is the replacement unit for NH1. Bummer, in that it's following the iPod photo's lead (and m-robe's camera). One supposes it'd look like the camera mock-up from last year's CES? Personally, I'd preferred a pure HiMD Camera only unit. Very nice to know that the players are going to be very cheap, matching the iShuffle's price for the 710 model. I think I'll get that to supplement my NH1/900 combo (or sell one off for RH10?). And as for the color coordinated earbuds with NE430PSYC, they are strictly white with neon green walkman logo (with neon green earfoams to match)... Hmm, I wonder where they got that idea from?

I'd say try a can of compressed air. If that doesn't work, you can try cleaning it like a CD (wiping out). Barring that, you got a bum, dirty disc.

SonicStage 2.0 supports WMP10 generated "smart" playlist, as so long as you remember to export it as a M3U file. You then import that M3U file, and let SonicStage transcode and upload. But it still ends at supporting, not fully native transfers, yet.

For recording, the times given in manual for NH900 (AA and Gumstick) and NH1 is close to one another: All figures are lifted off of the Manual. NH900 assumes the 900mW gumstick and AA Alkaline pack, NH1 assumes a full charge (3 or 4 hours rather than the standard 80% top off). All recording times are continuous. Recording on 1GB. PCM HISP HILP NH-1 6 8.5 9.5 NH900 6 8.5 10 [/code] Recording on Normal MD in HiMD mode [code] PCM HISP HILP NH-1 5 8 9 NH900 8 12 14 Recording on normal MD SP LP LP4 NH-1 8 10 10.5 NH900 12.5 15 17 [/code] As you can see, if you use 1GB blanks, you get no power advantages when recording. However, with normal MDs, you see extra benefits of the AA Pack. However, given the limited space on a MD formatted for HiMD (300MB), the power gained seems somewhat... questionable. But having AA pack ensures that you'll have enough juice to record...

As it says, no native MP3 (still supports it, but plays ATRAC files only). MZN430Ds (PSYC model) are now available on a limited basis, it seems. Nothings changed from other MZN4XXD models otherwise, no remote port, no AC port, just a USB port. Couple of notes: 1. Packaging has been revamped, it's rectangluar box (cheaper units uses cardboard cutout in shape of box), with unit positioned diagonally. Green box, with the unit not changed much from the past, except it has fugly dots running all over it. 2. Disc Size is now stated rather than playing time. That is, it says it uses 170MB vs. 80 minutes. Box now states it plays ATRAC, supports MP3/WMA/WAV (and may be one more, IIRC, I'll have to double check). 3. D'oh! I forgot to check for the SonicStage version. D'OH! For those of you in So Cal, it's the Target on Whitter Blvd before Montebello Blvd. They had two units.

The best recording unit (powerwise) seems to be tied between NH900 and NH1. NH1, in particular, can achieve the same recording time as NH900 with its default 900mW gumstick and one alkaline AA (somewhere around 6 to 10 hours in HiSP, this from my memory). If stealth recording is priority, then definately go with NH1, less bulk involved. Units will also not do any sort of writing operation (erasing tracks, moving tracks, recording) if the battery gauge shows 50% of power or less, and will say not enough power.