mrsoul

I have 3 after-market gumstick NiMh batteries that have charged without any problems in my NH900, in fact I have had this recorder since late Sept and I haven't even charged the battery that came with the unit if that answers your question. See Kurisu's posts about batteries and shop around. I found some 1200 mAh gumsticks on clearance for $5 at Best Buy this weekend next to the MD players. Marketed by Energizer and states compatible with Sony MDs on the package... The other ones I have are 1400 mAh and have given me at least 4 hours or more of PCM recording on Hi-MD. http://forums.minidisc.org/viewtopic.php?t...light=batteries

Anybody get the new Sony MD-CASE4 Minidisc Walkman Armband Carry Case? I was wondering if this one has a "taller" compartment than the older NetMD version. I have the old version but my NH900 with the AA drycell won't fit the pocket. It looks taller but I haven't been able to find any specs on the new version other than the damn color . Thanks for any help.

I think the ability to add a dry cell AA to the NH900 is a HUGE feature plus for recording live material and the NiMh gumstick works really good too (once you get a decent after market one that is . :grin: )

If you hold down the scroll on the remote, it should take you into the menu. Look for Options then Backlight and pick your setting. That's how it works on my NH900.

You might want to upgrade to the NH1 remote if you want a backlight during the darker recording sessions. I have really enjoyed having the ability to look at the recording levels and times in the dark using the RM-MC40ELK. I got it from Ebay for about $75. I usually keep the backlight (although not the brightest in the world) on during shows and I have had no problem reading it in the dark. Plus, I put the recorder on REC>pause and Hold and then I start the recording from the remote once the show starts. I really had issues with the NH900 remote and the lack of recording levels was my main reason for upgrading. Just my .02 and there is no backlight on the main recorder. I wish it were orange background and black text like my MZ-S1.

I recorded the band Soulive at The Orange Peel in Asheville, NC on my birthday, Friday 11-19-04. I got home and was uploading without dividing the show into tracks, just one large PCM recorded file. Unlike the last show, which was divided into tracks, SS had a fatal error about 87% of the way into the transfer, about 25 minutes. Having learned my lesson with my first failed transfer, I knew once I rebooted and found the track was still on the Hi-MD, not to attempt another transfer. Instead, I recorded via my Creative Audigy2 RCA analog input with the NH900 line out. Sounds really good to my ears and will have to do at this point. Of course, I could have used Total Recorder but I just don't get much difference in sound quality when I listen to samples with the TR route vs. using the RCA analog inputs through the soundcard. Just my .02 on that argument. I understand the digital vs. analog difference but if it sounds good, it sounds good. I'm just glad SS didn't eat the track. Well, it did but that was after I made a copy on my PC, divided the tracks and burned to CD. Here's some points I noted or learned: 1. Unlike all my other successful uploads and like the last failed upload attempt, this was a large undivided track over 500 Mb. 2. SS failed well into the transfer routine, the remote showed some message other than the ACCESS (I wasn't paying quick attention) but there was some message that flashed before the WXP blue screen of death. This was around 87% on the transfer progress bar. 3. After the restart and unhooking the Hi-MD from the USB connection, I was relieved to find the track intact and made the above-mentioned copy without any problems. It also played without problems over USB via SS. 4. The properties function on SS for that track said "Can still be uploaded to original PC." The track was NOT editable on the Hi-MD, message stated something like "Track from PC". 5. Like the last failed upload, I now have a large HMA file in the Optimized>Hi-MD folder. It won't open or convert. It's the same time as the failed upload and equal in size to the file that was on the Hi-MD. 6. Once I had a safe copy, I attempted another upload. SS quickly erased the track and that was the end of the "transfer" even though the properties stated it could be transferred back to the original PC. I guess it couldn't find the HMA file I mentioned in #5. So, big lesson learned: if SS fails on upload and the track remains on the Hi-MD, DO NOT reattempt another upload, you will lose your data. Just play it via SS and record however you see fit from that signal,etc. (By the way, I used CD WAV editor from the soundcard to capture the playback from the Line Out.) Also, I really think the large file size is a problem because other shows that I have recorded in Hi-SP bitrate have had no problems like the large PCM file uploads. I plan to always divide tracks when recorded in PCM and upload one track at a time. Hope this helps someone.

I am very proud of my latest, and by far best, recording with my new NH900. AT822 direct into the line in with manual volume control set at 30/30, bass filter was active for the AT822. The Steve Kimock Band at the The Visulite Theatre, 11-12-04 http://www.archive.org/audio/etree-details...db.php?id=19802 No problems with the upload and conversion, very smooth, although I wish the upload was a little faster. Still better than real time. I am now feeling good about Hi-MD. I had all unnecessary programs off while uploading and I uploaded track by track instead of 1 long set upload. No problems although I was a little anxious without a backup. Enjoy the music. :love:

I think ( and I think I tested this once before) you can upload to SS but the WAV converter will not let you convert to WAV anything with a digital source. There is a wonderful alternative available for this purpose: Marcnet's HiMDRenderer program does the job very nicely.

The Audio Technica 822 is a great all purpose mic that uses an AA battery source. You can run it through line in or mic in. It's always worked well with my Sharp DR7 and my Sony NH900. Mark

I have the NH900 and I spent the $75 for the 40ELK remote and I think it is worth the money just to be able to see recording levels and adjust the levels using the remote. You cannot start recording from the remote and the backlight is not the brightest but it is a worthy upgrade IMO for the NH900. I found the OEM remote to be very difficult to use because I have big fingers and it seemed to always turn the wrong way when I was trying to look at it while recording live music. My .02 on the upgrade: I am happy with the upgrade. :cool: Mark

I went to my local music shop this week and found a used 11 foot lighting support tripod that we easily changed to fit my mic and life is good for $30. Thanks for the feedback and input. Mark

Can't get anything to open in SS. It's the same old "Can't import a file with this extension, etc". I actually tried to use a unDelete program last night but all of the programs could not read what was seen as a "virtual drive" on the Hi-MD. Does it make any difference for the recovery that the Hi-MD does not have the file any more and only my PC folder with the 466mb *.hma file?

Anybody know where I can order a tall mic stand or lighting stand that can be easily modified for a mic stand. I am looking for something at least 10 feet tall and compact. Thanks for any links. Mark

This is the file name that is in my Optimized>HiMD folder that is 466 MB in size with the same date and time as the upload snafu 02030000020001072BCB000059FC1187398CC05E.hma Any clues?

Got my remote today (RM-MC40ELK) and all of the functions are working on my NH900. Unfortunately, I do have to set the record volume to manual control using the menu button on the recorder. The menu function on the remote only gives: Edit, Useful and Options access. But, as I wished, I can view the recording levels, adjust with the cool little jog dial on the remote and have the backlight. I got what I wanted. Good view screen and works well. Just wanted to finish this thread on a good note considering all the anti-Sony vibes I have sent into the world all week (see uploading blues post). Mark

Notice how it automatically divides tracks at the 650MB mark. Lame if you ask me. Anyone know why that mark was picked for splitting the tracks? Worked fine but it did take a lot of processor power. Also, I'm not too excited about the meter reading "Recording" during the conversion. Is it really re-recording the tracks?

The *.hma file I mentioned in the first post is 466MB and was created just before my computer restarted. That's just too big of a file not to have something useful. When I tried to open it with TR's temp recovery program it showed the time length to be exactly 46:17 which is how long the first set was. So, this must be the 1st set in some encrypted format. 2 questions: 1. Anybody want to see if they can open it? If you have some experience with this type of project or can help, let me know how I can mail it to you. 2. What is the best way to get in touch with Sony regarding this problem and trying to resolve the issue? Phone? What number? Email? What email? Web help? Where? ( I know that is really more than 2 questions, but thanks for the help). Mark

I was uploading a PCM file of a show I recorded (without backing up mind you) and the XP system had a serious failure and rebooted in the middle of the upload. Now I only have a file with a *.hma extension that is about the same size as my previous track sitting in my Optimized Hi-MD folder. I tried copying it and tried to open it with SS and got the message about not being able to import these type of files. Lame. Looks like I lost the complete 1st set. What a royal pain in the ass. I sold a MXD-D400 deck and a Sharp DR7 just so I could have Sony destroy all of my recordings. Thanks Sony! Anybody know what I might be able to try with this *.hma file? I'm not sure where I was with the upload since I step out for some groceries and came back to find the CPU had restarted with a fatal error. I then made the mistake of letting SS recheck for transfer rights on the track that still showed on the Hi-MD. It then proceeded to kindly delete the track altogether. Brillant. Just absoultely a pain. I can't believe how lame this software is. I have already uploaded 4 complete shows in PCM without any problems and now this. Just makes me see red. Thanks for any help or suggestions.

If you could convert directly to FLAC from the HIMDRenderer, I would do flips down the street in celebration. I would definitely vote for FLAC over any other format. I prefer FLAC since it's loseless and it has a built-in integrity checker. It's what I use to upload to www.archive.org and how I save my recorded shows on my HDs. Winamp has a plugin to play and Nero has a plugin that I use to burn direct. Here's a great link for info about FLAC: http://flac.sourceforge.net/ Okay, okay, I got excited. But, thanks for the spark. :grin: More power to you Marc!

To Validate your copy, you usually have to insert your Installation CD. Not sure how this will fix the Hotfix :-)

Links for the pictures are now fixed and working correctly. :wacky:

I just got my new Otter Box last week and I put together a small page so you could see it holding my NH900 and my AT822. Ready for action and travel. This new 6010 replaced my small black 2000 series that I used with my Sharp DR7. I really like the ability to shape the foam (pick and pluck) for customization. I made a small sub-space on the input side of the NH900, so I could leave it in its snug place and still hook up the AT822. I got it for $52 with free UPS shipping from http://www.opticsplanet.net/otter-watertig...t-box-6010.html Here's the page with images: http://home.earthlink.net/~mhjohns_music2/...x/otterbox.html

I think I may have found one way to at least limit auto tracks. If I set the Auto Tracking to 60 minutes will that be the only time it makes a new track going Line In? Regardless of the recording level? Silence? If that's the case, then I will just set to auto tracks at 60 minutes and let it roll on the Line In. I can then just go back and combine the tracks at the 60 minute mark. (BTW, I meant AGC in my post above, coffee was low when I wrote that one ) :sleep:

I am using rechargable NiMh AA on the dry cell case and I using 1400mAh gumsticks that I got from http://shop4battery.com I haven't even charged the batteryNH-10WM that shipped with the unit. I took your advice and got the two higher mAh ones. The Rechargeables are Rayovac NiMh AA 2000mAh, the 15 minute IC3 type. I did change gumsticks between the 2 shows just because. I was down 1 bar on the battery meter and wanted to make sure, real conservative but I was recording in PCM for 1 hour on the opener. Not much drain when using the Hi-SP setting. I think I will always have at least 2 of each type ready for every recording just to be safe. :cool:

Maybe I'm not following this right but I can still play my recorded tracks via USB/SS after I have uploaded them. I guess this is only a backup option if SS doesn't erase or trash the actual files on the HD. Is that the issue? Like it was stated before, SS won't even play if the erase prevention tab is activated, kinda scary if you ask me. Mark