bhangraman

Currently you can't send PCM to Hi-MD via Sonicstage. 2.1 addresses this. I've heard nothing from Sony product managers about de-restricted burning in 2.1.

I think it's a real shame. When the Hi-MD was first introduced to me last year, I was very excited about it. But the more time passed, what I was discovering was not what I could do with it but what I couldn't. Of course, why they did it is obvious but it renders a potential music-maker's dream tool not that much of an advance on MD (apart from the recording length). Kurisu noted that the way I wrote what jazmaan quoted, that I was casting Hi-MD in a negative light... but I think in light of the limitations, it was probably more correct for me to outline what you couldn't do. What I'll try soon are some PCM upload -> WAV grab tests to see if there's any problems.

Leland's correct. You can use the Sonicstage backup program to move your music and the associated rights to a new computer. You could of course back up to Hi-MD. HDD or Hi-MD, the backup is mind-numbingly slow for some reason that I can't fathom: Backup of a 2.5Gb library takes over an hour on HDD using a 1.1Ghz Centrino (running on AC, ie full power).

I've been threatning this for a while, but have not had the chance to collate my notes. It's finally up. I'm linking to the thread for now as I thought people might want comparisons based on things I'd missed, or they wanted Hi-MD specific information inserted. Once the review is 'frozen' I can post a copy of it here. http://www5.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=78472

Fortunately, some of us can and bring you the results :grin:

All very well in theory. In practice, I can tell you it's rather different. Have you tried drop-testing the Hi-MD's, MD's and the iPod Mini?

Not really in practical terms, I'm finding.

Just an FYI, but an iPod Mini with the same file = 2.3MB/sec.

Sustained transfer speed on the NH1 (using a 219MB test file) is about 450K/sec.

The European models of the NH900/NH1 should ship with worldwide voltage transformers. Certainly the NH1's that we've received have worldwide voltage transformers. Hi-MD media won't be available for a while. Hopefully they'll sync the rollout of media with the UK launch, but it might arrive a bit later. Hopefully the shipping NH900 will come with NH-14WM, in which case a 30 hour battery life is projected. If not, you can buy the 14WM. It is likely that the cloth pouch (on the lines of the current discmen, only smaller of course) will be shipped in certain countries. The UK might get the PVC case with the belt clip. Either way it's a pouch or a soft case.

Some are notable quirks. However I haven't yet found a PCDP (and I've had a lot) which I'm willing to use more. If cost is the issue it's still what I would recommend.

The iMP-550 is not the best sounding. However it doesn't sound that bad (and it is a long way from sucking), and it is small. It's the most versatile which goes a long way towards making up for other deficiencies. The iMP-550 is still the best buy for an MP3/PCDP... and I can guarantee I've got far more experience of judging this than most. Also as you've noted, it's comparatively cheap. If cost is an issue, go for the iMP... it'll be the best value you can get right now. If you can hang on to your money and save a little, then aim for Hi-MD or a hard-disk player.

The playback is controlled by Sonicstage.

Thanks.

Would anyone care to elaborate on exactly how it is different to the currently released version, and also the latest beta of Sonicstage? Primary questions are: Features: What are the additional features? CD burning. Is it more reliable than the current beta? Resource usage. Is it less resource-hungry than the currently released version, if so how is this achieved? Hi-MD compatibility: Any issues/advantages? I'd like to hear as much as possible, as soon as possible. Many thanks.

I expect Hi-MD data drives to be only slightly less of a niche than the Net MD drives (slightly less, as they now store data of course). The limiting data transfer factor of the Hi-MD transport is not the interface but the transport itself. I for one can't really see a fundamental overhaul of the Hi-MD transport mechanism just after release of this technology, so with the limited transfer rate I can only see a low-volume application, which means comparatively high prices even if they made the drives available separately.