theblueraja

There CAN BE happy endings folks. I now own TWO NH3Ds and TWO MZ-EH1s. The 2nd EH1 is still in the mail, but once here, I'll post pics of all four together Thanks for the attention.

Yes... I have come back to MD, and in full force. I have discovered a gem that I new little about until recently. It is called the MZ-NH3D. Same as the infamous flagship HiMD model MZ-NH1, but this unit was released ONLY in Japan, and is not a recorder, but a PLAYBACK unit only. Hence, no LCD screen on the body like the NH1, but in the absence of the LCD you get a nice FLAT metal face, as opposed to the slight hump that the NH1 has. What I like about it (and I can't help but compare it to the EH1 since these seem to be the thinnest HiMD models) is how it has a bit more heft than the NH1, and definitely more weight than the featherlight EH1. With slight more bulk (SLIGHT), it feels more like a player SHOULD in your hand (at least if your hand is as big as mine, as I can't handle a Nano or Sony A808). I had not realized that the NH3D is actually more of a SQUARE than the EH1!! (you'll see in the comparison photos). Interesting. And yes, The Blue Raja now owns two NH3Ds... always in 2's folks If I had a choice I probably would have had one silver and one blue, but I certainly think the blue looks much sharper than the silver anyway. Enjoy the pics, folks... With this HiMD disc on top, you can truly see how much more rectanglar the EH1 is: You may have noticed I really didnt' comment on the sound of this machine... that's because it's minidisc folks... it sounds perfect, what more can I say?

This is a common illness. I have it. Most MD users do. We just seem to never get enough units. Then there are those incredibly sick ones who buy BACKUP units... *cough*

If you are referring to the video clip I made, of course not, that was all special audio effects just to make a point. But in"real life" yes. I actually BOUGHT an iPod and ran many tests... even ripped things to Apple "lossless" and it still sounded bad to me what with the factory EQs and just the unit itself doesnt have the Sony signature sound that I love. What I HAVE learned in the process is everyones EARS and perceptions of what sounds good is actually different, and so biased to a point. I'm just good with ATRAC and MD.

Just for you:

But Amazon makes a much bigger profit.

S O L D !! Via the Amazon Marketplace.

It's my understanding that ATRAC lossless doesn't exist beyond the computer itself... correct me if I'm wrong, anyone. Since I don't listen to tunes on my computer, I'll stick to good ol' ATRAC3 at 132kbps for my MD transfers.

are you actually thinking this songbird thing is going to play ATRAC and support transfers to an MD player??

Help me first since I asked first???

BEAUTIFUL SHOT!!! Yes, with those units lighting is everything, and you've captured it well.

End of? Not really... I bought an iPod and ripped to lossless and it STILL sounded like crap to me. Hence I returned it and stuck with ATRAC. I've discovered there are two other factors many overlook when comparing bitrates, etc: 1) the UNIT itself has its own sound to a degree (be it an am, even independent of the earphones, etc.) and 2) your EARS!! People hear things differently and have different tastes for what they consider to sound best.

I know I'm in the minority here... huh, as if all minidisc users aren't to begin with, but I digress ... I find the RH1 to be very UGLY. I'll admit I haven't held one, but from the photos that big FAT non-symmetrical record button makes me cringe... then there's how the pop-up open isn't even flush with a SIDE, but rather like one of the first MD players there is still more BODY to the unit that goes beyond the opening. The whole NO TRACK TITLE thing is just insane in my opinion. Granted, I use MD as a WALKMAN and not a field recorder so that explains a lot. Plus after hearing that OLED lasts a fraction of the shelf life of standard LCD, while the dancing meters look cool eventually they won't glow. So hate to rain on the thread, but I've never wanted an RH1 from the first photo released. Now, the EH1, that's a DIFFERENT story.

That seems to me like bragging more than helping

Ok, those L.A. 80s are my most WANTED blanks of ALL TIME! I totally gave up the search because I thought I'd never find them... so please please, HOW can someone from the USA order these??!!

Well there is no "if" about Connect, that's dying officially March '08. But I would think gracenote is independent of Connect.

Sure I have an opinion. Even though I'm still using Windows XP, I hear that Vista can run in earlier "modes," if you will, even Windows 95... That said, I'll bet we could still run Sonic Stage for quite some time. There's also the idea of saving one old PC or laptop strictly for Sonic Stage use. I love Sonic Stage too. I just hope the Gracenote connection still works after Connect is pulled.

Yes, I took a break from MD for a almost 6 months and now I realize its in my blood and I can never leave it again! Color is not that important, though I'd much PREFER a BLACK EH1, and silver OR blue NH3D. Thanks - PM me and I'm sure I can make a deal that you will like! So I plead with all of you: NOTE: I've seen the NH3D recently on Japan Yahoo auctions, so if you live in Japan or can hook me up somehow through that please let me know!

I hate to rain on your... enthusiasm, but Sony could care less about any MD support period. In fact, even shortly after Hi-MD was introduced just a few years ago it didn't seem like Sony cared much at all what consumers wanted. They continued their usual marketing-with-blinders-on tactics or no marketing at all for that matter. But more specifically about your remote wishes: I've NEVER liked the 40ELK to begin with for many reasons. 1) too dim backlight 2) left-handed orientation 3) too FAT and short... it would actually be BETTER if it had 2 more inches of length imho 4) hard to navigate & grip side buttons & volume wheel But I know I am in the minority here because most people seem to love this remote. I love the STICK remotes (MC33EL, MC35EL etc). They seem to fit my hand perfectly, nice and SLIM, and have a pretty BRIGHT backlight. Yes, you lose the ability to scroll through albums and songs while the player is playing so that is certainly the main limitation. But the "play/skip" button is SO easy to find and is one of those quick grab-on-the-run type intuitive designs. But what you're asking for basicallly becomes something closer to todays flash players... which then seems like a rather silly concept that being a REMOTE for yet another device. I mean, hey, I'm all for it because I love minidisc, but again Sony doesn't care and the general public would never buy into it.

I'll admit I am most interested in order of preference first being most wanted: EH1 NH900 NH3D NH1 EH50 But I'm still open to hear some offers... I don't want and RH10 or DH10P, I know that. Thanks.

Thanks for going through the trouble of describing... can't you just post a LINK to a photobucket or flickr post??

Ok, sounds cool but a pic of the MDs IN the box would be VERY helpful... I'm curious what the layout is like, and how tight/loose they fit, etc. Thanks.

It shows up as a plug-and-play drive to any Windows PC platform without any drivers needed, etc... don't know if the means it would work for Mac the same way. Thanks for looking.

I left minidisc behind in April of this year... since then I had purchased an iPod (owned it for one day), sent it back (hated the sound) and then got the Sony Vaio Pocket. The Vaio Pocket is awsome, and since it plays ATRAC it was the perfect solution for me. Yet... just a few days ago I was playing around with my neglected MZ-NH900... and I fell in love with MD again. I forgot just how GOOD it sounded for one thing. But I'll admit another big reason is just the cool gadget factor. Minidiscs are just plain COOL. I don't know, maybe I'd be over them if I started with them in the early days, but I only jumped on board in 2004 when HiMD was just starting out. Anyway, just saying I love using Hi-MD too!!