1kyle

Thanks -- actually was a typo on my part Cheers -K

In so far as anything can be called cheap in the UK this place seems to be fine These discs work really great on both HI-MD and legacy (sp/lp2/lp4) Pack of 50 for GBP 31.99 INCLUDING VAT and they work fine. Works out at 64p per disc and that's UNDER 1€ (1 EUR) per disc. They are in Jewel cases as well. Since W.H Smith was selling a pack of 10 blank Jewel cases ALONE for GBP 3.99 this has to be a great bargain. I've tried a few they seem OK so I've just bought 200. http://www.discountdiscs.co.uk/Merchant2/m...gory_Code=blank BTW they heve CHEAP blank jewel cases and still some NH1's in stock at around 150GBP (a lot cheaper than the 220GBP or so the Sony centre was asking for these --even with discount). If you are in the UK and looking for a hard to find NH1 --give it a try. (I don't have ANY connections with the store --I'm only a satisfied customer). Cheers -K

I think if you've UPLOADED tracks on to the MD from SS you can only do limited editing facilities on the MD unit itself (Stupid DRM / SS again). Track editing is restricted --but not Disk titling. I think you might not even be able to ERASE the disk either on the unit. You'll have to do your editing / erasing t on the PC I'm afraid. If you've uploaded viaripping a CD directly using MD simple burner then editing probably will work although I haven't tried this. A bummer --but the whole DRM issue is just getting rediculous. Imagine BMW saying you can only use this Car on these streets on Mondays, Have to fill up at Garage X and after you've switched the Engine on more than 5 times you have to get a NEW engine. - BMW would be in court so fast that the wheels wouldn't ewven have time to touch the ground assuming anybody would buy a vehicle subject to those restrictions. The music biz needs to get its act together --most piracy (and it's a HUGE business) is organised in Far, East, China, Bangladesh, and Russia. Geeky Teens (and pre-teens) messing around with "illegal" downloads might have media attention but they are NOT the probs --and the strange thing is with all this B/S high end professional recording gear is exempt from all this stuff in the first place. Cheers -K

That definitely seems to be the answer -- the data transfer measured on the computer doesn't even go anywhere near max USB 1.1 limits so it's got to do with the hardware on the units. It's not a major irritant -- I was just curious and normally I can download using the nh1. It's great listening to a quality deck however with large speakers and being able to read clearly what's on the display. !! Now come on Sony there's got to be a demand for High end HI-MD shelf units as well . Cheers -K

I've noticed that downloading LP2 from SS 3.1 to a Net-MD deck (MDS-JB980) seems to be slower than doing the same thing with a Hi-MD unit like the NH1 (also downloading LP2 from SS 3.1). The JB980 came with Open Jukebox --which I don't bother with but I did have to use the drivers of the CD before the computer recognized the unit. Otherwise SS 3.1 works with this unit as well. I've been using my Laptop as the unit is in my "Hi-FI" listening room away from my desktop computers. I'm wondering is it because transfer takes place on this unit at USB 1.1 speeds and the NH1 at USB 2.0 Just curious. Cheers -K

The NH900 is definitely one to consider --but I just liked the slim design of the NH1 --and the previous Net-MD player the N10 (which had an external connectable battery pack). USB upload is fine --BUT you can only UPLOAD ONCE --if you do it again it will delete the data off the MD as other posters have testified so be careful if you go this route. I believe the restriction is only for Digital recordings --Analog stuff --no probs. If I'm in error here I'm sure somebody will correct the information. Cheers -K

Depends on what you want to do AFTER you've done your recordings. Don't worry about Battery times on a NH1 -- Most people aren't making continuous sessions lasting over 14 Hours --and if you were a PRO you'd probably have two machines in any case. The NH1 is much more rugged --can also record directly SP/LP2/LP4 which could be important --especially if you have older gear which HAS optical out making it easier to get your Digital recordings into the machine. Play the SP/LP2/LP4 through the legacy machine and connect Optical out to computer and then record to WAV --no DRM crud !!. RH10 AFAIK also doesn't have a Line out which might be a bozo even when transferring Analog stuff to a computer. Note -- HI-MD (HI-SP/HI-LP) can only be played on HI-MD recorders --if you want to play on legacy stuff and there's a HUGE amount of this still around you'll need to record in SP/LP2/LP4 which the RH10 doesn't do. Ist gen HI-MD IMO was better than 2nd Gen (apart from the nice screen on the RH10. I'd still go for the NH1 if you can find it --probably get a decent deal on one. Maybe 3rd Gen units will have all of what we want. Cheers -K

Thanks -- I'm really pleased I got this unit BTW --It's built like a tank, has great quality and of course the Optical out is really useful for getting your own Digital recordings into your computer and DRM Free on to Minidiscs. (Can also transfer these to HI-MD via the Optical OUT). So I'll stick to 44,000 @ 16 Bit --Thanks for the Info. -K

Even if a HI-MD unit does come out --There's room in my setup for BOTH pieces of kit. This is a QUALITY deck --built like a battleship and will last for a long time. When you really come down to it if you are playing at home (not on the move) --and want decent quality is a HI MD disk @ HI-SP which plays 7 - 8 hours of music the only answer. A 2 1/2 hr LP2 disc is fine or even an 80 MIn SP one. -- Remember I'm talking about listening at home in a large room with top of the line speakers --not sat in front of a computer or travelling on a train / car / bus / push-bike etc. (OK on the road other considerations may apply). I've yet for CD quality to convince myself that PCM has much advantage over 256 Kbs @ ATRAC 3 +. I've no probs recording in PCM, and saving the WAV on a computer but after that converting to ATRAC3+ @ 256 is fine by me. I'd love a HI-MD deck --but some of the offers available on these MDS-980 decks are just too good to resist - especially at 65 GBP / 100 USD or so. Hi Ishivoshi -- I'll try and post some pics and give a review later. Cheers -K

Hi everybody --got a great re-furbed MDS jB980 MDLP / Net MD shelf unit. Question --I want to copy an old Minidisc I got at a Radio station (MD in SP mode) which contains a program made by a colleague who died a while ago --so obviously I can't get a re-run of the program. I can use the recorders Optical out to my Optical in on the PC using Creative Smart recorder. For the WAV file to be created I've suggested (on the PC) as the recording format --WAVe at 48,000 24-bit stereo. Is this as near as makes no difference to the SP on the original Minidisc or should I up the format to 96,000 @ 24 bit or even lower the rate to 48,000 or even 44,000 at 16 bit. I thought I understood some of this stuff but I'm confused now. I've discarded all the 8-bit options. Here's some of the other options the Software allows --Help what do I choose. 48,000 @ 24 Bit -- Data rate 281 KB / sec 96,000 @ 24 Bit 561 KB / sec 44,000 @ 24 bit 258 KB / sec 32,000 @ 24 Bit 187 KB / sec 24,000 @ 24 Bit 140 KB / sec 24,000 @ 16 Bit 93 KB / sec 32,000 @ 16 Bit 125 KB / sec 44,000 @ 16 bit 172 kb / sec 48,000 @ 16 bit 187 kb / sec 96,000 @ 16 bit 375 KB / sec Any suggestions from this selection (others are possible --but I've discounted all the 8-bit settings. Cheers -K

OK I Know it's not a HI-MD unit --but this has Optical Out (and IN) of course --and is a terrific unit --especially as you can get some great deals --I got a "re-furbished" one for 65 GBP (around 95 USD) and as most of my "Home" and Car listening is on LP2 disks I haven't really missed the lack of a high end shelf HI-MD unit yet. I restrict my HI-MD stuff for strictly on the move --not in my car etc or if I'm at a computer (NH1). It seems to me that the latest generation of MD gear (RH10) is strictly consumer --and apart from the nice screen not really worth upgrading currently. I've got enough media to last me for years even if SONY do pull out of the MD market --I don't think they will as recently there seems to have been a little revival of interest as people discover how inflexible the "Crap-pods" really are and the problems of Hard disc units / memory stick type units when they get broken or people want to record new tracks to "full media". Incidentally --ever tried ripping decent DVD sound on to one of those "Crap-pods" --sounds HIDEOUS MD beats it hands down at LP2. a 2 1/2 hr lp2 is not such a bad penalty for most applications. I am looking forward to some decent HI-MD units --but if you really want a High quality shelf unit with an OPtical Out really look at the JB980 --some great deals can be had on it and it comes in Black or silver. BTW now I've got one you can almost guarantee SONY will release a High end HI-MD shelf unit --it always happens to me when I buy stuff --the model is discontinued and a newer one comes out. Cheers -K

Excellent piece of gear -- BTW if you use the Optical OUT into a DVD players's optical in and then Optical OUT the DVD player into a HI-MD or other MD unit's OPtical In you bypass SCMS (although real time recording). Even better I just plug the optical out of this unit into the Optical In of an AUDIGY 2 ZS PC soundcard on my Laptop and use the creative software to record a WAV file that I can do anything I want with. (Again real time but no big deal). Don't bother with the older Open Jukebox software that came with the unit's CD disk. As you've discovered the hardware drivers will work fine. For transferring TO MD from the computer I use SS with a HI-MD unit and transfer in LP2 to a MD which I then play on the unit. Disks play fine on the unit -- can't really say if there is much if any difference between genuine old SP mode and LP2 --at least not on the speakers and cans I'm using. Cheers -K

As I posted above -- some DVD players will just pass the optical stuff through where you can then record digitally without DRM crap to your hearts content. BTW if people boycotted ALL copy protected CD's (actually legally can't be called CD's at all as copy protection is not in the Philips patented CD spec) then these abominations would soon disappear. Whats the point of buying music legally if you can't play it where YOU want to or can't play it on a computer which is where a lot of people want to play it. I'm using a MDSJB980 --still a GREAT piece of gear and with no decent high end HI-MD units appearing this will still do me -- LP2 is 99% good enough for most applications and the optical in / out is great. Cheers -K

(And in HI-SP and HI-LP modes as well if you have a HI-MD recorder) You don't have to buy 1GB discs to use with the newer units Cheers -K

I've posted a method of doing this http://forums.minidisc.org/index.php?showtopic=10622 also do a google for DVD-decrypter if you get stuck --this will rip the dvd sound to wav so you can do anything you like with it -- can't post the mirrors due to the "Internet Gestapo" but following threads from HERE http://www.cdfreaks.com/news/11914 you should be able to find it --but be quick. Actually a "Copy Protected" CD shouldn't be called a CD at all -- under the original Philips patent a CD had NO copy protection -- and if it says CD and is copy protected you should be able to get your money back as it's legally NOT A CD. Cheers -K

The trouble with the RH10 is that it seems to fall between two stools. It doesn't give people who want to make their own recordings enough possibilities compared with what went before (900, NH1 etc). while at the same time is trying to beat Ipods at their own game and failing at that as well since MP3 playback is not very good . I can't verify that myself as I never use MP3's but there's enough around the net to say there IS a problem in this area. Now in my book each succeding generation should offer MORE possibilities --not less. so why have we lost 1) Line out, 2) a remote (at least for most of the world outside Japan) 3) ability to record in legacy formats (SP/LP2/LP4) at least on 80 Min discs --as there is still a HUGE amount of this around --especially high end shelf / stand alone / PROFESSIONAL units --surely people will want to listen on these legacy units. Any new unit also should have an Optical Out --- after all what's the point of being able to record my own music in beautiful PCM if I can only play it back using an Analog Line out ===> analog Line in on an external piece of kit. I'd like to plug the optical directly into an Optical in on my Hi-Fi gear. -- Not all of us want to stay huddled over computer keyboards getting the PCM into a computer then making a CD to then play it on external kit which is what I wanted to do directly in the first place WITHOUT using a computer. DRM stuff should be manageable --especially for your OWN recorded music. The only reason I can see for getting a newer RH10 over the 900 or NH1 seems to be that you get a nice screen on playback -- similar to but definitely better than the ipods otherwise you've actually LOST functionality. I get the feeling that Sony still hasn't quite made up its mind --two steps forwards and three steps backwards. There's zillions of professional users out their who've been using pro MD gear for ages --DAT has been essentially dead for years. --Just go into any Radio station in the UK now --they are all using MD's rather than tape --OK expensive high end PRO studio stuff but MD nonetheless. OK current Studio gear will last for a good while yet --but so far Sony has only been addressing the consumer sector. Nobody really wants to go back to using DAT again so how about it Sony -- you've introduced HI-MD which is what was universally wanted --higher capacity discs --but so far no professional quality gear to go with it yet --and each model seems to be going further and further away from the PRO market. Cheers -K

Excellent unit -- Kenwood unfortunately have pulled out of the MD market so make the radio last as long as you can. I still have a Kenwood KMD car radio also MDLP but I think the model nr was 43 in Europe (as on AM we also have radio stations on LW as well as MW so the tuner spec is slightly different). In essence it's the same as yours but the tuner has LW and probably some European Traffic and FM text stuff that might not exist in the US. I've found that LP2 is way good enough for Car listening and you'll get around 2 1/2 hours per MDLP disc recorded at LP2. So even if you take 3 discs with you (don't occupy much space in your pocket) that's around 7 - 9 CD's --- try carrying those around and fiaffing around with a stupid CD changer in the trunk (boot) of your car. If you can tolerate LP4 then you'd get even more --although I think LP4 is probably only suitable for speech. In a car you won't notice any difference between SP and LP2 so I'd convert any SP stuff over to LP2 for using in the car. I will be interested if and when a HI-MD car radio comes out but while my Kenwood is still working I'm satisfied. Cheers -K

Little piece of clear selotape also works wonders --although I don't think the remote scratches very easily in any case unless you have it in a pocket also containing a lot of sharp pointed objects.. If you use selotape use the easily removable variety otherwise you'll never be able to remove it. I must admit I've hardly used mine with the NH1 - when I'm playing legacy (80 Min LP2 discs) I don't need navigation etc as I know what's on the disc. However when I'm playing a 1GB HI-MD disc navigation is a real pain without the remote --even doing something simple like navigating to the next group (album) on the unit itself (NH1) without the remote is incredibly fiddly so I'm using it more and more. In Hi-SP mode I have my recordings in 256 kbs ATRAC3 plus so get between 7 and 8 CD's on a 1GB disc. If you are using a lower bitrate and hence store more albums / cd's on the unit then you will most definitely need the remote when playing back. The Backlight however can hardly be called a backlite --it really is quite dim (as others have said --probably to save the battery). The rec settings are OK -- PCM / HI-SP / HI-LP with a HI-MD or an 80 Min disc formatted to HI-MD. SP / LP2 / LP4 with a 80 Min legacy disk inserted -- note if you have a brand new 80 Min disc set the recorder to Net-MD if you want to use legacy mode recording. You don't need to change the mode if using a previously used MDLP type disc. Recording vol is also available via the remote. Not sure how the remote behaves on the 2nd gen stuff such as RH10 but I know you can't do SP/LP2 /LP4 recordings however via the microphone / line in.

ECM-719 It's very small and unobtrusive and stereo of course. There's an internal small watch type battery as well which lasts for ages and ages. I use it with the NH1 but it will work with any of the other models. Another advantage is that it has a DECENT length of cord between microphone and plug -- I don't like the type where the mike just plugs straight into the MD unit. With this one you can clip the mike anywhere ("CIA" or "FBI" style) while you are doing your recording -- trouser pocket for example --and you can just forget it. Good for music as well. Cheers -K

Hi there --I've answered this question a number of times --I'll try and find the thread (Note to Mods -- perhaps you could either place the info in the FAQ or "Sticky" it as there is a lot of confusion about "copying" libraries and using more than 1 computer) http://forums.minidisc.org/index.php?showt...10324&hl=backup In case the link doesn't work here's a cut and paste of the info. ----------- Start of Text You CAN copy the library to a second / third / whatever computer under certain situations --- to do it note the following 1) I don't have any "Purchased Music" so I don't have any copyright issues that DRM will screw up. 2) You need SS 3.0 or 3.1 3) You will need to be connected to the internet for a few seconds at "Restore"time. 4) Any existing music library on the 2nd computer will be wiped out so ensure the library you are copying has ALL your music in it before attempting a restore. So what you do is : 1) use SS to backup your library to a removable drive, DVD, memory stick or whatever depending on the size -- a shared Network disk or a removable external HD is probably the best solution. -- Note that you DON'T LOSE anything on the original computer just beacuse you've done a backup. 2) Connect the removable disk or whatever and then start the SS restore program. The Internet authentication will start --- as I don't have any purchased music the validation will always work. 3) repeat the restore on as many computers as you need. Incidentally once you've got the library on your 2nd / 3rd computer you can still transfer to MD just as you could on the ist computer. I think this method in any case would be quicker and more convienient. Added -- in case you've got some of your own recordings I'm not sure if the method above will work-- I only have "ripped CD's" in my library but it should work. If the validation fails on your own recordings then it's still easy to get round -- create a "Virtual CD" of your recording by using the DRIVE IMAGE feature of NERO and then rip the tracks back into your library before doing the backup. ----- End of Text Hope this helps -K

Got any links or info on this unit. As far as power is concerned I think Japan is the same as US (110 V 60 HZ) but most decent hardware stores will have a universal power supply (110 - 240V 50-60 HZ) that will work Thanks

I still use one of these regularly -- still a great piece of kit. SS 3.1 works fine with this -- the USB connection is actually the same as is used in the newer HI-MD unit MZ-NH1. Sometimes the USB connection is not that great so check that --and also ensure that MD simple burner is not running as this will start up as soon as it detects any type of MD unit connected to the computer -- you'll probably see a message like "No audio device in CD" as it is expecting you to rip a CD. Switch off the any automatic start --- for example I think one of the options in SS is to start every time an ATRAC device is connected. Finally remove and re-insert the USB into the computer --. I'm using Windows XP pro with sp2 applied and SS 3.1 and mostly have no trouble at all apart from the fiddly USB connection on the device. Cheers -K

The problem of course is in the Dolby encoding --- unless the minidisc recorder has a built in decoder (which it doesn't) you are not going to be able to get true 5.1 -- however strangely enough an analog out into a decoder might actually do the trick -- same with PCM into the optical input of a 5.1 decoder--- I'll have a go with this later and post the results. I think the Sony hardware just ignores the dolby signal --doesn't actually throw it away whereas DTS either has some more DRM "Bovine Scatology" / crud in it or just mucks the audio signal up. If your set of Cans has an inbuilt decoder you might actually get some interesting results. I think DTS won't work -- not sure why -- I can't even get an anlog signal out over a "Video Sender" -- I've tried doing this when I want to watch a DVD on another TV away from the DVD machine. The Dolby 5.1 out (3.2) works however. Anyway you've raised some interesting stuff to try. BTW you can get decent 5.1 / 3.2 from analog out as the dolby sound is usually embedded in the standard audio output and ignored by normal "stereo" amplifiers. For example --- if you have an old SKY TV digibox that doesn't have an optical out you still can get decent dolby surround sound by feeding in the audio signal into your dolby surround decoder which reports when a true 3.2 sound is being transmitted. Those with SKY TV --try it next time a 5.1 film is being transmitted. They have the 5.1 signal carried via the normal Audio out. The funny thing with this is for a while SONY itself did have a few compatable SKY digiboxes which actually had an Optical Out --these were quite rare and now discontinued --I don't actually know who makes SKY digiboxes now with an optical output --not talking about the SKY + Hard disc system --another story. BTW Thanks guys for DVD-decrypter --managed to find a mirror before the "Internet Gestapo" shut it down --great program. Cheers -K

I'm surprised that the battery issue is so much of an issue -- unless you are going out to the wilds and drinking beer with the crocodiles in Costa Rica (lovely country BTW) battery issue has never been a problem for me with either the MZ-N10 (Net MD) or the MZ-NH1. The thin slimline magnesium cases of these are just terrific and well worth it. The USB connection of the older MZ-N10 is the same as the MZ-NH1 so if you have the older model you will have a "spare" cable. As to sound etc -- I have ZERO complaints with the NH1. The only niggle is that if you are playing HI-MD discs you need to have the remote attached as well in order to navigate on play back -- however if I'm playing back LP2 discs this isn't such as issue as I know what's on the disc and usually play it from start to end where navigation isn't an issue. As for MP3 recording / playback --I really couldn't care less --Atrac3 plus at 256 kbs IMO is FAR superior to MP3's at almost any bit rate --and PCM recording is there for those recordings that you HAVE to have with no compression. If you are disappointed with the sound of the NH1 take a look at your Source -- are you ripping CD's --if so at what Bit rate or are you re-converting MP3's (usually very lossy to start with) into ATRAC --losing yet more fidelity. Try ripping a GOOD QUALITY CD at 256kbs ATRAC3plus plus and playing it back with a DECENT set of cans -- you won't be disappointed at all. I'm actually disappointed with the 2nd Gen units --to me looks like they are "dumbing down" the whole system which is why I've decided to skip this generation. You can get some stunning deals on the NH1 at the moment (if you can find it) and whilst no unit is ever perfect I certainly am MORE than satisfied with the NH1. As I've now found a decent MDLP unit with an optical out I can over time convert my old legacy discs to HI-MD by which time some decent high end 3rd gen stuff will appear. Remember also that not everyone is stuck in front of a computer for organising music -- which is why I don't like those USB only new units (the one's with the 'D' at the end of the model number). (I still regularly use the old MZ-N10 (Net-MD) and have never had a problem with that battery either. Cheers -K

I've given up waiting for a decent HI-MD shelf unit to come out --and I still have a lot of LP2 MD's (around 400 or so) and a car MD Radio that plays MDLP as well. I've seen an offer on this for 160 GBP Should I buy it --- It seems cheap enough for a piece of hi end gear and of course I like the Optical Out feature. I know as soon as I give my credit card number -- Sony will announce a HI-MD product -- but this seems (by UK standards) a good deal. Anybody else used this model. Here's the spec (although this is NOT the cheapest place to get it from). http://www.superfi.co.uk/index.cfm/page/mo...Product_ID/1124 Cheers -K