Wedge

I got my CSBs+bbox used, and they work fine with my MZ-NH1. Check out some samples I've got up: http://www.aqsl13.dsl.pipex.com The first 2 (Dare and Asia) were recorded with the CSBs > bbox > MZ-NH1. The second 2 (Scorpions and Judas Priest) were Sound Professionals CMC-2 > SP-SPSB-1 > MZ-NH1. Please note that the Dare and Asia are slightly too loudly recorded - this was MY fault, not a fault of the equipment - I was in a rush as the band came on early. But the samples will give you an idea of what you can expect. With Scorps and JP, I had better preparation, and did a better job.

But why? They are useless for editing! Last time I investigated DVD/HDD recorders (a month ago?) - the general gist was that Sony machines have fantastic picture quality-wise, both for playback and recording, but completely useless when it comes to editing material on the HDD. Another blatantly stupid Sony design flaw.

Well, so far, I've only used 1 Hi-MD disc. I have only used it for transferring pre-recorded music off CD for listening to in work. One of the albums I transferred (all done in Hi-SP mode) had some glitches - brief blips of white noise type stuff. I have yet to use a Hi-MD for recording due to these glitches. I need to do some testing with all 3 Hi-MDs I've got - doing recording rather than transferring. But that will take time! So - to answer your question, in order to trust the discs for recording, I will need to test them first.

As I don't trust Hi-MD disks yet, I use Hi-SP by default, on Hi-MD formatted 80 minute MDs, giving 2hrs 20 per disc.

I don't know what you mean by 'picture backup', but the iRiver hard disk units will do everything else I think.

If past history is anything to go by, then at least £50 more than anyone else.

It depends on . . . . how much equipment you have (less is better) how big it is (smaller is better) what kind of clothes you wear to gigs Here is my rig: Sony MZ-NH1 + remote Sound Professionals CMC-2 mics, mounted in 'croakie' spectacle mounts Sound Professionals SP-SPSB-1 battery box. And, obviously, a spare MD or 2 Basically, I spread this kit out - for instance, the MD unit itself goes in my front pocket, with car/house keys positioned on top - so for a pat down, they hit the keys. The battery box goes front right trouser pocket, with tubes of sweets, and loose change positioned strategically for pat-downs again. The spare MD I put in with my wallet - once again hidden in a pat down. Other alternatives: Do you wear big boots? You can hide microphones / other small gear in your boots. A hat? Perhaps you can put some stuff in your hat? Do you smoke? Actually, it doesn't matter whether you do or not - but somewhere I read about someone who took a packet of ciggies, cut the filter tips off, and then glued the filter tips to a piece of card. You then put, e.g. spare mds, something lightweight into the packet, and put the filters on the card back in. A casual opening of the packet reveals cigarrettes. Microphones are hidden in spectacle mounts - with the cable running down my back and into an interior jacket pocket. Also, I have a 'money belt'. This goes underneath my trousers, and could hold microphones / remote / blanks. If you are a woman, or a man who has a handbag / similar, then you have more choices. Other people 'crotch' their stuff I believe. Basically, I've gone for the disguise route. In a pat down, anyone will hit my car keys / wallet / sweets / loose change I hope (haven't been in a pat down yet). Luckily in the UK, I've never seen metal detectors at gigs.

I've been looking for a case for my NH1 to no avail. Why (apart from cost) did Sony stop doing nice protective cases like they did for the N1? Made to fit, and usable in the case. The 'pouches' they supply nowadays are pretty pathetic. Nice one Sony.

Send it back straight away. This is obviously a used unit, and there is no way they should ship out used earphones, this is un-hygenic. If you are otherwise happy that everything is intact, the least they can do is get you a new pair of earbuds.

Joe, how do you intend to do this? Audio out cable from your computer to your NH1? You'd be recording in analogue then. Why not simply record what Internet Radio you want direct to hard disk using Audacity / Total Recorder / your recorder of choice. Then you can edit what you want and either import into SS then onto an MD, or convert to mp3 / whatever and burn to CD. That's what I do. But, to answer your question, then yes, you can charge the NH1 in its cradle whilst Playing back a disc, or Recording to one.

I've heard good things about Soundman mics, but they will probably cost you more than ordering from Sound Pros. I think your best bet is to order direct from Sound Pros (I did). Alternatively - look in the Yard Sale section over at http://taperssection.com - I picked up a set of Core Sound Binaurals and Bbox from there at a very good price (you will need to register to post messages/send private message). Or even Ebay.

It doesn't charge whilst connected to USB - but it is powered via the USB during file transfers etc.,.

I ordered mine from amazon uk - £4.99 each.

I suggest you re-read the first reply. If you've got a 600D rather than a 600, you CAN'T record at all. No mic-in, no line-in. (if I'm wrong, someone correct me!). I just don't want you spending money on gear that you won't be able to use. In the first instance, I suggest that you check your user manual.

What on earth gave you the idea that you can't adjust recording levels on the fly? As far as I am aware, all Hi-MD recorders do this. Certainly the MZ-NH900 and MZ-NH1 do. Where did you get your information from ?

The biggest bargain was the MZ-NH900, which Amazon UK were selling for £69.99 in the past few weeks. Unfortunately, they have (not surprisingly) cleared their stocks of this unit. Next best bargain - although double the cost of what you were looking at, is the MZ-NH1, once again through Amazon UK for £109.99. The NH1 is the top-of-the-range 1st generation Hi-MD. £109.99 is a very good price on this if you are looking for a Hi-MD unit.

Double post self deleted.

Well, I suggest you get yourself some rechargeable AA batteries, or even disposable AAs as standbys then, especially for the 3-4 day festivals. At least you have the option with the NH900 - I've got an NH1, so am stuck with the internal battery only. Although I hope to get a second battery for it someday if I can.

Not that I'm prying, but 29 hours seems plenty of time to me in between charges. Unless perhaps you were going on holiday somewhere where there was no power or something. Me - I take it work. I listen all day. I take it home. I charge it overnight. Repeat.

Ah - you beat me to it. In fact - I was just about to add another question - have you put the battery in?

Is there a Sony store near you where you could get someone to have a look at it? Also, the obvious question arises - is the battery is charged? And something else - check the Hold switches on the NH1 itself AND on the remote.

You could try recording to your hard disk first with something like Total Recorder or Wavelab. Or maybe Audacity. What you want is software that will record your 'mixed output'. That is, will record the sound that is output to your speakers. I used to use Wavelab (which came with my soundcard) to record internet radio shows for later playback. This is a digital recording of course. When recorded to .wav, you can then send to MD via SS. I think.

Regarding the NH1 battery times (for recording anyway). At both the shows I've recorded, I recorded about 3 hours each. And had the unit in 'pause' mode for probably another 1 hour spread between the 2 shows. At both shows, I went in with a fully charged battery - and after recording the shows, each time 1 battery bar had gone. The only time that battery life would be an issue for me would be if I were at an all-day affair and wanted to record everything. To the person that asked about external battery pack for NH1? No, it doesn't have one. If I were going to do an all day show, I think I would take a look and see if I could get a spare battery for the NH1 and keep them both charged. Obviously, if you were at a 3 day festival (e.g. Sweden Rock), then the NH900 becomes more attractive - you'd just need a bundle of AAs with you. But stealth is my main concern, and the NH1 is top-of-the-shop for that. Very small, and everything can be done from the remote (apart from the initial record+pause on the main unit). I must confess though, if I had £69.99 to spare (which I don't!), I'd get an NH900 as a backup.

I saw "Be Cool" on Tuesday night. Worth watching for the exceptional performances from The Rock (as Elliot the gay bodyguard) and Vince Vaughn as the low-life he is guarding. Especially The Rock. Other sterling performances from 'Cedric the Entertainer', and Andre 3000 (from Outkast). However, as a piece of cinema, it fails to gel. It is a film which might have sounded good on paper, but turns out be be less than the sum of its parts. It fails to 'be cool', if you will. Overall score - 5/10. To compare sequels - Be Cool is to Get Shorty as Oceans Twelve is to Oceans Eleven.

Check your warranty - hopefully, it will be Europe, or even, worldwide warranty.