Trebor

Sounds like a great idea! SP format, thanks. International's okay. Non-English language music preferred (especially French, Brazilian and/or Arabic music) - no rap, dance, hip-hop, r'n'b or grossly commercial pop sludge please (the more acoustic, the better).

Unit: 2x DHC-MD373s, MZ-R500 + 250 Minidiscs Daily use: listening to music at home and on the go Favorite use: recording radio shows, recording/archiving CD albums and producing music compilations for friends Professional use: none Alternatives? portable player: yes; high quality recording: none afforable/portable (eh?) Request: to keep (Hi)MD technology alive (with backwards compatibility), re-incorporating digital input ports in new models, increasing public awareness of its advantages (while re-positioning it as an ALTERNATIVE to MP3 technology) and re-introducing (Hi)MD decks (with or without cassette decks)

Hi everyone, I've been reading all the posts on this thread, and (unless I'm mistaken) there's one fundamental point about the difference between MD and MP3 technology that hasn't been mentioned: not everyone has an interest (or 100% interest) in recording their music collection via a computer. There are still some people (such as myself) who are relatively happy to rely solely on hi-fi technology to record MDs. I'm sorry, but I use my computer enough as it is for many other things - I'm sure most people would prefer not to feel constantly chained to their computer, especially to manage their personal music recordings. This recording flexibility is a significant strength of the MD that would lead me to conclude that Sony won't be dropping it. Also, it's still a superior alternative to the cassette format (though I'm still miffed as to why all the latest Sony hi-fis have cassette decks instead of MD decks - digital radio? check... CD player with MP3 readability? Check... analogue cassette deck? Chec... eh?! But then again, Sony haven't always been the greatest of decision makers...

Hi The Low Volta! Thanks for your reply - I had a feeling you'd be the first one to reply (you seem to have a monopoly on the forum when it comes to replies!). Are you sure that SPMDs will never be able to be uploaded to a PC? What about soundcards with optical-in? I'm not complaining (as I was more curious about transferring my MD collection to PC, rather than being desperate to do so), but Hi-MD has only been on the European market for roughly a year! Considering that MD technology had been around for over ten years by this point, with many loyal customers possessing scores of MD recordings recorded on older generation equipment, this is a real slap in the face. I was originally against MD technology, but eventually saw its advantages and bought everything Sony. Even faced with this fact, I still don't regret making the switch from cassette to MD. However, how can anyone place their trust in Sony again if this is the way loyal customers of their MD technology are treated? My MD collection is verging towards 250 - some of the CDs I recorded have long been deleted, and I consider myself quite lucky to possess them in some kind of digital format. But the limitations that Sony has placed on this format is deplorable. I, like the rest of you, believe that there is still plenty of potential for future MD development. But with the number of confusing MD formats available, with their lack of full compatibility with each other, and with Sony's disinterest in continuing to promote this product things don't look too good. It seems strange that Sony and Phillips were at each other's throats in the MD/DCC war, a decade ago... I think the main thing that makes me angry is not the current state of the MD, but these two points: 1) Formats are going in and out of fashion far too quickly. When an individual obtains music that they passionately love, they'll want to enjoy it for the rest of their naturally life (and hopefully on the same format with adequate aftersales service). Vinyl is roughly 100 years old and is still around. The cassette is still doing the rounds even after 50 years. But after ten years, the MD is 'out'! So, how many more years before the MP3 goes out of favour? In 2/3 years time? For how long can the consumer continuously change from one format to another without feeling like a mug? I want to enjoy my music on a 'stable' format - I don't want to place more importance on the format or technology than the music, and that is what's gravely wrong about the current state of home music entertainment industry. 2) 15 years ago we had CD, cassette and vinyl to choose from - two of which are analog alternatives. As consumers, we were spoilt for choice (and rightfully so). And now? MP3 and, er... MP3! Yes, I know, MP3 is just one of many downloading technologies available, but they all require the same equipment (i.e. a computer). Yes, there is still CD-R technology but that doesn't compare to MD technology. MD technology is the closest rival to hard drive downloading (working on a different premise, in terms of format and equipment), and I find it disheartening that the manufacturers (especially Sony) are more or less forcing us consumers down one particular path. Sony could (and should) have marketed the MD as an alternative. With changes in the industry, the focus should have been moved from the inferiority of cassettes to the advantages over hard drive technology (while still maintaining full compatibility with earlier generations of MDs). Jesus! It's not as if we're asking too much here, eh? Anyway, enough of my ranting. I just thought I should purge myself. MD RULES!!!

Hi everyone! I've just discovered this forum a few hours ago, and have been read so many threads that my head is spinning! I originally invested in MD technology in '99 (after years of resistance) as an alternative to cassettes. At the moment, I only own first generation players - the HCD-MD373 (which I've recorded all my MDs on, so far) and the MZ-R500 (used strictly as a walkman). I've never bothered with the MDLP format because of its sound limitations (especially with MDLP4). As for NetMD, I never use my computer for music recording purposes (call me old fashioned, if you will). Anyway, I have a few questions that I am still unclear about (due to my head still spinning). I'm aware that some of the following has already been discussed (with this being my first post, please bear with me), but I would appreciate it if these issues could be further clarified for me: 1) I was amazed to read from some that the MD format (is this what you all refer to as SP?) has better sound quality than MP3. But what about NetMD and Hi-MD? Which of the MD technologies offer the best sound quality? 2) Why should I consider Hi-MD technology (apart from greater storage capacity)? 3) I read that uploading music from SPMD to PC is impossible. Does anyone know if this will ever become a reality? And if it is possible, then how? 4) I've noticed that a lot of people have had problems with their MD recorders after roughly 3 years. A friend in the know told me that this is usually because the optical pick-up needs replacing (which has a life-span of at least 1.5 years, easy). Would you consider this to be acceptable, after the investment made in MD technology? 5) Have any of you had problems getting your MD players repaired satisfactorily (especially from Sony repair centres)? 6) What advantages do MP3/WAV/etc. have over MD technology (if any at all)? Many thanks.