Hello, Wow that's some real good in depth info, thanks very much for that. When I mentioned goup recordings i probably should have been more clear, I want to select several tracks from a cd, by way of progam mode and then burn directly to the MD at SP 4X. all at once. The only CD/MD up for sale in the UK at the moment is a D3 on fleabay I hope this will do the trick. If not is any one making a CD/MD HI-MD deck?. Interesting to note that you mention ATRAC Type-S is only an enhancement for Atrac3/MDLP, I was under the impression that is was an improved compression method over Type R. I am still reading the Tuts on here to get a handle on the Atrac numbering method I have to say a huge thanks again to you all who have replied, I have just gotten the MD bug all be it a few years too late it's still a whole bunch of fun!!