Tokend

What do you recommend for keeping files unencrypted? Run FCT after every batch of uploads? Every now and then? Also, now that my files are unecrypted, can I stay with Win7 (presuming it works) for uploading new files and running FCT, or do I need the original SS-under-XP for that? (Pardon my naivt

Thanks so much, sfbp. I thought that I was faced with finding and re-uploading all my minidisc recordings. Your suggestion worked like a charm. Thank you, again. For those who, like me, don't know the in's and out's of MD file structures, copy protections, and file structures, the File Conversion Tool is on the SonicStage menu (duh!). I googled my brains out, looking for "Windows XP file conversion tool" before I understood what tool sfbp was talking about. Also, I may not have proceeded if sfbp hadn't indicated that this was a solution to MY problem, because the FCT talks about general OpenMG conversion, and doesn't say anything about operating systems. Listening to an uploaded minidisc recording under Windows7-64 now! Cheers, and thank you.

Hello fellow minidisc fans, I have been using SS 4.3 under WinXP. Recently, I installed Win7-64 in a second boot partition, and installed SS 4.3.01.14050. Next, I imported folders from the same HD location as the SS "My Library" under WinXP. This library includes some mp3's, converted from CDs by iTunes, and some personal minidisc recordings (oma's). All "My Library" personal recordings were uploaded to SS under WinXP, using an MZ-RH1. Under Win7, I can play the imported CD pieces, but when I try to play the personal recordings from My Library, I get "Cannot play back this track. Do you want to connect to the Internet and download the license for this track?" I click "No" and get "Cannot load the rights information for the selected tracks. The file format may not be supported by SonicStage (0000010d)" So, my questions are: (1) Could/should I have imported the personal recordings differently, so as not to confuse SS regarding the DRM settings? (2) Because both the WinXP and Win7 "My Library" refer to the same folders, did I screw up the DRM settings for both WinXP and Win7? (I'll report back when I've tried) (3) Do I have to re-import the personal recordings from MD into the Win7 "My Library" to satisfy DRM? (4) If so, should I overlay the existing files or create new ones? Thanks for any advice.

PROBLEM SOLVED: (In posting the following problem, I stumbled upon my own solution, so I no longer need help on this. I post the origninal problem and solution here, though, in case someone else can benefit.) PROBLEM: I'm hoping someone can help. Recently, I installed an external hard drive (Seagate FreeAgent), via Firewire 400. The drive comes up as drive N:, and all is well. However, upon starting SonicStage 4.0, I find that SS can no longer see my MZ-RH1. I think the RH1 used to be drive N. What's worse is that the computer, itself, can no longer see the RH1. When I connect the USB cable to the drive, WinXP boops and the RH1 springs to life. Device Manager shows "SONY HI-MD WALKMAN USB Device" as enabled and working properly. However, no drive letter has been assigned, and I can't see the RH1 in Explorer. I have rebooted and cold started. Still, no MD. SOLUTION: The problem was that Windows was using the same drive letter for two purposes: for the RH1, and for a shared network drive. I could see the network drive in Explorer under the drive letter, but not the RH1. To fix this, go into Control Panel > Administrative Tools > Computer Management. Select Storage > Disk Management. Find the confused drive letter assignment in the display of Disks. In my case, the RH1 showed up as Disk 6, drive letter O: (same as the network drive), and "965 MB Healthy." Well, inasmuch as the network drive is much bigger than 965 MB, and a MD is just about 965 MB, I figured this must be the problem. Sure enough, reassigning the drive letter of Disk 6 to an unused letter (L:) did the trick. Now I can see both the RH1 and the network drive in Explorer, and SS sees the RH1. I hope this helps someone

I did receive my unit, and all is well, now. But, this wasn't one of my more pleasant buying experiences. Besides my order (which did not result in a confirmation email), I sent an email requesting confirmation and shipping status. I got a reply saying it would ship on a certain day, but no acknowledgment that it did. Subsequently, I sent 3 or 4 more emails, requesting status and shipping information. No replies. I began to think that I had been duped. So, I sent an email with the message that, unless I heard from them promptly with the requested info, I would call my credit card company and cancel the purchase. The next morning, I got a phone call. The unit had shipped, and they gave me tracking info. All in all, their order processing seems to "work," though not sending order confirmations is inexcusable. Their post-sale communications leave a lot to be desired, though. They claimed that they had replied to all my emails, and that I should check my "junk mail" filter. I did, and there was nothing there. Besides, the one email had gotten through. I think the junk mail thing was a dodge. Just one person's experience, FWIW.

... MiniDisc Canada http://www.minidisc-canada.com/shopdisplay...rtable+MiniDisc There are new RH1s available from MDC. With the apparent demise of the RH1, I wanted a backup unit, and I didn't want the so-so mic that comes with the M200. I paid $309 USD. Price this morning is $307. LIP-4WM batteries are about $32. Used RH1s on eBay have been going for about $250-275, so I was happy to pay a little more for a new one. Just passing this info along in case someone else is trying to find a new RH1.

What do you suppose Sony means by "Be sure to use the Sony private charger to charge"? I presume it's Sony text, because I see the same verbiage on ads for the battery by many different vendors. Does anybody know if the LIP-4WMs at Minidisc Canada are the genuine article?

I'm looking to add another LIP-4WM battery or two for my MZ-RH1. I've done lots of reading here about eBay knock-offs, and such. I would also like to get an external gumstick charger with which to charge batteries. For one, charging externally would be safer than using the RH1's charging system, in case a battery malfunctions or leaks. What's more, ads for even a genuine Sony LIP-4WM caution me to "Be sure to use the Sony private charger to charge". Also, I would be able to charge more than one battery at a time with an external charger. However, I didn't receive a "Sony private charger" with my RH1. And, damned if I can find one online, not even on Sony's site. I can find external chargers for NH-14/etc. batteries, but not the LIP-4. Does anybody know where I can get an external LIP-4WM charger? BTW, Minidisc Canada advertises what looks to be genuine Sony LIP-4WM batteries for $35 CAD (~$32.75 USD). Of course, the eBay knock-offs look like "genuine" Sony batteries as well, so who knows. But, if this is legit, it's about half the price of these batteries at minidisco. LIP-4WM batteries for ~$33

Just wanted to pass this along... I just bought some Hi-MD discs from Musician's Friend ("Warehouse Moving Sale") for $5 each. Not sure how that price stacks up these days, but what with the recent, possibly end-of-HiMD-line news, mere availability of these discs at a decent price from a reliable source was worth it, for me to stock up a bit, just in case.... Gold MDs are $1.49; a pack of 5 MDs is 6.99. The MDs are in the "Recording" section of the sale. Musician's Friend sale

To you people who are complaining about the quantity and/or quality of information given by 1kyle and other posters: LIGHTEN UP!!! "I asked the same to 1kyle some month ago, but he didn't answer clearly..." "just a simple question: do you really boot from hi-md? if the answer is yes, can you descript how to do that?" "'I'd say this is at least not polite. Claiming it's possible and instead of answering very certain questions providing links to vast and very loosely related subjects" I have read this thread, and I find the information presented by 1kyle very helpful and useful. For your information, setting up an alternative boot device is a complex process. There are tools that make the process easier, but it's not as simple as dragging and dropping a file, as you guys seem to expect. Furthermore, the particulars vary with your particular machine and circumstances. Geesz. What do you want the guy to do, write you a detailed, custom manual that explains step-by-step exactly how to create a boot disk that covers YOUR particular circumstances? I think that you are the ones being impolite. Why don't you try appreciating what you are given instead of running off at the mouth about others' impoliteness? There. I just had to say that.

Thanks to all for this information. I have no reason not to use these cores, but was just curious about what purpose they serve. And, Happy Diwali to you too, Stuge.

Just got my new MZ-RH1!! It's my first Hi-MD, and I am SO looking forward not only to playing and recording, but also uploading all my old MD recordings to computer. What an utterly cool piece of technology. I had bought 10 Hi-MD discs a few months ago, when they were $4 apiece from Musician's Friend. So, with 40 bucks invested, I HAD to get the MZ-RH1. As I type, I'm listening to Flaco Jimenez from an outdoor concert a while back. Crowd noise, not so much left-right separation, and many other sound recording boo-boos, but it sounds completely fantastic. The only knock so far, if you can call it that, is, because it's so small and light, the RH1 doesn't have a high pounds-per-dollar value. :-) One question, though. The unit came with a couple of snap-closable ferrite cores, with instructions to wrap them around mic and line-in cords. The supplied USB charger cord and remote cord already had their own cores attached. What do these things do? What happens if I record without them? Or, what happens if I use them when I'm not supposed to? Thanks, and wheee!!! Go, Flaco.

Thanks for this information. This device almost makes up for Sony's omission of a battery pack sidecar. I have a few questions about using a device such as this: (1) Is the pack safe re over-voltage? (2) If so, does it have its own regulators, or does it depend on the RH1? (3) You describe using the battery pack as a charger, with the RH1 turned off. Can I use it, instead, as a supplemental battery pack? That is, can I use the RH1 while the battery pack is charging the internal battery? (4) If yes, any idea how much recording time I could expect with a fully-charged internal battery and 4 fresh AAs? Thanks.

Nothing personal, but I was dubious about this. So, I tried it. I speak no Japanese myself, but reading and deciphering the translation, would be slower for me than reading a college physics text book. Consider the following excerpt from a Babelfish translation of this site: Check out Sony Topics view point on the MZ-RH1 here: http://www.sony.jp/topics/walkman/himd/sasaji.html [ First half of first "paragraph" ] To tell the truth, carrying about MD walkman privately from work separated, it does not do that you inquire about tune it is. While riding in the streetcar, it does not do that first you inquire about music, and, even in the car stereo as for MD being not to have been attached, (laughing), MD to take care with private, it is few when you compare to the general user. It continues to use MD simply, with work directly. The use of MD on work site, in case of me, is limited to one. Doing recording at the studio, you record the last stage of job of that day in MD. Having that in the home, returning, after that you think of job furthermore dubbing it does what and so on. Simply, because I the work handle, music producer, the sound quality of CD focusing on think of phenomenon, the impression, simple sound recording simple playback equipment and material in regard to MD was strong. Entertaining, but not very informative.

Yes. I got my flimsy envelope of 10 loose disks today, just as you described. No packing materials whatsoever. I don't see any damage on visual inspection. I can't test the discs, though, because I don't yet have a Hi-MD drive (awaiting the RH1). Interestingly, the "Returns" notice inside advised me to retain all original packing materials, in case I need to return the shipment. I'm not going to return them over this, but the experience doesn't encourage me to continue doing business with Musician's friend.