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DATfan

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Posts posted by DATfan

  1. Yes, this is a remnant of DRM. Very unfortunately, it is in the hardware.

    So, let's say I download a radio podcast in MP3 on my computer. I transfer it to the RH1. It cannot be edited or even deleted?

    And I though the RH1 got rid of this type of restriction. So, any way to defeat this?

  2. I just decommissioned my MZ-NH900 in favor of a MZ-RH1.

    I often listen to radio shows, and use the speed control (SC) feature.

    What a difference!

    The MZ-RH1 on speed control provided totally smooth, pitch-controlled audio. Listening at +100% (2x) was not only actually possible, but EASY!

    I've used speed control on the regular MD business players, and they shared the same problems with audibility that the Hi-MD MZ-NH900 did ... you really can't go past +50% without losing audibility, and there are sharp "cracks" in the sound that are annoying. You really have to work at listening.

    In fact, I had stocked up with 2 MZ-NH900s back when we learned that the second wave of Hi-MDs had dropped the SC feature.

    But, shortly thereafter, the MZ-RH1 arrived and re-implemented SC, but I soldiered on with the MZ-NH900, because I didn't believe Sony would change the speed control algorithm.

    Boy, was I wrong!!

    I now have 1 MZ-RH1 and 2 MZ-M200s and have decommissioned that MZ-NH900, and have a 2nd new-in-box that I just won't be needing at all.

  3. Not that I cant get them online, but I've been swooping down from the Rockies here to foothils towns to snatch up the MDs left at any Best Buy store I find. They all say they arn't getting any more in. Got 20 more gold discs today

    Just purchased 20 blank Hi-MD from Tape Warehouse dot com for a reasonable price.

    They do go in and out of stock.

  4. Thanks for the update. Too bad there aren't any HiMD decks in the U.S. yet...if ever.

    Dave

    There are a handful of places online to buy the Onkyo Hi-MD decks, shipping to the U.S., U.K., and other non-Japan markets.

    My Onkyo deck is happily working on a step-down transformer here in the U.S.

    Easy to obtain (I used amazon.co.jp and a friend's address in Japan), quick to ship, and intuitive to operate, everything (except the printed manual, but who reads that? ha) is in English.

    YMMV...

  5. I'm in japan for a few months, and can't see many 1 GB blanks in the large retail chains here. The one sole chain store that stocked them was asking Y680 each (USD$5.70). And then, it had only a few in stock. the best japanese e-tailers are asking is Y640 (USD$5.36). But there's heaps of regular blank MDs here: 74 mins; 80 mins, and brands ranging from "Sony ES" to generic '$1 shop' stock. I was surprised at the number of different brands offering MD portables and blanks (no fear of the format's demise here).

    I picked up a bunch of new, blank MDs at < JPY 40 ( < USD 0.35) each, last time I was looking at some discount store in Fukuyama.

  6. Ah ok - I thought mplayer just played the file and captured in real-time. Could you provide a link for the version you're using? As you say, it's always good to check these things out.

    Download Link for mplayer 1.0 rc 1

    http://www.mplayerhq.hu/design7/dload.html

    Use the commandline (not GUI) version, I think the latest (for Windows) is:

    MPlayer-mingw32-1.0rc1.zip

    Command line functionality is documented here:

    http://www.mplayerhq.hu/DOCS/man/en/mplayer.1.txt

    HTH

  7. You are missing that the 16.5GB mini disc are 8cm wide and NOT 6.3cm as MiniDisc's...

    Then do they also make BluRay disc's that mix two metal layers when you burn them and that version is extremely stable, but not rewritable... So MD is still the most stable (safe) rewritable format ;-)

    So, other than the fact that BluRay is not magneto optical, and uses different diameter discs . . .

    It's all so diabolically clever. :)

  8. Perhaps an easier freeware application for audio extraction from DVDs is

    Mplayer is easy. Never needed to look for anything else.

    will identify the individual audio stream(s) within a title and demultiplex them out. This occurs at several times faster than real-time; with the maximum dependent on the rip speed of the DVD-ROM/DVD-RW.

    Mplayer performs similarly.

    Edit: Once you have the AC3 file, then decode to WAV with something else freeware

    I am happy to keep the original AC3 and a down-mixed 2-channel PCM (for use with MD of course). Mplayer can be invoked to process AC3 files to 2-channel PCM. It seems to be very versatile.

    But it's good to know there is alternative free software out there.

  9. Hello guys,

    Have anyone own the Onkyo MD-133 Hi-MD home deck? Can the set make bit perfect copy via optical input from a CD player. Onkyo stated 'Direct Digital Pass', does it means that it can bypass the sample rate converter? Can the digital input volume control in the manual set to 0 or neutral?

    I have the MD-133. I am not really set up to test this (no CD player hooked into it). So I will propose a computer-based solution which I would have a lot more confidence in, anyway.

    I want to copy DTS, HDCD DVD's and CD's soundtracks and want to retain these information so I decode later. Thank you.

    For bit-for-bit accuracy on CDs, I use Exact Audio Copy, but the soon-to-be-finalized dBPowerAMP Music Converter R12 (now in beta) may have a superior ripper. See http://dbpoweramp.com/secure-ripper.htm . I think you should be able to put all such resulting wav PCM on Hi-MD.

    For DVDs, I think mplayer is the best free utility out there. It lets you isolate the audio you want and get it. Regardless, you can get exactly what is on the DVD (AC3, DTS, etc) in its original form.

  10. Hi,

    I have a question: Will there be a new Hi-md recorder (sony) in 2007 ???

    This would appear to be within the realm of possibility. Hopefully someone who knows more will post here.

    But all evidence is that Sony is not developing MD technology any further.

    16.5 Gigs of data on one Mini BlueRay. Now stick that in an MD player oh yeah baby!!!

    Hello Sony Service department. :bomb_phone:

  11. AFAIK you should be able to convert a ATRAC Lossless to WAV. I assume what Syrius meant was Unless you have a problem with your SS library, in that the licenses gets corrupt or something. Which while not common with the last few versions of SS its not unheard of either. I'd never had a problem with that, even between a few machines.

    I'd never even heard of OPTIMFROG till I saw your post. Why use that? I'd use something more common these days, with HD space being so cheap.

    AFAIK, if I change machines or reinstall the OS, the license key is no longer valid and the files cannot be used.

    You are asking a minidisc user why he doesn't use something more common? :)

    EDIT:

    Here's a great comparison table for various CODECs.

    http://wiki.hydrogenaudio.org/index.php?ti...less_comparison

    Because my goal is to compress and archive, I choose to compress to the smallest file size. To compress to larger than the minimum file size does not make sense. I do admit one ulterior motive, the ability to tag OFR files.

    I also admit FLAC files are definitely intriguing, especially the ability to include pictures of the CD cover & booklet.

  12. I suggest you use WMA Lossless instead of Atrac-L. SS will take it, and you don't run the risk of having the dreaded license errors in case of a backup or restore.

    A belated thanks. I finally understand what you are saying about the license issues. Apparently, I would not be able to recover the original WAV from my ATRAC files should I attempt to do it on another machine (or on my own machine, if I had reinstalled my OS). Yikes!

    After much research, I have decided to use OPTIMFROG for all long-term WAV archiving (not day-to-day use).

  13. Trust what's printed on the package of a store-bought cleaner

    ... by Sony. Printed by Sony, on the Sony MD-8HCL head cleaner.

    Nevertheless, I do note that Sony is not precisely recommending this use, merely stating that this will keep the head clean at all times (regardless of unmentioned side effects such as possible wear).

    So I will not be cleaning my MD recording heads twice a month. Once a year maybe. And cleaning the lens? Most likely never!

    That is, as soon as anyone can clarify if the Sony MD-8HCL head cleaner is acceptable for use in Hi-MD units.

    What is it about MD car and data drives such that Sony instructs against using the MD-8HCL, and are those characteristics shared by Hi-MD units?

  14. You mean connecting the tuner's RI link to the MD's RI link is enough? :huh: I'd never though that was possible, but why not, let us know more about if it is indeed possible.

    EDIT: No, it doesn't work with just the tuner and deck. The timer can be programmed, but will not trigger without the A-933 Pre-Main Amp.

    The A-933 Pre-Main Amp is required for the timer to operate.

    EDIT: A 15 ft long mono (monaural) patch cable, terminated with mini-plugs, works correctly in place of the R1 cables.

    EDIT: The user can timer-record from one external source (i.e. something other than an Onkyo Intec 275 component). I use an ICOM IC-R75 base receiver. Of course, the user must ensure that this component will be operating at the needed time.

    EDIT: In the timer menu, I can choose to record from AM, FM, or LINE. The MD-133 takes as "LINE" the input to which the MD-133 was last set (DIGITAL1, DIGITAL2, ANALOG) . Because the timer cannot specify between the three possible inputs DIGITAL1, DIGITAL2 and ANALOG on the MD-133, the timer cannot make the input source change from whatever is currently selected for the MD-133.

    Other notes:

    The AM band is, of course, the Japanese standard, so it is fairly useless in the U.S. There are a few coincidences of usable frequences, such as AM 630 kHz, WMAL (ABC) in Washington, D.C. Even using the small AM antenna, I found the T-433 was able to lock on strongly, and found myself listening to WMAL's Christmas programs.

    I am using a step-down transformer to 100 V. 500 W should be sufficient, as I am not using any speakers with this setup, it's strictly a recording rig.

  15. Posts #2 and #3 from the thread that I linked should answer your question. When people have had skipping problems or whatever with their units, the most that I've seen them do is clean things with isopropyl alcohol. I have yet to see someone using commercial disc cleaners for regular maintenance. Usually, those cleaners are recommended if no other remedies work and the only other choice is to send the MD unit to Sony for repair.

    Sony MD-8HCL instructions:

    "To keep the magnetic head clean at all times, carry out cleaning regularly at a rate of about once every two weeks."

    Recommendation is implied, but not directly stated.

    Also of interest, the head cleaner is not for use in "car-mounted MD units" or in "data drivers."

    I wonder whether the characteristics of car-mounted and data driver MD units (that render head cleaners unsuitable) are also shared by Hi-MD units?

  16. Wow! This system is really slick. Very easy to operate, solid feel. The three essential components are the A-933 pre-main amp, T-433 tuner, and MD-133 Hi-MD player. Some might desire the CD player and speakers, but I omitted them from my purchase.

    I feel it was worth spending just shy of USD 2000, including all taxes and shipping. Especially so, as I remember the Sony MDS-E12 pro deck was USD 1200, by itself.

    I was going to describe how to set it up and make the timer record function work. But there's really no need, it is so straightforward. So, I'm not going to post a whole review just yet.

    The timer-record function does really work! EDIT: The A-933 is required for the timer function to operate.

    More later!

  17. Were the first generation Hi-MD Players unreliable?

    I am finding my NH-900 to be unreliable under certain known circumstances. When doing a single recording operation to 80 min MD media in Hi-LP mode, and reaching the full disc capacity, frequently all recorded data are lost. :( I think this is probably some flaw in the firmware.

  18. UPDATE (again).

    Yesterday, my NH900 did this with a 80 min Nashua MD. That is, lost all data.

    It appears the NH900 (tested using a standard 80 min MD in Hi-LP mode) cannot reliably record, in a single operation, to the complete end of a MD (in this case, just over 10 hours).

    The disc in question was blank, but it had been full-erased after a successful prior attempt to write to the end of the disc.

    I am now thinking there might be a need to "refresh" the MD by some method other than full-erase.

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