alexis

Hello there! A few more hands-on impressions from RH1: 1) The thing about the ejection button is not that critical. I actually pushed it open two times the first two days, but then I learned to handle the player (especially taking it out of my pocket holding the edges) without pushing the eject button, so I think it will not be a problem for a trained RH1 owner. 2) More about the Macintosh support: The provided Macintosh software will let me upload Hi-MD tracks and convert them in .wav files, but ONLY THOSE I HAVE RECORDED ON THE RH1, not those that I have recorded on my RH-10. Darn! However, this is very quick (a couple of seconds for a couple of minutes Hi-LP track). 3) Something weird with titling and Macintosh support: When I input a title on the RH1, I can't edit it on the RH10 and vice-versa: a title entered on the RH10 cannot be edited on the RH1 ("can't edit"). Darn! This holds for Title, Author and Album. Furthermore, a track recorded on the RH1 and titled on the RH10 will not be eligible any more for Macintosh upload. Darn-again! However, removing a title (or author, or album) on the recorder that entered it will make the track "titleable" on both devices and will make it back eligible for upload. Weird! 4) A workaround for the line-out flaw: Plugging the remote of the RH10 on the RH1 will not disable the line out audio out option automatically, as the RH1 remote will do, but any command will do (that is, pause, forward, etc...). It makes it possible to use the RH1 as a home deck with loaded discs as follows: * use the next/previous group button to navigate through groups * pause * select the line out option on the main unit * play, use the main unit controls only It is not a perfect workaround, but at least it works. 5) Playback quality: I made a QUICK AND NOT THOROUGH comparison of the RH1 and RH10, using the RH1 remote and Grado SR80 headphones (Cassandra Wilson, New Moon Daughter, digitally recorded on the RH1 in Hi-SP). The difference is audible, as instruments (accordion, guitar, congas, etc...) seem more "present" with the RH1 and gives a better feeling of "intimacy". The famous difficult hissing "s" sounds from human voice are rendered slightly better on the RH1. The multiple simultaneous tones of the accordion are better identified and the percussions seems closer and better defined. However these differences are minor, and I can't tell if it is because of the amplifier, the decoding algorithm or the connectors. I will certainly perform other tests (LinearPCM recordings, recordings from the RH10, etc...) in the future - I will keep you informed. OK, that is all for the moment - enjoy

Why? No, just kidding... Thank you all for your help - I will be trying more RH1 stuff within the next days - I'll report interesting results on the forums.

I am using exactly the SoniStage software that came on a CD with my (Japanese) MZ-RH1. I Installed it completely over a previously existing SS 3.2, chosing the "overseas Japanese model" option. I am running Windows 98 second edition, and there is no way I will update the OS on this computer. If somebody successfully uploaded tracks from a write-protected disk, I will gladly try to reproduce exactly its configuration (except, as I said, for the OS).

Just a question about this feature: I would like to know how to perform it. I tried myself and it did not work. When simply trying to upload optical-in tracks from an Hi-MD with the write-protection tab set, the software (SS 3.4) complained that the media was not writable.

Hello! I actually have had a RH1 for two days, and I must say all what Kyle says is true, I could just add three things: 1. The Macintosh support is not working. Could not upload or download anything with it. Too bad! 2. The eject button is far too easily pushed inadvertently! It's easy to eject your disc while shuffling around in your pocket. 3. ONE BIG FLAW: It is not possible to effectively browse through a disc without the remote control. So, if you want to use your RH1 as a "micro deck" (which it is very well designed to) and connect it to your stereo system using the line out audio out option, WHICH IS ONLY SELECTABLE WITHOUT A REMOTE, you will only be able to navigate through your disc using next and previous track. This makes a full 1GB Hi-LP disc (say, 600 tracks) virtually unusable. Darn! However, I only have the japanese instructions (and I do not read japanese), so maybe there is a trick to select groups or albums or artists without the remote, but it does not look like it was possible. I'll be posting further remarks when something insteresting comes out (for example, if I get the Macintosh support working).

Hi Guys! For me definitely silver, or rather should I say "metallic" - I like the metal finish and the light colour. Furthermore, it reminds me of my MZ-R30. I actually have got one (a silver RH1) for ... two days now, and it really looks great. It's too bad that the remote control is not in silver too...

I confirm that installing the Sony private audio driver is necessary to use an Hi-MD device as external USB storage (tested and working: Windows 98SE / MZ-RH10). The best way to do it is to use the excellent SonicStage 3.2 offline installer that can be found in the download section of the MiniDisc forum.

I'd like to call it Hi-Q (for q like "quality") to keep the name consistent with the Hi-LP/Hi-SP naming used for Hi-MD hardware.

I like using the 64kbps (Hi-LP), because of the more than acceptable quality for listening on-the-go with earbuds and the plenty of music time in allows, even on 270MB MDs. Definitely my favourite to take music with me while I am out. I even own an iPod too and use AAC encoding at 80kbps, for the same reasons (acceptable quality, plenty of space).