KJ_Palmer

Hi. You can only upload Hi-MD format recordings (PCM, Hi-SP or Hi-LP), but it doesn't matter what type of disks they're recorded on... you can't upload any Net MD formnats (SP or LP2/4), I think this thread should be able to help you further...

Well, you've had your chance... . I personally do not feel so strongly about MP3 as the 'standard' MD formats, ie. SP and LP2. Quite frankly if they ditched MP3 and brought back the legacy formats (for recording - plus perhaps uploading thereof) in the third generation, there would, I'm sure be many happy bunnies..... Though yes, I agree - for the sake of fairness, they really should do something about the MP3 playback 'bug'.. dont know if it's too late to tell them....?

And don't forget to have a shave before talking to Brits - and pass the ketchup please!... Sorry Volta - seriously, apologies for my fellow countrymen's rudeness and ignorance..

Probably the higher quality components in decks and the build quality.. portable components tend to put the emphasis on space reduction and energy efficiency rather than top sound quality - I guess thats why the best decks are such huge mf's - no need to make any compromises... The line outs on Hi-MDs (first generation), while fine enough, just don't match the purity and power of a dedicated deck output, even one that can 'only' play SP... Moreover, as any seasoned MD lover will tell you, SP is pretty much the zenith of all compression formats, so a great MD deck coupled with Type-R SP will sound better through a stereo system than a Hi-MD plus line out into the Aux in... Besides I really cant tell any difference between my CD player and Sony MD deck through the stereo... Of course a Hi-MD deck, such as they exist, may be a different matter (playing PCM), but I haven't tried one yet sadly...

I definitely prefer the newer units. I'd say the sound quality has got better and better over the years, and the latest digital amps with their EQ are just incredibly clear and sweet. Listening to, say my N1 or N707, which are still going strong btw, the sound is somehow rawer, maybe a tad more 'powerful', but the clarity of the NH900 and RH10 will win it for me everytime... Of my older units, the N910 comes close to the Hi-MDs (but it is late generation NetMD), and the digital amp of my Sharp DR420 gives them a run for their money, but overall the new units sound the best (to me)... That's the portables.. of course my JB980 deck has yet to be beaten...

The latest version of Sonicstage (3.2) has divide and combine facilities in the edit menu for ATRAC and Wav files in My Library, but not MP3. You can get SS3.2 from the downloads section at the top of this page, if you havent done so already.

I mostly charge in the unit itself rather than an external charger to save wear and tear on battery doors, which are a notorious weak spot in MD design. I sometimes do charge AA's externally, but I haven't noticed any particular advatage in that (in terms of better battery life etc). However I would never use an MD unit as a convenient battery charger for other appliances though... I personally have had not problems (yet, touch wood) with batteries exploding or expanding in a player/recorder whilst recharging. Maybe that's more likely if they're left plugged in and 'charging' for days on end, or not properly drained (woth NiMH's), or with a faulty battery.. So I'll carry on with recharging them inside the unit.. for now.....

If you format your MD to NetMD format first you should get the LP2/LP4 codecs in simpleburner... I did this the other day using my deck, but sonicstage may be the only option for some.... I think this may be a bug in SS3.2/SimpleBurner as I'm pretty sure in 3.0 you could use the "Config" option in SB to format a disk to NetMD mode and hence LP2/LP4... If it is a bug it should be reported in the correct thread for thgs (rather than just moaning about it ( )... I'll do it later (or someone else can as I'm off home now... )

Just picked up 5 of the blue crystal 1GB Hi-MDs - for £6.99 each (at Dixons for those in the UK). To be honest I'm slightly underwhelmed by the discs, they're OK, but really nothing special to look at. Annoyingly too, there's not enough space to attach a large printed label, unlike the older Hi-MDs. So I'll stick with the latter mostly, thank you very much...

Also, the first player only MD unit, the Sony MZ-2P had optical out. I just picked one up fairly recently and very cheaply on ebay in perfect unused condition... Ditto the remarks about bulkiness, but it's really reminiscent of a fat, black NH900. Also it really is like a small deck - with a slot loading mechansim to boot. It sounds absolutely fantastic through the optical out and line out, btw..

Not really a bug, but we could do with a more scratch-resilient screen for our RH10's and RH910's (3rd gen equivalents)... I'm getting fed up of peeling PDA screens...

Hi, yes its the 'official' Sony leatherette pouch. I use one for my NHF800 which has the same dimensions as the NH700 and it's fine, though the bag is not expandable at all... I love these cases by the way, bought several on eBay for other units. By far the best case to use with a remote (IMO) as it clips on neatly to the side... Also has a handy belt clip (though not the most secure for jogging etc.), but fits snugly in an outer jacket pocket...

It's possible the old adapter might not supply enough current to your Hi-MD (.5A rather than 1A). I'd rather go slightly over in terms of amperage. Its always worth trying to match the ratings as nearly as possible. You may for example run into problems when recording, but I think by and large the old adapter should 'work' OK...

Yes, that's right. I have Hi-MD and NetMD units and they all work fine with the latest software (SS3.2 and MD Simpleburner 2.0). Of course you wont benefit so much from a NetMD unit than with Hi-MD, particularly 2nd generation...

LP2 for music, though I still use SP for special compilations. LP4 is really unacceptable to me for music, though quite fine for speech..

Somewhat back on topic, I use the RM-MC33EL remote with the RH10. Its a perfect match for the black unit, and has all the functions you could want (probably) apart from backlight. Currently can be had quite cheaply on eBay in the UK: RM-MC33EL

You'll also get the full 5mW x 2 output power, which is an extra bonus!

Are you sure SS 3.1 wont work with your JE780? I have the SS 2.0 disk (UK version) - so I could let you have the files, or send you the disk if you prefer...

I have both the RH10 and the NH900. They're very different - the main advantage (to me) of the NH900 is that it can still record directly in the 'legacy' formats (ie. SP, mono, LP2 and LP4) of the old MD and NetMD machines. These options are only available on the RH10- through software downloads. Well apart from what's already been mentioned, soundwise, the RH10 possibly has a slight edge over the NH900 through its new digital amp, but to be honest there's not much in it... The NH900 has a 'line out' mode, which is very useful for playback and (analogue) recording though external equipment like headphone amps and stereo receivers. The RH10 sadly lacks a line out mode, but one can be approximated by adjusting the sound settings... Well, l've kept the NH900 and bought an RH10, because, as usual with Sony equipment, they both have valuable, mutually exclusive features which I don't want to miss out on.... So I couldnt say what's best for you.. if you simply want to upgrade and only want the new formats for recording, go for the RH10, it's a worthy successor...

You're very welcone Alex! You're right, the only way to get old MD stuff into Hi-MD is by copying it in realtime. A bit of a slog, but old MD was only really designed to only go one way with recordings. If you can get hold of the original CD recordings, say from libraries etc. that would be a better way of doing it. You'll lose a lot of quality if you copy your MDs via analogue...

I don't believe you you can switch the radio remotes, as Sony seem to have made them specific for each applicable machine - well I certainly can't use my NHF800 remote with the G750...

That's old history. The ability to adjust recording levels on the fly has actually been with all Sony MD (and Hi-MD) recorders since the MZ-R909 ...

The RH910 is not as pretty as the RH10, for sure, but I'm used to mine now and aesthetics aside the two seem to be functionally exactly the same - so I'm happy enough to just let the 910 do the 'donkey' work. But of course, you can't please everyone... ...

Well, you can use that connection for as long as you like - there shouldn't be any more stress on the MD's amp than if you were using normal headphones. The 27 is only a suggested volume setting - try a bit higher and lower to see how it sounds. If the MD's volume were much lower you'd have a noisier signal coming through to your receiver, ie. a lower sound quality. Much higher or with EQ on could lead to distortion and/or clipping. That's why its easier if you have a "Line Out" mode..... So it's all about getting the balance right between the MD and the receiver - of course you'll need to adjust your receiver's volume control independently of the MD....

Yes, my RH10's fine, and its within the offending serial number range - 5034427. But it's worthwhile checking anyway of course...