KJ_Palmer

There are, however CD-MD decks and bookshelf systems that will allow 4x recording from CD to MD in true SP mode (although albeit in ATRAC 4.5 not Type R)...

Well, I'm happy with my MDS-JB980 deck for this purpose... also good Sony decks would be: MDS-JE780 MDS-JB940 MDS-JE770 MDS-JE640 or, of course the MDS-JA333ES (bit overkill for you though)... Not sure about any other make of decks, but as long as they have MDLP/optical out I'd bet they'd be good for you...

Just saw Batman Begins. Was somewhat dubious at first, as I tend not to go in for this genre, but was actually pleasantly surprised and won over. Thought it was a great effort - good acting and cinematography all round. Certainly not a dull moment in sight....

My personal favourite for looks/function is the blue Sony MZ-N910 (that image doesn't do it justice). Absolutely classic design, near-perfect and nothing comes close so far (well IMO)...

Just saw Kings and Queen today. Subtitled French film with the lovely Emmanuel Devos and Catherine Deneuve. Bit of a convulated storyline but visually captivating and a nice change from your usual hollywood extravaganzas...

Haven't got many, but so far (in no particular order): The Stranglers - The Collection The Doors - Soundstage JS Bach / Freiburg Baroque Orchestra - Brandenburg Concertos 1-6

Also the Sony MZ-2P original playback-only unit had digital output, of which I'm a recent proud owner. Sampling rate is indeed the standard 44.1kHz for CD/MD equipment...

I've tried it on my UK NH700, so it definitely works. I'd completely unplug the remote and any other wires first. Just be patient, read the instructions several times to be sure you're familiar with it, take a deep breath... if you even think you've made a mistake - remove the battery, start again... and all should be fine..

Saw "Bonbon El Perro" on Sunday. Bit disappointed after the rave reviews here - could have been better, I suppose. Went to see "The Jacket" last week - much more impressive/enjoyable, although ultimately a bit of a silly premise...

Hi. 1. Can't answer the missing letters query - they're all there on my European model, though I presume the problem is only in the fact that you can't enter them on the unit. I'd imagine they display all right and can still be entered via Sonicstage/Simpleburner software. 2. You can't record directly in SP via optical/line in to the RH10, though I believe Sonicstage will allow you to record 'fake' SP and certainly 'real' MDLP for playback on old units. I can't see myself using the optical/line inputs much on the RH10, but its nice to have the option... I'd certainly keep your G750 for true SP recording (if that's what you want). 3. Hi-SP format (256kbps) is probably best for you: 8 hours on a 1GB disc or 2:20 hours on an 80 min blank. I'd recommend just going direct from CD to Hi-SP via Simpleburner, unless you really want to store them on your PC hard drive. Not sure if there's a FLAC to ATRAC converter either... 4. No line out mode is extremely inconvenient - IMO the worst 'feature' of the RH10. Even the G750 can be hacked to give a line out mode. The best you can do is to turn off the EQ mode and turn the volume right up - I dont think I can be bothered with doing this every time I want to hook it up to my equipment, so I'll be hanging on to my NH900 thanks very much.. 5. I think the best with NiMH batteries is to let them run down completely before charging them up fully, not to top them up constantly like Li-ion batteries... The RH10 battery is a standard NH-14WM gumstick battery, fairly easily available, though not quite so much as AA cells. Buy a few and they'll keep you going for years.. 6. I think it's fine to use any regulated 3V/1A adapter with the RH10... 7. Never heard of any firmware updates from Sony, I dont think they really do them, maybe they will now with this missing letter problem...

Well, I find it's handy for printing out cover sheets of the tracks on your Hi-MD disks, rather than trying to guess what's on them - easy to forget the contents if they've been lying in a drawer for several months... or you could store track lists in an excel or word document to catalogue your collection or download it to your favourite PDA and so on.. or show the list off to your friends to compare notes... the list of applications is (almost) endless...

Well, it's truer to say that the RH10 lacks a line-out mode, ie. a menu-switchable function to turn the headphone output into a relatively 'clean' analogue signal suitable for external amplification or recording to an auxiliary device. In fact none of the Sony Minidisc units have had a dedicated line out (ie. seperate jack) since the days of the MZ-R50, if I'm not mistaken - all subsequent high-end MD models with line out 'mode' have approximated a line out by supposedely taking the signal from the internal DAC (digital to analogue converter) and by-passing the headphone circuitry. Whether or not that's the case I dont't know, not having studied the circuit diagrams, but the fact is that the RH10 can't claim do that as it has no line out switch in the menu.. In practice, the line out can still be simulated by turning the volume up and EQ settings off, but it's not very convenient to do that, unlike the 'line-out' models...

Glad you enjoy your JB980, Kyle - I really love mine too. Its an excellent deck, and feel sure it'll last me many years to come... I'm sure if Sony released a Hi-MD version of this it would wipe the floor with any of the so-called opposition. So let's hope you're right and they do so - there'd certainly be room in my life for both units...

The RH10 (or RH910) would still just about shade it for me over the NH1, espeially as I have the NH900 and all the best features if the 1st generation of Hi-MD. The RH10/910 wins principally becasue of battery issues - battery life and the ability to power it from an AA (attachment) or standard gumstick cell... EDit: Oh... just read the bit about the noisy RH10 amp... doesn't 'sound' too good for classical music then... Is that with or without the hack for EQ, I wonder...

Yes, I always use the sponges, in fact I carry a few spares with me in case of 'accidents'. Not convinced it makes the sound any better, probably enhances bass a bit though, but they're definitely a must for comfort and general ear-fit...

Saaron - the NetMD shelf units can work perfectly well independently of a computer. Much like the NetMD portables, they merely have this new functionality on top of the old 'standard' recorder features. It's actually very nice to have the new NetMD features as well - for example track titling is much easier with a PC keyboard through the Sonicstage software than doing it on a remote control. So actually, you get the best of both worlds...

Yes, so the extension cable's a good idea, something like this. Also if you place the recorder in a soft case or pouch and possibly in a bag or jacket pocket, that should also give you some extra protection from the whirring grinding of the MD's motor...

Indeed zerodB, in fact this page in the equipment browser would seem to verify that they are in fact the same unit, they're certainly functionally identical. Anyway, the CMT-M333NT/373NT is a fine micro system..

There's another review here and presumably a few more via Google. I havent had any experience of the CMT-M373NT, but I do have it's forerunner, the CMT-M333NT, which I imagine is very similar - and I'd certainly recommend that unit. Very solid and excellent sounding for a micro system...

Packet of wine gums... At least they're organic and vegetarian/vegan friendly...

Not yet, but I'm learning to play the recorder (woodwind instrument), in evening classes, with a view to joining a consort (rennaissance/baroque group) when I become sufficiently proficient. I've also dabbled to varying degrees of success with other instruments - guitar, mandolin, violin, but as yet only for my own 'amusement'...

Yes, that should be fine - it's what goes in (to the unit) that counts, not necessarily where it comes from.. You shoud also check the output current rating as well as the voltage - 1A (1000mA) sould be fine in all cases for Sony Units...

OK, I'm having some Japanese rice crackers now... any good...?

A lens cleaner may well help, Nick, although the general advice is not to use these unless absolutely necessary (ie. nothing works). I've also found that some disks wont work consistently in older non MDLP players, or they dont like them, giving this kind of erratic behaviour. This can be down to the brand of disk (I'd steer clear of the really cheap ones with plastic shutters) or even the length - 60 and 74 minutes MDs are usually fine in older players, but 80 minutes ones can be problematic, especially if filled right up with music.

Packet of Cheesy Wotsits - cheese flavoured puffed corn..