KJ_Palmer

Maybe the NH900 is a little bit on the chubby side, but I would part with it for any other slimmer models... (ie. NH1)... Hope you don't have too many more MD nightmares, though...

It looks like they've done away with the 'line out' feature of the previous models (for the first time in the higher-end units) which is a shame/disaster as there's now no 'proper' interface with hi-fi equipment.... It's debatable whether the lineout feature was ever a 'true' line out (in the the hi-fi sense - whatever that is), and similar results can be obtained simply by turning the volume up and EQ settings off. This is especially so since they merged the line out and headphone out circuitry. Still, if enough people complain/don't buy the 2nd gen equipment (like me), I'm sure we'll see its return in the next series...

Hi. The 80 minute MD's are perfectly compatible with the MZ-R30, I use them myself on my own R30 regularly. They just hadn't been invented at the time that the R30 came out! Or they were very rare anyway - only 60 and 74 mniute disks were really available then. Note though that the 1GB Hi-MD disks will not work with your R30 though they are the same size as regular MDs...

The Type-S won't affect your SP recordings at all, as it only improves the playback sound of MDLP tracks. Even that's highly debatable, as but few Type-S users have raved about any discernable improvement in that quarter.

You can either record in real time using stereo mode (SP) on your N510, or use the NetMD software to download music to the N510 in SP format (ie. don't use LP2 or LP4), by selecting that option in the transfer section. Either method will give you recordings that you can play back on your Panasonic. However, note that the SP download method only gives the quality of LP2, ie. not as good as the real-time method...

Also it (the NH600 Euro) does have a remote jack, and you can use almost any modern Sony remote with it...

I just clip the remote to the side of the case and leave it there, with the spare wire coiled up inside the case. I don't like too many dangly wires getting tangled up everywhere. That way I can access most of the playback functions, it all still fits in my pocket, the unit is protected, and I can see track names etc. easily enough if I want to...

Not all systems use the switch function for timing. There's a timer function on the tuner module, which you can see if you scroll down a little. That probably controls recording and timer play using an internal clock. These integrated systems usually use that method - meaning you don't need (or can't use) an external timer. The number of programs can be limited though. Of course no-one will really know until it's released....

No, they don't. Presumably it would have be numbered the MZ-RH810, or RH610, but such a model hasn't been announced...

It's easily forgotten I suppose. That of course goes without saying as far I'm concerned - I've never used non-gapless (gapped?) recording medium or standard, and never intend to. It's be disastrous for my classical and/or live recordings...

I listen to my portable(s) travelling/walking to and from work- on the train and walking. I try not to listen too much as it's somewhat antisocial and birdsong etc. is nice , but with Hi-MD I've got a lot of music to get through these days... I hardly ever use my portable at home, preferring my home stereo setup...

Hi-Fi Surplus are one of my favourites. Ask are surpisingly good as well. Can't remember the name of the shop, but it's the one on the left of the Sony Galeria (which is itself to be avoided), but they me sell 1GB Hi-MD blanks for a fiver (though they're marked at £7.99). In general they're well worth a haggle... Anyway, if you can take an afternoon stroll down TCR and the top of Oxford Street and visit as many hi-fi shops as you can before buying anything....

NH900 for battery issues. Although as I've already got one (an NH900), I'd probably have an NH1 instead/as well as, now. If that makes sense... Anyway, I'd wait for the second generation Hi-MD's to come out, particularly the RH10...

I usually pop down to the "West-End" of London for my 1GB disks. Tottenham Court Road to be precise for those who know London. More or less everything MD and audio related in general can be found there, and quite often at good prices. Luckily I can walk there in my lunchtime... I shall be looking in the windows there forlornly for the next Hi-MD generation machines to appear, rather in vain as they won't be expected for a while...

My reasons (in no particular order) are: 1. Backwards compatability with old MD recordings and media 2. Removable media 3. Editing capabilities 4. Live recording 5. Recording from multiple sources (any audio/PC - except mac) 6. Small size 7. Variety of recording formats 8. PC Data storage/transfer 9. Future potential 10. Variety/design of equipment Edit: 0. Sound quality (IMO) - goes without saying - surely the most important thing...

I use them all, really, on my various equipment (I have old and new MD), and depending on what sort of compilation I'm making. I've even used 48kbps occasionally for filling in a few gaps at the end of compilation - of course it's bad quality, but still listenable on a train... It's mostly Hi-SP though, as you say 2 hours on a standard blank is just about right for a day's listening, or 8 hours on a 1GB disk for travelling or longer mixes. I've played with PCM, but the quality increase over Hi-SP is barely if at all perceptible (to me), and as I have the original CD's there's no need to store them on another media...

You need a microphone pre-amp for recording normal everyday level sounds, or a battery box (battery module) for recording sustained high level sounds (like at rock concerts), or an amplified microphone. These will allow you to record through a line in. Check sites like soundprofessionals.com.

Hotel Rwanda. Well worth seeing if you still can...

You forgot one - I mostly use a digital coaxial cable when recording to my JB980 deck, secondly a TOSlink to TOSlink, but all the others too...

Yes, the right channel will just be empty/contain static. You can record in mono SP in NetMD mode on a standard minidisc, though, which will take up half the space of SP...

That might not be enough current to run a Hi-MD properly and recharge the batteries. You should really use an adapter rated no lower than 1A to be sure.

The black (or blue) one looks truly gorgeous. Looks like I'll be splashing a bit on a second generation Sony Hi-MD as well...

I agree - and Hi-LP is useful for squeezing those last few tracks on an Hi-SP compilation, but the difference is still noticeable. I'd certainly avoid the 48kbps wherever possible, but again, I've used that too...

Good luck with your project. I hope it works - be sure to post the pictures up! I'll just be happy recording DAB in SP on my standard deck until they bring a decent Hi-MD deck out. It doesn't take long to transfer to Hi-MD and using an optical link (essentially) retains the quality. Personally speaking, about hearing the effects of compression, for music it certainly is noticeble particularly at LP4 (but that's still more than OK for speech). LP2 still sounds compressed, but to most people with ordinary equipment is fine for music. At Hi-SP or SP it's all but indistinguishable from CD quality (in my opinion). Hi-LP seems to be about the quality of LP4, so I wouldn't really use it for music...

I saw "A very long engagement" on Saturday, with the lovely Audrey Tatou (in the film) ... Last week it was "Closer", with the equally lovely Jude law...