KJ_Palmer

With NetMD downloaded tracks to delete the track you normally have to check it back in with Sonic Stage and delete it on the PC with that. Apparently you can also delete the track with a non NetMD recorder, but I haven't tried it so can't vouch that this works.

I'm not quite sure, the size is one thing that put me off the MXD-D400 (and it's not easily obtainable here). A heavier chassis is supposed to give better isolation from vibrations and so on, but then it's hardly a high-end deck. The MDX-D40 (it's predecessor) is much narrower, the same depth as any other deck, and lighter at under 5kg. Shame it doesn't play audio CD-RW like the D400 though....

Yes, it's a little disappointing after what we've been used to, say, 50+ hours playback on the old-MD machines. Sony'll probably manage to 'bump' those figures up a bit by release date, but it still won't be a huge selling point . I was thinking of getting an NH900, as well as the NH700 I have on order, but I might belay that now and what for the 2nd/3rd generation. The 700 will do as a home recorder in the meantime. I'm also interested to see what output levels the Sony Euro-models will have. 5mW will be fine, 4mW just at a pinch...

If you haven't got a large old-MD collection or aren't particularly attached to the old stuff perhaps you ought to let them go. There is a fair bit of compatibility between old and new, but it might not be justified in your case. Personally, I'll be keeping a lot of my old MD equipment for playback of my existing discs (about 200 of them). My old-MD decks will be still useful for DAB radio recording, so I can have the new and old stuff existing side by side for a while at least.

Congratulations on your new N707. It's still one of my all-time favourite recorders - I have the blue model, which is truly beautiful IMO. :love: The N707 hack is worth it, I did mine almost as soon as I could, but please do be careful. One mis-pressed key and it could all end in tears . Even without the hack you'll have one of the best ever recorders in its class.

Sorry, well I hope you're not too disappointed, and your wallet doesn't hurt too much. I find NetMD pretty handy for titling discs at work, that's all...

Yes, one or two people over at T-board seem to have had that problem, I think with high bit-rate MP3's or something. I'm afraid I can't help on that one, I'm a real-time recorder only.... Also I stand corrected, it seems that Sonic Stage should also be compatible with the Sharps, but that's out of my league too...

Good choice. I don't think so (ie. BJ and SS aren't compatible), but I'll be glad if someone proves me wrong...

I've only used BeatJam for titling, but that seemed to work well. Sonic Stage didn't seem to recognise the Sharp when it was plugged in, so I have to have them both installed. I don't know if there's a way around this.

Yes, the DR410 has an optical and line (analogue) input.

The DR410 also doesn't have a microphone input (as well as the remote). Otherwise they seem to be exactly the same.

Yes, the Sharp will play anything recorded on any other MD unit, as will the Sony's. Overall, I'd go for the Sharp for its 1-bit digital amp, which gives it a lovely crystal clear playback quality.

If you're trying to "upload" your MD recordings to PC, then sorry, you can't do it. The only way to get it onto PC is to playback your MD tracks and record in to your PC in real-time using suitable software. Check in is only for tracks you have already downloaded from the PC to MD - you are allowed a maximum of 3 check outs (downloads) per track, so check in decreases the check out count. Hope that makes sense. Only the Hi-MD units (released in June) will allow full uploading capabilities.

The current minidisc units aren't very good for "uploading" to PC. It can be done, but only in real time. A much better bet would be to wait for the new Hi-MD units, due for release very soon (April in the States). These would offer you the upload facilities you want. Look for the MZ-NH700 as the cheapest unit with a mic-in. The NH900 would be even better.

You could do, but that wouldn't stop the AGC from continually cutting in. It operates on both the mic and line inputs (on the B100/B10).

Not sure if the MT280 has a mic in, but I believe it does. I have the MT290 which is in the MT270/280/290 series. It's a good budget model and will provide all your stated needs. (10 hours recording in SP mode). If you could get hold of the IM-DR420 it's only a little more expensive and has the new Auvi digital amp which gives a clearer sound (arguably) and NetMD as well as the MT290's facilities. Here's some specs: MD-MT270/290 IM-DR420 Cheers

Yes, high-speed (100x?) usb uploading of analogue (mic/line) recordings is now allowed with the Hi-MD units.

I have an NH700 on order at AVLand in the UK. I should really have plumped for the NH900, but at least this will give me a flavour. I'll wait till the NH900 or a Sharp becomes available in the shops for a better model.

No, I'm afraid you only have AGC on the B100 (and newer B10). I just use mine for non-critical recording and as a portable player with speakers.

Yep, at long last there'll be features for all music and PC fans to enjoy. I for one can hardly wait. Later generations will be even better, but the first ones will keep us happy for a while... Anyway glad to have helped :smile:

The NH1 would in fact appear to have both recording level control and auto level (AGC), like every other Sony recorder. Of course we can't be absolutely sure until the units are released, but there seems to be no reason why not. Check these Hi-MD specs for more info...

It's most likely a disc error, BJ, possibly slightly misaligned so the deck had a bit of trouble reading the TOC. Or maybe a bit of dust etc. Never happened on a deck of mine before, but the manuals don't seem to make much of C13's, so I wouldn't worry... :smile:

Well, for starters, here's the N505 manual in pdf format (you need the Adobe Acrobat reader). It tells you how to record in analogue, but here's a quick guide: 1. Get a stereo line cable with 3.5mm minijacks at both ends. 2. Plug one end into the headphone/line out of your CD player. 3. Plug the other end into the optical/line in of your MD recorder. 4. Turn off any bass/EQ settings on the CD player and turn the volume up to about 8/10 (you need to experiment to get the right volume). 5. Insert a CD and a recordable MD into the CD player / MD recorder. 6. Press rec on the MD (goes into rec pause). 7. Play the CD and press play on the MD to start recording. 8. Press T-mark on the MD after each track to get proper track marks. 9. Press stop when done. Hope that gets you started!

Yes, well I use my N707's remote with my D-EJ2000. It works perfectly (including showing CD text), and the black colour matches the CD player nicely . We'll have to see if the HiMD remotes will be compatible, I'd suggest a tentative 'yes (probably)', given that most Sony remotes seem interchangeable.

No, the 'business' machines are a bit bigger than 'normal' MDs - about the size of a portable cassette recorder. It's the built-in speakers that make the extra size though. The flat mics don't add (much) to the bulk - they're very handy, but the quality isn't that impressive.