Avrin

This sounds like Windows Media Format runtime libraries, which are required for SonicStage, are missing. You may download and install them separately. Version 9.0: http://sonicstage.update.sony.net/v4400/JP/download/installer/wmf.zip Version 9.5: http://sonicstage.update.sony.net/v4400/JP/download/installer/wmf95.zip

Virus removal and program restoration may be considered a significant change of configuration by SonicStage. And this may cause unpleasant problems. Do you still have any recordings in your SonicStage library? If yes, immediately run the File Conversion Tool with the Add copy protection box unchecked, to remove DRM from your files, and then copy the files to a safe location. If you have an older version that doesn't allow removing copy protection, then use the Backup Tool to copy files (this method is much less reliable). If you have been recording in PCM only, then you may simply convert all files in your library to WAV format - this is the safest way. ATRAC3[plus] files can also be converted to WAV, but will take much more space after that. Then uninstall SonicStage/OpenMG/OpenMG Limited Patch, and install this version: http://forums.sonyinsider.com/index.php?showtopic=24405

Why should I install an OS that takes up about 20 Gb and completely takes over my PC, when a 1 Gb OS, that does nothing that I can't control, works fine for me? And no MS OS will ever be more stable than Windows 2000. Windows XP after SP3 is almost as good, but still...

Rumor is Windows 7 is faster than Vista. And probably better (more mature). But I'm still on XP, and only switched from Windows 2000 this January, after buying a new laptop.

The main difference between hacking first and second generation Hi-MD units is that in the former case you get fully operational additional functions (VPT, Speed Control, or both) without losing any original ones, while in the latter you only gain limited MD recording capabilities while losing MP3 playback and normal track navigation list. However, European limitations are removed and Katakana titling/Backlight menu on the remote are added to all three generations at no cost.

The above hack will not work for the RH910, since it doesn't have VPT and Speed Control circuitry (and the addresses are actually different). You may enable the MD REC Mode selection menu on the RH910 by using the hack for the RH10, but remember that only SP and MONO work. And you'll lose MP3 download and playback capabilities, and the track list will look really strange when using the jog wheel. In any case, don't forget to write down the values your RH910 originally has, since those are different from the RH10.

Does it have full USB support?

Microsoft Virtual PC is totally useless for MD users, since it has no USB support. As for problems with ripping CDs from under a virtual OS, these may be caused by Upper or Lower filters installed in the host OS for the CD drive. They prevent the guest OS from gaining full access to the drive. Quite a few programs install such filters. E.g., the PxEngine installed along with SonicStage (and many other CD/DVD authoring/burning software) is known to install the PxHelp20.sys driver as a Lower Filter for the CD drive.

The driver may be downloaded here: http://cats-eye.tistory.com/148 And use SonicStage 4.3 "Ultimate" from http://forums.sonyinsider.com/index.php?showtopic=24405 instead of BeatJam.

AFAIK, there's no way to use DRM'ed files on another machine. The authentication keys are linked to various hardware/software parameters of the original installation, and the protection scheme is quite serious, so there is no way to "fool" SonicStage to play DRM'ed files from another installation, even from the same PC (e.g., after a Windows reinstall w/o any hardware changes). So, the only option is reconnecting the old hard drive the way it was connected before (to the same channel of the same controller!) and removing copy protection from all files by using the File Conversion Tool. If you still have your original recordings on Hi-MD, you may try re-uploading them. Contacting Sony Media Services doesn't look like an option in this case, since they only recover information from damaged Sony media.

The version of BeatJam supplied with Sharp units is quite old and glitchy. It may possibly have conflicts with Windows updates, including SP3 for XP. New versions are Japanese-only, and no longer include drivers for minidisc units. I would suggest using the driver supplied with your unit, and SonicStage "Ultimate": http://forums.sonyinsider.com/index.php?showtopic=24405 Remove BeatJam and OpenMG Secure Module along with any possible patches before installing SonicStage.

Absolutely correct! The NH600 doesn't display the first digit of the address, so 1941 becomes 941. And forget about 0113, since a copy of this address (1941) is more conveniently located right next to the other two. And I'm not sure about 01 at 1941. This doesn't seem to make any difference, but zero first bytes are only used for higher-end models (NH1, NH3D, RH1). For cheaper models (RH10, NH600), use 21 (or 23 for Katakana/Japanese remote support). As long as the first byte is less than 8 hex, you won't get output power limitations.

I'm not so sure about WMP, since it is also DRM-aware.

VPT (also called Virtual Surround) may provide interesting effects for some music. And Speed Control is convenient for journalists and translators, who may need to slow down recorded speech to understand what is being said.

There is a method to discharge a battery much deeper than just by running the unit until the "LOW BATTERY" indication. This may help in "forming" it. But it may be dangerous with the RH1, since it doesn't detect deeply discharged batteries. The method is very simple - enter the service mode, and leave the unit in it (with the screen flashing) until it switches off (this may take from several minutes to several hours). Then fully recharge the battery.

This is quite common on Mars.

The RH1 is known not to detect a battery when it is discharged below some level. But such batteries can usually be detected and recharged by more precisely calibrated units, e.g., the NH3D or the NH1. I'm storing my LIP-4WM's fully charged (by the NH3D, which does it much better than the RH1), and fully discharge and recharge them once in a few months.

BTW, has anyone actually tried putting "Her Majesty" into its original place between "Mean Mr. Mustard" and "Polythene Pam"? It sounds perfectly at home there, no matter what Paul McCartney says. Simply inserting the track between the two others may not work - you may need to do a more precise waveform insertion in Adobe Audition. The original place where the tape is spliced can be easily seen.

Yes, this sound like an NH600D. Which is great, since it has no Euro output limitations. Now go ahead and enable Virtual Surround and Speed Control.

This looks like a copy-controlled CD. SonicStage detects copy control, and does not import such CDs. You may rip them by a program that doesn't care about copy control (most don't), import the resulting WAV files into SonicStage, and then convert them to ATRAC3[plus].

Looks like we've lost the ability to download anything from old forums. And the SHARP IM-DR80 driver was certainly there.

The mono box (excluding Mono Masters CD1) is remastered properly. And the compression used in 1950's is almost nothing, compared to what is used now. It was done in analog, and never caused such a distortion as is common now. Just look at the Pink Floyd pictures above. Or enjoy a new one: This is "Billie Jean" from the 2001 Special Edition of "Thriller". Distortion is perfectly audible. It's beyond me why they've done this to an album that had been recorded perfectly.

I don't know who this person is. Rumor is that he is a needle-dropper from Japan with excellent equipment and great knowledge and experience and access to vinyl releases in pristine condition.

Exactly. And The Beatles and Sir George Martin actually invented a lot of effects and technologies later used by other musicians and producers.

Even basic equipment may be used to produce much better quality recordings than what is being produced now using all the cutting-edge "technologies" to satisfy the marketing department. Could you imagine Japanese CD releases of classical music or Pink Floyd with serious clipping distortion some 20 years ago? Now such releases are the new norm, and more than 90% of new albums and remasters are released like that. Welcome to the 21st Century! This is near the end of the first track on the 2004 Japanese remaster of Pink Floyd's "The Final Cut": You can easily see that the part was clipped first, and then had its level decreased by slightly more than 1dB. And all that was done at a sampling frequency different from 44,1 kHz. Then the material was converted to 44,1 kHz without proper filters, killing whatever there was left of quality. And this is definitely not the worst example of a modern remaster. The same portion from the original perfectly sounding Japanese release: