Avrin

You can't add track marks to tracks downloaded from the computer on the unit. But you can divide tracks tracks in SonicStage before downloading.

Remove Copy Protection from the imported files using SonicStage File Convertion Tool. It is always a good idea to do that, since the files will be playable by any computer after that. Then use the Divide... item from the Edit menu in SonicStage. It also takes some practice. Then you may rename the resulting tracks as needed and download them back into the unit.

Yes, it is possible. It was possible from the very beginning of minidisc. The details of adding trackmarks are described in the unit's Operating Instructions. In the English instructions for the RH910 see page 53, section "Dividing a track (Divide)". If you want to fast forward to a specific point faster, put the unit in the PAUSE mode. And remember that some practice is required to put track marks exactly where you want them. But you can always delete a misplaced track mark. Also, after adding/deleting all required track marks, put the unit on a stable surface, press the STOP button and wait for the unit to finish writing system files.

What exactly happened to the RH1?

I would say that since SONY did not intruduce anything on the 15th anniversary of the format, the chance for a new unit being intruduced later is zero. And no, 1Gb discs won't be expanded. While this is theoretically possible, a serious expansion, like from 1 Gb to 2 Gb will render them incompatible with existing units. And a slight expansion (say 1 Gb to 1.2 Gb), although theoretically it will keep them compatible, is simply not worth the effort. What I would say to you personally - go and grab an RH1, while it is still possible. Or even two, like I've done.

Welcome to the forums! The alternate link for the offline installer of SonicStage 4.2 in this post http://forums.minidisc.org/index.php?s=&am...st&p=117697 still works.

Just checked the Japanese distribution package. It does not contain any OpenMG Limited patches, same as version 4.2. Looks like this version may also be stable. And it contains a tool called SSUninstallTool, which, as far as I understand, is supposed to automatically remove any traces of previous versions. Nice! Also, this distribution package does not contain any drivers, since it is a VAIO version.

Comparing the two sounds of the two R501s here, I only find that the head assembly drive gear in the second one is a bit louder. Probably, the gear is not as tight as in the first unit. Still, I hear no problematic sounds (like the laser desperately trying to focus for a long time, etc.). If the unit works OK, you'll simply have to live with that noise.

SonicStage actually writes lots of stuff into the registry, installs device drivers, and creates a key, which is unique for each computer (even if you don't have DRM'ed files). That's why it is not possible to create a Portable version of it. For the same reason you can't run it from anything if it is not installed properly on a particular computer. And remember that the database for the library always resides on your system (C:) drive, no matter where you install SonicStage. Also, all common files for OpenMG support (which is required even in case of MP3s) are on the system drive. The only thing you can possibly do is have a full distribution package on your player, and install it to every computer you'll be using. Or get a NWZ-A818 and forget about all these problems forever. Together with gapless playback.

I am glad it worked. The pins are of different sizes by design. Cleaning won't do any harm. P.S. Looks like it's time to move this thread to the Hi-MD section.

I am afraid that, since the unit is not under warranty, repair and shipment will amount to the price of a new unit, if not more. From my experience with a SONY-authorized service center here in Moscow, they have no idea how to repair minidisc units. I got a moneyback on my old RH10, which was 11 months old and still under warranty. Although the same service center later repaired my DCR-TRV460E Digital8 camcorder with a failed CCD perfectly and absolutely free, despite the fact that the warranty had expired almost two years before that (it was a SONY campaign for free replacement of faulty CCDs in their camcorders and photo cameras - they all had a manufacturing defect). Open the disc cover of the unit, and look to the left. You'll see two tiny switches not far from the Display/Menu button, but way below it (at the bottom of the compartment). One is higher and the other is smaller. It is the smaller one that is at fault. Try pushing it straight down a few times with a suitable wooden tool like a match (be very careful!!!). This may help to put it back into order. But I don't promise anything.

This definitely sounds like a faulty write-protection switch for 1 Gb discs. Sometimes it works, the other times it doesn't. The unit needs to be serviced or replaced. Is the unit still under warranty?

What's even more weird is the fact that both types work correctly with the unit disconnected from the PC, and the glitch only appears with 1 Gb discs when using SonicStage.

Well, if the unit records by itself to both types of discs, I assume the switches are OK. But the fact that is works normally with Hi-MD formatted 80-minute discs, while refusing to transfer to/from 1 Gb discs is very strange. You may go ahead with the driver reinstallation procedure. It won't do any harm, if performed correctly.

Maybe something is wrong with the driver for the RH1 (the NHF800 uses a different driver). Try the driver reinstallation procedure for "Walkman Device Detection Issue" described in this thread: http://forums.minidisc.org/index.php?showtopic=8071 with the only exception - do not use the provided link for SS42 drivers, since you have SS43. Drivers for SS43 are here: http://dl1.aii.co.jp/contents/connect/_dat...r/pa_driver.zip.

NEVER use any disk check, repair or defragment utility with a Hi-MD! A single cluster changed may result in a completely ruined recording! Is your unit still able to record (on its own, without the computer) to discs of that same type (1 Gb Hi-MDs or Hi-MD formatted 80 minute blanks)? If not, try using a different type of disc (a Hi-MD formatted 80 minute or a 1 Gb Hi-MD blank, respectively). If it works with a different type, then the write-protection switch for the corresponding type of disc on the unit itself has failed.

I wasn't wrong at all. A unit with a Hi-MD formatted disc inside does show up as a removable drive. A unit with a legacy MD formatted disc inside does not. Have you actually tried changing external hard drive letters? From what I see in the picture, the unit used to be a drive H:, and it is not the last drive letter in your configuration. The letter could have easily been taken by some other drive (whether an actual hard hard drive, or a card reader). Check you Disk Management application (right-click on My Computer, choose Manage, and then go to Storage>Disk Management (with the unit connected, and a Hi-MD formatted disc inserted). If you see a letter-less drive there, it may be the unit (check the drive size). Try to assign a drive letter to it (by right-clicking it and choosing Change Drive Letter and Path... The above methods correspond to Windows 2000 and XP. I am not sure how this should be done under Vista. May be similar, but may be quite different.

Go to Tools>Options>General, and press the Default button to restore hidden messages, then press OK. After that SonicStage should ask you whether you want to transfer tracks, after you start the initialization process. Press No. Do not check the box in this dialog, as it is quite useful to press No during initialization in many cases.

I deleted my ASUS recovery partition the day the computer arrived. But I knew exactly what I was doing - I didn't need any recovery for Windows XP, since I decided to do a clean install of Windows 2000 (which works to this day). What's more, the recovery partition is usually a hidden partition of the hard drive, although I can't tell exactly about HP. The possible problem with your configuration may be caused by these external hard drives. That is, a drive letter conflict between an external hard drive and a Hi-MD unit. Try disconnecting the external hard drives, or changing their letters to something like Y: and Z: via Disk Management (if you know what this is). And remember that a Hi-MD unit with a legacy MD-formatted disc in it will never show in Windows Explorer.

It doesn't have dedicated Vista drivers, but still it is Vista-compatible. Just run SETUP.EXE from the root folder, and restart your computer after it is complete.

Unzip the file using a program like WinZip (the trial version is available at http://www.winzip.com ), and then run SETUP.EXE.

Anyway, download, unzip, and install this separate set of drivers for SonicStage: http://dl1.aii.co.jp/contents/connect/_dat...r/pa_driver.zip, then restart your computer with units unplugged (even if not asked to). This should fix the missing drivers problem.

Seems like the unit is switched to EDIT mode for some reason. Remove all power (battery, etc. for some 5 minutes), and see if this helps.

And now, since the EH series players' English manuals seem to be totally absent, probably the NH1 recorder's manual will shed some light as to the functions and menus: http://www.minidisc.org/manuals/sony/Sony_...tion_manual.pdf

Checked the packaging of both my RH1s. Both have the EU8 lettering above the bar code, and both are black [former] eurocapped units. On the other hand, my European RH910 has EE8 above the bar code, and the European NH600 has just EE there. EDIT. Just saw a photo at an online auction. The packaging of a black Japanese RH10 has J4 above the bar code.