Avrin

If it simply hangs, this may signify a problem with DirectX or audio drivers. I had the same problem when trying to play WAVs in SS40. Open Device Manager, select View->Show hidden devices, View->Show devices by connection, and keep the window visible when trying to play an MP3 in SS. If you see any movement in the window (such as finding new devices, or moving existing devices to other positions), this means that you have problems with DirectX or audio driver installation.

Now this is fun...

Rolling back to the previous version of Windows Media Player is fine. Just reinstall the latest version (and all its security patches) after that. As for database corruption. You can not actually see whether it is corrupt or not. But each upgrade (such as S34->SS40) introduces structural changes to the database, and the changed database will not work correclty under the previous version anymore. Even upgrading again will not help. Application database downgrades (under Oracle, SQL Server, or MS Access that SS actually uses) are not generally possible. In some cases they may be performed, but only with close participation of the developers, who know the exact changes in structure and data between versions. Believe a former DB Admin! And the SS database has a really crazy and inefficient structure (two files, each containing only three tables, one of which contains almost all information). And there really were data structure changes between SS34 and SS40, introducing Artist Link, new file formats, and probably some others. I would advice you to uninstall SS completely (program, shared files, registry entries, database, etc., possibly even drivers), and then perform a clean install from scratch. Look for detailed SS uninstallation procedures in this forum or MDCF. And DO NOT use the Backup Tool anymore - it will backup the corrupt structure without knowing it. Just copy all your music files to a safe location (it will be easier for you, since you have MP3s, and not DRM'ed ATRACs), and re-import them after reinstalling the program.

I must add that some CDs do rip really slow. This does not depend on the version of SS, but rather on the DVD or CD drive you are using. And sometimes SS rips too fast. If you have a defective, or "not quite compliant though it is commercial" CD, then SS will most probably not be able to rip it, since it is unable to slow the drive down, and reports an error after timing out. In this case ripping with a more smart program (like Adobe Audition) may help sometimes.

It is much easier to make a working fake remote than to make a working fake MS.

One may never know what SS actually needs. Reinstalling Windows Media Player helps restoring all its codecs (including MP3) and their settings. It seems to me that you did not delete your database, when going back from SS40 to SS34. In this case there is a 100% chance that it has become corrupt.

Sound Forge intallation/uninstallation sometimes messes with MP3 codecs. In any case, try completely reinstalling Windows Media Player, whichever version you have, even if you are not using it.

I would probably also add that HiMD units have really good ADCs. So the resulting sound quality when recording from analog is excellent. The funny thing is that they also have really good resampling abilities. I tried recording from a DVD-Audio, feeding 48 kHz/24 bit into my MZ-RH10 via optical in. It did not care about any DVD-Audio copy protection, and converted the signal into its native 44.1 kHz/16 bit without any hearable aliasing effects.

Your guess may be right - all these also add noise to some extent. But the main source remains in the amp. My HiMD also doesn't have a HD, but doesn't have hiss either. Though I frequently play it through my Hi-Fi system.

By what else may it be caused? By the DAC? Very unlikely...

Don't know about low definition, but the simple fact that internal HISS NOISE in some of these units is considered NORMAL tells us something.

Have you installed/uninstalled Sound Forge recently?

No, I can't. But I've never heard of an HDD/Flash unit having an HD Digital Amp.

By having BETTER amps.

SonicStage likes to make a mess of device drivers and settings. Server operating systems usually have much stricter security policies, and probably won't allow this. This is why SS is not guaranteed to work under server OSs. If it works on a particular system - it's fine, you're lucky enough.

If you plan to clean up LP recordings using your computer (declicking, noise reduction, etc.), then you'll have to record in PCM (recording in a compressed format will make a mess of declicking). Then: 1. Transfer the recorded files to your computer, and convert them to WAVs. 2. Apply the declicking algorithm first. 3. Apply the noise reduction algoritm second. 4. Edit and cut the files as you wish. 5. Convert them to any format you may possibly like. MP3 is more common, but has gaps (though you may convert each LP side to a single file). ATRAC3plus is much less common, but is gapless. All this will take ages, even for a single record. If you don't really care about traditional vinyl noises (I don't), then you'll spend much less time on this. You may record directly into HiSP, and edit on the unit. Anyway, get an MZ-RH1 for this purpose. It has much faster upload rates. AND remembers recording settings. One more thing. HiMD units actually have BETTER playback than any HDD or Flash ones.

SS40 does have problems uploading. Various ones. Mostly serious. Legacy codecrap still plays its part... Try uploading just a few of your files. Such as a single group.

I never saw a 1st generation HiMD unit in my life, but this looks like a driver (NETMD033.SYS - this one is actually used for both 1st and 2nd generation units) glitch. Try disconnecting the unit, restarting your computer (completely), and then connecting the unit again.

A homedeck could have made a difference for the HiMD standard. No way though, anymore. It is now a "professional" format. Not for home listening. Just for recording. Though the only device that SONY have created for really professional recording lately is the PCM-D1. Not that it is going to become really popular...

Two independent internal gumsticks with sequential use (same as extra batteries in notebook PCs). And make it so that while the unit gets its power from one of them, the other one can be replaced. And then the first one. This will give unlimited recording and/or playback time! Forget about AAs and sidecars!

The fun continues! HiMD blanks are already 221 roubles (about $8.18). Almost time to buy!

You may have deleted some other files. And SonicStage gets hysterical because of that. Check that My Library does not contain non-existing files.

The price of HiMD blanks in Moscow continues to drop. They already sell for 249 roubles (about $9.21). The price more than halved in a week!

This misleading message appears when some files, which were previously imported, are manually deleted from disk, without removing them from My Library

Use a piece of non-aggressive adhesive tape to stick an appropriate piece of thin cardboard on the RH10 display. Put adhesive tape only on the upper side of the cardboard, so that it flips open. This is a solution to the following problems: 1. Direct sunlight and bright light in general. 2. Scratches. 3. Using the unit in dangerous places, especially in the dark. If you're really interested, you may even invent a means for the piece of cardboard to stay open, so that you don't have to use your hands to hold it open while recording.