cochra1

Aaa! Anataga Nihonni sundeiru koto o shirimasen deshita! Nihonjin desuka? Tonikaku, eigode... I had a look on Amazon.co.jp and ebay-japan for the RM MZB10, but not there. If the RM MZB10 is available in Japan, please give me a link, and I'll check it out. Or alternatively, maybe there's something on Amazon.co.jp I can order for you - a few blank Hi-MDs maybe? Or you can choose something that you think is a fair trade... just let me know.

I will continue to use my Hi-MD player (RH1) as long as it lasts (which won't be for ever, as those things weren't really built to last if we're honest), or until something of equal sound quality comes along - it may be here already and I'm not yet aware. I'm actually more saddened to learn that Sony have abandoned ATRAC. Not least because 95% of tunes on my PC are in ATRAC. I still have the original CDs though. I never downloaded tunes - I wouldn't listen to such horrible bitrates as that. SonicStage is actually the best quality MP3 converter I have ever heard though. iTunes presumably uses inferior codecs, as it makes horrible MP3s even at 320 kbps compared with SonicStage. So whatever player I go for next, I will still be using Sonic Stage to convert my CDs into MP3, then will import the music files into whatever software I need for that player (unless I find that player's software makes just-as-good MP3s). Sonic stage uses a 'joint stereo' codec for MP3s (not sure if it's the same for ATRAC3 also). This is much misunderstood, but basically increases quality by only recording audio that is present in both the left and right channels once, rather than twice, which takes up less data without sacrificing quality. Therefore, a 320 kbps MP3 in joint stereo is superior to a 320 kbps standard stereo conversion because less musical information needs to be thrown away to retain the same file size. I believe it basically records the whole of the left channel, then for the right channel it just records the differences from the left (either to add extra sounds or take them away). Joint Stereo does require a very good codec though to pull it off, and many converters don't succeed. But SonicStage does it excellently. 352 kbps ATRAC recordings still just have the edge though. Like I say, I'm not sure if ATRAC uses joint stereo as well - but that's probably on another thread somewhere. But, at the end of the day, MD and Hi-MD will go the same way as Betamax. In fact, I think of MD as being the Betamax of music players - i.e. superior quality, but losing out to better marketed and better supported inferior products. It's a shame, because you would think it would be so easy to market, given how sexy it looks compared with iPods (and lets face it, most people are more bothered about looks than quality of sound, hence iPod's success). And the DRM never helped. Or the crappy earlier verions of SonicStage (although I have no issues whatsoever with 4.2, and much prefer it to the ugly, bloated iTunes). Such is life. UPDATE Sony have not done away with ATRAC. The latest NWZA816B recognises the format.

Sorry, but I never regarded MD or HiMD as a viable data storage medium. It's just too damn slow! Basically, loads of devices with memory storage that can connect to your computer via USB can be used as data storage if you so choose. Even a digital camera, for instance, can store any data either on its internal memory or on its memory card- say MP3s or ATRAC files - you can even play these back on your computer from your camera. Not that you'd want to - the point is just that data storage on an MD is not a particular function that Sony enabled, it's just a generic ability that many memory mediums naturally have. And with MD/Hi-MD being disc based (as opposed to say, flash), it's particularly slow, so not ideal for data transfer.

Cool man - that seems like a fair trade! But from your last private message to me, I gather you are based in the UK? I am also UK based, and would guess they only ship within the US. Otherwise I would happily order it to be delivered straight to you. As I said in my message to you - I could post you a few blank Hi-MDs if you like - or are you into computer recording? Your name 'Guitarfxr' suggests you may be a musician like me. If so, I have a few software goodies I could let you have... UPDATE Ahh, just noticed they do ship abroad - but I checked out the prices, and it's really expensive for what it is (although I bet it comes in a big oversized box!) so unless you live in the US, I'm afraid no can do! Sorry!

Fantastic! I only need something that is basically functional whilst retaining sound quality - not too bothered about bells and whistles or looks! So did you say you have a spare '35' that you could possibly sell to me? If so, please message me with details (please let me know how I can best reimburse you to your requirements). Kindest regards. Andy

Thanks anyway mate. Is the '35' in any way compatible with Hi-MD Walkmans? Incidentally, I contacted Sony for a replacement, and was offered one for... (wait for it) £109!!! I replied by basically saying 'thanks, but do I look stupid'. Guitarfxr, let me know if the '35' is compatible or even semi-compatible, and if so then hopefully we can talk some more! If not: no worries, you tried, and I thank you! Kind regards. Thanks, but they don't have one. Not available to buy anywhere I'm afraid. Thanks anyway.

Wow, that's so kind. Thanks man. If you can't help, don't worry, I appreciate you trying! Fingers and toes crossed...

I mentioned this on another thread (the one with the poll of MZ-RH1 owners), but it wasn't entirely topical to that thread. I basically need help locating a genuine Sony remote control that is compatible (or even semi-compatible!) with my MZ-RH1. I bought a dirt cheap Chinese RM-MC38EL off e-bay in pure desparation after having no luck locating a genuine one off the internet. It arrived yesterday, and absolutely looks and feels the part. But it really degrades the sound - well, certainly when listening through decent earphones. The bass is subtly less deep, and it sounds subtly tinnier. Subtle yes, but bad enough to bug me after being used to a really beautiful sound. So I've gone back to using my malfunctioning original one when I'm out travelling. It still carries the sound perfectly. It just malfunctions occasionally when I press the buttons (I could press skip and it goes back by one album, or I could turn the volume down anbd it goes up - random things like that!), and the display frequently disappears, unless I wiggle the cable in the right way! Basically, it's wear and tear on the cable at the exit point. Those things are really not built to last (like so much today). So, my fellow minidisc community friends - any suggestions on where I can get a genuine Sony replacement - or even something similar that is still high quality and is compatible? Thanks in advance.

I have had one of these babies for about a year now (I think...time flies!) Unfortunately, the supplied remote was not built to last. The cable is suffering wear and tear at the exit point, and as a result it malfunctions when I press various buttons on it, and the display frequently disappears. However, it still carries the sound signal perfectly. After much desperate searching for a replacement (including the useless official Sony site) I purchased a cheap Chinese fake off e-bay. But despite looking completely genuine, it degrades the sound - making it tinny and lacking deep bass - so it's useless to me. It's an obvious fake. However, it was so dirt cheap that I figured it was worth the risk. I wonder if anyone knows where I can get a genuine Sony replacement RM-MC38EL remote - or something similar that is still compatible with Hi-MD Walkmans?

Fair play. I was told minidisc had a bit depth of 8-bit by my sound engineering lecturer (about 10 years ago) but I guess he had it wrong. I know that when recording in PCM mode (on Hi-MD recorders) the depth is 16-bit. And I got it wrong regarding SACD also (D'oh) - I could've sworn it was 24 bit but it isn't, it's a different system altogether, but according to what I have now read, it is comparible to a PCM 20-bit recording.

I've heard of loads of bugs with 4.3, so I'm sticking with 4.2 as it's never given me any problems. I'd revert back if I were you my friend.

Hmmm...I agree with a lot of what greenmachine says, but not sure about this. Much modern pop music certainly is (unfortunately) very dynamically compressed, but this generally makes it sound fairly awful in the first place and so it suffers less from data compression (relatively speaking I mean). Classical, on the other hand (as with jazz, folk, and the best recorded pop from 20+ years ago), is lovingly recorded and produced to sound as prestine as possible, and so suffers more from digitisation and lossy compressions. IMO of course!

I have to second these comments. As a classical fan myself I really appreciate some of the wonderfully warm and rich recordings out there, and to digitise these onto Hi-LP would be a great shame. If you can't tell any difference now, it may be due to limitations of your current equipment. But in the future you may regret it. As mentioned earlier, if you have a decent soundcard then you can record your material to your PC via that. Alternatively, if you have a CD recorder you could record to that first, then transfer the data onto your PC. But quite frankly, even taking a totally uncompressed (or lossless) digital copy from a vinyl record will degrade the sound (it will lose warmth and smoothness, and be subjected to the limitations of the soundcard/CD recorder that captured it). I have hundreds of LP records and would never do this. As long as you respect those large black plastic discs and play them on a decent turntable, you can enjoy them for decades. And unlike magnetic storage, they won't decompose over your lifetime! As for your analogue tapes, sure, use one of the above methods but if compression is required due to space facors, don't use less than 320mbps MP3.

That's a fine Housemartins 'B-sides 'n oddities' compilation. Bit dissapointing that they left some classic B-sides off, but still has great tracks on it. It's really hard to say what mine is, but I would guess my current fave album is Sgt Pepper. Like most Beatles albums though, it doesn't sound too great on headphones due to the wild panning of the mix (ie. drums in one side, vocals in another or whatever) so I only listen to it through speakers. Gonna get the new Beatles 'Love' album though, it's all remixed; I've heard it and it is amazing.

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I think that would be the implication, yes.

Oops, I was so excited I forgot her name. It's actually RH1 (have edited my post now). Correctomundo.

I mean it would be a waste of a fine home stereo system to use it to listen to a portable minidisc player, no matter how good the minidisc player is. Realistically it ain't gonna compete with a high end CD player (nor would you expect it to). That's tasty-looking, I'm jealous.

That's interesting, I assumed all Hi-MDs would have such a basic feature. And, d'oh! should've counted the bands, it is 6, yes! I personally wouldn't waste time looking for any EQ presets. That whole concept is just a cheap gimmick. I mean; "Ooh, it's an acoustic track, dirrr, I'd better switch to the acoustic EQ preset ". Yeah right. Get the best sound you can for your player and earphones, and generally speaking, in the main you should stick with it.

Absolutely right. Everytime you convert from one format to another, some kind of loss happens. That's why I recommended ditching your ATRAC files and starting again by recording them in WAV (I don't know anything about 'Flac' but that sounds like it would make sense also). From there you can always make compressed copies in whatever format for your convenience but would be secure in the knowledge that faithful non-lossy digital backups are safely stored.

It is noteworthy that he was more interested in checking out the minidisc player than the chick. I guess that's what marriage does to a guy.

Minidisc uses a bit depth of 8 bit. CD audio is recorded at a depth of 16 bit, and SACD/DVDA uses 24bit. Although I believe that when recording in uncompressed PCM on minidisc this uses 16-bit just as CD does. I assume that was the question behind the 'huh' emoticon!

As much as I love Hi-MD, I would never ever listen to recordings of my beloved vinyl on a minidisc (or any other digital medium). Vinyl has a wonderfuly warm and smooth sound of its own, and to drop it to a compressed digital medium (even at the best ATRAC rates) seems pointless - unless the vinyl is your only source and you want copies for listening on the move. Even recording this analogue source to uncompressed WAV/PCM would result in loss. Using a decent bit depth (e.g. a 32bit soundcard) on a PC would help. But since minidisc only has a depth of 8bit (half that of even CD - and that's poor enough) it really is not recommended to back up your vinyl, which has the equivilent of infinite bit depth - after all, it's analogue! Enjoy your vinyl mate.

That's very impressive. I've just ordered an RH1 and am awaiting delivery. I also ordered a back-up second battery (LIP-4WM). I was a bit concerned before as to the apparent low capacity of these batteries (370mAh) compared with some rechargable AAs out there (I'm accustomed to my NH600 which lasts for days on a single rechargable AA!), but feel reassured after reading these comments.

There's loads of freeware sequencers out there. I use pro-standard Cubase SX for my studio recordings, but perfectly useable free programs are out there like, as mentioned above, Audacity (although I don't like this one, I find the editing functions are really poor). Do some googling mate.