building The Hi-MD usage FAQ

[Christopher]

General

1. What is HiMD?

Hi-MD is the big brother of the original Minidisc format. Introduced in 2004, Hi-MD has brought the maximum amount of storage space to one gigabyte [currently] and has a very exciting future. As optical media technology matures at a steadfast rate, only time will tell what this format will bring in terms of overall functionality.

Sony's Hi-MD page is one of my favorites, and a somewhat complete, yet dated faq is also available at Minidisc.org. It is encouraged that one read Minidisc Community Portal for more information, Essential Hi-MD info/FAQ's @ Minidisc Community Forums, customized google search for Minidisc.org + Forums, search at Minidisc Community Forums or Minidisc T-Board for any additional information.

2. What is the difference between MD and HiMD?

Well, the most exciting evolution in Hi-MD is the strength of the portable recording units, even at the first generation. With the ability to facilitate 1 gigabyte discs comes new encoding options; Lossless PCM [albeit wrapped in DRM], ATRAC3plus and some ATRAC3 offerings. Uploading live recordings faster than realtime via USB has been attained and it's actually not overtly cumbersome, but the somewhat slow write speeds to Hi-MD can be underwhelming at times. Even older regular MD discs can be reformatted and get double the capacity for Hi-MD use. But there's more to it than just the specs, and all of that information is available at the aforementioned sites - so go do some reading, ya bum. The real strength of Hi-MD is the interest. The community is buzzing like never before, 3rd party applications grow stronger, and with subsequent generations, the Minidisc format could reach the zenith of it's unpredictable life.

3. Can I play my old MD discs with a new HiMD unit?

Yes.

4. Can I play my HiMD discs with my old MD unit? How about my NetMD unit?

Hi-MD discs are for Hi-MD units only.

5. What is the difference between 1GB blank and normal MD Blank?

Oh, about 840 megabytes. Nothing is different dimensional wise, and can fit in similar cases.

6. Will there be HiMD blanks with bigger capacity than 1GB? How about smaller than 1GB but bigger than 300MB?

It could be possible, but such an effort seems futile. I would expect Sony and others to pursue higher densities before delving into lower ones.

6a. Can I use my MD Data Disc with my HiMD unit as a floppy?

Nope.

6b. Can I use my Video MD Disc with my HiMD unit in either Music or Data mode?

Nope.

[Christopher]

Pain in the ass, but I had to get it done before I fly off tomorrow..

SonicStage

1. Can I use Sonic Stage to record my CDs to my MD?

Yes, but you'll have to copy of the contents of the CD and transcode such to ATRAC3/plus first.

1a. Simple Burner?

This is a preferred method for CD to MD rips. I would consider using this unless you wish to archive your music in ATRAC3/plus within your library.

2. What modes are availble for me to record using Sonic Stage?

http://www.sony.net/Products/Hi-MD/capacity.html#3

2a. Simple Burner?

Hi-SP, Hi-LP, 48kbps ATRAC3plus, LP2 and LP4.

3. What is Simple Burner? What is the difference between Simple Burner and Sonic Stage?

Simple Burner bears the name for a reason. CD's are converted to ATRAC3/plus in a temporary directory and transferred to your Hi-/MD unit. It also has CDDB registration, but that's about it. Sonicstage has a somewhat more complete sense of control over the contents of the disc, allowing uploading, downloading and much more. It's recommended that one read the help documentation that came with the unit about Sonicstage, or the help documation within the program itself for a better sense of how to use the program.

4. Why can't I record/rip/download in SP mode with Sonic Stage or Simple Burner?

Judging from the careful experiments of Lance Birch, it appears that when Hi/NetMD downloading is being used for creating Minidisc SP mode tracks, the Sonicstage/Simple Burner software decompresses the PC file to standard 16bit, 44.1kHz PCM audio, encrypts it, and downloads that. The fact that PCM is being used for recording SP mode tracks is heartening since it indicates that NetMD downloads could retain SP mode audio quality, given the right PC software. Though current NetMD recorders reportedly offer only 1.6x speed downloading for SP mode tracks, USB 1.1's 12Mbps bandwidth would allow downloads at up to 8x realtime. This seems even a more confusing restriction with the advent of Hi-MD, but of course, that's USB 1.1 as well.

5. What is the MP3 converter?

The *.mp3 converter is another small and interesting confession from Sony that they must cater to mp3. It allows one to convert many mp3's into ATRAC3plus only options - 256kbps, 64kbps and 48kbps.

6. What is a better method of downloading MP3 than using Sonic Stage (or, is there a way to minimize loss of quality during transcoding process?)

You could always employ a realtime download of music from a music source with an analog or digital connection. To be honest, the only worthwhile option for download is the computer. Until decks or standalone units come out with enhanced recording flexibility, the flexibility in that regard is..meh.

7. What is "Create ATRAC CD for?"

For creating a cd with music contents encoded in ATRAC3/plus, which of course is only playable in devices that facilitate such playback - car DIN units, boomboxes, cd players, etc.

8. What is "Create MP3 CD for?"

For creating a cd with music contents encoded in mp3.

9. Can I use my other Sony Walkman with SonicStage 2.X?

Yes.

9a. Clie

Yes.

9b. Vaio Pocket

Yes.

9c. Network Walkman

Yes.

10. How can I get Sonic Stage to display my CDDB tags in other languages?

In Sonicstage 2.3, you go to Tools, Options, then expand the "Get CD info" hiearchy on the left, and click on "CDDB". Language selection is within there.

11. Can I transfer to multiple units at the same time? For instance, can I transfer to both my MZ-NH1 and HD1 for example?

No, and you cannot have Simple Burner and Sonicstage open at the same time, either.

12. Help! SonicStage just deleted my recorded tracks from the Justin Timberlake Concert I went to last week! What's going on!?!

This is called a Sonicstage upload trash. This does not occur in Sonicstage 2.3, so if one is serious about uploading their live recordings in faster than realtime, please upgrade to Sonicstage 2.3.

[Damage]

Paranoia

1. What is SCMS?

Quoted from Wikipedia.com:

The Serial Copy Management System or SCMS was created in response to the digital audio tape (DAT) invention, in order to prevent DAT recorders from making second-generation or serial copies. SCMS sets a "copy" bit in all copies, which prevents anyone from making further copies of those first copies. It does not, however, limit the number of first-generation copies made from a master.

The entire article can be found here

1a. What is SCMS Stripper*?

SCMS Stripper essentially removes the SCMS bit discussed earlier, so copies of copies can be made without any limitations.

(Add units here)

2. What is DMCA and why are some of the topics here potentially illegal to read and to discuss in the US*?

Quoted from Wikipedia.com:

The Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) is a controversial United States copyright law which criminalizes production and dissemination of technology that can circumvent measures taken to protect copyright, not merely infringement of copyright itself, and heightens the penalties for copyright infringement on the Internet. Passed on May 14, 1998 by a unanimous vote in the United States Senate and signed into law by President Bill Clinton on October 28, 1998, the DMCA amended title 17 of the US Code to extend the reach of copyright, while limiting the liability of Online Providers from copyright infringement by their users.

The entire article can be found here.

In particular, discussing actual methods to bypass Digital Rights Management features, such as CSS on DVD Video discs, or SCMS on MDs and DATS, is illegal under DMCA. While discussing ways to circumvent such DRM features without outlining actual methods seems to be somewhat legal, questions that may be in danger of DMCA in the HiMD FAQ has been noted with an asterisk.

Note that those of us in the European Union (EU) has a similar law in effect, but termed "on steroids."

3. Can I download SonicStage without Connect.com components?

4. Does SonicStage "phone" home like Windows Media Player?

Unless you connect to Connect.com, and or use CDDB services, it seemingly does not phone home like Windows Media Player.

CDDB servers connect to Gracenote's servers, and Connect Music Stores connect to Connect servers (owned by Sony).

You should download the non-Connect version of SonicStage if you are particularly paranoid about such things, or set your firewall settings accordingly.

[dex Otaku]

With everyone's permission, I hope, I am working on integrating all of these along with information from the original HiMD FAQ and many notes from Wikipedia.

I will be editing extensively, and I hope this doesn't offend anyone.

Likewise, I will post it back here and expect the rest of you to review it and edit as needed. Hopefully we can make a single document out of this that addresses as much as possible.

[Damage]

Not a problem with me, I've been swamped with work recently and haven't had time to work on this as much as I wanted to.

I wonder if it'd be a good idea to add in the general technical support question as well in the FAQ while we're at it (I just got this idea from dex's post in Tech Support Thread)?

[dex Otaku]

Not a problem with me, I've been swamped with work recently and haven't had time to work on this as much as I wanted to.

I wonder if it'd be a good idea to add in the general technical support question as well in the FAQ while we're at it (I just got this idea from dex's post in Tech Support Thread)?

←

I'm using a lot of links to those threads, and incorporating most of the original FAQ, and the last pass will be linking terms to wikipedia entries as glossary material.

It should take a few days.

I'm attributing it as co-written among us, rather than using quotations. Hope that's acceptable.

[Woodgnome]

When the Hi-MD format actually works correctly (without the teething troubles it is currently having) I would be pleased to discuss the fine points of which product have which features.

Let's try a different approach:

If you're a HiMD user, post a few questions or issues that you think are important enough to make available to anyone coming here.  i.e. things that are in the "need to know" category for anyone using or looking at buying a HiMD.

The questions/issues can then be categorised and duties split so people can write different chunks of the FAQ. 

Come on, people.  Doesn't anyone care?

←

[dex Otaku]

Just to update everyone, I started incorporating the various texts that had been here along with the original minidisc.org FAQ, then procrastinated for a week, then my system went down.

I now have my system back, but am dealing with serious personal problems that require attention more than the FAQ does. This will get done, it will just take longer.

D.

[Christopher]

You can always pass the torch if ye wish..I'm sure Damage and I [or whomever else] would love to assist.

[Damage]

No problem. I'm sure I can figure out few more things to add to the FAQ, just give me few more days or so to think of them (I'll get around to doing the 2nd generation stuff later on today or tomorrow).

[Damage]

My recent 2nd Gen. Acquirement (RH-910) has given me more inspiration:

New Additions:

======

2ND Generation HiMD

1. What's the big deal with these units anyway?

Biggest deal with these units are that they can now finally play MP3 files without having to be first transcoded into ATRAC3/plus formats. That means, you do not suffer any hits in quality when you transfer your MP3 files to your HiMD units. A side benefit to this is that all your MP3s by default has "almost-gapless" playback by default (about or less than 1/10th of a second, equal to the small slight gap that you'd notice with transcoded files).

2. What models are available?

MZ-DH10 - Playback/Downloading Unit. Flagship unit for 2nd Generation HiMD. Besides the usual flagship offerings (dock, full metal construction, LiIon battery), this unit combines music playback with a 1MP camera and a Color LCD screen.

MZ-RH10 - Playback/Recording/Downloading Unit, features OLED screen

MZ-RH910 - Playback/Recording/Downloading Unit, features 5-line LCD screen, and usual inputs necessary for any self respecting MD recorder. Asian units would most likely offer high-resolution LCD screen.

MZ-DH710 - US Only, Downloading unit only, offers USB port only!

MZ-RH710 - Worldwide. Playback/Recording/Downloading Unit, basic 3 line LCD screen and Line-in/Digital-in only.

In what could be considered a major improvement to the entire HiMD Walkman line, none of the units have VPT Acoustic Engine (a.k.a. fake surround sound).

3. What modes can I record in with these units?

MZ-RH910(US) can record only in HiMD mode: LinearPCM, HiSP (256kbps), and HiLP (64kbps). No recording options are availble for MP3s as previously thought, and 48kbps Atrac3plus mode.

You CAN NOT record to your MD discs! You can however download tracks to your MD discs via SonicStage.

4. Are there any restrictions in transferring MP3 files from my computer to my HiMD discs?

As of now, you must use SonicStage to transfer your MP3 to your HiMD unit. Other than that, no other restrictions are known, but improperly encoded MP3 files will not be transcoded into ATRAC3/plus. Instead, those tracks will result in CANNOT PLAY error.

5. Can I play my HiMD discs full of MP3s on my 1st Gen unit?

No first generation units will be able to play MP3 files transferred, though it will read the track listings and display the basic information stored in the database file generated. The first gen unit will attempt to play, but will report Cannot Play (RM-MC40ELK) or Can'tPLAY (NH1) error.

6. What is Digital Amp and why should I be interested in it?

Informal testing has shown that Digital Amp unit helps to minimize low level noise that may be apparent to listeners with some headphones. However, unlike HD Digital Amp, it is assumed that the sound output is not altered in any significant manner.

I really need to gather up everything into one single flat file.

[andyshedd]

this may be way after-the-fact, but in regard to sacd content on hi-md players, sony vaio computers with sound reality functionality and the latest version of sonicstage mastering studio let users output files to hi-md walkman players. one of the features of sonicstage mastering studio is its ability to convert regular pcm wav files to dsd files, apparently giving them the same sound as sacd, at least in theory. it is unclear whether actual dsd file export to hi-md is possible right now, but it does appear that sony is at least moving in that direction, albeit without any fanfare.