Sonicstage File Deletion On Md

[DaveH]

Relatively new to MD, but am quite perplexed by the SonicStage software supplied by Sony. Most of the internet fora have a lot of complaints about it. I have an MZ-NH900 (8 weeks old) and have upgraded to SonicStage 2.3 (European) from the early 2.0 supplied. The thing that puzzles me is why it cannot transfer from the MD to my PC (Windows XP Pro WITHOUT SP2!). What is worse, as most users now seem to know, is that it actually deletes the albumn / tracks from the MD (without transferring - goodbye albumn - yes I did make sure the check box was set so that it shouldnt delete). The manual, Sony websites & etc claim that it can transfer and that this is a +ve feature of the Hi-Md format.

I was puzzled to read a good review of the NH1 (which I understand is the NH900 with better clothing) where the reviewer claimed to have uploaded live recordings he had made from the recorder to his PC. Is this the issue? Can you upload recordings you make yourself using a mic or "line-in" but NOT what has been downloded to a minidisc? Curiously, my local Sony Centre (who sold me the kit) DONT know anything about SonicStage and it's problems - well - they say they don't - but I wouldnt be surprised. I have complained to the Sony support e-mail address several times but am very surprised that they have not replied (Hm...).

Am also puzzled why I cant select alternative compression rates when loading from "Library" to "Hi-MD". e.g. recorded a CD at 256 kbit/s - would have liked to use something better than 48 kbits when I need to crush things onto the end of a disc or to re-work parts of material that has more dialogue than music (e.g. variable adaptive compression for opera) (64?) but it is not an alternative. Reading the technical description published by Sony about ATRAC i would have thought that was possible. Is the only solution to record PCM and then select the compression required for a whole track?

Am very surpised that there are not any alternative 3rd party solutions to the software impasse.

Of course, like all other users who have got the MD bug I am very impressed by the sound quality and engineering and wouldnt have an MP3 player as alternative - but horrified by the poor software support.

p.s. try using Shure "in ear canal" 'phones (E3C) or Stax Electrostatics to really appreciate the recording quality.

[Christopher]

Welcome.

First off, upgrade to Service Pack 2, as it contains crucial components that Sonicstage relies on to operate at the best of it's ability.