First Md Adventure

[Polari]

Hello everyone!!

Just to introduce myself, I'm from colorado, and I'm looking for the right MD solution, Basically, I'm not really an audio-phile, but I do enjoy great sound.

I'm looking for a hi-md unit, it doesnt need to record. I'm not much of a fan for plastic, I like the feeling of weight, It makes the unit feel much more sturdy.

Basically, my ipod was stolen from my car about a month ago, and I'm dying without my music on the go..

I Really love the look of the Sharp DS8, but 80 minutes just isn't enough, as I usually listen to music while im at school, in my car, and at home.

As far as price range goes, I'm probably going to be looking in the $200ish range.

Thanks so much for all your help!!

Alex

[Mystyler]

Alex,

The DS8 you mentioned would require that you have a unit capable of recording or "downloading" music to MD first, so that one won't help you.

You'd want a new HiMD model, and I'm sure that there are some that will fit your needs/budget - I'm just not really up with HiMD. If it's oldschool you want, then I can be much more help!

[A440]

For a Hi-MD player, get a MZ-NH600D, or NH600 if you can find it (without the D it includes a line-in jack). It downlads from the computer like an Ipod. You can find them new for under $100 on Ebay. It's plastic, like all the Hi-MDs. If you want something metallic, but has far less capacity per MD, you could look for a MZ-N707 or MZ-N910 used. But beware: the microscrews fall out unless you keep them tight, and you'd end up paying just as much for less functionality.

If you're just downloading CDs to the MD, Sony's SimpleBurner does nicely. If you're transferring MP3s, SonicStage will make you sorely miss iTunes. There's no alternative software.

MD may not be the right format for you, since the glory of MD is recording. If you're used to iPod, why not get a $199 Ipod Mini? Sony is also making small flash MP3 players like the 1GB NW-E107 for under $200.

And as with all portable players, dump the included headphones and get some better ones, like Sennheiser PX100 or, if you're splurging, Shure E3.

[Polari]

For a Hi-MD player,  get a MZ-NH600D, or NH600 if you can find it (without the D it includes a line-in jack). It  downlads from the computer like an Ipod.  You can find them new for under $100 on Ebay. It's plastic, like all the Hi-MDs. If you want something metallic, but has far less capacity per MD, you could look for a MZ-N707 or MZ-N910 used. But beware: the microscrews fall out unless you keep them tight, and you'd end up paying just as much for less functionality.

If you're just downloading CDs to the MD, Sony's SimpleBurner does nicely. If you're transferring MP3s, SonicStage will make you sorely  miss iTunes. There's no alternative software. 

MD may not be the right format for you, since the glory of MD is recording. If you're used to iPod, why not get a $199 Ipod Mini? Sony is also making small  flash MP3 players like the 1GB  NW-E107 for under $200.

And as with all portable players, dump the included headphones and get some better ones, like Sennheiser PX100 or, if you're splurging, Shure E3.

←

To tell you the honest truth, i really wasnt that impressed with my ipod. The battery life being what it was... pitiful, and i thought it was quite bulky, and so fragile. The initial good looks faded quickly with heavy use, and some wear and tear, Id rather my music player have some "personality" rather than be just another ipod in the crowd. Since you guys have been using MDs for quite some time i'd imagine, do you recommend the Hi-MD or the regular? And as far as headphones go, i picked up a pair of Sony MDRV700's about 2 years ago, but they are almost shot, so it may be time for some new ones

and as far as the MZ-NH600D goes, i was readying some reviews on cnet the other day, and it wasnt looking good... do you have any other recommendations?

Alex

Edited April 28, 2005 by Polari

[A440]

Hi-MD gives you better capacity because it takes 1GB discs. Although basic MD advertised LP4 (up to 320 minutes per 80-minute disc) you wouldn't want to use that compression on music--more like maximum 160 minutes on acceptable-quality LP2.

You also are unlikely to find pre-Hi-MD players that aren't used or way overpriced.

I have a NH600D that I got for a low price on eBay to reduce wear on my NHF-800 recorder, and since I'm used to MD it works fine for me as a portable player. But MD just doesn't seem to me to be a sensible option if you're not already interested in the format and you don't have your own MD recordings to play back on it.

I just looked at the Cnet review, and the problems they found are common to most MDs: slow transfer (a CD takes 5-10 minutes), only plays ATRAC, dinky LCD display (unless you want to pay for the new top-end RH-10). The new 2d-generation units also play mp3, but since you have to transfer mp3 via SonicStage, it's only barely more convenient. Looks like the Cnet reviewer had trouble finding the menu item to turn off the beep, and he liked SonicStage--neither adds credibility.

If you move up the MD product line, you're only paying for the recording capacity you don't need. The jog-wheel/pointing stick combination that Cnet complained about is the same (though remote controls, some backlit, are added) and the size of the units is the same or larger. Models other than the NH-600, NH-700 and NH-800F (the others are recorders of similar size) don't take AA batteries; they use rechargeable gumstick batteries that tie you to a charger or force you to use an outboard battery pack (even larger).

If you don't want to be an iPod conformist, take a look at Creative Muvo, or the new Iriver players, or Sony's flash players. Removable media is nice, but the tradeoff is in bulk, Sony's restrictions and a design that many users (like Cnet) don't find easy or intuitive.

I don't want to see MD become an obsolete format. But I don't see Sony doing anything--including its late and grudging acceptance of mp3--to make it viable as a music player.

[Polari]

Hi-MD gives you better capacity because it takes 1GB discs. Although basic MD advertised LP4 (up to 320 minutes per 80-minute disc) you wouldn't want to use that compression on music--more like maximum 160 minutes on acceptable-quality LP2.

You also are unlikely to find pre-Hi-MD players that aren't used or way overpriced.

I have a NH600D that I got for a low price on eBay  to reduce wear on my NHF-800 recorder, and since I'm used to MD it works fine for me as a portable player. But MD just doesn't seem to me to be a sensible option if you're not already interested in the format and you don't have your own MD recordings to play back on it.

I just looked at the Cnet review, and the problems they found are common to most  MDs: slow transfer (a CD takes 5-10 minutes), only plays ATRAC, dinky LCD display (unless you want to pay for the new top-end RH-10).  The new 2d-generation units also play mp3, but since you have to transfer mp3 via SonicStage, it's only barely more convenient.  Looks like the Cnet reviewer had trouble finding the menu item to turn off the beep, and he liked SonicStage--neither adds  credibility.

If you move up the MD product line, you're only paying for the recording capacity you don't need. The jog-wheel/pointing stick combination that Cnet complained about is the same (though remote controls, some backlit,  are added) and the size of the units is the same or larger. Models other than the NH-600, NH-700 and NH-800F (the others are recorders of similar size) don't take AA batteries; they  use rechargeable gumstick batteries that tie you to a charger or force you to use an outboard battery pack (even larger).

If you don't want to be an iPod conformist, take a look at Creative Muvo, or the new Iriver players, or Sony's flash players. Removable media is nice, but the tradeoff is in bulk, Sony's restrictions  and a design that many users (like Cnet) don't find easy or intuitive.

I don't want to see MD become an obsolete format.  But I don't see Sony doing anything--including its late and grudging acceptance of mp3--to make it viable as a music player.

←

Thanks so much for your posts, i guess i was expecting a different answer than this. I dont know what it is that attracts me to the whole MD thing, it really looks cool from the outside, ive been looking at the hi-md players you suggested, and if nothing else will use it until i find something else or im forced to fix my ipod, but you never know, I might just like it =D

Alex

[bobt]

See if you can find a clearance on an NH1 or NH900, they are solid, dependable, versatile, and will outlast any I-Pod on the planet. With mic/line in your recording options expand, and with live recording you can upload. 5 minutes to record a cd wh cares, remeber reatime not that log ago.

Stay away from hard drive units, reliability is an issue.

Good luck,

use the force,

Bob

[Silvadragon]

Polari is a good conversion.

I didn't need to buy an iPod to learn that they were bad.

I commend Polari on his/hers effort

[tsanch]

Polari, I see this post is several weeks old and you've probably made a decision already. I have an old-school Sony minidisc I'm still very happy with. I just got the MZ-NH600D on clearance. I'm not sure what the Cnet guy was looking for, but I'm enjoying this recorder/player quite a bit. The controls aren't hard to learn. Took me all of a few mintues. The download times for a CD using SimpleBurn are between 3 and 5 minutes. I'm not sure how fast Ipod is, but this seems reasonable for me. The player is plastic but feels more substantial once the battery and a disc are loaded. Why do I like MD over HD based MP3 players? Well for one, my old school model is great for recording streaming broadcasts over the net. I like that the music is on discs so if the unit breaks, I'm not left without my tunes. I just need a new unit. As my old player is still working great after 5 years, this is not an issue. Anyway, this post is probably too late for you, but I thought I'd give it a shot just in case.

Edit: I just read that you can download an entire cd to the iPod in 5 seconds. O.k. that does rock. I admit it. I'm still sticking with my MDs though.

Edited May 11, 2005 by tsanch