Freud Posted June 7, 2005 Report Share Posted June 7, 2005 (edited) Hi everybody ! After having spent a few hours browsing this fantastic forum I must admit that I'm impressed ! Usually when I am browsing forums like this one, among others, then I discover treads where I find people cursing at each other (plus more than that..). But here I have'nt read a single negative post - that's possitive and very rare nowadays. But okey enough about that - my problem, which I am not alone to have as far as I can see, is choosing the right MD. I have been trying to read as much as possibly to understand what's it all about. Until now I think I am beginning to understand the basic concepts of the MD format, but I need help about a few things.I'm considering the MZ-RH10 - why because: it's a 2-generation MD player and I guess it would be foolish to buy yesterdays technology today. I'm not that happy about the new "plastic" design but I guess there is no other metal/magnesium alternative?I read somewhere that the NH1 is still considered the flagship ? Does that mean that I get a better player in terms of design and functionality etc. if I choose that one instead ?My needs is as follows:1. usage for taping classes/lectures at the university2. taping electronic music festivals and live acts at clubs3. recording music via a mixer/cd-player/amplifier directly to MD4. mix tracks from my cd collection and transfer them to MD5. I have no need for mp3 instead I need near cd-quality6. backup of files from my pc7. removable media for transfering data between different pc'sI've read that the MZ-RH10 does not have a line out. Does it mean that I get a low quality sound when connecting the MD to a sound system ?I am looking for a complete solution so I'm going to buy a microphone, extra cables, bag/cover for the MD, extra batteri hopefully a better one than the one which is included. Any suggestions or good combinations ? Have I forgot something (considering I'm a newbie)I guess that the lipstick remote is included if I buy the MZ-RH10 ? (got confused about this after reading some discusions about this topic..) also I'm not sure if the remote is backlit ? I like the one line remote better than the 3-line mostly because of design reasons. Is there any drawbacks on the lipstick remote compared to the 3-line remote ?My budget is around USD 400-500 maximum so I expect there must be a reasoble solution out there I have'nt looked at anything else than SONY MD's...I don't know why... Finally, I'm going to buy the MD through a friend of mine living in Singapore. Then I thought about where the best place is to buy it in Singapore? (thought maybe some of you guys comes from over there) Also, do I have to be carefull of buying the models they sell in Asia compared to Europe (I live in Denmark). As far as I can understand then the models from Asia are not limited in the way the volume works.I hope some of you could spare me a few pieces of advice cause' I'm really worried of buying the wrong thing this time. And the worst thing about it: all my friends thinks I'm a lunatic because I'm not buying an iPod...mmhh yeear its gonna be even worse if I f**k up buying the wrong stuff RegardsThomas, Copenhagen Edited June 7, 2005 by Freud Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A440 Posted June 7, 2005 Report Share Posted June 7, 2005 Let's see your friends record PCM-quality live music on their iPods. Sony is the only maker of Hi-MD, which records in PCM and uploads. Previous MDs recorded compressed sound only and did not upload. The NH1 has the thinnest, most elegant design and a metal case. As far as functionality goes, well...it only has its own unusual rechargeable battery and no way to attach outboard batteries. To me, that's too much to sacrifice for design. The second generation trades native MP3 playback (with crippled frequency response, apparently) and slightly lower cost for the more useful features on last year's Hi-MD's (NH*) like line-out or direct recording to old MD modes. Not a good trade as I see it. The RH10 has a pretty display, but for the money I like my NHF-800 plus the RM-MC40ELK lighted remote--more useful for live recording. If you can find one, and you care about line out, get a NH-900. It has line-out for playback and an outboard battery pack along with its rechargeable gumstick battery. Or get an NH-700 or NHF-800 (depending on where you are), which runs a good long time on one easily replaceable AA battery--the slight bulge is no big deal, though there's no line out. The headphone jack is perfectly good, though, if all you can find are 2d generation (RH) units. Line-out provides an output without any EQ or effects, which you can also achieve by (duh) turning off EQ and effects for the headphone output. Since I don't have one, I can't tell you if line out is louder, but headphone out runs fine through my car stereo (via cassette adapter). Recording capability is the same--excellent--from unit to unit. Headphone playback is different, with digital amps in the higher-priced models, and display is different. Hi-MD does work as a data drive, but you'll probably be frustrated using Hi-MD that way, since it's only USB 1.1 and quite slow. Get a little 256MB USB flash drive on sale somewhere unless you often need 1GB of portability. Most of your other needs are served by any Hi-MD with a mic-in jack. Believe it or not, the mix albums are the most problematic. At some point in the process you will have to re-title every track. SonicStage can't handle a folder full of recordings as an album--you have to regroup them once they're on the computer, and possibly retitle them to keep them in order. When you do make mix albums, you may be better off burning them to CD and then using SimpleBurner to put them onto MD; with that method, you have to retitle them on the MD. And while you can use MD to transfer data as a data drive, you won't be able fill an MD with music and let someone else upload it. SonicStage won't allow that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freud Posted June 7, 2005 Author Report Share Posted June 7, 2005 SonicStage can't handle a folder full of recordings as an album--you have to regroup them once they're on the computer, and possibly retitle them to keep them in order. ←Thanks a lot for your fast reply!It sounds very frustrating to copy music - I wonder why a big multinational corporation like SONY offer such kind of software...? But I guess that the advantages SONY offers compared to other brands exceeds the problems concerning the usage of SonicStage.Regarding your comments on the choice of players that would suit me then I'll start to check out the NH1. I'm not that worried about battery issues and maybe it is possible to get a sparebatteri for the NH1.//Regards, Thomas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Low Volta Posted June 7, 2005 Report Share Posted June 7, 2005 (edited) It sounds very frustrating to copy music - I wonder why a big multinational corporation like SONY offer such kind of software...? But I guess that the advantages SONY offers compared to other brands exceeds the problems concerning the usage of SonicStage.As long as Sony is the only Hi-MD manufacturer out there, I guess we just have to live with SonicStage and make the most out of it (but thanks to this forum, almost all strange issues can be resolved )Regarding your comments on the choice of players that would suit me then I'll start to check out the NH1.First of all, I agree almost 100% with A440 but he actually stated "If you can find one, and you care about line out, get a NH-900...Or get an NH-700 or NHF-800", he never recommended the NH1... I'm not that worried about battery issues and maybe it is possible to get a sparebatteri for the NH1.←as I read your post, I feel obliged to say: "NO" to the NH1. It is indeed the 'flagship', but you have to make some saccrifices for that. - It has a proprietary battery (so you can only buy a 'spare' from Sony, and not very cheap). - It has a proprietary USB connection on the recorder, so if you lose your USB-cable or want a second one, it's (a lot) more money to Sony. - It can (as far as I know, feel free to correct me if I'm wrong) only be charged when in it's charging cradle, which is not practical as it's yet another part to take with you when traveling. - It uses the 3-line remote, which you like less than the lipstick model ( unlike alomst anyone else here on MDCF).- It really requires the remote, as not all functions can be accessed through the recorder- It still costs like a top-of-the-line-model would (even now that here's a new generation)would I recommend any of the 2nd gen, no not really, as (like A440 stated) the sacrifices you have to pay to get MP3-palyback and that (beautiful!) OLED-screen are just too big. Besides, (perhaps not when buying in Singapore ) the N-AM and European versions of the 2nd gen are really limited (no charging cradle, NO LCD-remote,...)my recommendation is: "search for a NH900" with e-shops, electronics shops... and certainly not only in Singapore, anywhere should do, as long as you get a decent price. - The European version comes with full accessories (like that handy lipstick remote and charging stand...so no worries) but with the soundlevel capping (but that can be removed, see my signature). - It uses a generic USB-cable and generic 3V adapter (so spare parts won't cost an arm or a leg).- It comes with a (not so good) gumstick battery, which can easily be upgraded to a much better but cheap (+/- €8) Powerbank GP stick (or anything alike, you even could order the better 14mAh Sony gumsticks for very little money). - Besides that, it has a (removable) AA-battery addon, so you also can record long periods at once (and after upgrading your gumstick, you also have a spare so you'll never run out of power!). - The only thing the NH900 really lacks compared to the NH1 is the clock and the "timestamp" function, but really, if you need to know at what time you recorded something, you either write it down or put it in the title (no need to spend extra for that). - The NH900 also has a line out function, which isn't necessarily better than just cranking up the volume, but it definitely is easier!- The NH900 is half metal (aluminium) half plastic, but it looks strong and (while not as beautiful as the RH10or NH1) quite pleasing to the eye....in short, the NH900 (in my opinion, and I have thoroughly looked into the NH1 when choosing it, and into the 2nd gen when they came out) has everything a Hi-MD should have (especially accoring to your needs as specified above) except perhaps for the blinking OLED , but the NH1 hasn't got that either...Choose well, but remember my and A440's words...Greetings, Volta Edited June 8, 2005 by The Low Volta Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vitvip Posted June 7, 2005 Report Share Posted June 7, 2005 as I read your post, I feel obliged to say: "NO" to the NH1. It is indeed the 'flagship', but you have to make some saccrifices for that. - It has a proprietary battery (so you can only buy a 'spare' from Sony, and not very cheap). - It has a proprietary USB connection on the recorder, so if you lose your USB-cable or want a second one, it's (a lot) more money to Sony. - It can (as far as I know, feel free to correct me if I'm wrong) only be charged when in it's charging cradle, which is not practical as it's yet another part to take with you when traveling. - It still costs like a top-of-the-line-model would (even now that here's a new generation)←Well, we all know NH1 is cheaper than NH900 from Amazon UK. Which is the reason #1 to seriously consider it as the choice #1.(In)convenience with charging depends your lifestyle. If you don't travel light, it should be OK.Yes, not everything is perfect with NH1, but surely it doesn't deserve being told NO.Strangely enough, I didn't come across posts about charging NH1 without cradle (hacking cable/connector). I am new to the forum, though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Low Volta Posted June 7, 2005 Report Share Posted June 7, 2005 (edited) I don't intend to flame you vitvip...so I offer you my excuses if this comes over to personally. But I just don't think telling my advice off without any arguments/alternatives will help Freud in choosing a Hi-MD-model. So here's my reply:Well, we all know NH1 is cheaper than NH900 from Amazon UK. Which is the reason #1 to seriously consider it as the choice #1.do we? The NH900 has also been sold cheaply at certain times... and even if your statement is true, that would be a big reason to ask questions! why would the top model cost less? Perhaps 'cause it has drawbacks the customers found out about?Strangely enough, I didn't come across posts about charging NH1 without cradle (hacking cable/connector). I am new to the forum, though.try this thread, the guy even wanted to build ac->usb-cablesYes, not everything is perfect with NH1, but surely it doesn't deserve being told NO.my severe "NO" was meant for this person only... I know of a lot of NH1 users who are quite happy...but that's a bit besides the point.for one thing, he likes the lipstick-remote better than the NH1's 3-line. The only thing that made him choose the NH1 was the fact that it is called the flagship...so A440 and I stated that the NH900 is definitely as good and at certain points even better than the NH1. Or as others before me have called it: the NH900 is exactly the same as the flagship model, minus some (important?) features (clock, timestamp, looks, all magnesium body) and minus some (serious?) drawbacks (proprietary stuff, NEEDS charging cradle and remote to function, no battery addon,...). IMHO, the features aren't really that important, but the drawbacks are! I really think that he should forget about the NH1 and get a NH900...just search around for a good deal. Freud still is free to choose of course, and maybe for him the features/drawbacks equations goes the other way...but I can only give my advice as a Hi-MD-user, who tried to give an honest opinion.sorry if I have offended an NH1 user with my remarks, but it's just my opinion...if you do not agree, just give some good arguments against it, don't just say: "you're wrong", that won't help anyonegreetings, Volta Edited June 8, 2005 by The Low Volta Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vitvip Posted June 8, 2005 Report Share Posted June 8, 2005 do we? The NH900 has also been sold cheaply at certain times... and even if your statement is true, that would be a big reason to ask questions! why would the top model cost less? Perhaps 'cause it has drawbacks the customers found out about?sorry if I have offended an NH1 user with my remarks, but it's just my opinion...if you do not agree, just give some good arguments against it, don't just say: "you're wrong", that won't help anyone←Volta, you are very polite, thanks! There was nothing personal in my message and I didn't and don't take anything personally from yours. Especially as I am not a NH1 user, just ordered one for my wife's birthday present. But my choice was not blind.Well, I thought that it takes just a few keystrokes to find out that NH1 is currently a steal at J110 from Amazon UK. I saw several posts here that mention it. The price on discontinued models very frequently has nothing to do with pros and cons of the model. It's just clearance sale, as simple as that.And I don't think I was just saying "you are wrong". I think I gave real arguments in favour of NH1 (never saying NH900 was bad). Probably my arguments were not that explicit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Low Volta Posted June 8, 2005 Report Share Posted June 8, 2005 Well, I thought that it takes just a few keystrokes to find out that NH1 is currently a steal at J110 from Amazon UK. I saw several posts here that mention it. The price on discontinued models very frequently has nothing to do with pros and cons of the model. It's just clearance sale, as simple as that.I just tried to comment that you stated it as something so obvious, while it actually isn't (mostly because of the clearance reasons you yourself mention), you can always 'accidentally' stumble on a good deal (couple of months ago the NH900 were £69 from Amazon UK and they sold like hot cakes...the NH1's were also pretty cheap, but still a lot of ppl preferred the NH900) I would say, Amazon being cheap on the NH1 right now is only a reason to look for a good deal on the player you want, not just to buy the one they're selling cheap at the moment... (they are selling new&used NH900's for £94 right now btw)I think I gave real arguments in favour of NH1 ... Probably my arguments were not that explicit.I get from your post that you don't think having to use the charging cradle is such a drawback and that the NH1 is cheap right now (which can both be seen as refutations of my arguments contra the NH1)... I'm afraid I'm missing the other (constructive) arguments. Please feel free to explicitly sum them up, as they can only help Freud to make an informed decision...greetings, Volta Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sushi Posted June 8, 2005 Report Share Posted June 8, 2005 I'd just like to add that I hesitated between the nh1 and the nh900.After considering all the pros and cons I plumped for the 900 and I don't regret it. No MD is perfect though (yet). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vitvip Posted June 8, 2005 Report Share Posted June 8, 2005 I just tried to comment that you stated it as something so obvious, while it actually isn't (mostly because of the clearance reasons you yourself mention),←Volta, come on, I didn't dig deep, but there is no reason to. Before one tries BOTH there is no way to be sure which one suits better. And I am very surprised you as a music lover (musician?) want it all explicit. You also don't want me to be kidding and exaggerating (what I WAS doing saying "we all know"). But I'll try (for the last time, as I really like when people think themselves) you can always 'accidentally' stumble on a good deal ←Right, but wrong in our case. You are very likely not to find NH900 and NH1 (especially, because top models are always fewer) very soon at all.(couple of months ago the NH900 were £69 from Amazon UK and they sold like hot cakes...←So 2 months ago I would seriously consider NH900. But at the price of NH1 it would be a pity.I get from your post that you don't think having to use the charging cradle is such a drawback and that the NH1 is cheap right now (which can both be seen as refutations of my arguments contra the NH1)...←Exactly and you must agree that you were wrong about the price. Also, in your opinion BOTH cheap and expensive NH1 is bad for NH1 . This is called double standard, right?I'm afraid I'm missing the other (constructive) arguments. Please feel free to explicitly sum them up, as they can only help Freud to make an informed decision...←I cannot add anything special here, why do you want me to? It's all about the balance of pros and cons (on ones personal scales), I was just defending NH1. It's up to Freud and others who will read the thread to sum up all the arguments, including yours and mine.And do you really believe all your arguments are well thought-out? When you say Freud prefers NH900's remote what do you really mean? In fact he said he likes the design more but worried about lack of functionality (which is apparent btw). So to recommend NH900 based on this point is a bit strange. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christopher Posted June 8, 2005 Report Share Posted June 8, 2005 Alright gentlemen, continue your discussion in PM's, it's railroading the thread.I'd definitely choose the NH900 over the NH1 in terms of functionality. The NH900 has superior battery life, no proprietary battery, better overall durability (are you seriously going to be rough with a magnesium device?), full RM-MC40ELK functionality (if you wanted it) and much, much more. It's the true live recording gem of the first generation units and carries just a bit more style than the lesser models.The NH1 is more for show in my opinion.Nonetheless though Freud, get the RH10 - it's better than both of these devices if you fully understand the differences between first and second generation Hi-MD. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Low Volta Posted June 9, 2005 Report Share Posted June 9, 2005 (point taken ...no hard feelings vitvip)Freud (if you're still reading this after our bickering), please keep us up to date about your final choice-about mics better to check the 'live recording' section and I don't really think you would be needing extra cables (no matter which one you choose)-I use a little Caselogic MiniDisc Case MDC-2, which is handy, except for the fact it only has a belt loop (but with a muskton or what's it called, a climbing thingy) it clips to anything; when I need to crry a lot of stuff (mic, a addon, extra MD's, ...) I use a Lowepro D-Res 10AW camera pouchgreetings (and excuses), Volta Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freud Posted June 9, 2005 Author Report Share Posted June 9, 2005 (edited) All right that was a lot of anwers and opinions !Thx. for all the answers until now.I have been thinking about it for a couple of days now and I have decided togo for an RH-10 - even though I see some things about this product that could have been better...I really appreciated the "nested" discussion about the NH1 and the NZ-NH900. I did some research myself because I really wanted to find out about these 2 models. In the end I found out that none of them is for sale in Denmark - not even in the local SONY centre? Anyways, I also found out that only the SONY centre had Mini Discs for sale - almost all of the department stores in Copenhagen didnt have Mini Discs at all......I must be living in Ipod-land Nonetheless I have to decide now If I want to get it before my friend returns from Singapore. At the moment the price is SGD 497,- via www.bluetin.com and that is a pretty good price in my opinion. Compared to Denmark I will save around USD 150,- if I get it this way (We got 25% VAT and minimum 50% income taxation....)Primarily, I have chosen RH-10 because I can live without a dedicated line-out and I can also live without a design in metal. I mean, that was my primary reasons for starting looking at alternatives. On the other hand then I have seen a lot of pictures of the RH-10 and it seems to me that the new OLED display does not look that awfull in the end. Another thing is the mp3 functionality. At first hand I thought it was a thing I never would take advantage of but then again I guess it can be quite nice now and then to have that functionality when sharing music with friends. So basically I have changed my mind quite a bit since the beginning of this thread I also had the time to read a lot of happy customers review of the RH-10 and that makes me feel like taking the chance of buying RH-10 too Again thanx for all your comments and opinions !//FreudPS:When I get my MD I'll post my first impression of the product and add some photos..(I'm trying to get the orange version...)PSS:Volta, thx. for your advice on accessories. I have not decided yet about that because I dont know what I can get in Singapore. I'll probably have to buy accessories in Denmark in the end. The link you posted refering to the MD case have no picture of the product ?. But via your link I found another case logic case MPC-2 which I think look great. So I think I'll go for that one. Edited June 10, 2005 by Freud Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kenlui Posted June 14, 2005 Report Share Posted June 14, 2005 @freud If i'm not mistaken, u can only get the orange RH10 thru audio cubes or either straight from japanese stores as the orange unit is only meant for the japansese market. Well, bluetin sells their products are quite a nice price. Do some searching around, or may i suggest your friend to visit Sin Lim square in Singapore. Im not sure about the exact location but i've heard from my friend that over there, they have good bargains. Hope it helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andysnap Posted June 17, 2005 Report Share Posted June 17, 2005 I'd definitely choose the NH900 over the NH1 in terms of functionality. The NH900 has superior battery life, no proprietary battery, better overall durability (are you seriously going to be rough with a magnesium device?), full RM-MC40ELK functionality (if you wanted it) and much, much more. It's the true live recording gem of the first generation units and carries just a bit more style than the lesser models. The NH1 is more for show in my opinion.←I'm most interested to read the thoughts and conclusions on these two MD models as I have both in front of me now, but I've been deciding which one is going back to Amazon. Tempted by the bargain price, and spec, and looks, of the NH1, I ordered it earlier this week. Opening the box it had, and has, a wow! factor. Superbly made, very small and pocketable, I was smitten. But soon I found it really had to be used with it's - very good - remote, and I hate excess wires! Also the minimal screen on the unit carries very little information, and certainly no track, album or group info. The NH1 was style over function. So I ordered an NH900, a 'lower' model, but £10 more expensive, such was Amazon's bargain price for the NH1. Opening the box, it looked and felt much bigger and almost flimsier compared to the NH1, a Ford Escort compared to a sports car.But the NH900 I think turns out to be the more useful, and functional, of the two - much like a Ford Escort!! It has all of the features (minus a couple of very minor ones) and the very useful jog wheel and screen on the unit, as well as a perfectly useable, yet 'optional' remote. It also has a 'normal' USB cable, and the AA batt pack, just in case. . . So later today, the NH1 gets returned, sob, even though it looks so good, and I love a bargain! After a few days of indecision, I'm also pleased my verdict is similar to other users on the forum.Andrew Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Low Volta Posted June 17, 2005 Report Share Posted June 17, 2005 So later today, the NH1 gets returned, sob, even though it looks so good, and I love a bargain! ←Andy, welcome to the NH900-user club I'm pretty sure that you won't regret your choice, as the NH900 is the most practical unit until now IMHO. And about losing some style by returning the NH1...wait until you whip out your NH900 on the train, grab another 1gig disc and flick it in and as soon as the music plays and you grin widely from enjoyment, you will see all we-podders (there is no "i" in such a mass product ) turn green with envy, cause you just turned out to be way more stylish by your 'abnormal' player...greetings, Volta Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andysnap Posted June 17, 2005 Report Share Posted June 17, 2005 Andy, welcome to the NH900-user club I'm pretty sure that you won't regret your choice, as the NH900 is the most practical unit until now IMHO. . . . .greetings, Volta←Thanks Volta, your post really does make me feel better about parting with the sleek NH1!! If only Sony had put a bigger screen, and wee jog wheel on the NH1 then it would have been perfection. But they did'nt, so hello other NH900 owners!! Andrew Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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