Will Sony Ever Come Out A Himd Home Deck?

[guymrob]

Hi,

I got my HiMD MZ-RH10 portable and I'm very impressed on the sound quality especially recorded on Linear PCM using the HiMD 1GB disc. My present home deck is a Sony DTC-60ES DAT recorder and will like to replace it with a HiMD home deck.

But HiMD is around for more than a year and so far on portables. Thanks

Guy

[Ishiyoshi]

I am sure a true Sony Hi-MD deck will materialize. Hopefully by end of 3rd quarter of this year.

[Dinko]

No. Go to news.google.com and search of "Stringer" and "Transformation 60".

You'll find article in which Sony execs say they'll reduce research and development and concentrate only on stuff with future growth: good bye MD, good bye SACD, good bye Vaio. I don't imagine Sony issuing HiMD decks at this point.

I can't really believe Sony will quit investing in its Walkman brand either, but who knows.

[MDGB2]

To take such an attitude towards future developments would be sheer insanity.

[Breepee2]

Would be sheer reality.

MD is just not considered market-proof to some high-up execs... If you havn't figured that out yet... It's sad, but true.

[Bananatree]

Do you think Sony is already going to ditch HiMD?

If so, then no, we won't see a HiMD deck. Looks like if they keep it together for a little while longer, we can hope to see one soon, since the 2nd gen of HiMD just came out.

EDIT: Also, R&D cuts don't mean HiMD is out the door, it's already been researched and developed. No need for much more R&D.

[Breepee2]

Also means we aint gonna see (much needed IMHO) improvement.

The fact is that HiMD is almost 1,5 years old and still no decks... Don't count on it, at least you won't be disappointed.

Edited June 24, 2005 by Breepee2

[dex Otaku]

HiMD was released worldwide last July/August, with some units out in June. That's less than one year.

[Sushi72]

Hi there!

What I'd like to see is a Hi-MD car-system.

So, Sony, go and do it.

Sushi

[D-EJ915]

HiMD was released worldwide last July/August, with some units out in June.  That's less than one year.

←

Yeah, the first MD deck came out 2-3 years after the first portable did.

[1kyle]

Yeah, the first MD deck came out 2-3 years after the first portable did.

←

Sony's WALKMAN' is a trademark / brandname probably worth more than the company itself -- like people saying 'Xeroxing' a copy .

There is NO WAY that Sony will drop the "Walkman" idea so I would expect to see continued production of these units.

Sony also has a lot invested in its music business -- so maybe a few rounds of Golf (The 'Laps are FANATICS on Golf) with the top brass might cause them to ease up a bit over the DRM crud which is hindering the development of MD. After all what's the point of havinh HUGE music resources if nobody is buying because of really stupid rules.

LCD's are getting cheaper by the day --but Sony's VAIO laptops have the best screens of almost any laptop I've ever used and really do compete with Apple's Powerbook. I don't see SONY dropping the VAIO computer rage.

Solid state walkmans -- especially if the media is Non removable have other problems as I've explained elsewhere -- not so much the technology -- but alos the sheer difficulty of managing the storage cards --the tiny cards are difficult to label, would get lost very easily etc etc.

HD devices --you've got all your music in one place --not good if the unit gets broken, filled up or you buy a new one --in fact there would be a DISINCENTIVE to buy a new one until you really had to --so not a good marketing ploy in any case.

Mobile Phones also don't represent the future of portable music devices either --especially if you have to get your music from the Internet -- there's enough problem with standard Downloaded purchased music and you've got the added problem then of mucking around with Sim Cards when your card is full.

No I'm actually more optimistic over the future of the format than I've been for a while -- the size of the MD is just about perfect for easy physical handling and future capacity could go up to say 20GB per disc or whatever --then would also be useful for Computer data backup as well.

Vheers

-K

[anonz]

there are hi-md home decks in japan.

[LupinIV]

there are hi-md home decks in japan.

←

Hey, I notice that too. There ARE HiMD deck out there!!! The US market is probably not profitable enough for it, but guys, if you really want it, there is always ways to have it shipped over here.

I believe minidisco has it too:

"Introducing Sony Japan's* 2004 Hi-MD SoundGate Type-S audio system. The ultra compact MD/CD system is super cool and the only Mini-system with Hi-MD!

http://www.minidisco.com/home-pro-car-home-car-md.html"

or am I seeing things.....?

[Bananatree]

Minisystem/bookshelf systems are different than decks, which are ment to compliment full sized audio systems. (I.e the je5XX series of decks.)

What some really want to do is record at the highest possible benchmark, which is usually obtained with decks. Also, you could record some really sweet PCM from a really good CD deck (theoretically). Plus there is things like timeshift, pitch shift for more profesional uses that are usually included in decks Vs. bookshelf/mini systems.

[Matty]

Maybe Sony just hates us? I just can't imagine why they'd create a format with so much potential then screw the enthusiastic user base with stupid DRM and basically just not support or promote the product whatsoever.

[greenmachine]

It's not about love and hate, it's about profitability. Money rules the world.

[Matty]

Wouldn't it be more profitable to actually promote MD? I mean the reason Apple's sold hojillions of iPods isn't because the Pod is a superior unit. It isn't. No, it's the hyper-trendy advetising campaign that's been running for like 3 years solid on TV, in print and outdoors. They made the iPod and it's users cool. Where's Sony? With their thumb up their collective arse waiting for people to buy these things that they know nothing about. Maybe if profitablility was where Sony was at, we'd have a home deck and at worst at least widespread awareness of MD as a format and a larger userbase.

[1kyle]

Hey, I notice that too. There ARE HiMD deck out there!!! The US market is probably not profitable enough for it, but guys, if you really want it, there is always ways to have it shipped over here.

I believe minidisco has it too:

"Introducing Sony Japan's* 2004 Hi-MD SoundGate Type-S audio system. The ultra compact MD/CD system is super cool and the only Mini-system with Hi-MD!

http://www.minidisco.com/home-pro-car-home-car-md.html"

or am I seeing things.....?

←

Apparently will be introduced into the UK in July

This at least looks good.

Cheers

-K

[steveOooo]

Apparently will be introduced into the UK in July

This at least looks good.

Cheers

-K

←

Cool! where did you here that? is it the lam z05 (bookshelf device)

any news on a all in one ghetto blaster type unit?

[Guest Em Dee]

Wait, how are you guys talking negatively about minidisc and sony's handling of the format? The last I checked, a member here "hair old" was stating such observations and his post was locked ("Hi MD Query") then a post he started about having such posts locked was promptly removed in a matter of minutes after it was read. Then, I tried to email him but he was permanently kicked off the site for saying anything negative about Sony and/or minidisc and its shortcomings. So, watch what you say here! I don't think this post or this topic will survive much longer.

[Christopher]

Not true at all - we just prefer constructive criticism. Little do others know, but you have the same IP as hair old. You have now made three accounts in the forums that consistantly do nothing more than troll. I have now banned your IP address.

- Your latest account

- hair old's antics

- ggoat!!'s antics

[Michael1980]

Wouldn't it be more profitable to actually promote MD? I mean the reason Apple's sold hojillions of iPods isn't because the Pod is a superior unit. It isn't. No, it's the hyper-trendy advetising campaign that's been running for like 3 years solid on TV, in print and outdoors. They made the iPod and it's users cool. Where's Sony? With their thumb up their collective arse waiting for people to buy these things that they know nothing about. Maybe if profitablility was where Sony was at, we'd have a home deck and at worst at least widespread awareness of MD as a format and a larger userbase.

←

iPod sold well because it works well.

(Rover went under because they made bad cars. Simple really.)

Regarding the home deck, offcourse it will happen. There is already a HiMD bookshelf from Sony, the deck will come in later probably with car units.

[atrain]

Wait, how are you guys talking negatively about minidisc and sony's handling of the format?  The last I checked, a member here "hair old" was stating such observations and his post was locked ("Hi MD Query") then a post he started about having such posts locked was promptly removed in a matter of minutes after it was read.  Then, I tried to email him but he was permanently kicked off the site for saying anything negative about Sony and/or minidisc and its shortcomings.  So, watch what you say here!  I don't think this post or this topic will survive much longer. 

←

ooh the final quote of the matyr. btw the emailing of the departed was a touch overboard, an attemp to answer a thread he'd created but being disapointed that it was closed is far more realistic & less melodramatic.

[tekdroid]

Wouldn't it be more profitable to actually promote MD? I mean the reason Apple's sold hojillions of iPods isn't because the Pod is a superior unit. It isn't.

Depends on your definiton of 'superior'. I'm no great fan of the iPod or the current Hi-MD units (still looking for a good excuse to buy one, but sadly, haven't found one yet, mostly due to software DRM restrictions. High-frequency roll-off of mp3 playback is also inexcusable and that arrogance will never be rewarded by me). But if you look at the average consumer's point of view with the iPod, I think we can get closer to understanding its runaway success.

The iPods are EASY to use. The devices don't roadblock the user with needless restrictions (some areas notwithstanding..). The devices are, overall, enjoyable to use and navigate and hold many more songs than a MiniDisc. I think Sony has a LONG way to go when it comes to the out-of-box experience of Hi-MD. It simply deserves to be selling less and to be relatively unknown. In other words, Apple's iPod being the market leader is not surprising to me in the least.

Of course MiniDisc has its unique features that no other format offers. I just think it's a shame that Sony simply doesn't let the format shine as it should, and they are paying the price (along with the users).

Edited June 26, 2005 by tekdroid

[Matty]

Tekdroid: perhaps that's what I really meant to say.

[saaron]

Apparently will be introduced into the UK in July

This at least looks good.

Cheers

-K

←

No kidding? Who's going to be carrying it? John Lewis (only place I can find the NetMD shelf units at the moment)?

[1kyle]

No kidding?  Who's going to be carrying it?  John Lewis (only place I can find the NetMD shelf units at the moment)?

←

The Internet will always work -- but I suspect some retailers like Sevenoaks will probably get it on request.

Sony centres (those that haven't closed down) will get it and I'm sure the units will will be seen along that Mecca of Electronic gizmos (Tottenham Ct Road in London) .

Cheers

-K

[Artstar]

No. Go to news.google.com and search of "Stringer" and "Transformation 60".

You'll find article in which Sony execs say they'll reduce research and development and concentrate only on stuff with future growth: good bye MD, good bye SACD, good bye Vaio. I don't imagine Sony issuing HiMD decks at this point.

I can't really believe Sony will quit investing in its Walkman brand either, but who knows.

←

If that is true, then Stringer is a moron to put it mildly. The last I checked, the reason why Sony became such a huge force in the electronics industry pre-2000 is because of their innovations and innovations come from continued research and development.

To do away with that means doing away with the company as a whole IMHO. Having being in the broadcast industry prior to his recent appointment as CEO, you would think that if anyone has a greater appreciation for innovation, it would be him considering we in the broadcast industry like to have equipment that's quick to setup and provides results that would surpass our competitors and keep the public listening and or watching our product!

I suppose it depends to what extend he does decide to reduce the R&D. If it's to the extreme, then major broadcasters who have contracts with Sony (NBC for one) will have something to kick Sony's (and Stringer's) arse about.

Personally, I hope that HiMD innovations begin to flourish at least before he swings the axe. Or in the very least, another company takes the initiative to continue providing HiMD product to satsify the masses. Onkyo? Are you reading this?

[1kyle]

If that is true, then Stringer is a moron to put it mildly. The last I checked, the reason why Sony became such a huge force in the electronics industry pre-2000 is because of their innovations and innovations come from continued research and development.

To do away with that means doing away with the company as a whole IMHO. Having being in the broadcast industry prior to his recent appointment as CEO, you would think that if anyone has a greater appreciation for innovation, it would be him considering we in the broadcast industry like to have equipment that's quick to setup and provides results that would surpass our competitors and keep the public listening and or watching our product!

I suppose it depends to what extend he does decide to reduce the R&D. If it's to the extreme, then major broadcasters who have contracts with Sony (NBC for one) will have something to kick Sony's (and Stringer's) arse about.

Personally, I hope that HiMD innovations begin to flourish at least before he swings the axe. Or in the very least, another company takes the initiative to continue providing HiMD product to satsify the masses. Onkyo? Are you reading this? 

←

Walkman used to be the "De-facto" definition for Portable Music --like Xerox meant copiers and Hoove meant Vacuum cleaners.

Ipod took over --we;ve even got "Pod-casting" now --although thses are NOT restricted to IPODS --because they appealed to an "MTV" type generation, introduced the concept of buying "Downloadable Music", looked OK and initially sold to people who didn't care too much about the quality so long as they "Looked right" -- The White headphones were a runaway success there of course.

Sony took their eye of the ball -- but as people are finding the restrictions on "Downloaded Music" irksome, and the manangement of HUGE volumes of music (on an HD device) to be quite cumbersome --and of course the problem of what to do if it breaks or you need a new device or it becomes full is now beginning to be felt by a lot of these early IPOD adopters SONY has a real opportunity to re-market the HI-MD removable disk concept.

Just needs a little bit of targeted marketing.

As for VAIO's --I can't see them disappearing (at least not the laptops) --these apart from the HIDEOUSLY expensive large Apple cinema display have probably the best screens I've ever seen on a laptop (and I'm a photographer so I do a lot of Computer Image processing).

No actually I don't actually see the MD going away any time soon --and surprisngly there's still quite a demand out these for top of the line NET-MD shelf units such as the excellent JB980 --especially at the discounted prices you can find out there.

The MD is just TOO convenient for recording, broadcasting etc -- no other device comes close and who wants to go back to using DAT again.

Cheers

-K

[cfairfowl]

In the absence of a HiMD Deck (I have a Sony MDJBS940) I built a cradle for my HiMD Walkman - not as convenient as a deck but the main thing it does is automatic timer recordings from DAB and FM Broadcasts.

It is not the same build quality as SONY a bit Heath Robinson in fact but it works extremely well.

See Timer Recording by Chris Fairfowl.

CF

[yuff]

i guess cut a little notch in your stereo's tape deck to allow for a car kit cord lol

Edited July 27, 2005 by yuff