Looking To Upgrade, Don't Know Where To Begin

[lunatic]

What's up ya'll? Wow. It has been a looooong time since I've visited any kind of minidisc forum. A bunch of years ago I spent all my free time reseraching these gadgets and ended up with a Sharp MT877 which has been great.

Now I'm thinking about upgrading. Seems the technology has come a long way forward and I'd like to move forward with it. But I am totally overwhelmed by all the new formats and players. HiMD? What the heck is that? lol.

Anyway, I am here to ask for help. I've spent the last two hours browsing and would love to utilize the search button but I don't know what to search FOR. So maybe ya'll can throw a few suggestions my way.

I have an ipod, so I don't really care about playing mp3s. What I really need is a good recording device. I play West African drums, often in a gym (for an African Dance class or for drum lessons), sometimes outside, and various venues (I perform in a drumming group also). So I need something that can handle the noise without creating noise, heh heh.

I'm also really tired of the real time recording from minidisc to my computer. That is a DRAG. Seems like the newer HiMD models have quick file transfer? Is that right? That would be a blessing.

It would be nice if I could find something backwards compatible, so I don't have to waste the discs I already have, but I am willing to sacrifice that for other features.

Oh and did I mention I'm not rich? lol, I'm willing to pay a little more for the perfect machine but if I can find something affordable I'd be much happier.

If anyone has suggestions (and please don't just tell me "search" because again, I have no idea what to search FOR!) for a couple of models to start looking at I would be forever grateful.

Mic suggestions welcome too.

Cheers ya'll,

lunatic (a girl)

[Christopher]

Welcome to the forums, lunatic.

Yes, Hi-MD units can upload recordings faster than real-time and offer many more ATRAC3/plus options than you're used to. I think that you would also benefit from reading this page:

http://www.sony.net/Products/Hi-MD/

Nonetheless, before recommendations are made, what is your maximum budget?

[lunatic]

Thanks for the welcome kurisu.

I guess I'd max out at $250-$300 although again, I have no idea what the new technology is priced at these days.

[The Low Volta]

Seems like the newer HiMD models have quick file transfer? Is that right? That would be a blessing.

that's right, but with a bit of strange Sony customs so read all stickied/pinned threads in the live-recording-section (especially dex's way to write gapless CD's which explains the safest way to upload known to man) before you ever start uploading, as it can save a lot of sorrow

It would be nice if I could find something backwards compatible, so I don't have to waste the discs I already have, but I am willing to sacrifice that for other features.

your statement could be interpreted in three ways:

- you just want to reuse the old discs (not the content) -> no problem, all Hi-MD models can use old discs (reformatted to Hi-MD they can hold a lot more music)

- you want to listen to the content -> again no problem, all Hi-MD models will allow this (but none of the models will allow you to upload that content digitally!)

- (but I do not think you meant this one) you want to record discs that you can use on the old player -> get a 1st gen Hi-MD (all models with MZ-NHxxx)

I'm willing to pay a little more for the perfect machine but if I can find something affordable I'd be much happier.

depends on where you are... sometimes the 1st gen models are sold really cheap (especially in the UK)

If anyone has suggestions (and please don't just tell me "search" because again, I have no idea what to search FOR!)

well, that's exactly why it's difficult for us to advise a model

- best IMHO (but the more expensive ones as well): NH900 and (Japanese imported -> otherwise you get a non-LCD remote) RH10

- very good as well: NH700(or 800 ->depends on the region) and RH910

- IMHO don't get: any "D" model (like NH600D) as they are download only (NO recording!) and do not go for the NH1 as it is still quite expensive (not always though) and has too many "NH1-only" proprietary (not easy/cheap to replace) stuff, no AA battery addon, needs the remote for certain features and the charging stand to charge... so it is too much hassle even though it looks good

just read up on these models in the equipment browser and the reviews (like Dex's comparison between the RH10 and the NH700 which is very interesting) and older posts in the "find your minidisc"-section

as recording is great on all models and the features don't really differ that much, just think by yourself what would make the difference...what will you be using it for most and feel free to post further (more specific ) questions

greetings, Volta

[lunatic]

Cool - good stuff and thanks for listing specific models for me to look into. I am in Oregon in the US (West Coast) so no UK prices for me.

I definitely want recording and I will be using 99% of the time for recording drumming, mostly indoors and sometimes outdoors. Most of the indoor stuff is in a loud echo-y gym type room but sometimes just rehearsals in somebody's living room.

Sorry about the confusing on the backwards compatability thing. I guess I can use my Sharp mt877 to upload the existing stuff and then just reuse the discs on a new system (reformat to Hi-MD like you suggested).

I will definitely read all links you guys have posted.

Thanks so much for your responses! Looks like I'll have to do some research on mics too. Right now I have a cardiod clip on with a battery box but the battery is drained pretty quickly and I have to change it frequently. Back when I got the MT877 everyone said a battery box was a must have. Is that still the case? Aren't there any good mics that just run off the device? (esp. if the device was plugged in so power wasn't a problem).

thanks again for all your help.

lunatic

[greenmachine]

Sounds unusual that your battery box drains the battery quickly. Usually average miniature microphones consume less than 1 mA current. What kind of battery does it use? Do you unplug the mic from the box after usage or is there a power switch?

A battery box is still very useful for recording loud sounds such as drums from a close distance because you can use the line-in of the recorder instead of the mic-in, which would overload soon (->clipping).

It's a rumor that powering the mics from the mic-in ('plug-in power') will affect the recorder's battery life noticeable by the way.

Edited June 28, 2005 by greenmachine

[lunatic]

Yes I do disconnect the mic from the unit when I am done recording. No there is no power switch It just takes a standard 9 volt. If I don't use it for a few months then I have to replace it or get no levels. I got the mics from giant squid audio lab (http://www.giant-squid-audio-lab.com/).

It's not a big deal but it's just one more thing I have to deal with.

So from what I've been reading it looks like the NH900 or the RH10 are in hot competition. Any other thoughts on this?

What are the major differences between the 1st and 2nd generations? How important is a Line Out?

Thanks again!

[The Low Volta]

What are the major differences between the 1st and 2nd generations?

1st gen= backwards compatible

2nd gen= MP3 compatible

How important is a Line Out?

a line out is an unmodified strong signal that is used when you connect your MD to other equipment (like the aux on a stereo or car unit,...) it can be imitated by turning the equalizer off and volume to near max (29/30) and the only real drawback is that this requires a bit (not much) more effort than changing to line out in a menu

I have been one of the most active defenders of NH900 against the RH10... but since Dex measured the fake line out of the RH10 (as described above) and noted that it is nearly the same as the "real" line out-mode on the NH900 my main reason to dislike the RH10 is gone

a simple sum-up:

NH900:

- has all the bells and whistles I want in a MD-recorder (except for timestamp, but only the NH1 has that and I wouldn't consider to buy that one)

- has a useful remote (with backlit LCD)

- on-recorder screen is small and sometimes hard to read (not backlit)

- feels sturdy (aluminum front)

- can record in old formats (but as you have Hi-MD, I really think you do not need this unless you've got a lot of older equipment you still want to use)

- can't play MP3's as MP3's

RH10:

- has almost the same features as the NH900 (except for the line out and pitch control)

- has a great looking BIG OLED-screen on the recorder (best feature of the RH10 by far!)

- has plastic looks (which you might like, but I do not really) and gets scratched/scaffed easily

- does not come with an LCD-remote unless you buy a more expensive Japanese import (which I would do, cause I find the remote vey handy...or just buy an RM-MC40ELK remote to use with the N-Am RH10)

- has (slightly crippled) MP3-playback

so my tip: unless you find a cheap deal on a NH900, go for the RH10 (the OLED is so beautiful ) but see if you can afford to buy a Japanese import... if not, get a N-Am one and save up for the good remote (RM-MC40ELK)

greetings, Volta

[lunatic]

That's the best summary I've read so far!

Since I have an iPod I don't really care about mp3s. I would pretty much be using the minidisc for recording purposes only and doing that about 3 times a week - so the ability to upload to a PC and burn a CD in as little time as possible is crucial. Sounds like all the Hi-MDs do that though.

Read a lot about the RH10 being easily scratched - that's a bummer. I'm not a huge fan of plastic products so the sturdier build of the NH900 sounds appealing.

So it sounds like the only real trade off for me personally is that big OLED screen which sounds wonderful (from what I've been reading).

Hmm . . . sounds like price might be the deciding factor on this one. Guess I"ll head to ebay and google and see what I can find.

Please feel free to share other thoughts ya'll! I'm not dedicated to one of these two models yet!

[Christopher]

I believe the NH900 or the RH10 are really the best to choose from in this scenario.

[lunatic]

Any thoughts on which? Do I recall seeing your support of the RH10 in other threads?

*edit* how does the RH910 compare with both of these?

Edited June 28, 2005 by lunatic

[A440]

I guess I can use my Sharp mt877 to upload the existing stuff

lunatic

←

Just so it won't be a nasty surprise later:

You won't be able to upload any recordings you made on the Sharp, only record them out of the headphone jack in realtime. Only the new Hi-MD formats (PCM, Hi-SP, Hi-LP) will upload, not the old MD formats (SP, LP2, LP4).

[veezhun]

Read a lot about the RH10 being easily scratched - that's a bummer. I'm not a huge fan of plastic products so the sturdier build of the NH900 sounds appealing.

←

the Rh10 is most defintely metal under the plastic coating. owners of the rh10 please see the metal just under the screen... its very sturdy... i think other than audiocubes, i did not find a brand new nh900 available anywhere in the US..(correct me if i am wrong)

if the nh900 is not easily available, just go for the rh10.. its awesome and does everything you want it to do.. i have it for over a month now and there are no scratches on it. it depends on how you keep your equipment.. my rh10 has seen many concerts in a bag, train travel and some bus travel with a lot of people. no scratch on it..

if you want a detailed review of the rh10, do let me know

cheers

[The Low Volta]

the Rh10 is most defintely metal under the plastic coating. owners of the rh10 please see the metal just under the screen... its very sturdy...

as scratching happens on the outside, the metal undercoat isn't really relevant for that... but I agree that it probably is a sturdy machine, just shows wear-n-tear quite easily (according to a lot of comments here on MDCF)

it depends on how you keep your equipment.. my rh10 has seen many concerts in a bag, train travel and some bus travel with a lot of people. no scratch on it..

well, I think Dex is quite careful with his MD's but even he was complaining about just scratching the surface with the first whipe (removing the dust from packaging I believe) so I wouldn't dare to say that it only comes from "rough use"...

but then again...just cover the OLED part with screen protector (plastic coating) and let the (unimportant) part get scratched. It is an object meant to be used, so it may as well look like that

as I said, if you find the NH900 cheaply and have to be economic, get it (and be assured it still is one of the very best models) if you can't, see if you can afford to import an RH10 from Japan... if not, get the N-Am one and keep an eye out for a decent remote (RM-MC40ELK or even RM-MC38ELK)

Volta

[dex Otaku]

if the nh900 is not easily available, just go for the rh10.. its awesome and does everything you want it to do.. i have it for over a month now and there are no scratches on it. it depends on how you keep your equipment.. my rh10 has seen many concerts in a bag, train travel and some bus travel with a lot of people. no scratch on it..

←

I wish I knew how you managed this. The first thing I did when taking mine out of the box was wipe it off with a soft, clean t-shirt [i am accustomed to cleaning my glasses and photographic lenses, so I know what materials are usually scratch-safe] and scratch the face over the display. A few days later I put the unit in my pocket and when it came out it had several scuff marks on it.

I've since learned that the only way to carry the RH10 around and not get it scratched is to keep it in the grey felt Sony pouch at all times. Otherwise, almost any material will scratch the face. Don't even think of putting one of these puppies in your shirt- or jacket-pocket without that pouch.

I've tried the trick of putting a PDA cover on, but I find it interferes with the readability of the display too much, and with repeated insertions into pouch or pocket their edges pick up lint and dust and start to lift very quickly, making the effort a total waste of time and money.

This makes recording with it interesting; I have been using my [still scratch and scuff-free] NH700 since the beginning of last august and have grown accustomed to being able to put the unit directly in my jacket pocket or a hip-pouch. Not so with the RH10 - there's not a chance in hell you could do so without constantly scuffing and scratching the face.

This basically means that every time I make a recording with it, I can expect new scuffs and scratches on the face. Otherwise I have to accept not being able to access the controls at any time because it's inside the pouch, and connecting the remote while recording [to have access to a pause button at the least] with a mic means the mic cable picks up the remote's activity as buzzing and beeps [even with the RF choke on it].

I accepted from the first moment out of the box that my RH10 will end up being a true "character" unit, since it is going to wear fairly quickly regardless of how careful I am with it. I have my plans already set out for how to repolish it when it gets unreadable.

[lunatic]

Good stuff. Still sounds like a toss up. I have my eye on a NH700 that I saw for a very good price. We'll see if that works out.

Otherwise the prices I have seen for the RH10 and the NH900 are very similar. The same ebay seller that everyone talks about here (sunnylife_jp) has the four colors on ebay (that orange IS nice but the blue is oh so sexy . . .) but $300 is just . . . well OUCH.

I know I can't use the Hi-MD to upload discs recorded on my Sharp MT877 easily. I just meant I could use the Sharp machine itself to finish transfering what I recorded before switching over to the much quicker upload format of the Hi-MD.

As for the scratching and scuffing of the RH10 - well, it sure does suck that Sony didn't put any thought into the durability of their product (or maybe they did and that's why it scuffs so easily - so you'll want a new one next year! ). But I doubt I'll do much stealth recording - mostly it will be used out in the open so it will be fairly easy to keep the unit in it's bag (though it sounds like even that leads to wear and tear!).

Thanks everyone for the great advice. I'll keep looking around for good prices!

Edited June 29, 2005 by lunatic