Newbie looking at Hi-MD

[LJM]

As I said, if this has been said far too often, I'm sorry.

Okay, I've got an ever increasing collection of music (as do most people ) and I feel that the HDD player I already have (it's a 5GB Zen Micro) isn't going to last much longer; in fact, I've about 100MB left. All my music is encoded in MP3 at 128K, and obviously I don't want to go any less.

So, I'm thinking of turning to Hi-MD. Why? Well, the storage capacity is practically infinite isn't it? I was thinking of getting an NW-HD5, but I know that I'll soon run out of space on that. Size is also a problem for me, since I don't want to lug around a bulking great 20/60GB HDD.

Back to the point though. Minidisc confuses me - there's all these models and different types, and my head is spinning thinking about all of it. I've had a look around, read different forums and places, and thought that the MZ-NH1 might be a good place to start. It is, after all, for mainly playback purposes, and the NH1 is a relatively cheap model. If I were to get one, it was either that or the MZ-RH10 (which I think looks brilliant, but it doesn't have a cool LCD remote ).

Anyway, I'm a complete and utter newbie at this, and I expect a few of you to say I should stay away from MD, but would you care to give me some advice or recommendations please? 'Twould be much appreciated.

Thanks, Lee

[Tiesto]

hi Lee, it looks like you're looking for a portable digital player with other features with regard to the HDD. You would have three options: CD players, Flash memory players and of course the minidisc players.

Im going to tell you why you should give it a try to the minidisc format: if we compare the advantages of all these players (except the recording), the minidisc would win none but it would be the second in everything, for example: the CD is a popular media, but you can not rip music in your cd player, besides the MD player fits in you pocket. Well, the flash memory player fits even better, but how much cost an extra 1G flash memory, US$6?... nah. About the HDD players you wrote the reason already, add to that 15 hours of battery life for HDD and 60 for HiMD players. You might fill 20gigas HD with music, but how many favorite songs do you really listen in a single day, a couple of gigas perhaps? that makes a couple of 1G minidiscs.

Having said that, I'd suggest the MZ-RH10 for the reason that it can play mp3 files, I dont know if you're aware of Atrac format for MD devices. If not, I brief you then: the Atrac is an audio file compression format development by Sony intented to reduce the size of the audio file and protect it against unauthorized copies, that is more or less some about Atrac (Ah-trac btw ).

Like I said the MZ-RH10 is the suitable choice because it works with easy to find batteries (internal and external), the batteries are cheap, it has a nice OLED display and it's cheaper than the MZ-NH1. If you are interested in a LCD remote, I suggest you to look for the RM-MC33EL or RM-MC38EL, both are the stick remote and you can get any of them easily at eBay, planetminidisc.com or audiocubes.com. But if you really are obsessed with MZ-NH1 remote like me and have the money, why not?... However some members assure that the remote RM-MC40elk doesnt stay illuminated when is used with the RH10. Think about it and let us know your decision.

[atrain]

i would go with the rh10 over the nh1 for the screen, additional battery life & mp3 playback as an option.

[MZ-NH1]

Can I just ask, what is the difference with recording on an MD, to a HDD Sony player? Is it just the bitrate is higher or what?

Because I find it a little annoying having to swap disc... etc and a 20GB HDD player would be nice... but why is it sooo bad for recording?

[atrain]

andy you can't record with a sony hdd player, they are players only.

[MZ-NH1]

Oh ok. Thanks for that

[LJM]

hi Lee, it looks like you're looking for a portable digital player with other features with regard to the HDD. You would have three options: CD players, Flash memory players and of course the minidisc players.

Im going to tell you why you should give it a try to the minidisc format: if we compare the advantages of all these players (except the recording), the minidisc would win none but it would be the second in everything, for example: the CD is a popular media, but you can not rip music in your cd player, besides the MD player fits in you pocket. Well, the flash memory player fits even better, but how much cost an extra 1G flash memory, US$6?... nah. About the HDD players you wrote the reason already, add to that 15 hours of battery life for HDD and 60 for HiMD players. You might fill 20gigas HD with music, but how many favorite songs do you really listen in a single day, a couple of gigas perhaps? that makes a couple of 1G minidiscs.

Having said that, I'd suggest the MZ-RH10 for the reason that it can play mp3 files, I dont know if you're aware of Atrac format for MD devices. If not, I brief you then: the Atrac is an audio file compression format development by Sony intented to reduce the size of the audio file and protect it against unauthorized copies, that is more or less some about Atrac (Ah-trac btw ).

Like I said the MZ-RH10 is the suitable choice because it works with easy to find batteries (internal and external), the batteries are cheap, it has a nice OLED display and it's cheaper than the MZ-NH1. If you are interested in a LCD remote, I suggest you to look for the RM-MC33EL or RM-MC38EL, both are the stick remote and you can get any of them easily at eBay, planetminidisc.com or audiocubes.com. But if you really are obsessed with MZ-NH1 remote like me and have the money, why not?... However some members assure that the remote RM-MC40elk doesnt stay illuminated when is used with the RH10. Think about it and let us know your decision. 

←

The RH10 is attracting me more and more, , as I love the style of it. I probably will get that model, but one question: Does it use/come with a rechargeable battery, or will I have to stick to AA batteries?

I have decided I will get a minidisc player though, as the advantages far outweigh anything else. Just have to wait and see if I can sell my Micro.

Thanks for the help anyway, I'll post back when I manage to get my hands on the RH10.

[veezhun]

if you ask me, for playback only i would not buy a HI MD player..

Look for a nice HD5 or a vaio pocket.. Carrying 20 1 GB discs is not an issue while carrying a 20Gb HD5 is???? i dont quite get you there...

A Hi MD truly shines as a recorder... for playback ONLY, i would as you to consider a HDD player.... thought the space of a Hi MD is infinite,, are you really going to carry 50-100 1 GB discs with you???

[LJM]

I appreciate what you're saying, I've thought it through many a time myself. However, the Hi-MD seems more appealing.

It was mentioned before by Tiesto, but you're not going to listen to 20GB of music in a day are you? The thing with a HDD player is that the capacity is non-upgradable. As soon as that 20GB is filled up, I'll have to start chopping and changing my collection.

Another advantage of my getting a Hi-MD player, in my opinion, would be that I have my music backed up on something a little more secure than a hard drive (IE. my computer).

I'm not rushing into anything just yet, I haven't got the cash; but as I said, Hi-MD seems more appealing to me than a HDD player.

Edited July 26, 2005 by LJM

[raintheory]

The RH10 comes with a rechargeable battery, as well as an external adapter to use a AA dry battery as well.

[mcca6392]

It was mentioned before by Tiesto, but you're not going to listen to 20GB of music in a day are you? The thing with a HDD player is that the capacity is non-upgradable. As soon as that 20GB is filled up, I'll have to start chopping and changing my collection.

Another advantage of my getting a Hi-MD player, in my opinion, would be that I have my music backed up on something a little more secure than a hard drive (IE. my computer).

←

After getting my JDM RH-10, I went to the local Sony Style store, and bought about 7 Hi-MD blanks.

I have to tell you - aside from using one as a back-up for system files on my PC, I still haven't filled an entire disc with music.

Maybe I'm lazy, maybe I don't sit down and put more songs on it - but the 1gb will hold quite a bit.....

The only converse side is don't anticipate Hi-MD 'backing up your MP3's. If you drag-drop file folders as pure data to the disc, then yes, it is archived and stored for future PC use/reference.

If you put the songs on there through Sonic Stage, as one is currently required to do so in order to listen to the files, then you cannot re-upload those songs to PC. You would have to record to the PC in realtime to re-obtain it, or the long-esque transfer process I use.

I've loved MD format for quite some time, but I'm really enamored with my RH10. If money's an issue, stick with the US version, but if you've got a little extra, get a JDM model from Ebay or the like - the pluses are you've got no alphabet errors, and you get a LCD remote and a charging stand, and you're not locked into a color selection that would make Henry Ford proud.

[theblueraja]

I hope you do go with the RH10. I own one and think it's the best portable player in the world... and I barely ever use it to RECORD, so it's a perfect 'walkman' in my opinion.

The LED's on MD players have always been the NEGATIVE for me... until the RH10 came out.

[AMPlitude]

i went for the nh1 about a year ago because, well, you really dont need that 20 gigs of music on a DAILY basis. sure, you might suddenly have a craving for some particular song sometime or another. the truth is, minidisc is the way to go for niche users who need to record, unlike the usual daily subway commuter

[L7R]

This might sound stupid but personally I like old (74&80min) blanks more than new 1GB. There's just too much space for me. I found 300MB perfect size. I can put 4-7 CD's to one disc with very good quality (LP2).

I have 12 HiMD discs and barely use them. They are good for compilations, though (or maybe if you want to put whole AC/DC discography to one disc.)

In the future I'll buy only standard discs.