How do I get my old MDs onto 1G discs?

[Rock & Roll Star]

hi guys i purchased a HI-MD player today (MZ-NH600),

i also have a sony hi-fi with built in MD player and old sony & Panasonic MD players which have unfortunatly broken

my question is this;

how can i get my old minidiscs recorded in SP mode, onto 1G discs to free up space etc and so i do not need to carry loads of discs round all the time?

*edit* by the way is this the correct area to post this question?*

Edited August 1, 2005 by Ishiyoshi

[L7R]

Wecome to forum!

If your hifi-md has optical out, just plug it to NH600 via optical cable.

If not, you can do this with 5$ analog cable.

I prefer HiSP(256kbps) so quality still remains good. After that you can transfer them to Sonicstage, if you want and store them in your computer.

[Syrius]

Hope that NH600 is not one of the "D" variety.

[L7R]

Hope that NH600 is not one of the "D" variety.

←

Oh, I didn't remember that at all as here in eu, there's no such a thing.

[Rock & Roll Star]

Hope that NH600 is not one of the "D" variety.

←

cheers guys! i dont know if it is the "D" variety.

i guess not as i am in EU to (UK)

[tommypeters]

As I have understood it, if you transfer analog between the players you will then be able to upload to PC from your Hi-MD with newest version of SonicStage, if you transfer optical you will not.

[L7R]

With sonicstage 3.2 you can upload recordings made by optical or analog.

Could you tell if there's optical out in your md-bookshelf/deck?

Or what model it is?

Edited July 30, 2005 by L7R

[tommypeters]

Yes, so it was Recordings made using optical-in on a Hi-MD can be uploaded to PC, but not converted to WAV? Analog recordings can both be uploaded and converted?

Then an optical cable would be fine for me between my N910 and NH600, the stuff is safely still on the original disc and also on a Hi-MD and can be transferred to PC. Can these "unconvertable" tracks also be backed up on a DVD without making the old "SonicStage all or nothing" backup?

[L7R]

Yes, so it was smile.gif Recordings made using optical-in on a Hi-MD can be uploaded to PC, but not converted to WAV? Analog recordings can both be uploaded and converted?

Right!

Then an optical cable would be fine for me between my N910 and NH600

I'm sorry to tell but portable MD units doesn't have optical outputs (some very old ones had, though). So, analog copying is only way between two portable units.

Heres a pic of the cord what you need between two portables:

It's standard 3.5mm-3.5mm connector cord (or 1/8" in U.S)

Plug is same than in most earphones.

[attachmentid=496]

Can these "unconvertable" tracks also be backed up on a DVD without making the old "SonicStage all or nothing" backup?

I don't really know. For recordings made by OPTICAL, surely it's possible to burn them to DVD, but for example if you want someday re-install your operating system, I don't know if sonicstage will accept those files again? If somebody know, please tell us.

Edited July 31, 2005 by L7R

[L7R]

The quality loss of analog recording is very, very small compared to digital if you set recording levels carefully (manually). Check the level meters and try to find optimal volume level, but avoid clipping/distortion.

That's what I've been doing for all my old md collection -analog recording between two portable units. You can record them straight to your computer if you have good quality soundcard and recording software (like cool Edit/audacity) but I found this too complicated and time consuming.

[Syrius]

I can't believe no one has said "Hi-MDRenderer" even once in this thread.

[L7R]

Yet another way!

There are almost numerous possibilities. As we see the world if minidisc is way too complicated as it should be.

[L7R]

I have never used hi-md Renderer, btw.

Edited July 31, 2005 by L7R

[Syrius]

Complicated? Nonsense, my young Padawan learner.

1: Connect regular MD player to Hi-MD recorder via analog. (Or optical if you have a deck with toslink output)

2: Record your MD tracks to Hi-MD using the codec of your choice. (Wav or Hi-SP. Don't use Hi-LP)

3: Using the new SonicStage 3.2, upload as many times as you want or need.

4: Convert your uploaded tracks to Wav through SonicStage if recorded through analog, or use Hi-MD Renderer if optical. You can also use Hi-MDRenderer for ANY .oma file that you want to convert to Wav, Flac, Ogg, or Mp3.

5: Master the Light Side of the Force, and tell others about Hi-MD, SS 3.2, and Hi-MDRenderer.

[L7R]

Those are exact ways what we are talking about. Thanks for the summary!

I mean complicated if using MD to soundcard=wav and then conversion process and then sonicstage or whatever you want. At first I used to do this way, but later I found this straightforwarded MD-->MD better way, and less time consuming.

or use Hi-MD Renderer if optical.

Nice to know hmph -renderer can convert optical recordings. But then you should use PCM when recording from md to md to avoid unnecessary conversions.

Edited July 31, 2005 by L7R

[tommypeters]

I'm sorry to tell but portable MD units doesn't have optical outputs (some very old ones had, though). So, analog copying is only way between two portable units.

←

OK, it's the JB-940 then Not as practical since it's in the living room. Or otherwise analog copy.

Record to PCM, upload to PC, convert WAV to FLAC, archive on DVD.

[L7R]

OK, it's the JB-940

Why didn't you tell this at the first place?!

Anyways, you know what to do and you'll get perfect quality.

Edited July 31, 2005 by L7R

[tommypeters]

Well, as I wrote, it's not as practical as using two portables that can be placed almost anywhere and serviced by me while I sit by the computer. But it's the best possible solution for me, and I will start with the most valuable recordings and then add some more "as time goes by".

[Rock & Roll Star]

thanks for your help, i went out and got the lead i need so i can now transfer using another portable MD player.

[L7R]

You are very welcome.