Sony Hi-MD Walkman MZ-NH1 Pictorial

[Ishiyoshi]

MZ-NH1

I present to you all my champagne-gold MZ-NH1. Enjoy the pictures.

Cheers, Ishii

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Battery Charging Stand | BCA-MZNH1

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The Remote | RM-MC40ELK

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Size Comparison | NH1/RH10 : NH1/EH1 : NH1/E10

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[AMPlitude]

i particularily like the eh1 vs. nh1 comparison pic

keep up the good work

[Ishiyoshi]

i particularily like the eh1 vs. nh1 comparison pic

keep up the good work

Thanks. Keep a look out for my EH1 pictorial sometime this week.

[Ishiyoshi]

Update: Pictorial updated. Enjoy.

[MZ-NH1]

Mate your pictures are stunning!

So clear and well defined!

Do you just zoom in? With my camera, it have to put it in Macro mode, then I can zoom in that close, with that clearness.

[Ishiyoshi]

Mate your pictures are stunning!

So clear and well defined!

Do you just zoom in? With my camera, it have to put it in Macro mode, then I can zoom in that close, with that clearness.

Thanks. Yes, I did employ macro mode along with a macro lens.

[Richard]

Another great pictorial Ishii, thanks! I'd never seen the gold trim on the RM-MC40ELK before, very nice. Also looking forward to the EH1 pictorial. Well done again.

[cambridgeman]

May I say that not only are you a connoisseur of fine minidisc units, but a fine photographer to be able to capture quite eloquently their essence in a two-dimensional format.

Q: Have you already made a comparison of the NH1 and the e10 pictorially?

If so, could you post me a link to it? If not, would you care to do so?

[Ishiyoshi]

May I say that not only are you a connoisseur of fine minidisc units, but a fine photographer to be able to capture quite eloquently their essence in a two-dimensional format.

Q: Have you already made a comparison of the NH1 and the e10 pictorially?

If so, could you post me a link to it? If not, would you care to do so?

Welcome to MDCF! and thanks for the kind comments.

I have yet to do a comparative picture for the NH1 and the E10. Check back later; I will find time this weekend for a photoshoot.

[Ishiyoshi]

Update: Pictorial updated as per requested with comparative views between the NH1 and the E10. Enjoy.

[cambridgeman]

Wow, those are geat shots! They both look like amazing pieces of art, (IMHO). I'm sorry, I'm in a bit of a rush, right now. I will comment further on the units later in the day.

I would really love to get your opinion though, if I might. I am looking at getting a new recorder. I am considering most likely either the NH1, the N910, or the SHARP DR7. As far as I understand from the manuals, the Sharp doesn't allow for a rehersal mode for track divide, being able to adjust forward or back. These particular two SONY units, however, do. I am not exactly sure I really need HiMD right now. I am thinking though that I may start to use it in the future. I guess I will have to try it out first. I am kind of thinking that If you want top quality sound, nothing will beat a pre-recorded CD. Moreover, there exists to date no actual HiMD products which allow for the outputing of a digital signal, unless I've missed an announcement somewhere? Correct me if I'm wrong. Notwithstanding, 90% of the listening time I devote to listening to the minidisc medium is voice-only type recordings, like for practicing languages. Hence my love and admiration for the AIWA HX400. I bought two of them because I thought the sentence repeat function was so great.

Getting back to how your opinion can really help me. Besides the fact that the NH1 is HiMD, how else would you compare it to the N910? Is that joystick control on the NH1 unit really good for advancing or cuing to the next track? The AIWA HX400 at the time had the world's fastest response time of 0.6 seconds. That translates to being practically instantaneous. What is the "fast" setting on these SONY units? Does it mean it can respond like my AIWA, almost instantaneously going from track to track? Or does it simply mean that it can start to play rather quickly from stop mode?

Plus, how easy is it to control these two units in your pant pocket, or jacket pocket, without using the remote? I am thinking that the NH1's joystick might actually work quite nicely. I have seen here in Canada the newish remotes from Panasonic that have a little joystick controller on them. I thought it worked rather well. Does the SONY feel rather similarly?

If you happen to know much about the Sharp unit to be able to compare it along these lines, please don't hesitate to add your impressions.

Are these units pretty much the same size and weight? For instance, would one notice the differences in thicknesses of the units? I never really know what to make of the "official" measurements, since they can be refering to all sorts of things. What is your impression of comparing them?

What worries me most is that the NH1 does not allow for an external battery pack. Those batteries will wear out, sooner or later, and I wouldn't be surprised to have to shell out $100 for them 4 or 5 years from now. If I bought extra ones right now, I think they have a certain shelf life on them, and wouldn't necessarily last if I started using them in 4 years' time.

Any help you can offer me in this regard would be greatly appreciated. I guess if MDs are soon to become discontinued, I might have to make a decision on which unit to aquire rather soon. I was hoping, really, to put it off for some time, as I still have a number of units.

BTW, did I say great pics?!!!

Edited October 25, 2005 by cambridgeman

[Ishiyoshi]

Wow, those are geat shots!

Thanks.

I am considering the NH1, the N910, and the SHARP DR7. As far as I understand from the manuals, the Sharp doesn't allow for a rehersal mode for track divide, being able to adjust forward or back. These particular two SONY units, however, do. I am not exactly sure I really need HiMD right now. I am thinking though that I may start to use it in the future. I guess I will have to try it out first. I am kind of thinking that If you want top quality sound, nothing will beat a pre-recorded CD. Plus, there a no HiMD digital output units, right?

I've never tried Sharp DR7; but I read its a very good piece of machine plus you can go no wrong with the AUVI engine. As for choosing recording purposes, I would really advise you to pick up a NH1 even though you do not require Hi-MD format at the moment. The reason being: the NH1 being part of the 1st generation provides recordings in existing SP, LP2/4 and Hi-MD modes. So, essentially, all your bases are covered so to speak.

Plus, there a no HiMD digital output units, right?

That's correct, no digital output for Hi-MD units; only line out via headphone out.

Besides the fact that the NH1 is HiMD, how else would you compare it to the N910?

I can't really compare both units but in terms of sound engine, the HD Amp employed by the NH1 definitely gives extra warmth over N910's Amp.

Is that joystick control on the NH1 unit really good for advancing or cuing to the next track? The AIWA HX400 at the time had the world's fastest response time of 0.6 seconds. That translates to being practically instantaneous. What is the "fast" setting on these SONY units? Does it mean it can respond like my AIWA, almost instantaneously going from track to track? Or does it simply mean that it can start to play rather quickly from stop mode?

Using 0.6 seconds as a benchmark, I would say the NH1 is somewhat slower; just slightly over a second by a fraction or so. But to be fair, for your basic playback needs, this is not significant.

Plus, how easy is it to control these two units in your pant pocket, or jacket pocket, without using the remote? I am thinking that the NH1's joystick might actually work quite nicely.

I've answered a similar query of yours in this thread. But to expand on joystick operation, I would say that it is strategically placed and you just need to get attuned mentally to how it works - as in direction to navigate between tracks. I would also add the learning curve being fairly minimal for your intended use.

I have seen here in Canada the newish remotes from Panasonic that have a little joystick controller on them. I thought it worked rather well. Does the SONY feel rather similarly?

I would say the NH1's joystick controller if you will, has a sturdier feel.

If you happen to know much about the Sharp unit to be able to compare it along these lines, please don't hesitate to add your impressions.

I don't have the Sharp DR7 to give a fair impression.

Are these units pretty much the same size and weight? For instance, would one notice the differences in thicknesses of the units? I never really know what to make of the "official" measurements, since they can be refering to all sorts of things. What is your impression of comparing them?

Officially, the NH1 is reported to weigh about 107g whereas the N910 is about 93g. As for thickness, the N910 is about 1mm thicker than the NH1. In my opinion, both units looks almost identical in terms of size; the N910 being more conservative in design with subtle minimalist lines whereas the NH1 being more industrial but very sleek and elegant. And not to forget, the brushed magnesium of the NH1 truly sets it apart from most recorders of its time.

What worries me most is that the NH1 does not allow for an external battery pack. Those batteries will wear out, sooner or later, and I wouldn't be surprised to have to shell out $100 for them 4 or 5 years from now.

The NH1's lithium ion rechargeable battery is indeed significantly more expensive than the regular NiMH format; and it's about $40 to $60 depending where you are located. If your budget does not allow additional investment on LIP-4WM batteries, you may want to consider other Hi-MD units such as the NH900 or the RH10.

[cambridgeman]

Cambridgeman: "How easy is it to control these two units in your pant, or jacket, pocket, without using the remote? I am thinking that the NH1's joystick might actually work quite nicely."

Ishiyoshi: "I would say that... the joystick... is strategically placed and you just need to get attuned mentally to how it works - as in direction to navigate between tracks. I would also add the learning curve being fairly minimal for your intended use."

If I might be a little more specific:

If one had the NH1 in one's pant or jacket pocket, and one wanted to advance, say, 8 tracks or 22 tracks, using a single-handed operation, with the unit in one's pocket, does that little joystick provide enough of a solid feel, plus enough let's say "spring-back" resistance, so that one would say to one's self, "I want to cue ahead 8 tracks, or 22 tracks," and, because of the positive "click" feel, one could wiggle their thumb quickly, yet, at the same time, accurately judge that they have wiggled their thumb that number of times?

As you have already said, "the joystick... is strategically placed." Would you go further, and say that the design is a good one for allowing one to wrap their fingers around the main body of the unit, and, at the same time, use the joystic for cuing? Thus, would you feel confident saying that the little joystick provides a good, solid "spring-back" resistance which would facilitate well "lone-thumb" single-handed operation?

Moreover, would you even go so far as to say that, "Once one has become 'attuned mentally to how it works,' were one to have reasonable dexterity, they could most likely, and without too much difficulty, easily and accurately cue and review a disk through the material of one's pocket?"

Please forgive me if it seems as if I am asking repeatedly the same question . This is really the main interaction I have with my unit whilst playing, and one of the main things I consider on a new unit. The remote that accompanies the AIWA AM-F70 & F80 is absolutely supurb for this type of functionality . (I remember on the old site which at the top of the screen had a picture of this remote; and as a trivia question, asked people to identify what it was . This actually was before the time of the MP3 players (circa 1999). When the MP3 players became popular, everyone thought I had the absolute coolest one. I took the opportunity to tell them it was an MD player . (98% of people had never heard of or seen an MD player. Eventually I just started to say, "Yep, its an MP3 player." Life was simpler ).

[Ishiyoshi]

If one had the NH1 in one's pant or jacket pocket, and one wanted to advance, say, 8 tracks or 22 tracks, using a single-handed operation, with the unit in one's pocket, does that little joystick provide enough of a solid feel, plus enough let's say "spring-back" resistance, so that one would say to one's self, "I want to cue ahead 8 tracks, or 22 tracks," and, because of the positive "click" feel, one could wiggle their thumb quickly, yet, at the same time, accurately judge that they have wiggled their thumb that number of times?

I would say yes. One would be able to discern easily with each push of the joystick.

As you have already said, "the joystick... is strategically placed." Would you go further, and say that the design is a good one for allowing one to wrap their fingers around the main body of the unit, and, at the same time, use the joystic for cuing? Thus, would you feel confident saying that the little joystick provides a good, solid "spring-back" resistance which would facilitate well "lone-thumb" single-handed operation?

I don't use my unit in such manner, but I would say you could do that after some time of familiarization. But ease of use in such a manner would also depend on the size of your fingers so to speak. I believe for those with large sized thumbs, one may find using finger tips better for the small joystick.

Moreover, would you even go so far as to say that, "Once one has become 'attuned mentally to how it works,' were one to have reasonable dexterity, they could most likely, and without too much difficulty, easily and accurately cue and review a disk through the material of one's pocket?"

Yes.

[cambridgeman]

Thanks for taking the time to respond!

I am transfering this post from EH1:

"I also wonder about the "metallic" feel of the unit in your hand, and if the the design and finish of the case takes advantage of the construction material, from an aesthetical vantage point. The e10 looks pretty nifty constructed from magnesium (I have been lucky enough to have seen the n10 so I have a good idea of the color of the metal). One of my favorite units (my friend brought one back for me from Japan) is the AIWA AM-HX200, carved from titanium. It's gorgeous! And, titanium is highly resistant to dents and scratches."

QUOTE: Ishii: To be fair, you can't really compare the NH1 with the E10 - one being a first generation Hi-MD recorder and the other being a strictly MDLP player. Did you have a typo in your query and meant the EH1 instead (since this is a thread dedicated to the EH1)?

What I was driving at with this question and comparison was this: If one were to compare the three units, or at least the two SONYs (if you have never seen the AIWA AM-HX200) -- notwithstanding that one is HiMD, and a recorder; and the other two are not HiMD, and are playback only -- just as far as "the design." The design of the case, the design of the controls, reflection (pun) on the choice of materials for the case and their accompanying choice of finish. They both have joystick-like controls. One's control is in the center, the other's is on the tip. It would appear from the photos that the NH1 has much more of a recessed socket surrounding the head of the joystick tip. Does it have any bearing on their respective operability, comfort, ease of use, convenience? Would the controller for the e10 be more suseptable to getting caught on something? Or, if one was carrying one of the units in one's pants, would it be more likely to jab you? Would the e10 be more suseptable to a buildup of dirt or lint around the controller? It might be that the e10, however, because of either: [a] its extruding design; lack of being recessed; [c] having a slight edge on it; or, perhaps [d] all three, would better facilitate the quick action I had been describing in my earlier post?

I really enjoy this type Industrial Design inquiry and investigation . Hopefully, I am not making you look like this fellow , or this one . I have had a passion for Japanese electronica from as far back as 1983. (For instance, I had one of the original watches from SEIKO which was the first to allow an inputing of 8 addresses and phone numbers on an LCD screen. It was years before the idea was copied by the mass market. Alas, I digress...)

I guess what my real point was that I would really enjoy your views on the questions posted above .

Edited October 25, 2005 by cambridgeman

[Ishiyoshi]

Don't we just love Q&A's? I am neither at nor ... just and I do enjoy discussion pertaining to industrial design.

It would appear from the photos that the NH1 has much more of a recessed socket surrounding the the head of the joystick tip. Does it have any bearing on their respective operability, comfort, ease of use, convenience?

The recessed socket surrounding the head of the joystick controller may impede ease of use whilst operating from your pocket. Because of this, you may need to re-position the unit within the pocket until you attain its optimum ease of use position. It is important to note that ease of use is also relative to the shape and size of your fingers - especially the index finger. From my experience, I find that the ergonomic design of the NH1 encourages one to use the index finger rather than the thumb finger on the joystick controller.

Would the controller for the e10 be more suseptable to getting caught on something?

It depends on how you use it. However, because the way it's designed, there are chances of its joystick controller/knob getting caught on a loose thread within your pocket.

Or, if one was carrying in one's pants, would it be more likely to jab you?

That's a negative.

Would the e10 be more suseptable to a buildup of dirt or lint around the controller? It might be that the e10, however, because of either: [a] its extruding design; lack of being recessed; [c] having a slight edge on it; or, perhaps [d] all three, would better facilitate the quick action I had been describing in my earlier post?

I would say no to a buildup of dirt but definitely lint buildup since it will reside in your pants' pocket.

[cambridgeman]

Would the e10 be more suseptable to a buildup of dirt or lint around the controller? It might be that the e10, however, because of either: [a] its extruding design; lack of being recessed; [c] having a slight edge on it; or, perhaps [d] all three, would better facilitate the quick action I had been describing in my earlier post?

I didn't understand from your post how you were responding to this question. Please elaborate.

Maybe I can make an attempt at rephrasing it...

What bearing would the following variances of design of the e10 vs. the NH1 have upon the facilitation of the quick action I described in my previous post?

[a] its extruding nature, and, it would seem

its having a cylindrical cap with a slight edge; or, perhaps

[c] lacks the encumberance of having a recessed surround on the joystick,

Perhaps you can tell me if your hand would be similar in type to mine. I have a glove size 7 1/2. On the smaller-side, for a guy. And, I am right-handed.

Would it fair to deduce from your comment regarding the fact that you tend to control the NH1 with your index finger, that the surround in fact does interfere with controlling the unit with the thumb? In a way that the e10 does not?

[Ishiyoshi]

My response: "I would say no to a buildup of dirt but definitely lint buildup since it will reside in your pants' pocket" was for "Would the e10 be more suseptable to a buildup of dirt or lint around the controller?" in relation to its joystick/knob controller design.

Perhaps you can tell me if your hand would be similar in type to mine. I have a glove size 7 1/2. On the smaller-side, for a guy. And, I am right-handed.

My glove size is 8-1/2, which puts me at about medium size; and I am right-handed as well.

Would it fair to deduce from your comment regarding the fact that you tend to control the NH1 with your index finger, that the surround in fact does interfere with controlling the unit with the thumb? In a way that the e10 does not?

Yes, that's a fair conjecture.

What bearing would the following variances of design of the e10 vs. the NH1 have upon the facilitation of the quick action I described in my previous post?

a. its extruding nature, and, it would seem

b. its having a cylindrical cap with a slight edge; or, perhaps

c. lacks the encumberance of having a recessed surround on the joystick

NH1 vs. E10: Joystick/Knob Controller Comparison --> Bottom line: in my opinion, the E10's protruding joystick/knob controller would be more efficient to facilitate quick action navigation between music tracks because of point b: lacks the encumbrance of having a recessed surround on the joystick; especially for the way you wish to operate the unit.

[cambridgeman]

I have been in and out of the message boards here over the last 3 to 4 years, and can basically never recall anyone expressing any kind of interest in using the minidisc player to learn languages.

I thank-you very much Ishii for considing the controller issue.

I once sent a rather extended reply to Mystyler, I believe about using the AIWA HX400 for language study (because he had one before I got mine). I never got much of a reply, other than he couldn't understand how the feature worked, because it only came with Japanese instructions. I must admit that I still have no idea what DEMO mode is supposed to do, or what it is used for.

I wonder if anyone with the NH1 has used it for this purpose. It would seem from the Japanese marketing that using these minidiscs for language study is a considerable part of their appeal. How many times can you recall reading in Japanese press releases or marketing pages that being able to decrease the speed of these players was possible in increments without changing the pitch, and that this was apparently highly useful for language study?

Perhaps it is because we are an English language community, and it can be typified of the English world that second or foreign languages are not of great concern, or of real interest in general?

It might be worth considering that most of the participants on this website must be huge fans of Japanese electronics. It would stand to reason that some of us here might, for instance, one day visit Japan the Mecca of the gadgetry world. It would sure be useful to know a few key phrases. Yet I wonder how many of the participants of this website and the hard core fans in general of minidisc, have ever explored trying to make use of the minidisc for just such a purpose.

[Ishiyoshi]

Update: Pictorial updated.