help needed preparing for loading music onto hi-md quickly

[two.tread]

hi,

i have bought a nh600 off ebay (BARGAIN!!!)

and it will probably arrive on friday (the day i need it for a long car journey!)

can someone tell me how and where do i get the software, laod kmusic and everything like that so that i can do this fairly quickly when ,my m ini disc arrives.

thanks so much to anyone that helps me!

[tekdroid]

hi,

i have bought a nh600 off ebay (BARGAIN!!!)

w00t! Congrats

and it will probably arrive on friday (the day i need it for a long car journey!)

Load that sucker up with tracks!

can someone tell me how and where do i get the software, laod kmusic and everything like that so that i can do this fairly quickly when ,my m ini disc arrives.

thanks so much to anyone that helps me!

Click on Downloads in the top right of your screen. Now, click Programs on your left. Find SonicStage 3.3 there. Alternatively, you can go to Sony's page and download and install via their web installer (or just download the web installer from the same place here).

If you want no-fuss CD-to-MD transfers, get MD Simple Burner, too. But SonicStage is needed for it to run it anyway.

[two.tread]

i want it to be converted to the way which ic an fit the most on it (i think that makes sence)

can i do that with the simple burner?

adn

with the simple burner...

will kit still have album names etc, and can i creat4e folders with it????

thanks

[bobt]

Simpleburner will give you several options, from most fidelity (small amount of songs) to maximum songs,(lower fidelity)

Only your ears will tell which is the best for you, but you should get some discs as well so you can err on the side of caution when you record.

If it mostly cosmetic listening in a car, or jogging etc, maximizing the amount will be ok. If you want the best sound, maximizing the fidelity is your best route.

Happy trails, and welcome,

Bob

[tekdroid]

i want it to be converted to the way which ic an fit the most on it (i think that makes sence)

can i do that with the simple burner?

Yes. MD simple burner is for quick-n-dirty transfers from CD to MD. Each CD should only take a few minutes to transfer. MD Simple Burner allows you to choose from the following bit-rates to fit more music on one MD.

PCM (identical to your CD)

Hi-SP (most people can't tell the difference between this and CD, especially on a portable)

Hi-LP (lower quality than Hi-SP, but still might be good enough)

48kbps (lowest quality, but still might be good enough)

The bitrates (along with the maximum minutes you can fit on a standard (cheap) 80min MD are below:

PCM = 28m:47s

Hi-SP = 158m:40s

Hi-LP = 627m:52s

48kbps = 843m:08s

A 1GB Hi-MD will store roughly 3 times as much music than a regular MD (listed above), so get them if you really need to store lots more albums per disc.

adn

with the simple burner...

will kit still have album names etc, and can i creat4e folders with it????

Yes. Simple Burner gets album names off the 'net using its integrated GraceNote CDDB, but you can change/create folders (groups) and change Artist and Album info in Simple Burner if you want. You can also erase discs and tracks, too.

It's the easiest way to get CDs to your MD.

Once you get your unit you'll be able to scroll through with the jog wheel and search by artist, album, track, etc. So you'll be easily able to find what you want.

[two.tread]

thanks, the way im going to organize my foders will be like this:

aRTIST-album

artist-album

artist-album

artist-album

so i can very weasily see what album i want to listen to.

also...

can you give the direct link to get so oc stage pelase, i cant seem to find it

thanks

[tommypeters]

Also, (try to) install SS 3.3 as soon as you can - several epople have problems installing Sony software and it may take you a day or so with help from this forum before you get it working.

When it's installed, try ripping a track or two in different qualities and listen to it on your computer. If you're not too fuzzy about the sound Hi-LP (64kbps) might be good enough for you, I wouldn't recommend 48kbps for anything and almost only use Hi-SP myself. That way you are decided what to use when your unit arrives.

Remember to format your discs in Hi-MD format, regardless if they are the new 1GB Hi-MD discs or the standard 74/80 min ones (will make them hold almost twice as much and some formats only work if you have your disc Hi-MD formatted).

[The Low Volta]

another option if you have some roomon your HD... instal SS3.3 and start ripping CD's into the atrac of your taste...this way you can speed up the actual transferring process once the HiMD has arrived by eliminating the conversion-step (see, if you already perform that step now, you'll need less time with the unit connected)

personally, I only use SB to download CD's...but I'm not really pressed for time

[two.tread]

i will probalby only want to use si ple burner on the mmiddle setting

how do i format the iscs to hi-ms?

and

do i need any drivers or anything else exept sonc stage, simple burner, usb cable, discs and the playeer.

thanks alot, the help sis really really helping

[two.tread]

right, i have sonic stage installed, how do i rip my cd's to my desired setting

so that is ready to trnasfer when i get my mini disc player?

please help me fairly quickly.

[The Low Volta]

with SB you don't rip any CD's...it encodes and transfers immediately without putting anything on your HD...so this is good but quite useless without a HiMD with you

with SS you can rip CD's in a specified bitrate (medium would be Atrac3 @ 132kbps) and you can do that already to have a bunch of tracks ready for transfer when the HiMD arrives

as for 'how you do this'...well, first of all, SS is pretty obvious so you can do a lot of it without reading the manual... from (very bad) memory I guess it's something like: go to prefs, select 'ripping' and specify the folder and bitrate...if it isn't, just have a look in the prefs and/or read the SS-help/manual (that is why they make 'em you know )

[two.tread]

hats the difference between atrac3 and atrac3 plus?

how do i format md's to hi-md?

i have deicded to transfer all my cd's in 96kps will theor wbe a hugge space problem by using that?

thanks

[The Low Volta]

hats the difference between atrac3 and atrac3 plus?

atrac3+ = the newer version that came with the launch of HiMD while atrac3 was already used since the coming of MDLP models

how do i format md's to hi-md?

with SS or on the HiMD...but only when you have the disc in the HiMD of course...please read the help/manuals of SS (in the program itself) and the NH600 (which can be found here)

i have deicded to transfer all my cd's in 96kps will theor wbe a hugge space problem by using that?

space problems? I don't really understand you I'm afraid... but there are other problems as HiMD can't play 96kbps... only PCM/352/256/132/105/66/64/48... just read the NH600 user manual at page 49 (well actually read it completely) and 352 is a special case as it came with SS3.3 but apparently works with even 1st gen HiMD

as for space/quality ratio... I (and a lot of ppl here) won't use anything less than HiSP (256kbps) while others mostly use 132 (LP2) and a few seem to enjoy the really low bitrates as well... I'd go for LP2 if yo want a lot of space or even HiSP if SQ is important for you but do not go lower than LP2 as I really think you'll regret it...especially when using better headphones than the earbuds that come with the HiMD

I hope this helps... but please read the manuals carefully before asking more questions as all that's been asked here until now can be found in there

Edited December 28, 2005 by The Low Volta

[lecram1971]

AS was told before, try installing Sonic Stage 3.3 and begin ripping the cd, if you want to do it quickly. You will have them in your hard disk and then the transfer to HI-MD is faster than waiting to have the unit and use Simple Burner.

Other thing, if you were considering to rip them in 96 kbs (I think MP3 quality), then you will have no problem if you use HI-LP (64 Atrac3 Plus) is better, in my opinion, than MP3 at 96, and use few space, in 1gb disk 33 hours.

I suggest 132kbs, for me is the best relation space quality, but you have only 17 hours of music.

[two.tread]

shall i use atrac 3 or atrac 3 plus?

and

when i trasnfer my albums to my player, will it autiomaticasly crate a folder like:

artist - album

artist - album

artist - album

or do i need to create a playlist/ folder myself?

thanks

[lecram1971]

right, i have sonic stage installed, how do i rip my cd's to my desired setting

so that is ready to trnasfer when i get my mini disc player?

please help me fairly quickly.

Once you have Sonic Stage

Chose "Impor from CD"

Choose the quality you want to convert (Hi-Lp 64 Kbs, 132kbs, etc)

Transfer

After it do it go to "My Library" and you will find it By Artist an Album

When you have the unit you choose the Album and it wil go to your Hi-Md

Good Luck

[two.tread]

if hi-lp is 64kbps

what are the other ones?

i want to know what bitrates to use.

thanks

[lecram1971]

shall i use atrac 3 or atrac 3 plus?

and

when i trasnfer my albums to my player, will it autiomaticasly crate a folder like:

artist - album

artist - album

artist - album

or do i need to create a playlist/ folder myself?

thanks

For the NH600 I think you only can use this bit rates

PCM (As CD, no Compression)

352 (Atrac3+, Higher Quality)

256 (Atrac3+, HI-SP)

132 (Atrac3, LP2)

66 (Atrac3, LP4, don´t use it, sounds very bad)

64 (Atrac3+,HI-LP, lower Kbs than LP4, but quality is very good indeed)

48 (Atrac3+, as LP4, don´t sound good)

When you tranfer it will create folders "Disc Name" and inside the songs, but you have a Useful Option that allows to search by Track Name, Artist, Album.

You will find that is very simple to use.

[two.tread]

what bitrate on sonic stage is hi-sp?

its obvious in simple burner but i have some mp3's on my comlouter i want to put on my md too.

thanks

[The Low Volta]

cheerup... have you read the NH600 manual at all? As you haven't got the machine yet and you will have some time waiting for the CD's to be ripped in SS, please do... it is very handy for when the unit arrives so you can work with it immediately. Further more it might answer some questions you still have; for example the page I mentioned (p.49) actually explains almost all there is (needed) to know about the bitrates (including the names) and disc space etc.

[lecram1971]

what bitrate on sonic stage is hi-sp?

its obvious in simple burner but i have some mp3's on my comlouter i want to put on my md too.

thanks

As I said before, HI-SP is 256.

The transfer of MP3 is by Sonic Stage, you can´t with simple burner. That is a little more complicate.

Choose "Import File" and then you will hace the file in "My Library" as then tranfers to the Unit Choosing the bit rate you want, but it will convert to Atrac only when you transfer to the unit, so it will have to convert and then tranfers. It to it automaticaly, but you can´t save time doing it before.

[two.tread]

i am a bit confused about what to convert my music to,

which is better quality, 132kbps atrac 3

or

64kbps atrac3 PLUS?

i am very confused between the two,

i am looking for the one above hisp (64) but i want a bit more space tha using hisp.

any sugestions?

thanks

[bobt]

Your ears are the ultimate quide, record the same song at different bitrates and listen through good headphones, if you can't hear, or hear very little difference, use the lower bitrates,if you hear big differences use higher bitrates.

With the prices of 80 and 74 minute discs being fairly low, and shopping around 1 gig discs as well get a few discs, and happy recordind,

Bob

[two.tread]

what bitrates can the nh600 have then in atrac 3, and then in atrqac 3 PLUS

what is the reall difference btween atrac3 adn atrac3 plus because the 64kbps atrac3 plaus is the same (to me) than the 132 kbps atrac3????

is that right?????

[tommypeters]

If 64kbps is good enough for you then look no further.

[two.tread]

If 64kbps is good enough for you then look no further.

so is 64kbps the least file size method?

[tommypeters]

It's the least worth listening to, and so much better than 48kbps and 66kbps while the size difference is smaller than the sound quality difference...

[lecram1971]

For the NH600 I think you only can use this bit rates

PCM (As CD, no Compression)

352 (Atrac3+, Higher Quality)

256 (Atrac3+, HI-SP)

132 (Atrac3, LP2)

66 (Atrac3, LP4, don´t use it, sounds very bad)

64 (Atrac3+,HI-LP, lower Kbs than LP4, but quality is very good indeed)

48 (Atrac3+, as LP4, don´t sound good)

When you tranfer it will create folders "Disc Name" and inside the songs, but you have a Useful Option that allows to search by Track Name, Artist, Album.

You will find that is very simple to use.

Have you read this?, I listed the bitrates for Atrac3 and Atrac3 Plus (Atrac3+)

In the other hand, as people told you is a matter of taste, you choose wich quality is good for your ears and that´s it. I f you listen HI-LP (64 KBS) sounds as the same as LP2 (132KBS) is your opinion and use it, that is because they use different compress technology, but that doesn´t means one will have problems or your machine will not work.

Here we only give you some tips of how use it, but at the end is your choice.

[bobt]

Have you read this?, I listed the bitrates for Atrac3 and Atrac3 Plus (Atrac3+)

In the other hand, as people told you is a matter of taste, you choose wich quality is good for your ears and that´s it. I f you listen HI-LP (64 KBS) sounds as the same as LP2 (132KBS) is your opinion and use it, that is because they use different compress technology, but that doesn´t means one will have problems or your machine will not work.

Here we only give you some tips of how use it, but at the end is your choice.

Too right, hopefully he tries and finds out for himself

Bob

[two.tread]

hey,

just becaue you know more about hi-md models adn sonic stage doest mean you should act like a jerk.

i DID read that but he said he THINKS these are them, i wanted to know,

and you didnt understand the question anyway, i was saying that i wanted to know why the 64kbps atrac3 PLUS is better that the 66kbps atrac3. THATS ALL!

i am converting all my music to hi-lp as tha seems fairly good to me.

[lecram1971]

hey,

just becaue you know more about hi-md models adn sonic stage doest mean you should act like a jerk.

i DID read that but he said he THINKS these are them, i wanted to know,

and you didnt understand the question anyway, i was saying that i wanted to know why the 64kbps atrac3 PLUS is better that the 66kbps atrac3. THATS ALL!

i am converting all my music to hi-lp as tha seems fairly good to me.

Cheerup, I don´t think we are acting like jerks, we try to give you the answers and tips for your questions, we don´t know everything, like you.

If you read all the answer were trying to help you, not insulting you, and trying to explain things.

You record in HI-LP, that´s fantastic, if that´s good enough for you do it, may be in the future you feel that doesn´t sound as good as you think today and remember the things we said, or may be you always feel that HI-LP is good enough and don´t understan why the others bit rate exist.

Please don´t feel like we attack, but remember the final user is you and you will know what to do, what is good for you, and final the one who have to deal with it.

Have a nice trip and good luck with your HI-MD.

[two.tread]

ok, sorry but it just seems that because you all know alot more about it than me that you are having a go at me for not much reason, but i have decided that 64kbps is just a little bit too bad quality,

i havfe tried using 123kbps but, the file size is alot bigger,

is the quality a lot better in 132kbps?

do you think its worth 'upgrading' it?

how many albums royuhly can you fit usin g 132kbps?

thanks

after convwerting an album to 132kbps, it is alot quiter than the 64kbps atrac3 plus ones.

why is this?

[The Low Volta]

[disclaimer]this post is quite rant'y (even though it does answer all the questions in post #32) and I would like to apologize for that [/disclaimer]

cheerup... better 'lighten-up' a bit

don't take these remarks too personally...but:

- your continuous questions did seem to indicate that you hadn't really read all the posts by ppl trying to help you as they actually did answer a lot of your questions

- even if you claim to have read the posts thoroughly, you definitely haven't read the NH600 manual (as I kindly asked you to do and to which I even linked (in post #13) and pointed you to the exact page (49) which should answer even this question)...it lists the minutes you can record (= download in case of the NH600) in all different bitrates available for the NH600 (except for 352kbps as it wasn't available yet at the time the manual was printed)... as an album's lenght is a very variable thing, this is about the best answer you will get to your question

so if you wonder why ppl might seem to lose their patience: perhaps because your questions are all in the manual

but still some quick answers to your remaining questions (to show you that we really do try to help):

- quality is much better in 132 than 64 but if you really want good quality, 265 (HiSP) is more like it

- do not just convert 64kbps tracks in your library to 132kbs as this is absolutely useless (will even degrade sound quality further as the low bitrate is reconverted again and more info is lost and the result will sound quieter and worse than the 64kbps track you started from) just rerip the track in 132 (or whatever you prefer)

there you go, now just read he manual while listening to some relaxing music and if you still have questions afterwards, search whether they have already been asked/answered before on these forums and if not, feel free to ask them as we will try to answer them to the best of our knowledge

and no, I do not think I'm being rude/condescendant/...(fill in what you'd like) even though some ppl on these forums think I (and anyone else emarking such as above) am(/are)... I honestly think it is plain common sense you first read, then search, then ask and ppl are entitled to point this out from time to time