Sony MZNH1

[Trombone]

I find the manual to the Sony MZNH1 impossible to understand. Has anyone ever written an aid for using this thing that supplements or even replaces the manual?

[Skradgee]

These forums (and members here at the forums) should be able to provide all the supplemental help you'll need. Do you have a specific question about how to use the MZ-NH1?

[Christopher]

Yes, feel free to ask some questions and we can help you on your way. Welcome to the forums, as well.

[Damage]

Simple Guide to using your NH1.

1. Install SonicStage 3.4 availble here or from http://www.connect.com/

2. If you're so inclined, import your MP3 library. You can either drag and drop from explorer to SonicStage 3.4, or use the Import Function.

2a. Import your CDs using SonicStage. I believe it defaults to 64kbps, but for the highest quality, you should use ATRAC-Lossless or PCM (if you have a large HD), or ATRAC3plus 352kbps. If you're looking for a good comprimise between size and quality, choose ATRAC3plus 192kbps.

To import, click on the top of the SonicStage window, MUSIC SOURCE -> IMPORT CD. Click the little toolbox icon and pick your bitrate setting.

Alternatively, you can set this manually under TOOLS -> OPTIONS -> CD DRIVE SETTING -> CD IMPORTING -> SELECT FORMAT.

In either case, if you're using ATRAC, make sure that the add copy protection box is unchecked!! This will not add DRM to your ripped files on your computer.

Import CD by clicking the '-->' icon on the right hand side of the screen. Repeat until you have some content in your library.

3. Click MY LIBRARY on the middle top of your SonicStage window. This will now display your imported MP3s and CDs. If you find that some album information from your MP3s are not to your liking, you can let SonicStage fix this with the data from CDDB. To do so, right click on album, and click on GET CD INFO. It'll take about a minute or two, and it should download album cover (if available from Amazon) and the proper information.

4. When ready, connect your NH1 to your PC using the provided cable. Your PC will install the necessary drivers automatically (if you have SonicStage installed). Once the drivers are installed and ready (and close any explorer windows of your HiMD drive), click on Transfer and select your Hi-MD device. It'll say "Hi-MD (F:)" or something similar. Make sure to have a blank inside, MD or HiMD.

5. Select individual tracks or albums from your My Library screen. When ready, you can click the "-->" icon or just drag and drop from My Library to your Device area. It'll take a bit of time, so leave the unit, go surf the web, post some things here, make a cup of joe, whatever to kill some time (it takes about 20-25 minutes to fully fill a 1GB disc).

5a. You can also adjust what bitrate to trans-code your MP3 to ATRAC by clicking the toolbox icon. It's fairly close to the one related to the CD Importing. Remember, with your NH1, you can't play MP3 files without the conversion to ATRAC first. Generally speaking, the transcoded file will sound worse than the original file, though your ears may tell you otherwise. Do some testing to see which bitrate you're comfortable converting your MP3s to ATRAC with.

For now, we'll assume that you're transferring your ATRAC files, so if you do click on the toolbox icon, make sure the "STANDARD TRANSFER MODE" radio button is selected.

6. Once the little red LED on your NH1 stops flashing and transfer is complete (SonicStage will, at this point, make a horrid noise), you can now disconnect your unit from the computer by disconnecting the cable. Or you can press stop on your NH1 and eject the disc. You can then insert another disc and repeat the process.

7. Disconnect your unit (since I believe this is your only one), and enjoy your freshly created MD.

Edited April 6, 2006 by Damage