Semi Newboob- Which unit and recordiing?

[Klagg]

Hi everyone!!

New to this forum. I have a couple a questions for the vets out there. First off I'm looking into buying a new MD-player/ recorder. Should I get the new MZ-RH10- I hate the idea of the lithium battery option or is there a just as good model for my use? I plan on using it to record close quarter convention meetings ( high school class sized room with speaker not using a mic and speaker to amplify.

I'm in the US and could afford this new unit, But due to the battery idea I'd like to avoid rechargables so that it might last several years.

Also would the external mics like greenmachine's homemade ideas make my recordiings sound better?

I currently enjoy my mz-e40 non HiMD modelwith no record options and a MDS-je320 deck recorder

[Roamer]

I guess you're talking about the RH1, as it use lithium, whereas the RH10 doesn't. It can upload legacy recording and is designed mainly for recording, but then you can also get a previous model for recording if you prefer to use non lithium batteries. You will need an external mic in any case.

[Klagg]

Ok so which is the new one everyone is looking for but can't find? I just want to get the best that will give me the most options case the glorious MD is done away with.

[A440]

As pointed out, MD units do not have a built-in microphone, so you'll have to get one.

In the US, the basic Sound Professionals BMC-2 will give you hi-fi recording, or for speech, you can get something as cheap as this:

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-STEREO-LAPEL-MICRO...1QQcmdZViewItem

(search Ebay for : Stereo Lapel Microphone for Minidisc)

Greenmachine's mics come highly recommended, too.

The RH1--still not out in the US--is a premium unit with a lot of features you don't need. You would do fine with the MZ-NH700 , which takes regular AA batteries and records and uploads just as well as the rest of the Hi-MD units. Look on Ebay, or here for about $150:

http://planetminidisc.stores.yahoo.net/mz-nh700s.html

or here:

http://www.minidiscaccess.com/item.html?PRID=1553220

For something as easy to record as speech, there are also a slew of little voice recorders (Sony, Olympus, etc.) that just record and upload voice, though not particularly hi-fi. For something that plays back mp3s and records voice with a built-in mic, you could also track down the Iriver IFP-7xx (which has a built-in mic but will also accept an external one) or the Iriver T30 (built-in mic, but will not accept an external input unless it's amplified). Both are probably under $100.

[Klagg]

This ia a great forum fast and honest replys, very appreciated.

thanks

Any other opinions, I never know what I might use it for in the future. BUt for now it will be close quarters plain speech recording, something I can use to post files on website for everyones use. I'm attending the GENCON INDY convention and taking some seminars in Miniature Painting, with the teachers permission as well as suppling them with a copy of the files, I would like them for my own reference as well as posting them on the internet for others benefit.

I have noticed the slow eliminating of this product in my area, Best Buy clearancinig there discs as well as Wal-mart. this does not bode well I fear.

[Skradgee]

http://www.minidisc.org/part_Sony_MZ-RH1.html

This is "the one". You said you want the best, the one that will give you the most options...buy this machine and you may never have to buy another minidisc unit ever again. The main difference the MZ-RH1 has from all other Hi-MD models is that it can upload legacy minidisc recordings. It's available from online retailers to the tune of about $400 dollars, but good luck finding a black one that isn't packaged without a microphone. Currently I can only find Silver ones that are ready for shipping.

Anyway, you also mentioned wanting a unit that doesn't use rechargable batteries...check out the MZ-RH10 and RH-910. An MZ-M100 or MZ-M10 might be nice if you have a MAC. If you buy one new you'll get a rechargable battery anyway, but those models can use the attachment needed for AA batteries.

Mics are another whole issue. I'll leave that to someone else.

[jaylen]

Maybe you should stay away from the RH10/RH910 and M10/M100. They can't record in SP, only Hi-SP, so the minidiscs can't be played in your E40 and JE320 (that is, if you plan on using these units with your recordings). I second the NH700 since it can record in SP.