Review of the MZ-RH1

[mediageek]

I thought members of this forum might be interested to read my (long) review of the MZ-RH1 on Epinions:

<a href="http://www99.epinions.com/content_287610080900">http://www99.epinions.com/content_287610080900</a>

I've had the RH1 for about 6 months where I've used it weekly, if not daily, primarily for radio production and archiving my old legacy MDs.

Two years ago I did a similar treatment for the NH1, which was may primary production recorder until buying the RH1:

<a href="http://www99.epinions.com/content_167300599428">http://www99.epinions.com/content_167300599428</a>

Your comments are welcome.

[mdmania]

I thought members of this forum might be interested to read my (long) review of the MZ-RH1 on Epinions:

<a href="http://www99.epinions.com/content_287610080900">http://www99.epinions.com/content_287610080900</a>

I've had the RH1 for about 6 months where I've used it weekly, if not daily, primarily for radio production and archiving my old legacy MDs.

Two years ago I did a similar treatment for the NH1, which was may primary production recorder until buying the RH1:

<a href="http://www99.epinions.com/content_167300599428">http://www99.epinions.com/content_167300599428</a>

Your comments are welcome.

Thanks and great job on the review. I always like to read reviews and I also love the RH1 myself and I only own it less than a month.

I recently bought a 5 Hi-MD as well to do some PCM recording eventually. I have been an mduser since MZ-1 came out and I think that was released on 1993 so I know exactly what you mean...thnx again. BTW you probably wrote prior to the release of SS 4.2 but that is fine. 4.2 is great by the way. I also own a Powerbook G4....anyhow, thanks again!!!

[Richard]

That's great - if you don't mind reproducing it here, we'll put it in the reviews section.

[sector001]

i'm surprised epinions would even list the RH1 in their database.

[Sparda]

to sector001: On the contrary im not suprised they list the RH1, back when i was looking for a NetMD i came across a N510 at epinions, and they had lots of accurate info for it too.

Anyways back on topic, thanks for the review mediageek.

[Stuge]

Great Review Media Geek!

But why don't you use it as Walkman as well ?

Edited December 6, 2006 by stuge

[mediageek]

Great Review Media Geek!

But why don't you use it as Walkman as well ?

Thanks for the nice feedback everyone.

I don't use the RH1 as a Walkman because I prefer to carry around a $60 beater MD rather than my $325 RH1. The RH1 is valuable as my main production machine, so I don't want to drop it in a puddle while trying to catch the bus.

[mdmania]

Thanks for the nice feedback everyone.

I don't use the RH1 as a Walkman because I prefer to carry around a $60 beater MD rather than my $325 RH1. The RH1 is valuable as my main production machine, so I don't want to drop it in a puddle while trying to catch the bus.

don't blame you there a bit. This is why I am considering a playback only hi-md but awaiting for a player with

dynamic normaliser with it. I want my music with consistent level.

[mrsoul]

I enjoyed your review, thanks for posting. I wanted to point out one place that might need your review...

As for the act of recording, this is also the best Sony MD ever. There are multiple modes to choose, from uncompressed CD-quality audio to highly-compressed ATRAC audio to cram as much audio on a disc as possible.

Whenever I can I try to use the uncompressed mode (16bit 44.1 Khz) at a bitrate of 1.4 mbps, in order to preserve as much quality as possible. But I do also use HI-SP mode, which gives me about 12 hours of stereo audio on one Hi-SP at a bitrate of about 292kbps.

Hi-SP is actually 256k and SP is 292k. You can only get about 7 1/2 hours on the 1G Hi-MDs.

Otherwise, looks great!

[1kyle]

I enjoyed your review, thanks for posting. I wanted to point out one place that might need your review...

292kbps.

Hi-SP is actually 256k and SP is 292k. You can only get about 7 1/2 hours on the 1G Hi-MDs.

Otherwise, looks great!

Remember that compression techniques and algorithms have improved significantly over the last few years so there is no reason to suppose that HI-SP is inferior to SP (it actually isn't BTW) just because the bit rate is slightly smaller. OK SP was (and is fine) if you need or are using legacy equipment but HI-SP more than holds its own these days.

7 1/2 hours is usually more than enough music for a single session so I'm not sure if this is in fact anyway at all a serious limitation. Just take 2 1GB discs with you -- the battery will probably run out before you've completely listened (or recorded) 2 discs.

In fact to me that is the mose noticeable omission for professional recording use. A sidecar containing an extra battery would have been a great idea.

Otherwise I agree with the reviewer and to me the RH1 has not only come up to expectations but greatly exceeded them --especially after the real disappointment I had with the RH10.

Cheers

-K