Christopher Posted December 7, 2006 Report Share Posted December 7, 2006 Charles Dubé of Radio World has a positive experience with the MZ-M200 (a special version of the MZ-RH1), and states:"When I mentioned to a co-worker that I was going to have a look at Sony's new MiniDisc offering, the MZ-M200, he looked at me with a grimace and let me know exactly how he felt about the previous generation of MiniDisc. Apparently, some folks had misgivings about recent MD products and might have given up on MD as a dead technology. With MP3 players and Flash recorders as common as Kleenex tissues, why would anyone want to use the seemingly anachronistic MD format anyway? We know there are strengths and weaknesses to any format; Sony has given cynics a reason to rethink the MiniDisc format with the MZ-M200."+++Full review here: http://www.rwonline.com/pages/s.0051/t.509.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
podmed2 Posted December 7, 2006 Report Share Posted December 7, 2006 Yes. MD is not Dead. It will long be around after I am gone. It will forever be a niche - cool product for those of us that know better. When I go on a long trip, I always grab my MD's verses the iPods. I keep the Ipods on in the office for 10 hours a day - and they do their job. For private listening - it's always the MD's.I have even hooked up the Onkyo Hi-MD to the Bose Tower System - and it is awesome!Hat's off to all MD people!David Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mdmania Posted December 7, 2006 Report Share Posted December 7, 2006 I'm not trying to start a flame here but me is just the opposite. I take my iPod for listening purposes and using RH1 as my personal recording device, maybe a playback from it from time to time. However, the reason I use my iPod is because of Rockbox that I am using with it. It gives me an option to have a crossfade on between songs. I am not here promote the rockbox useful feature but other than just expressing my thoughts. MD still is the best thing there is and I hope that the future for it still clear. RH1 is probably the best md recorder I ever had and will always be unless Sony release a Hi-MD pro deck then will see. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
minidisco.com Posted December 8, 2006 Report Share Posted December 8, 2006 I'm happy to see such a thoughtful review of the MZ-M200, but it omits or obscures some very basic information.First, it's important to point out that the MZ-M200 isn't really a special version of the MZ-RH1. It is the RH1 bundled with a Sony stereo microphone. Minidisco sells the MZ-M200 for $50 more than the MZ-RH1. The microphone usually retails separately for around $60, which means that the only advantage to buying the MZ-M200 over the MZ-RH1 is if you want to save about $10 off the purchase of an ECM-DS70P mic from Sony.Second, the review states that "...the ability to use regular MD disks has returned, good news for those who have amassed an archive of standard MD recordings." This statement implies that earlier versions of Hi-MD recorders could not play your old standard MD recordings, which isn't true. Older versions of Hi-MD recorders could not only play your standard MD recordings, but they could also reformat blank standard MD discs in Hi-MD format. What the MZ-RH1 and M200 add is the ability to upload standard MD recordings with Sonic Stage. (A first!) In fact, any audio minidisc can be uploaded to your PC regardless of the recording mode or type of disc. The MZ-RH1 and MZ-M200 also allow users to record in either standard or Hi-MD modes, making it the most flexible device they've ever produced.Next, the review says: "If losing your record settings caused you grief with past MD recorders, the MZ-M200 remembers these settings for you, even for a short duration after removing the Li-ion battery."This point needs underscoring. What this specifically means is that the MZ-RH1 and MZ-M200 now (finally) default to manual recording level settings. This unit is the first Sony portable to function just like a Sharp recorder in this regard-- you can now adjust recording levels on the fly without making the extra step of switching option settings. The MZ-RH1 and MZ-M200 still allows you to switch to AGC, but the default setting is manual, and when using this default setting, it will "remember" exactly where you left it.Finally, the review mentions Mac compatability, but does not clearly state that Mac users will face specific limitations. First of all, they will not be using Sonic Stage for uploads. They'll be using the Wav Importer software. Second, they can only upload recordings made in one of the three Hi-MD modes (PCM, Hi-SP and Hi-LP.) This is still an improvement over the MZ-M10 and MZ-M100 which only gave Mac users the ability to upload PCM recordings.As for downloads, the Mac user is still limited to the old-fashioned real-time method.I'm sure that many of you are aware of these distinctions, but I thought it was a good idea to clarify them. I think we can all agree that Sony is responsible for much of the confusion about features, formats, product differences, etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Low Volta Posted December 10, 2006 Report Share Posted December 10, 2006 Mostly correct Minidisco... but if we're nitpicking...In fact, any audio minidisc can be uploaded to your PC regardless of the recording mode or type of disc. then I need to point out that Discs created by NetMD transfers from PC-> MD will not upload (MDLP recordings and even prerecorded discs will upload on the other hand) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vesuvio Posted December 10, 2006 Report Share Posted December 10, 2006 One more little nit-pick...As for downloads, the Mac user is still limited to the old-fashioned real-time method.This is not exactly true. Mac users can use the Hi-MD Music Transfer sofware to drag-and-drop both WAV and mp3 files to the RH1 via USB 2.0. Mac users are limited to real-time downloads for Hi-SP, Hi-LP, LinearPCM and any of the legacy formats.-V. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ebrjvd Posted January 30, 2007 Report Share Posted January 30, 2007 Mostly correct Minidisco... but if we're nitpicking... then I need to point out that Discs created by NetMD transfers from PC-> MD will not upload (MDLP recordings and even prerecorded discs will upload on the other hand)How often can an old MD be uploaded? Can the write protection remain on, i.e. writing on MD impossible?I heard rumours that upload functions only ONE time, and that something is written on the MD! This is unacceptable for professional use (archives).Further insight would be most welcome!Jos Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Low Volta Posted January 30, 2007 Report Share Posted January 30, 2007 (edited) - from SS3.4 on, the one-time-only limit on uploading was dropped- legacy discs (60/74/80 min discs recorded - NOT transfered - in LP4/LP2 or SP) can be set to 'write protect' (with the plastic tab on the disc) and still uploaded (with the RH1 -> PC as said before). But HiMD recordings (1gb discs for sure and I believe with HiMD-formatted 60/74/80 min discs as well) need to allow writing to uploadIMHO, MD still doesn't classify as a very good archive medium but mainly for other reasons (I'd prefer a technology whose future wasn't questioned every few months and whose player/recorders last mroe than a couple of years)...but that is just my view of course Edited January 30, 2007 by The Low Volta Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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