MDS-W1 copying

[bluecrab]

If anyone is familiar with the Sony MDS-W1 dual MD deck, then I would like to know the method for copying in the digital domain (non-ATRAC) by which you don't erase the source disc. This is a hi-speed (4x) copy. Someone knowledgeable had explained it to me some time ago, but I no longer have the information. I do not have have one of these and they are extremely rare, but if one shows up on Ebay, Craigslist, or wherever, I intend to acquire it. I'd like to to be ready for that day. I regret not having bought the unit when it was available.

PM me or post here if you have that information.

Thanks!

===========

Note: I belieber I have found the answer, here:

http://forums.minidisc.org/index.php?showt...mp;#entry118046

Thanks Phippeb, now if I can just find the deck!

Edited April 28, 2008 by bluecrab

[philippeb]

Note: I belieber I have found the answer, here:

http://forums.minidisc.org/index.php?showt...mp;#entry118046

Thanks Phippeb, now if I can just find the deck!

A procedure detail (from the MDS-W1 service manual) that I forgot to mention:

To enter service mode, press OUTPUT, CLEAR (Deck A) and <<(Deck together.

To exit service mode, press MD SYNC.

[bluecrab]

A procedure detail (from the MDS-W1 service manual) that I forgot to mention:

To enter service mode, press OUTPUT, CLEAR (Deck A) and together.

To exit service mode, press MD SYNC.

Thanks.

Could you tell me if I understand correctly - that the MDS-W1 will perform this "copy" at 4x speed, bypassing ATRAC?

[philippeb]

Thanks.

Could you tell me if I understand correctly - that the MDS-W1 will perform this "copy" at 4x speed, bypassing ATRAC?

Yes :-). The MDS-W1 is *the* dream machine for editing legacy minidiscs. Copy is done in the ATRAC domain, bit for bit, lossless. With free defrag (which typically recovers 2mn of recording time on my heavily edited discs).

[kino170878]

I can verify that the above procedure works, and very elegant it is too. This method for lossless copying really should be made a sticky as it is invaluable information (for those of us lucky enough to have an MDS-W1).

[fdk]

Hello,

the link with the answer 'how to copy in 4x speed' does not work (anymore)?

Can anyone help or know how the MDS-W1 can make these 4 speed copies?

Thanks!

[sfbp]

You could take a look at the schematic. You'll find, I think, a quad clock circuit (176.4 kHz).

[philippeb]

The procedure to copy disc A to disc B (again, for reference):

1. insert (writable) source disc in deck A

2. insert (writable) empty destination disc in deck B

3. in the menu of deck A select "disc->disc" + "all move"

4. wait for the copy from disc A to disc B to complete

5. eject disc B

6. press at the same time "output" + "clear" on deck A + "<<" on deck B

7. eject disc A

8. press "md sync"

Steps 1 to 5 copy all tracks from disc A to disc B, and erase all tracks from the TOC of disc A.

Steps 6 to 8 restore the TOC of disc A with "super undo" (entering and exiting service mode).

[slugbahr]

In the case where disc A has been heavily edited, but you want to have two copies, would it be better to let the unit blank the disc, and then repeat the process with disc B as the 'original'?

THEN use the service mode eject to keep the material on disc B?

In other words, does disc A remain fragmented if the TOC erase is undone?

[philippeb]

In the case where disc A has been heavily edited, but you want to have two copies, would it be better to let the unit blank the disc, and then repeat the process with disc B as the 'original'?

THEN use the service mode eject to keep the material on disc B?

You could do that. I would rather repeat the whole process between disc A and a new disc C. I would not erase disc A before having checked both discs B and C.

In other words, does disc A remain fragmented if the TOC erase is undone?

Yes, disc A remains fragmented.

[slugbahr]

Of course, an A, B and C disc are the best way to go, and then delete the A.

Have you ever found there to be problems with B or C, and had to redo them?

What would cause any problems? Usually a bad disc? What else?

[fdk]

The procedure to copy disc A to disc B (again, for reference):

1. insert (writable) source disc in deck A

2. insert (writable) empty destination disc in deck B

3. in the menu of deck A select "disc->disc" + "all move"

4. wait for the copy from disc A to disc B to complete

5. eject disc B

6. press at the same time "output" + "clear" on deck A + "<<" on deck B

7. eject disc A

8. press "md sync"

Steps 1 to 5 copy all tracks from disc A to disc B, and erase all tracks from the TOC of disc A.

Steps 6 to 8 restore the TOC of disc A with "super undo" (entering and exiting service mode).

My question was: is it possible to copie at 4x speed? The steps 1-5 look like copying at normal speed, or am I missing something? 

[slugbahr]

The disc-disc copying is done at 4x speed.

[fdk]

The disc-disc copying is done at 4x speed.

How do I set it in this 4-speed mode???

[sfbp]

You don't.

[fdk]

Hi Guys,

just tried it, it works perfectly, sorry for my ignorance!

Thanks a lot to all

[philippeb]

Of course, an A, B and C disc are the best way to go, and then delete the A.

Have you ever found there to be problems with B or C, and had to redo them?

What would cause any problems? Usually a bad disc? What else?

Yes, problems are more likely to occur, because 4-speed copy gives the deck no latitude to retry in case of read or write errors. I recommend to always check the discs. Whenever a problem occurs (ie, typically, sound drops in the copy), it is generally sufficient to erase the bad track, and repeat the procedure for that track only.

[sfbp]

If the W1 will copy LP tracks, is this a cute way to get rid of the TrProtect flag on a NetMD disk?

[philippeb]

If the W1 will copy LP tracks, is this a cute way to get rid of the TrProtect flag on a NetMD disk?

As far as I know, the W1 is useless regarding LP tracks, because, like all pre-MDLP decks, it plays (and copies) them as silent SP tracks.

[sfbp]

If it's doing a digital copy, surely those "silent" LP tracks are what you want?

Or are you saying the result cannot be played in an MDLP deck?

[slugbahr]

Just did a quick experiment.

Moved a 30 second LP2 track to a blank disc.

W1 recognized it as a 15 sec SP track - played silent.

Put it into an MDLP machine - played as a silent 15 second track.

Conclusion: using a W1 to edit with an LP2/4 track or disc messes things up.

[sfbp]

Sigh.

Wonder if the data is really there Danny? You might Toc clone and see?

[NGY]

On 10/6/2014 at 7:43 AM, philippeb said:

On 10/6/2014 at 1:03 AM, sfbp said:

If the W1 will copy LP tracks, is this a cute way to get rid of the TrProtect flag on a NetMD disk?

As far as I know, the W1 is useless regarding LP tracks, because, like all pre-MDLP decks, it plays (and copies) them as silent SP tracks.

 

On 10/6/2014 at 3:48 PM, sfbp said:

If it's doing a digital copy, surely those "silent" LP tracks are what you want?

Or are you saying the result cannot be played in an MDLP deck?

Such an old thread ... but since I am selling my W1 :-) , and might also help other W1 owners:

The W1 does copy MDLP discs, in the digital domain. The W1 will certainly not be able to play them, nor would any SP decks, for the obvious reasons. However, and I have tested it and worked: if you do a TOC clone on an MDLP deck, from your original MDLP disc to your fresh W1 copy, the result will play in the MDLP decks. Kinda hassle I admit, but still doable.