Upgrade to Hi-MD?

[friend]

Hi,

I've had a reliable Sony MZ-R700 for a long time. I've used it for voice recording, but recently when I recorded, I received an error and the unit wiped out all the data on the disc. I lost some important recordings.

I'm interested in upgrading to the Hi-md.

My Questions:

Does data transfer require software or can I drag n drop? Can i use my old mini disc media to store data files/mp3 or do I need to purchase special data discs?

Can wav and flac formats be played on the Hi-md?

And, finally, can someone recommend a good model that takes a standard AA battery. If none exist, what's the best regular md unit for line-in recording/data transfer/AA batter?

thanks.

Edited December 14, 2008 by friend

[bobt]

Hi,

I've had a reliable Sony MZ-R700 for a long time. I've used it for voice recording, but recently when I recorded, I received an error and the unit wiped out all the data on the disc. I lost some important recordings.

I'm interested in upgrading to the Hi-md.

My Questions:

Does data transfer require software or can I drag n drop? Can i use my old mini disc media to store data files/mp3 or do I need to purchase special data discs?

Can wav and flac formats be played on the Hi-md?

And, finally, can someone recommend a good model that takes a standard AA battery. If none exist, what's the best regular md unit for line-in recording/data transfer/AA batter?

thanks.

The best is the RH1/M200, as it will allow you to upload your prior recordings, data can be used on any disc formatted to Hi-MD. RH1 does not use AA battery, nor does it matter as you can go a long time. If AA is important try getting an NH-700 or 800, but it won't me able to upload your prior recordings, just your future ones.

Good luck

Bob

[friend]

The best is the RH1/M200, as it will allow you to upload your prior recordings, data can be used on any disc formatted to Hi-MD. RH1 does not use AA battery, nor does it matter as you can go a long time. If AA is important try getting an NH-700 or 800, but it won't me able to upload your prior recordings, just your future ones.

Good luck

Bob

Thanks for the info. Do you know if any minidisc deck players can transfer data and upload to a pc?

[tekdroid]

My Questions:

Does data transfer require software or can I drag n drop?

Data files can be dragged n dropped on most Windows computers. The unit will show up as 'Removable Disk'. Playable audio the unit can play can only be put on by MIC, optical inputs, line inputs and (Windows) computer transfers with Sony's SonicStage software. Some less popular units come with no MIC and optical inputs though.

Can i use my old mini disc media to store data files/mp3 or do I need to purchase special data discs?

You can use your old ones, but you must format them to Hi-MD mode on any Hi-MD recorder you buy. MP3 can be stored as data files, as can anything else, and can be read natively by most Windows computers with no additional software. However, if you want the unit to play those MP3s without a computer, you guessed it, SonicStage, unless you are ok with transferring it through LINE or optical inputs. More reading: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hi-MD

Can wav and flac formats be played on the Hi-md?

Not natively. FLAC needs to be converted to WAV or Windows Media lossles files (from memory) before being transferred in SonicStage. It can play them with no quality degradation tho (ie. no craptastic transcoding), which is good. Everything that goes on Hi-MD through SonicStage or the recorders themselves is encrypted tho, so you won't be able to browse the discs and see WAVs in Windows Explorer, for example. You will see HMA files (assuming you enable hidden file viewing) and other cryptic extensions. Basically as MC Hammer once said, "you can't touch this".

And, finally, can someone recommend a good model that takes a standard AA battery.

MZ-NH700, MZ-NHF800 (the latter coming with LCD remote with integrated radio, otherwise same unit)