Tom in RI Posted April 16, 2009 Report Share Posted April 16, 2009 I see several reasonably cheap units on ebay but they lack an optical input. Is there a difference in fidelity between music recorded through the optical input (if this were, for instance, an MZ-NH600) as opposed to through USB cable? I understand there is a convenience issue but I don't mind recording in real time particularly if the sound is better. Thanks in advance for any responses/advice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobt Posted April 19, 2009 Report Share Posted April 19, 2009 I see several reasonably cheap units on ebay but they lack an optical input. Is there a difference in fidelity between music recorded through the optical input (if this were, for instance, an MZ-NH600) as opposed to through USB cable? I understand there is a convenience issue but I don't mind recording in real time particularly if the sound is better. Thanks in advance for any responses/advice.i's all digital, really, it's up to the earsBob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avrin Posted April 20, 2009 Report Share Posted April 20, 2009 Music encoded on a PC and transferred via USB actually sounds better than the same music recorded via optical in. This is because internal processors in [Hi]MD units lack the power needed to encode files in full quality.The only exception is the standard SP mode, which can only be created on a unit due to patent restrictions from Dolby, not allowing SONY to create a PC codec for SP ATRAC. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avrin Posted April 20, 2009 Report Share Posted April 20, 2009 PCM should be the same, since no lossy encoding algorithm is used. But don't forget, that when using optical in, PCM passes through a digital recording level controller, which may, or may not, change the signal. On the other hand, USB PCM is always bit perfect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bland10000 Posted April 20, 2009 Report Share Posted April 20, 2009 The only exception is the standard SP mode, which can only be created on a unit due to patent restrictions from Dolby, not allowing SONY to create a PC codec for SP ATRAC.You may have mentioned that before here but this is the first I've heard of it; interesting to know, thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KJ_Palmer Posted April 20, 2009 Report Share Posted April 20, 2009 And presumably, because of the power requirements, for recording in SP it would be best to use a deck, with ATRAC Type-R encoding, rather than a portable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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