Path for storage of ATRAC files

[Tom B]

I use Sonic Stage 4.3 and the XP-Pro operating system. The Drive C: on my PC has a large number of ATRAC audio files I recorded that are maintained there. Recently I added another hard drive to the computer, Drive F: I would like to move the ATRAC data from Drive C: to Drive F:, so I can manage my hard drive space. I'm not finding a way to manage this path, and need some help with this.

[sfbp]

Tools->Options->Location to save imported files

Not sure, but I think this will not move existing files.

You may want to figure out how to do that when you see what happens.

DO run the File Conversion Tool (to remove copy protection). You don't want to lose all the files you have already to the icy grip of Sony's DRM.

[Tom B]

Tools->Options->Location to save imported files

Not sure, but I think this will not move existing files.

You may want to figure out how to do that when you see what happens.

DO run the File Conversion Tool (to remove copy protection). You don't want to lose all the files you have already to the icy grip of Sony's DRM.

[Tom B]

Everything I have I recorded with one of two Minidisk recordrers. I did not turn on DRM. I do not have any purchased music. Does this mean I do not need to convert anything?

Could I select a folder on the new hard drive, F:, and simply copy the existing files there? Or will there be a problem with Sony DRM or something else?

It appears from the above answer that I can select a new folder on Drive F: and create new material there. If I don't copy the other files over to F: will Sonic Stage find them where it always has, on Drive C: ?

Thanks.

[sfbp]

It will find them where they are.

ANYTHING you uploaded to the PC (presumably from MZ-RH1) is subject to DRM. Better to decrypt immediately. Before moving anything. Probably you are in no danger but you may be if you end up reinstalling anything if things go wrong.

[Tom B]

It will find them where they are.

ANYTHING you uploaded to the PC (presumably from MZ-RH1) is subject to DRM. Better to decrypt immediately. Before moving anything. Probably you are in no danger but you may be if you end up reinstalling anything if things go wrong.

Yes, what I have on this PC was uploaded from my MZ-RH1. They are all files I made without turning on any copy protection.

When you say "decrypt" do you mean to run the File Conversion Tool? Or do you mean convert the ATRAC files to .mp3?

That would be my first experience with the File Conversion Tool. I have never run it before. There are a large number of these files and the Tool says it would take 24 hours to run (apparenlty tying up the PC during that time). Reading the instructions I am confused about just what the File Conversion Tool does. The files I have on the PC from the MZ-RH1 were all with the single Sonic Stage version 4.3.01, not earlier versions. I mention this because the instructions for the File Conversion Tool say:

SonicStage File Conversion Tool optimizes tracks imported and managed on a computer using earlier versions of SonicStage (version 2.0 and earlier) for use with the current version.

[sfbp]

Not convert to MP3. Remove the file encryption (copy protection). When you get to the second prompt, there is a check box, which you need to UNcheck. The tool will then revise its estimate. The first time you ever do it, the number will not change (and it may take hours) But subsequent runs, the second estimate will be WAY down, and even then it might say 10 minutes and take 30 seconds.

Dont worry about checking the box that talks about deleting the originals. No need to check it. All your .oma files will be replaced (this in future is how you tell) by .OMA files. The beauty of this is that now they can be read from another PC. Until you do this, no other PC or installation of SonicStage can play your 24 hours of files.

If you have never done it, and not lost any files, congratulations! But a simple reformat of Windows or an upgrade, and you run the risk to lose the lot, until you have exercised this tool.

[Tom B]

Thanks. I have not covered these issues before. It seems the burdensome experiences with DRM and these ATRAC products are probably responsible for killing them off in the marketplace.

I'll figure out when I have enough time to run the procedure.

At least I do have a Norton Ghost backup of the whole system, but I have not had to use it for anything on this computer.

One problem with all of this is users who successfully run this file conversion will need to make new recordings, and they won't be converted until later. So the PC has a mix of files that are converted and not converted.

[sfbp]

Most of us who got wise to this trick run the FCT once a week, or after each recording, which ever is later.

Probably better you just let it run, immediately. The time is a gross overestimate based on PC's of 5-10 years ago, methinks.

There's (supposedly) a non-Windows, non-Sony utility to do the same thing in the works. The only difference is that it won't require the files to be valid and playable to begin with.

I think Sony were afraid, given their involvement in the music industry. Apple had no such ties, in fact they spent 25 years in a dispute with the Beatles from precisely the other side of the copyright fence.

Beware of backups. Registry keys have some time element in them, restoring last year's backup may well (no, WILL) invalidate all songs you sent to the PC since the time of the backup, no matter where you copy them to first.