The Web MiniDisc Application

[BearBoy]

@asivery has just posted a whole host of updates for Web MiniDisc Pro over on the r/minidisc Reddit, including Hi-MD support:

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Web MiniDisc Update: HiMD support, Remote NetMD, HiMD exploit support and bugfixes

Hello!

It took quite a while, but after 6 months I'm very happy to announce a new version of Web MiniDisc Pro - v1.4.0.

Among other bugfixes, this version brings:

• Full HiMD support (Unlike software like QHiMDTransfer or PlatinumMD which can only write MP3s, Web MiniDisc can also write PCM, ATRAC3 and ATRAC3+)

• UI improvements

• (Hopefully) the fix for L/R channel mismatch bug*

• The ability to download ATRAC data from standard MDs using HiMD portables

• Uploading AEA files back to MDs using Type-S portables

• Tetris on normal Sony Type-S portables

• Remote NetMD

• Homebrew mode shortcuts in the main UI

• Progress indicator in tab title for uploading

• An option to archive discs as ZIPs

• An option to auto-convert ripped tracks to WAV

• An option to strip TrProtect from all files via the homebrew mode

• CSV export as part of the archive disc command

• Full width title to the upload progress dialog

• A warning for when a mediocre encoder is used

• A dialog containing all settings of Web MiniDisc Pro in one place

*Because the MD TOC is still not 100% understood, some bugs might still occur, even after the extensive testing done by me and a few volunteers. If you do encounter this bug, or any other bug related to ATRAC download, please enable Download raw streams from netmd-exploits, then send me the .NERAW file. Thank you.

HiMD support

This is also the first version with HiMD support - there might be bugs. Do not use it with your most treasured discs.

There are 2 HiMD modes:

• The restricted mode lets you download audio from MDs and edit track metadata (names, order, etc..) It also allows you to transfer MP3 files to the discs, but it shouldn't be used for that if the unrestricted mode is available, because it causes a lot more wear on devices when writing audio. It doesn't let you write ATRAC3 / ATRAC3+ or PCM audio.

• The unrestricted mode lets you do everything the restricted mode does, but also lets you transfer MP3s, ATRAC3, ATRAC3plus and PCM tracks onto HiMD discs without wearing them out. Unfortunately, because of the WebUSB standard's restrictions, it has to be accessed using exploits, so it's limited to Sony HiMD portables only, but with this version's release, ElectronWMD is also getting an update with full, exploit-free support for HiMD.

To access a HiMD device in restricted mode, you need to:

1. Connect the HiMD device to the computer with a HiMD disc inserted.

2. Select the root directory of that device in the appropriate dialog (f.ex. E:\ on Windows, /media/user/disc on Linux, /Volumes/disc on MacOS).

3. Done. You can now edit the track names and download audio from the HiMD disc.

To access a HiMD device in unrestricted mode, you need to:

1. Connect the HiMD device to the computer, while it's in MD mode (either with a regular MD inside, which has at least one track, or just set to MD disc mode and without a disc)

2. Connect it to WebMinidisc, as you would do if you wanted to use normal NetMD mode.

3. Open the '3 dots' menu, select settings, then 'enable homebrew mode shortcuts', then close the settings (this step needs to be done only once)

4. Open the '3 dots' menu, select homebrew shortcuts, then 'Switch to HiMD unrestricted mode'*

5. At this point, you'll see Web MiniDisc's loading screen, then a 'Loaded.' dialog will appear. After closing the dialog you'll be put back at the 'connect' screen. --- At this point the exploit is already loaded onto the device and it will stay loaded until the device goes to sleep, unplugging the USB cable will not erase the exploit ---

6. Insert a HiMD disc (either a HiMD formatted MD with at least one track, or a blank one with the device set to HiMD mode)

7. (Windows only) Install Zadig again for this new HiMD device. It should have 0x5341 as the VID.

8. (Linux only) Add a udev rule for the new device: SUBSYSTEM=="usb", ATTR{idVendor}=="5341", ATTR{idProduct}=="5256", MODE:="0666"

9. Click the downwards-pointing arrow next to the connect button, then select HiMD (Unrestricted). A WebUSB dialog will appear. Select your device, then wait. Make sure the device is called "HiMD", and not "NetMD/HiMD". You might need to wait a few seconds for the "HiMD" device to appear.

10. Done. You can now upload AT3/3+/PCM/MP3 audio

*If the 'Switch to HiMD unrestricted mode' is greyed out, it means your device isn't supported yet and you'll need to download its firmware and send it to me, so that it can be reverse engineered. To download the firmware, click on 'Enter Homebrew Mode' in the same menu, then once the homebrew mode loads, open the menu again and select "Read Firmware". It might take a while.

Huge thanks to the linux-minidisc project, and M Karcher over at the MiniDisc.wiki Discord server - it wouldn't be possible without him!

Remote NetMD

Remote NetMD lets you set up a NetMD server on, for example, a Raspberry Pi connected to a NetMD-capable deck. It's then possible to remotely control that deck with any device on the same network with the help of Web MiniDisc Pro. The program will automatically detect it when a device disconnects and connects again, so it can be left running unattended. To get it working, you need to:

1. Define the correct udev rules on the Pi, so that the node application can access your device.

2. Clone https://github.com/asivery/remote-netmd-server

3. Run a script to generate the HTTPS self-signed certificates: bash createhttpskeys.sh

4. Install the dependencies with npm i

5. Run node index.js

6. Visit the page hosted at https://<your pi's IP address>:11396/, and acknowledge the security risk

7. Add it in Web MiniDisc Pro, by clicking the 'Add Custom Device' in the connect screen's dropdown. Then, after filling in the address and the name you want to see the server displayed as in Web MiniDisc Pro, you can select your device from the connect screen's dropdown and connect to it.

As always, if you find any bugs, please report them over at https://github.com/asivery/webminidisc/issues or on the MiniDisc.wiki Discord server.

 

Link: 

 

[Daniel Madrazo de Juan]

Hello everyone and, first of all, thanks a lot for the amazing Web Minidisc and for resurrecting the format. It's a shame that Sony killed it, it makes me very sad.
 

I have a query. I have a Sony MZ-NH1 HiMD on which I can record in SP format from Web Minidisc without any problem, but when I go to play it on my Sony DHC-MD373 deck, it recognizes the disc, tracks and titles, but does not play any sound.

Do you know how to fix it, is it a bug? 

Thank you very much in advance.

[BearBoy]

Hello @Daniel Madrazo de Juan - welcome to the forum!

 

Does your DHC-MD373 play discs recorded on the MZ-NH1 without using Web MiniDisc? e.g. recorded using the optical/line in?

 

Do the Web MiniDisc recordings play back okay on the MZ-NH1?

[BearBoy]

@asivery has released an updated version of Web MiniDisc Pro. Update notes from Reddit:

 

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Hello,

I'm happy to announce yet another update to Web Minidisc Pro - version 1.5.0. This version doesn't bring that many new features, but instead polishes the existing ones, updates all dependencies and resolves many small bugs - both UI and NetMD related. Among other, smaller bugs, the following problems were fixed:

• It is now possible to delete tracks on HiMD devices.

• HiMD devices don't crash with 'Cannot reset' anymore.

• More MZ-RH1s can now be connected to HiMD from the browser.

• Some Sony decks and Panasonic portables have been discovered to be able to upload MONO SP audio - it is now possible to do that from the UI. Should more devices that have these abilities be discovered, I will update the compatibility table in the app.

• Fixed some problems regarding communicating with Sharp portables.

• Thanks to u/Sir68k, it is now also possible to upload audio to decks whose EEPROM contents have been corrupted.

The UI has also been made more consistent - settings dialog and the menus have been cleaned up. Error handling has also been significantly improved. The application will now try to erase user settings in order to recover from a "white screen of death" and bring itself back to default state.

As always, the new version is available at the official wiki site.

Since this was a huge update that almost took a year for me to write, it is quite possible that there are some new, not yet discovered bugs. If you find any problem with this version, please let me know.

Stay tuned for ElectronWMD updates - removing technical debt from this app made it possible to add many more new functions there.

P.S. I now have a Ko-Fi account. If you're enjoying Web Minidisc Pro, please consider leaving a tip here.

 

 

Reddit Link

[BearBoy]

Actually, looks like v1.5.0 is here: https://testing.minidisc.wiki/webminidisc-testing/

[Syrius]

I'm having trouble getting my RH1 to work. I have installed Zadig, and can use the application (Electron WMD) to do with the RH1 anything I could with a regular NetMD, but cannot seem to get Unrestricted mode to work.

 

I've followed the steps in the WebMD Wiki, up to "Enable Homebrew Shortcuts" but when I open those, I don't get the option to connect to HI-MD unrestricted. Just "Archive Disc" (clickable) with Strip SCMS, Un-protect All Tracks, and Enable SP Upload Speed Up grayed out.

 

What am I doing wrong?

 

 

EDIT: Made it partially work by using Web Minidisc with Chrome, this allowed me to install the driver through Zadig. However, I still don't get the option to connect to HI-MD unrestricted in Homebrew shortcuts when using Electron WMD, and yes, there is a regular MD with at least one track in the recorder when I try to do this.

[sfbp]

What disc mode is the RH1 in?

[Syrius]

Old-style MD, just as indicated by the Wiki. (I use an SP MD to get it into that mode)

[sfbp]

but.... the insertion of an old MD does NOT force it permanently into that mode. And I bet that's what is happening, it thinks u want to burn a HiMD format.

 

Do you have an RH10 or some other 1st or second generation HiMD unit to try this with? Failing that you will have to figure out the jog lever presses (assuming that does NOT show up on the remote screen).

[imkidd57]

Having a standard MD in the unit is enough to put it in MD mode and is sufficient for a connection to electron WMD.

 

@Syrius Which of the options are you wanting to use? AFAIK the SP speed upload feature has not been implemented yet for the RH1.

 

However for the 'Strip SCMS' and 'Unprotect all tracks' options, these are found after you have enabled the homebrew shortcuts slider in 'Settings' then 'Enter homebrew mode' -> 'Toolbox':

 

[Syrius]

50 minutes ago, imkidd57 said:

Having a standard MD in the unit is enough to put it in MD mode and is sufficient for a connection to electron WMD.

 

@Syrius Which of the options are you wanting to use? AFAIK the SP speed upload feature has not been implemented yet for the RH1.

 

 

I'm fine with the RH1 not doing 4X SP upload, so that's not what I'm trying to achieve. The problem I'm having is that I cannot get the RH1 into Unrestricted HI-MD mode, after following the steps indicated in the Wiki. This is as far as I get:
 

• Connect the Hi-MD device to the computer, while it's in MD mode (either with a regular MD inside, which has at least one track, or just set to MD disc mode and without a disc)
• Connect it to Web Minidisc Pro, as you would do if you wanted to use normal NetMD mode.
• Open the overflow menu, select Settings, then 'enable homebrew mode shortcuts', then close the Settings (this step needs to be done only once)
• Open the overflow menu, select Homebrew shortcuts, then 'Switch to HiMD unrestricted mode'*

Everything works just fine, until the part that's bolded: When I open the Homebrew shortcuts, the option to switch to HIMD Unrestricted Mode is NOT there. Mind you, I was able to get it working as described when using the browser-based Web Minidisc, exactly as the wiki indicates, so it's not a big loss for me. I'm stumped about the fact that it will work with the browser version of Web Minidisc, but not with Electron. Win some, lose some, I guess.

 

There's another issue I'm having, and want to know the opinion of others who own Net MD machines:

 

When transferring tracks on SP at 4X mode using an MZ-DN430, I get "jittery" sound glitches, but when transferring at 2X, the sound is flawless. This happens on both the web version and Electron WMD, regardless of source format. (I'm using pure WAV and FLAC, by the way.) Has anyone experienced something like this? (I will later upload samples showing what I mean)

 

This doesn't happen with my N910, regardless of application version. Same computer, same disc, same USB cable, same source file, SP 4x transfer. The only thing that changes is the recorder. Could it be that my DN430 is a bit of a dud?

Edited yesterday at 09:52 AM by Syrius
Added question at the end.

[sfbp]

Thanks for correcting me, guys. I haven't tried most of this, so kudos to you for chasing it down.

 

I would say that the N910 is built like a tank, all metal, whereas the DN430 is mostly plastic (at least the casing). So the former is a much higher-end item as was reflected in the original price (it's the only one that ever showed up at my local London Drugs and I thought it was WAY overpriced).

 

As far as 2x vs 4x, I do recall something about how the decks manage copying (eg the MDS-W1) at high speed. They use a higher frequency, doubling the data rate. So if you're trying to do this higher data rate, then probably the cheaper versions of an MD portable had some expensive components compromised (by selection of cheaper ones?). I don't know, but it seems reasonable given that Sony never expected anyone to upload anything from either of these devices.

 

I also recall that there was a problem with NetMD and *writing*. I learned very quickly to record disks from the USB only when there was external 3V power supply. It's supposed to work, but particularly with NetMD all units (including the MZ-N910) used a lot more power, at least transiently when downloading music from the PC to an MD. Great consternation when I got my 6-MD car changer, and was seriously concerned when driving along and a song would literally freeze. This was how i found out the hard way about the NetMD power problem. Disks recorded in real time on a deck never ever had this playback problem.

 

I guess there are limits to our digital mindscape after all.

[Syrius]

Great point there with the data rate, SFBP.

 

I did some digging around and found out that the fastest transfer the DN430 can do is 32x LP4, while the N910 can do 64X.

 

Perhaps there's more RAM or faster circuitry inside the 910? I also imagine that the S-type hacks that WebMinidisc relies on, must be related to the buffer in the machine, filling and emptying over and over as it gets recorded to the disc, and at 4x, the 430 cannot keep up "stitching together" the chunks of data as efficiently or as smoothly as the 910 can.

 

Still, being able to transfer real SP over USB at 2x (back and forth) is a blessing, so you won't hear me complaining (much).