Feedback requested - Buy MD? If so, which model?

[S.S.]

I am new to MD totally and have been trying to do much online research in the past week. I'd appreciate your gracious advice on my issues.

I think I want a NetMD recorder for the following purposes:

MOST IMPORTANT CRITERIA

- Use it to walk/run on treadmill in gym

- Be able to play radio talk shows - of course, this means I have to somehow record archived or live-streaming online radio broadcasts/show on a computer

- Very compact, as I will hold the player in my hand while on the treadmill. It doesn't appear that there are convenient/effective/attractive ways to "hook" the MD player onto your body somehow where it will be stable and not skip while running.

- Overall not be require too much fussiness with basic functions such as downloading music from your pc and recording music from the built-in tuner (if it had one).

- Overall have pretty good user-interface/controls design. I thought Sony usually has more graceful/elegant and functional user controls than other Japanese manufacturers, when it comes to miniaturized gadgets - no?

SECONDARY CRITERIA

- NOT be totally cheapy and easily breakable if you just happened to knock it over a little, like on a table or something (unlike falling off a counter/table onto the floor).

- I would be interested in recording radio audio (mainly talk shows, not music) real-time - by using the MD's radio tuner (if it had one). I don't know if this is possible with the newest crop of MD's w/ tuners. From the information on this website, it seems like it's possible, but I'm not sure.

- If it were convenient, I would like to mess around with recording live voice with the MD unit - again, talk, not really singing. I don't know of the quality of recording voice with these units, especially the ones designed mainly to play discs (most of the MD models), not record voice (for example, Sony's "business" MD recorders).

OK... I think I've listed all the criteria I am trying to meet! :shock: Now - what do you advise?? :? I see many posts discussing MD's by other Japanese companies, but it seems both in local stores and online, the selectin is almost alwasy SONY SONY SONY. I didn't mind, at first, because I overall view Sony as having quality products - if not a wee bit overpriced for their name/reputation (I don't mind paying a bit more for reliability instead of spending lots of time "bargain hunting"). But if you users are advising models by Aiwa, Sharp, etc. which I can barely fine even online, then... that doesn't help much! :?

Second - I see that the Sony MZ-N505 is available now online for about $82 USD. That's not bad. If I wanted a current Sony model with radio tuner, that would cost about $200 USD, and with a mic-jack as well, $280 USD!! Is it worth another $120 USD or $200 USD for features (radio tuner and recording live voice) that might not even work that great on a tiny little unit? Would it be better to buy an additional bigger unit (such as a home unit or a business recorder) if I discover that I really want those additional functions? In total, this would cost more, but it's also frustrating to pay extra for features on a little unit when the features aren't really optimized for nice "usability".

I'm afraid that the MZ-N505 might be too cheap and flimsy. I am not super clumsy, but with the unit traveling around in a gym bag, being used while running, and being moved back and forth to record stuff off the pc, etc. - there are chances it will get knocked around!

I originally thought that having a built-in radio tuner was a necessity, because I want to record radio talk shows which might not be available online later (or if so, they might also cost $ to access). However, what is the quality recording straight from the built in radio to a minidisc? Is it even possible w/ the current Sonys (I see from this site that the older ones w/ tuners did not allow that)? If it's cumbersome, and the sound quality isn't very good, is it not really worth another $120 USD just to get a built-in radio tuner?

I think I have overwhelmed myself with this post! I might be leaving out a few other smaller issues to consider, but I think I have the major ones down.

Also, I am not really too interested in an MP3 player. I don't think I would care to have to have a limited space to manage my entire music/voice files on the unit. Plus, like someone else mentioned, the larger the centralized collection of material, the more of a pain it is to wade through it.

I hope some of you who love to discuss stuff on this site can give me some pretty good feedback! THANKS! :wink:

[BJ]

Okay, I'll try to tackle your requests...

For the first batch of questions, I think the Sony MZ-N707 would work for you. It has good battery life, skip protection, etc. It will record off your computer and it has a microphone jack for recording live. It's widely available, and currently around $200...which is bound to drop soon when the new batch of MDs hits the market.

I find, however, that Sharp portables have a more intuitive interface. It's easier for me to fiddle with a Sharp and get it figured out than it is with Sony--I never read the manual for my Sharp 702 and mastered all its functions by playing with it for an hour. However, I STILL forget how to title discs on my Sony N505. For ease of use, I'd say go Sharp.

All the new Sonys with a radio tuner feature the tuner built into the wired remote, and it's impossible to record off them. You'd need a separate radio and a stereo cable to plug into your MD to record.

Secondary criteria....

My N505 has been mistreated and still works fine. If you want something built like a tank, try the Sony MZ-R900. My 900 is my baby, but it could kick my butt if it wanted to. The only thing is the 900 is not a Net MD, so no USB connection. If you want to copy files off your computer, you have to do it in real time.

Again, for some reason you can't record radio audio off the MDs tuner. Does anybody know why, or how difficult it would be to redesign the tuner to allow recording?

For recording talk, get an MD unit with LP playback. LP4 is great for voice and you can cram over 5 hours onto an MD in that mode. Hook up a microphone and you're ready to roll. The N707 and R900 both have these features.

The N707 has a nicer LCD screen than the N505, and also comes with a remote, charging cradle and microphone input. If you want to experiment, you can pick up a 505 for the $82 and get a powered microphone (one that runs on its own battery) to record voice through the 505's line-in jack. Don't worry about the radio tuner--it doesn't sound like it would be much use to you.

Quality wise, the 900 is the most solid of the three Sonys I've mentioned. The only thing it lacks is NetMD capability, but there is an N909 on the market. I have never seen one, though, so I can't vouch for its construction. Like I said, though, my N505 has taken a number of beatings and still works just fine.

In summary...

If you're not too worried about transferring your MP3s to your MD, I'd say try to pick up the Sony MZ-R900. It's well made and loaded with features, and you can probably find one on eBay for $130, or less if you're patient.

If you'd like the option to transfer MP3s, go for the Sony MZ-N707. It has most of the 900's features plus NetMD capability and better battery life.

I want to recommend a couple Sharp units, but I haven't had the pleasure of playing with any of their LP portables. Sharp in general are made very well, they have a natural control configuration and larger LCD screens (which I LOVE). Can anybody recommend a Sharp or two?

Good luck!

[topojijo]

[T]he Sony MZ-N707 [is] widely available, and currently around $200...which is bound to drop soon when the new batch of MDs hits the market.

Heh. Now you tell me, BJ. I bought my n707 about two weeks ago and look what happens--the day after I buy it sony posts the 2003 lineup and the suggested MSRP drops. :oops:

Oh well. My n707 rocks.

Anyway S.S., I'd say ditch the newfangled "radio-tuner" and highly recommend the n707. For my purposes the remote works just fine. My walk to campus takes awhile and I like not having to bother fishing around my bag for adjusting the volume or changing tracks. Ever see people walking around with CD players or (gasp!) ipods in hand? It looks ridiculous. Frankly I'd like the free use of my hand to hold coffee or while the other holds a donut. Or breakfast burrito. Or whatever.

But I'll be honest with you. That's about the only thing the remote's good for.

I have no problem with my n707 and it's one of the smarter purchases I've made in a long time. I also bought a t-mic and am pleased with the mic jack. No problems so far; my school lectures sound great even in LP4 and can even handle recording from our marching band. And I've recorded "This American Life" from the radio successfully.

Net MD is also fantastic provided you use real one player.

It's even got a US warranty--another reason to stay away from imports unless you've got the money and patience to send it back to the Land of the Rising Sun. Or if you're lucky, find a good MD repairman. (Do those still exist?)

I dunno if you'd be able to use it in the gym without it skipping, but in my daily marathon to catch our elusive morning "transit" it's never skipped a beat. I don't exercise while listening to music anymore, however. Apparently your chances for inflicting permanent aural damage doubles whenever you exercise, according to this creepy article.

In short: I'd say get the n707. I got at etronics.com, list $164. With shipping and five 80min sony blanks the grand total came up to $194. Still a bargain, if you ask me. And of course, you don't have to deal with voltage transformers and you've got yourself a US warranty. Plus it comes with all those cables, a car kit, and a faux leather case which is actually useful.

Now, back to listening.....

-topo

[S.S.]

Ok - thanks for the advice so far.

I spend hours on this site trying to gain knowledge from all these different threads, and it's so... exhausting...!! I feel ready to give up and just buy one.

It's so hard to get a better idea of what is what when the stupid stores here barely stock any MD's. Is it something about living in the Pacific Northwest? What areas have bricks & mortar stores that sell a healthy selection of MD's?

That brings to mind another question - aside from portable MD's, why are all the other types of units (boomboxes - especially, decks, etc.) so darned hard to find, even online!? If MD's are supposedly so great, why is is so damn hard to find them in most stores? We have to resort to wading through all these online discussions just to get a more complete picture of what they're all about!

Maybe it's just me - instead of wasting time reading posts I should just go and shell our about $200-$300 for one (to avoid getting the cheapest bottom-of-the-barrel model which I might later regret when I realize it lacks features I want).

Ok, I remember some other "features" I would like my MD unit to have:

- Some type of secure way of attaching it to my gym shorts or arm while I'm walking in the gym.

- External speakers (it's ok if it's as an added accessory) that has good enough sound quality to listen to talk radio.

- Do any MD's have timers so that, say, if I were recording off a radio tuner via a line in cable, I could tell the unit to stop recording after 60 minutes?

Also, if I can only find a good-enough MD via an online retailer, do most of them allow returns (if I'm not satisfied) without outrageious "restocking" fees, etc.?

Lastly, does anyone know about a good "boombox" type unit? In otherwords, one I could use at home that has the convenience of built in speakers, maybe a built-in mic, that is somewhat portable, and has a built-in tuner? I kind of can't believe that practically all the MD's units out there, readily available and affordable, or little walkman type units. If MD is so great, why are there not more MD's in boombox and deck form, etc.?

Thanks again.

[topojijo]

S.S.:

Hang in there. Yes, MD is daunting at first. Yes, it's a hard product to find at even the biggest retailers out there, especially if you want to compare non-sony products and desktop systems. But I don't think you'll have a problem finding media. I went to Tower Records the other day and had no problem finding TDK blanks. The local Best Buy and Circuit City carry them as well.

I know you're exhausted, but have you gone to etronics? For your needs it seems to be the best bet since I've been able to find over 10 pages of minidisc hardware, ranging from portables to desktop systems to professional recording equipment. And best of all, they offer a 30 day money back guarantee. (Yeah, it sounds like I'm pitching but I bought my stuff from them after all).

If MD is so great, why are there not more MD's in boombox and deck form, etc.?

They're out there, S.S. MD's been around for eleven years now! You just have to know where to look. Just make sure that if you buy an MDLP portable, then you also buy an MDLP desktop system, too.

But wait a minute. If you're looking that far ahead into the future, you're gonna end up paying a lot more than $200-$300!

I think you want to start with a walkman-type unit before you invest in a more permanent desktop system. Remember, any pair of speakers will connect to your MD portable so long as it has the standard stereo miniplug!

About the radio issue: It looks like you have your heart set on a portable with a radio tuner. I'm pretty sure you can listen to the radio and record at the same time, but don't quote me on that just yet. As for the timer thingabob, why bother? If you record too much, then simply hit the edit button and delete the extra stuff!

And finally, as for carrying the unit around with you--check this one out. I think that's all you need.

I feel ready to give up and just buy one.

Looks like all you really want is some more reassurance. :wink: I hope that I answered your questions, S.S. The best of luck to you, from a poor college student.

- topo.

[S.S.]

Ok – thanks again for your advice.

I just got a Sony N707. It’s ok – but it has some flaws, and now that I have my first MD, I realize some additional features I need in an MD.

Below is my revised list of what features I think I need (including stuff from my very first post, above). Might you guys know of a model to recommend? If it’s not a Sony, where I can buy it?

MOST IMPORTANT CRITERIA

- Good shock absorption – will use it while running

- Very compact

- Mic jack (or Mic-compatible)

- NetMD/able to record directly from pc

- Line in jack (so I can record real time from a radio/tuner).

REALLY-DESIRED CRITERIA:

- Built in speakers: It’s been a real hassle dragging my MD and my huge boombox and the cables all over my house to listen to my MD, whenever I move about the house. I definitely don’t want to use the headphones at home – I can’t stand that. It almost sounds like to get portability and the ease of having available speakers as I move about the house, I either need to get two different units (a typical portable one and one with built in speakers – like a business MD recorder) or have to get a set of small portable speakers (like that Sony one that folds up into the dimensions double-wide cd jewel case)?

- Built-in radio/tuner: This is still on my “wish list”, but it seems that for practical reasons, I should give up on this and resort to plugging in a radio when I want to record straight from radio.

THINGS ABOUT THE N707 I WANT REVISED!:

- The multi function button (play/stop/ff/rewind) sucks – it’s too small. I already have small hands – even then, sometimes I push the button in the wrong direction and instead of pausing it, I stop it, etc.! :evil: A unit with big-enough buttons would be better!

- More intuitive unit interface: Gee, is BJ really right? Do the Sharps have a more intutive interface? I know that with a limited amount of buttons on the unit, you will have to “drill down” through a certain level of menus in order to access specific functions. But, so far, I find it more cumbersome than necessary on this damn N707.

- LCD display that “streams” the track information faster? Most of my track titles are long, and it takes forever for the little screen to stream the track information so I can tell what exact track is being played!

- Backlit remote: Now I realize a remote is really necessary, and preferably one that displays track information.

BTW – topjijo – regarding your mention that etronics has a bunch of MD units – that excited me at first. But then, if I recall correctly, all the boombox units they listed were unavailable!! Waaaah!! :cry: Hehe.

My verdict so far on this MD stuff – I’m pretty disappointed in what was promised, but… the fact that it appears to be the only super-compact, portable, recordable digital media that is not in tape form (i.e. linear-access) seems to be its saving grace.

Anyway - study hard, topo - esp. if you're going to school there! :wink:

[S.S.]

Oh yeah - I forgot to mention some other REQUIRED features:

- Bookmarking - Some of the files I record are an hour or so long. Sometimes I fat-finger it (kinda hard not to when the buttons are so damn small) and instead of fast-forwarding through the track, I skip to the next track, etc. It really sucks to have to start over from the beginning of the track and hold the fast-forwarding down to get back to the spot where I left off - it takes forever!! Before I got this first MD of mine, I thought that you'd be able to bookmark points in a track while you were listening to it, but it looks like that is not possible. It looks like with the N707, you can only bookmark when you're recording via the mic.

That's lame! Is there anyway to get around this w/ the N707? I want to add bookmarks throughout my long tracks, and as I am listening to them, so that when I fat-finger, I can more easily get back to say, the middle of a 60-minute track, etc.

Does anyone know if on the newer Sony's w/ bookmark functions, if you can bookmark while listening to an already-recorded track?

Another HIGHLY DESIRED function -

- Faster fast-fowarding/reverse - When you hold fown f.f. or reverse, it goes really slow. It doesn't seem to accelerate, either, as you hold the button down for longer. Does anyone know if this is configurable, or if certain models have faster f.f./reverse speeds?

Thanks. :wink:

[Guest Anonymous]

the sony g750 seems rather compact and has the radio tuner. What do you all think of it?

[KJ_Palmer]

The G750 is a great, solid and reiable unit, a fine representative of its generation .

The FM tuner is really very good. OK you can't record from it, but that's what my home system is for!

I've hacked it up to an MZ-R900 (http://www.minidisc.org/mzr700_to_mzr900.html) which has improved the sound quite a bit (with the treble/bass settings) and added a whole bag of 'advanced' features.

Even without the hack, I'd highly recommend the G750.

[chuchichan]

KJ - Do you own the Sony g750? I was wondering what you thought of the size. Also, do you know if it has AM and if so, how the AM reception is.

Thanks.

[KJ_Palmer]

Hi chuchichan. Yes I own the G750, and have it with me right now.

I like the size, it's not as tiny as the newer models (I have the E10), but it's still darn small. I don't really notice it in my pocket

Being AA powered it has the dreaded 'battery hump', but that's not a problem for me. The AM reception is also very good and clear.

Overall it's an excellent unit.

[chuchichan]

KJ - Thanks for the info. Do you the best place to get one? Also, about how much should I be paying for it?

[Leon]

Ok ? thanks again for your advice.

MOST IMPORTANT CRITERIA 

- Good shock absorption ? will use it while running

- Very compact

- Mic jack (or Mic-compatible)

- NetMD/able to record directly from pc

- Line in jack (so I can record real time from a radio/tuner)

- Built in speakers

- Built-in radio/tuner:

THINGS ABOUT THE N707 I WANT REVISED!:

- The multi function button (play/stop/ff/rewind) sucks ? it?s too small. 

- More intuitive unit interface:  Gee, is BJ really right?  Do the Sharps have a more intutive interface? 

- LCD display that ?streams? the track information faster?  Most of my track titles are long, and it takes forever for the little screen to stream the track information so I can tell what exact track is being played!

- Backlit remote:  Now I realize a remote is really necessary, and preferably one that displays track information.

My verdict so far on this MD stuff ? I?m pretty disappointed in what was promised, but? the fact that it appears to be the only super-compact, portable, recordable digital media that is not in tape form (i.e. linear-access) seems to be its saving grace.

Yes, Sharp tends to have a nicer user interface even with less number of text display lines and a menu hierarchy (i.e. it doesn't get better with more expensive Sonys). I have sworn by Sharp for a few years and they've yet to disappoint me. Sony these days is known for sacrificing ease of use in the name of elegant design... others do it too but they're far less pretentious than Sony. :roll:

A lot of MP3 players are way more generous with the display and user interface than MD portables. The iPod or something else will beat even the Sharps for that cozy generosity (more text scrolled at once, more info, more options - if you own a SlimX you know what I mean). Personally I've bought two iPods, been fascinated and then disappointed at them, and in the end sold each of them and came back to MD... it depends on what your priorities are.

I think radio recording in portables wasn't implemented because some form of shielding is required to prevent MD from interfering with the reception... something like that. Hooking a pocket radio up to an MD portable isn't that hard, though.

There are quite a few MD portables that come with speakers bundled. They're not the cheapest though, being imported from Japan, and they're for those "to have is better than not have" occasions, usually don't sound very passable.

- Bookmarking

No bookmarking specific points in a track in any MD portable AFAIK. And yes, I agree that's lame The bookmark function on new Sonys and Sharps will always start from the beginning.

Faster fast-fowarding/reverse

You're better off getting an iPod if that's top priority. You know how you can press one button and "scrub" the wheel to jump to wherever you want in split seconds... no MD portable will do that. I can sympathize because I record 10-15 (sometimes 20) hours of radio off the web every weekday.

[5-String]

Hi. I have had a Sony MZ-R55 for years and it is starting malfunction now, so I am interested in buying a new recorder. I was hoping to get some advice from some people who are up to date on all of the specs and quirks of the current machines.

I like to use my recorder to record live concerts, mostly bluegrass and jazz, and usually in a small to medium sized venues (eg. small clubs to theaters, but not stadium-style shows). I am a musician so I like to transfer data from my MDs to my computer so I can slow the music down and learn new tunes. Also, I like to make CD copies of my MDs for myself and my friends. Here are the features that I am looking for:

1. High quality sound

2. Stereo Mic input

3. Mic sensitivity and record-level adjustment

4. Track editing (add/remove track mark, etc...)

5. Long battery life (currently I have to replace 2 AA's between sets to make sure I get an entire show :evil: )

6. Optional Rechargeable battery would be nice.

7. AC Adapter

8. Remote

9. Lowest price (but not at the expense of items 1-9)

(Basically all of the features of my old unit, but 'better' if possible.)

Thanks for your help!

[Leland]

To fast forward/reverse faster, put the unit into pause first, then fast forward. You can't hear the sound, but look at the timer and you can see how far, then unpause and listen. This will slew very quickly. Otherwise, consider making more track marks. If you use NetMD, which protects checked out tracks for your own good (so you can check them back in) you simply make the track marks as track divides in Sonicstage or OMG Jukebox before checkout.

[Leland]

To fast forward/reverse faster, put the unit into pause first, then fast forward. You can't hear the sound, but look at the timer and you can see how far, then unpause and listen. This will slew very quickly. Otherwise, consider making more track marks. If you use NetMD, which protects checked out tracks for your own good (so you can check them back in) you simply make the track marks as track divides in Sonicstage or OMG Jukebox before checkout.

[Leon]

To fast forward/reverse faster, put the unit into pause first, then fast forward.  You can't hear the sound, but look at the timer and you can see how far, then unpause and listen.  This will slew very quickly.  Otherwise, consider making more track marks.  If you use NetMD, which protects checked out tracks for your own good (so you can check them back in) you simply make the track marks as track divides in Sonicstage or OMG Jukebox before checkout.

FF/REW in pause is still much slower than what the iPod can do, plus the iPod doesn't involve pausing/unpausing. Not bashing MD at all here - it's just that MD portables haven't been designed to do that. Track mark is a difficult thing unless you've got a current Sony model.

[Leland]

Leon, I don't think IPOD meets much of the other criteria mentioned by the poster (mic input, wants to jog with it, really small) and of course he was asking which MD unit to buy, not which MP3 hard drive jukebox.

One idea for you and perhaps the poster regarding long files and the speed of FF and RW: Granted, this is only helpful when you are tethered to the computer, but in Sonicstage, with your MD connected, there is a slider control for the track you are listening to. This makes it very easy to skip ahead any number of minutes (or hours) just by looking at the time display and the position of the slider. Note, this works with any track on the MD, not only music in the musicbank, so you can use it even with discs you make that have long analog recordings on them, such as radio.

[Leon]

I'm not telling him to switch to an iPod - I'm only saying that I know as a fact that no MD portable has a means of jumping very quickly to a specific spot, the way it is implemented on the iPod and perhaps some other products too.

Yes, in fact I did use that slider just two days ago, but does SonicStage or OMGJB on a computer meet the criteria for portable listening? Maybe if he shells out $1500 for a Vaio U or $2000 for a VaioC1? :roll:

[Daijoubu]

FF/REW in pause is still much slower than what the iPod can do, plus the iPod doesn't involve pausing/unpausing. Not bashing MD at all here - it's just that MD portables haven't been designed to do that. Track mark is a difficult thing unless you've got a current Sony model.

It's caused by the way how MD save energy, let me know if a Ipod can last 20/50hours with one charge