Someone should make a Hi-MD mp3 player

[jamesdstark_]

It's great that the Hi-MD recorders are USB plugnplay universal storage devices no driver required. So you can just plug it in and drag mp3 files over. Too bad it won't play them that way unless you transfer using sonicstage into Atrac format.

But wait, couldn't someone make an MP3 player that reads Hi-MD media, just like a MP3 CD player? That would be a dream come true... no more $#%&$ sony software to deal with.

[Fray Adjacent]

What with Sony allowing unlimited check outs but not allowing recorded tracks to be uploaded, they're still trying to protect copyrights.

However, as you mentioned, you can still copy .MP3s to a HiMD and then copy it to another computer. Sony is like the kid putting his thumb in the leaky dike. They can stop a little, but not enough to REALLY make a difference.

I for one would LOVE to be able to just copy MP3s to a HiMD unit and play them. I doubt Sony will do it any time soon. And they will probably prevent other manufacturers from doing it, too, though licensing. (basically, they'll restrict other manufacturer's use of HiMD technology to only being able to PLAY ATRAC3 files, and no other audio format)

[jadeclaw]

What with Sony allowing unlimited check outs but not allowing recorded tracks to be uploaded, they're still trying to protect copyrights.

That is the reason, why uploading is disabled in NetMD-Mode. There are still prerecorded MD out there. These must be protected...

I for one would LOVE to be able to just copy MP3s to a HiMD unit and play them.  I doubt Sony will do it any time soon.  And they will probably prevent other manufacturers from doing it, too, though licensing.  (basically, they'll restrict other manufacturer's use of HiMD technology to only being able to PLAY ATRAC3 files, and no other audio format)

There is a good reason for that: It will ensure, that every Hi-MD-Player can play any MD out there, regardless of the recorder used.

And part of the licence is full compatibility.

[Rumz]

Yeah... also, another thing to consider is that there is a format war brewing. Not the media format as far as discs, hard drives, memory, CDs, etc. go, but a compression codec war. Mp3s are fairly ubiquitous, yes-- since anyone can make mp3s easily and for free However Apple is making a splash in the digital music market, pushing their AAC (mp4) codec. Meanwhile Sony appears to be gearing up to push its own Atrac3plus format. Once upon a time it was only a MD file format, but for the last couple years it's been available to use on Network walkmen and Sony CD mp3 players as well-- it's no longer just an MD thing.

The reasons, I think, that MP3s are still around and will continue to be around are that a) like I said earlier, it's already ubiquitous, free, and easily accessible, and they are for now DRM free which makes sharing and pirating a breeze, which I felt was really the draw to MP3s in the first place before Mp3 players existed.

Ah, I remember the old Napster days Back then I'd just burn CDs with mp3s or record them onto MD.

[mmp64]

Yes MP3 is everywhere - but ATRAC is superior. Not only does it sound better, but you can do things w/ ATRAC that you can't do to MP3. But I agree that it would be cool if it could play both.

[MDX-400]

People have speculated that Sony *may* decide to "open-up" Hi-MD to such possibilities in the future but for now it's not happening. Personally I don't really think they'll ever do something like that, but hey who really knows for sure?

In the meantime the idea that "someone" should make a Hi-MD unit that plays MP3s, that idea is pretty much out the window since Hi-MD is Sony's format, just as was MD. Other manufacturers just can't start doing stuff with Sony's patented/trademarked/copyrighted stuff so any such player could not simply be made by some 3rd party company going it "on their own" so to speak.

Another company could make an entirely new (and incompatible) disc using different technology or technology that Sony doesn't own within Hi-MD (or otherwise) and do that; but then it wouldn't be Hi-MD or any MD for that matter, it would just be another "MP3 player". The liklihood of survival of such a format is questionable--remember that really small disc from that company? What was it called MediaPlay or something? Can't remember now, but it didn't last very long, that's for sure.

[crazeybt1]

hmm...that's not a bad idea..sounds like a pretty good investment :grin: i mean MP3+ATRAC player/recorder wow the posibilities r endless..but who's gonna develp it.. :grin: ...yeah MP3 is free n to use ATRAC i'm sure u'd have to get sonic stage or open MG to convert ur already MP3 to ATRAC which to my knowledge isn't free like AOL cds n speaking of which have ne one ever tried converting WAV to ATRAC?

but i've always thought of if it, like some company other than sony say Sharp develop units in their own style n stop following sony..there i said it Sony's the trend setter when it comes to MDs but it's about time others start moving away from SONY don't u think. i mean they could just develop some way to use MDS as CDs u know like how we now have MP3 CDPLayers.. :smile: we'd have MP3 Minidisc players..i'm sure if i developed it i'd be rich rich rich..... :grin: ...( ever notice how sony hold back the better MD units in their model range till the next year when they launching the Newer Units in a different Model range 4 instance the MZ-NF520 n MZ-N920)