Hi-MD: Recording or Playing audio?

[efenili]

As I jump into the mini-portable music field I find myself in a bind.

I can get great deals on Hi-MD products when they are released and with the larger 1Gig or more discs the playing time is becoming better.

Only after coming hear daily and reading, I find that most people love their MDs because of its ability to both record and play audio files. My only use for the product would be playing audio. I have more than enough music to fill one of these 20gig+ portable hard drive MP3 players but I really fansy they MD players.

With the 1gig, how many minutes is that of Atrac3 audio playing?

I guess what I am trying to get at is WITHOUT recording, is the MD still a good choice if I just want to listen to music?? I hope so, they sure look a whole lot better.

[Sbetsho]

475 minutes on Hi-SP (256 kbps Atrac3+) (CD-Quality)

1900 minutes on Hi-LP (64 kbps Atrac3+) (should be slightly better than 128 kbps mp3)

and around 2533 minutes on 48 kbps Atrac3+, if it is at least as good quality as LP4 (66 kbps Atrac3) then I'm satisfied.

I have used my minidiscs only for recording music to the discs and playing them, no live-recordings for years... the audio quality is very good.

[KJ_Palmer]

Well, everything you can listen to on MD or Hi-MD will have to have been recorded at some stage (although there might be some pre-recorded disks).

But Hi-MD (like MD) will remain primarily a recording medium. If you want to download your MP3s etc to Hi-MD you still need a recorder to do so - a player like the MZ-EH1 will only be able to play back material previously recorded with a recording Hi-MD unit (eg. MZ-NH1).

So basically, to make a start in Hi-MD you will need to get a recorder, even if you don't want to 'tape' live shows or CDs etc.

[efenili]

I plan on getting a recording unit (ie MZ-NH1),

Thnx for the information on the minute per disc thing. That seems more than reasonable for me. I was also curious, I am guessing the units will each come with one 1gb disc? And how much would additional discs cost?

If this was answered in another thread no need to respond, I will find it eventually. You can post link I guess.

Thnx for the replies !

[Fray Adjacent]

Well, everything  you can listen to on MD or Hi-MD will have to have been recorded at some stage (although there might be some pre-recorded disks).  

But Hi-MD (like MD) will remain primarily a recording medium.  If you want to download your MP3s etc to Hi-MD you still need a recorder to do so - a player like the MZ-EH1 will only be able to play back material previously recorded with a recording Hi-MD unit (eg. MZ-NH1).

So basically, to make a start in Hi-MD you will need to get a recorder, even if you don't want to 'tape' live shows or CDs etc.

I don't think that's correct. With a PLAYER only, you can connect to PC and use SonicStage or Simple Burner to write tracks to the MD. You just can't plug a mic into it and record live audio.

With a RECORDER, you can do both.

[crazeybt1]

now you got me thinking here...then what's the difference between the MD Recording Unit n the MD Player Unit?????????

cuz i'm thinking if that's the case..then..a lot of ppl would prefer to buy the Player if u can conect it to ur pc n put stuff on there RIGHt...i mean they players r often much more smaller (not to mention more expensive) but seeing i've never heard of or seen ne Player Units with Recording Capabalities HI MD is almost completely different so u just could be right "i hope" :smile:

[Rumz]

I don't think that's correct. With a PLAYER only, you can connect to PC and use SonicStage or Simple Burner to write tracks to the MD. You just can't plug a mic into it and record live audio.

With a RECORDER, you can do both.

Negative. There are basically three classes of MD / Hi-MD units these days:

-Recorders: these have a jack for inputs, usually a line in/optical in, sometimes a mic in as well. Sometimes they also have USB ports. All Hi-MD recorders should have USB ports, some older regular MD units do not.

Hi-MD recorders include the NH1, NH900, NH800, NH700.

-Downloaders: these don't have the ability to record on the unit itself (no audio inputs), but have a USB port for downloading music from a PC.

Hi-MD downloaders include the NH600D and the NH3D (which will be released in Japan).

-Players: These don't input of any time, not even USB. They only play back, no recording or downloading of music.

Hi-MD player: EH1.