senza Posted June 1, 2004 Report Share Posted June 1, 2004 Hi, i'm new here, and new to MD players in general. About a week ago I decided it was time to buy a new mp3 player due to my old being rendered in-operable via a slow death. I basically need my player to: -Be used as a storage medium between school and home. (i'm talking about 500mb psd files, not a term paper or anything) -Record school lectures. -Be durable enough to exercise with, like my old flash memory mp3 player. I wanted the Iriver h120 right off the bat, but if memory serves me correctly, hard drives don't like to be jogged with. Though, please prove me wrong if I am. So I was looking at other options, and MD's are the only thing that I could think of. I haven't heard any warnings of whether or not you can exercise with them or not. So basically, can you run with em? And feel free to chime in with any other thoughts, like advantages and disadvantages of both. I searched through and saw a hp120 vs HI-MD thread already, I want to know if you guys have any other thoughts that apply to my situation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Stamp Posted June 2, 2004 Report Share Posted June 2, 2004 it takes a long time to transfer files. ppl recorded 500kb/sec. that means 1000 seconds to transfer 500 megs. thats the only setback i know of. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
symphara Posted June 2, 2004 Report Share Posted June 2, 2004 You can jog with most, if not all, portable MD units. They are in this regard far superior to hard-disk based systems. I've dropped mine several times and it's fine, it doesn't even stop playing. I've changed the CD player in the car with a MD player and I was very happy with the newfound complete lack of skipping. You should obviously be able to put a 500Mb file on a 1Gb Hi-MD. As for transfer rates, reports are mixed. These guys have measured the upload (PC => MD) transfer rate at 3.55Mbps and the download (MD => PC) at 6.22, which is not fast but usable. Either way, I'd recommend waiting until the new units are released and a few proper reviews pop up, and then decide what to buy. </symphara> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fray Adjacent Posted June 2, 2004 Report Share Posted June 2, 2004 OK, I picked up a HiMD on Monday, and I like it. For what Senza is talking about, it would be good, but he'd have to wait for one of the models that has the mic in. I noticed transferring data to the unit IS pretty slow... but I only tried on blank 80 min MDs... maybe two sided HiMD blanks will record faster? (If they write on both sides simultaneously, that is) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Stamp Posted June 2, 2004 Report Share Posted June 2, 2004 they dont write on both sides. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fray Adjacent Posted June 2, 2004 Report Share Posted June 2, 2004 Funny, I had heard HiMD uses both sides of the disc. I have visibly checked, and the top and bottom layers are identical, whereas old MDs are not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lamewing Posted June 3, 2004 Report Share Posted June 3, 2004 Whether you use old MD or HI-MD, the transfers are still slow due to the write speed of the optical drive. That 500mb file will take 15 mins to copy. :ohmy: Plus, the old MD only reformat to 300mb, so the HI-MD discs are the only choice for a file that large. To be truthful, the HI-MD isn't a great idea for a mass storage system, but it will work in a pinch. It seems to be a better choice for backups. The neat feature is that any standard USB cable will work just fine. No need to rely on propriatary cables. I was able to use my wife's cannon digital camera and the NH600 by just switching the devices. Nice. It is a shame that the software, SS 2.0, still suck big weenies compared to the slick interface of iTunes. Who knows, maybe Sony will get the software right someday. :laugh: Joe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christopher Posted June 3, 2004 Report Share Posted June 3, 2004 Sonicstage 2 is a good improvement from the previous version. You're comparing iTunes, v. 4.5, to a Sony SS v.2 software - give it some time and perhaps things may come around. Sonicstage 2.1 will apparently allow us to record PCM music and upload it to Hi-MD/MD formatted into Hi-MD mode discs. That's a good v.1 improvement already! The software is fine to me. About the usb cables, though..the NH1 [and the higher end family] uses that proprietary cable, I believe. Not sure about the NH900.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skyther Posted June 3, 2004 Report Share Posted June 3, 2004 LOL molt you have your point, but the v4.5 vs 2.1 comparison doesn't make that much sense tho. Apple comes out with a new iTunes every few months, but I think it should be understood that Apple has been in the computer/software related business since eons ago, so as again, while SonicStage sucks, iTunes isn't a fair comparison. SonicStage was designed as an interface between PC and MD, while iTunes has always been a full fledged media player with an added iPod interface. PS. Sometimes it's worthless to worry about the technicalities of things. If it doesn't say in the manual that you can't jog with it, then by all means, do. If it fails, it's claimable by warranty. I'm pretty sure they've had engineers stress-test products for their intended use. I don't really understand how a plane can fly, because I've never seen physics theories of lift with my own eyes, yet science tells me so and I put my trust in it. If it works, it works. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mutant1345 Posted June 14, 2004 Report Share Posted June 14, 2004 im new to this site but i have purchased the nh600 and i cant find anything out on the market thats more durable than it for its size and usage....as for the sonic stage issue my i had never seen the 1.5 version before seeing 2.0 but my freind purchased a netMD model that had it and i was kind of disgusted with it i do belive that 2.0 makes a joke out of its predicesor i have never seen ITunes but im happy with what i got.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christopher Posted June 14, 2004 Report Share Posted June 14, 2004 Glad your content with your unit, mutant. Welcome to the forums! :happy: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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