Hi-MD Battery life observations (Galensky)

[Webmaster]

[submitted by Duane Galensky after reading the MZ-NH900 manual]

1) the 1GB discs and linear PCM coding use the most power (3.5 hours per

charge for continuous recording). 1GB disc and NiMH plus singe AA cell

records for 8.5 hours non-stop.

2) using the supplied AA battery box plus the NiMH stick, a regular MD

using hi quality ATRAC3plus coding will record 12.5 hours on one charge

+ one alkaline AA cell

3) there are two limiter knee settings called "Mic AGC" - standard (for

'soft music') and LoudMusic (I guess for a live band with a PA).

LoudMusic it seems has the greater potential for that undesirable

breathing effect. But maybe the softer knee standard setting will

eliminate the need for setting levels manually for recording acoustic

music. Note you still have to go into the menus and re-select manual

recording levels every time you hit Stop (Pause preserves the setting,

Stop reverts to Mic AGC) I hate that.

4) there is also an independent mic sensitivity setting that might make

AGC more usable

5) linear PCM gives 28 minutes record time on an 80 minute disc and 94

minutes on a HiMD disc

6) hi quality ATRAC3plus gives 2 1/3 hours on an 80 minute disc and

almost eight hours on a HiMD disc=20

7) it can record in the existing disc format for playback compatibility

with existing mini disc units (but who would want to do that)

8) it has integral 6 band EQ

9) not sure how to go ATRAC to PCM so may have to record linear to take

advantage of USB transfer to PC for subsequent splitting into tracks and

mastering of a live recording to CD

So the net of the battery life and the disc capacity is that you can

carry either one blank 1GB disc, one fully charged NiMH plus one AA in

the battery box and record eight hours on location, or if you prefer, pack

five regular MDs (the 80 min type) for the same battery complement and

record about twelve hours without needing a charger or AA battery

change.

If forced to record PCM it's about four 1GB discs per charge + one AA

alkaline for eight hours recording.