Hi-MD and copyright protection (for live recording)

[sinnetor]

I'm thinking of getting one of the new Hi-MD models (prob. the 900), but I'm not sure I understand what the problem is with transferring recordings from the MD to PC (actually I'm on a Mac, so that's another issue altogether).

Here's what I *think* I understand so far. The Hi-MD models allow high-speed transfer of digital audio directly to PC, but then that digital audio can only be played back using Sony's own software (I forget what it's called), and it can't be burned to WAV (or AIF) *yet*--not until Sony releases its Wave Converter software later in the year.

Ok...so here's where I'm confused. My interest in getting a Hi-MD is for live recording. So am I to understand that I cannot record some live music and then burn it to cd-r because of Sony's copyright protection encryption??

Question 2: I'm on a Mac, as I said. Sony doesn't support Macs. So...what can I do? I have an Edirol UA-30 audio interface that accepts line/mic/optical ins, and it connects to my P-book via USB. So am I all set? The Mac will recognize the UA-30, so (presumably!) any audio that I send into it can then get dumped onto my HD. I also have MOTU hardware (828 MKii) that has all kinds of digital ins and outs (maybe analog, too...I forget. Haven't even used the thing yet), so surely one way or another I can get my audio onto my computer. If not, someone please tell me now before I buy one.

But the other big question still remains: Can I burn my audio to disc, or is this copy protection crap going to prevent me from doing what I want? And even if Sony does release this Wave Converter software, again, it'll be for PC users, not Mac users. *Not* too bright, if you ask me.

Thanks!

[dex Otaku]

None of the portables have digital outputs other than by USB.

Mac support is not likely to ever become a reality. Sony are being stupid prigs when it comes to this, especially considering the number of Mac users in the audio industry. As evidenced by other posts here they have made this choice in the past regarding video cameras, etc. as well. Perhaps they should take the blinders off for a while.

Burning to CD is supported from SonicStage but only from Sony's VAIO computers.

If you aren't strictly limited by budget, I would suggest something like one of Marantz's solid-state recorders, as suggested by Rirsa in another thread here. See here: http://www.marantzpro.com/Products/PMD670.html

Since you have the double-whammy of being a Mac user and wanting to do live recording, I would actually suggest looking at another format .. -unless- like myself you're an habitual hacker of sorts who actually enjoys making things do things they shouldn't.

As it stands right now, yes - we can burn CDs from what we record on our Hi-MDs. It requires another piece of software to do the digital transfer from Hi-MD to the puter [Total Recorder, which is $11.95USD in its basic version] and, of course, the assumption that we're all PC/Windoze users.

Sorry for the bad news, and good luck.

[aeriyn]

Hi there.

If you stream your live recordings to your Mac via a line cable, there should be no issue of DRM at all, since it's making a recording of what it hears. No OpenMG, no SCMS bits, just straight analog recording. You can record it directly to PCM, even from PCM... which would probably be best. But it is 1x as you know, so it's nothing fast.

Analog recordings take a quality hit depending on the sort of line cable you use. If you do this frequently I recommend purchasing a high-quality line cable. It'll help, crappy cables can cause clipping and distortion.

[sinnetor]

Hi Guys,

Thanks a lot for your helpful replies.

First question--Re: The Marantz PMD670. Do you know the approximate cost? I clicked on the link, but it looks like there is no pricing info. immediately available. Also, is it Mac supported? The flash cards seem pretty cool...and presumably cheaper than the new HI Minidiscs. What are some other advantages over MD?

For Aeriyn: I just wanted to make sure I understood your reply. If I were to stream my (digital) recording to my Mac, I'd be simultaneously converting it to analog--hence, I need to make sure that I have a high-quality cable so that I avoid various glitches that could pop up. Is that pretty much correct? When I've used that Edioral UA-30 (see above) to dump some of my old cassettes onto my Mac, I just used RCA cables (I forget if they had gold plated plugs...). Would you suggest anything in particular?

A couple thoughts of my own here...Budget is, at the moment, kind of limited, which is why the Hi-MD was appealing. I just purchased some Core Sound mics (CSBs), and I need to try to keep my recording hardware relatively inexpensive. $300 for the 900 model Hi-MD is not "cheap" by any means, but it's still much less than DAT decks I've looked at.

I'm new to live recording, so I'd just like to get some decent quality stuff at first, and I figure I can upgrade later if/when I so desire.

Thanks again for the help.

Jeff

[sinnetor]

p.s The PMD670 is awfully big. It's roughly 10.5 x 7.25 x 2 Seems to me it'd be near impossible to go stealth with it.

[dex Otaku]

Flash media is -much- more expensive than Hi-MD discs. Think on the order of at least 15-20* the cost per MB.

On the other hand - no moving parts. Nothing mechanical involved.

But no, not really stealthy. On the other hand, the PMD670 is an actual portable broadcasting rig, compared to Hi-MD or MD which generally doesn't feature things like 48v phantom power, XLR mic inputs, spdif in/out, high quality preamps, easy-access controls, etc.

For sheer portability, it's hard to beat MD or Hi-MD, I'd say. Keep in mind that bouncing the recorder around a lot when recording -will- screw up your takes, though. "Shock protection" works for playback, not recording.

[aeriyn]

If I were to stream my (digital) recording to my Mac, I'd be simultaneously converting it to analog--hence, I need to make sure that I have a high-quality cable so that I avoid various glitches that could pop up. Is that pretty much correct?  When I've used that Edioral UA-30 (see above) to dump some of my old cassettes onto my Mac, I just used RCA cables (I forget if they had gold plated plugs...). Would you suggest anything in particular?

Yes, this is true. I am not familiar with good brands of line cables... I don't do a lot of recording in that fashion. When I did a lot of live recording (with my MZ-R900) I borrowed a friend's MD deck to send it to my PC via the optical output. So... I'm not sure.