SonicStage does indeed kill uploads randomly.

[jadeclaw]

SonicStage does indeed kill uploads randomly.

In another thread, I reported this:

The point is this, when I first had problems with upload, I thought that the discs used were responsible. (Old BASF discs). 

But then, when 14 consecutive tracks in one group out of 21 refused to upload from the included 1GB disc, it made me thinking. The other 50 tracks on that disc uploaded without further problems.

I then recorded the same 14 tracks again. In Linear PCM. On the same disc. Guess what - everything could be uploaded without any problem. I then used that very same disc to transfer another 60 tracks, I could upload these as well without a problem. Normally, if a disc is defective, the problem appears always at the same position, but it doesn't happen here.

But I'm not done yet, i've had another 15 tracks waiting on a TDK RXG74 disc, so I checked, if all tracks were playable by quickly playing the first few seconds of each track. 

Of course, all were playable.

But again, one track refused to upload, AND that one refused to play on the recorder itself. "CANNOT PLAY" was the message. Before the failed upload, it could be played.

Another problem, when tracks had been uploaded error free, I get error messages when converting from Hi-SP into LP2, something like "Cannot convert, Unsupported file format" on one out of 50 tracks.

Of course, the BASF-discs mentioned in the beginning, had no errors when used again...

And if someone asks, the recorder was placed on a flat, vibration free surface, had a freshly charged battery inside and the power supply connected and plugged in.

And I was NOT pounding the table either...

I could literally see Kurisu's eyes go open wide :grin:

Ok, Let's be serious...

I did more tests, by recording more vinyl stuff onto MD and listened them through to make sure, that the discs play back fully and error free.

The first few discs went through without problems, when I plugged in my amplifier into phone out of my NH700, the SonicStage driver locked up when the elevator started its way down.

It showed no error message, just the upload counter was stuck at 20% and Windows was unable to shutdown.

After restarting the PC, the disc could be read without further incident. Even the failed track, as SonicStage was unable to write back the DRM-info.

But why the elevator? It uses a special type of pulse width control circuit to add soft start and stop onto the elevators 1kWatt motor.

The spikes produced by this circuit even have visible effects on the TV-picture. The Computer is behind a mains filter, the amplifier is not.

By adding a clip-on ferrite onto the audio cable and a second one on the USB-cable reduced that problem

Since File-copy to and from MD in the Windows-explorer never failed, I can only guess, that the error detection and correction used by the USB-mass-storage driver is deliberately circumvented, when SonicStage takes over. Hmm, Sony's DRM system incompatible with the Windows driver's safeguards???

Ok, restarted the PC and moved on to the next disc, two tracks failed despite the fact, that only the USB cable was connected to the recorder. Since both tracks were fully playable and the elevator not moving, I can safely conclude, that SonicStage is at fault here.

Of course, when the same disc was used to record and transfer the failed tracks, it worked without a problem.

Ok, Sony will get a nice message, the answer will be posted here.

Advice for now: Disconnect every cable from the recorder except USB. Place a clip-on ferrite on each end of the USB-cable.

If you do insist on an amplifier connected to the headphone output of the recorder, place a clip-on ferrite on that cable too.

It should look like this:

It does reduce the probability of tracks being trashed. But even then, expect to lose recordings during upload.

However, if it is a recording, that cannot be redone, don't upload, record it off the USB.

Even, if Sony brings out a new SonicStage without the upload bug, this recommendation stands until Sony removes the DRM-junk for self created recordings.

[hobgoblin]

This post has been removed by a moderator (unnecessary foul language [-1]).

cute, realy cute...

[jadeclaw]

A thank you to the mod.

Another thing appeared during the whole testing, when downloading some other stuff onto a disc,

the recorder froze always at the same track.

A closer inspection gave this (Red circle)

Since this disc was unused, shrinkwrapped new, someone at the factory must have dropped something on it.

The scratch goes through the reflective layer. The disc has 3 to 4 of these...

[dave_bass5]

maybe thats why Sony supplies 2 clip-on ferrite units with the recorder.

Dave

[jadeclaw]

Yep, but it doesn't prevent all losses.

There is a bottom number of tracks that get trashed anyway and electromagnetic interference increases that number.

Normal filetransfer in Windows, standalone recording or playback is not affected in any way, regardless if the ferrites are on the cables or not...