Rumz Posted September 28, 2004 Report Share Posted September 28, 2004 So, my friend tells me Sonic Stage 2.2 is out. Sure enough, download the latest Sonic Stage installer from connect.com and I'm now downloading an update to 2.2. Anyone have any idea what's new in 2.2? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sxc Posted September 28, 2004 Report Share Posted September 28, 2004 There is note on the Japanese support website for version 2.1.02...is the connect version 2.2 or 2.1.02? http://www.sony.jp/support/p-audio/content...101_updata.html If you put that link into babelfish you will get a rough translation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Latexxx Posted September 28, 2004 Report Share Posted September 28, 2004 Sure it is SS 2.2. See http://www.connect.com/download.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sxc Posted September 28, 2004 Report Share Posted September 28, 2004 I just installed it...so far it seems to be a Connect branded version of SS. It's called "SonicStage for Connect", and now the Connect page is slightly more user friendly - not as much space is taken up by the SonicStage border so you can see more of the store. But the store itself looks like the same on the inside. So far that's all I've picked up as a difference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marcnet Posted September 28, 2004 Report Share Posted September 28, 2004 I wonder if SS2.2 trashes uploads... Currently this is the biggest complaint about my method of uploading to .wav, and it isnt anything to with my himdrenderer program... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Latexxx Posted September 28, 2004 Report Share Posted September 28, 2004 I just upgraded to SS 2.2 and can't anymore find sony wav rendere. Maybe I have unregistered by myself earlier or maybe SS 2.2 removed wave renderer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doclloyd Posted September 28, 2004 Report Share Posted September 28, 2004 It would be great if they actually provided a list of "hey, here's what's new with this upgrade." Like most every company that releases software. I remember hearing about an upgrade to Connect for the fall. I guess I'll have to take a look into it when I get home today. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doclloyd Posted September 28, 2004 Report Share Posted September 28, 2004 I just upgraded to SS 2.2 and can't anymore find sony wav rendere. Maybe I have unregistered by myself earlier or maybe SS 2.2 removed wave renderer.What do you mean about the "sony wave renderer"? I didn't think anything like this existed in 2.1. Can you elaborate? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dex Otaku Posted September 28, 2004 Report Share Posted September 28, 2004 I wonder if SS2.2 trashes uploads... Currently this is the biggest complaint about my method of uploading to .wav, and it isnt anything to with my himdrenderer program...I took my Hi-MD disc, plugged a radio into the line-in on my NH700, set it to mark a track every minute. 96 tracks. None lost on upload. I'm going to do this 2 more times, I'm considering it a breaking-in as well. I'm hopeful that it's fixed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Artstar Posted September 28, 2004 Report Share Posted September 28, 2004 Does this program work like "Sony Wave Converter" is supposed to? After all, you can record in raw PCM format on the HiMD's, but it comes up in PCM format but in OpenMG PCM format, not an actual *.wav file, nor any other variant. That's what the "Sony Wave Converter" program promised to us in the fall is about. It will accept any upload from your HiMD unit in whatever format and then this software will convert it to *.wav for whatever you want to do with it thereafter. :smile: Of course, I have a bad feeling Sony will either take too long or won't bother at all. Admittedly, it is on this promise that I decided to jump in with both feet an buy myself an MZ-NH1 during my stopover in Singapore. The worst case scenario for me will be if/when they release a HiMD capable component deck, I'll just do realtime transfers via S/PDIF like I have been all these years with my JA30ES deck. One thing that does really p*ss me off about the existing software, aside from the lack of the fabled Wave Converter, is the inability to use MD Simple Burner to write to my MD in MD-SP format. No LP2, nor LP4, but good old fashioned SP so I can still play the MD's in my MZ-R50, MDX-C8900 and JA30ES if I so damn well desire. Doing it with the currently buggy Sonicstage is no help either because it sometimes reports errors on a few tracks out of the entire selection without going into any detail as to why the error even friggin' occurred!!! Let's just hope there will be improvements to the software very soon because as far as I've noticed in the week I've had the MZ-NH1, the hardware is sweet and complete. Time to get cracking on the software now! Adios, Tony Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Latexxx Posted September 28, 2004 Report Share Posted September 28, 2004 What do you mean about the "sony wave renderer"? I didn't think anything like this existed in 2.1. Can you elaborate?It is a directshow filter which is used by himdrenderer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jadeclaw Posted September 28, 2004 Report Share Posted September 28, 2004 So, instead of solving the problems and delivering what they promised, Sony simply removed a part, HiMDrenderer needed to work. Briliant! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mutant1345 Posted September 28, 2004 Report Share Posted September 28, 2004 Wait a minute are you saying sony purposley made it so HIMDrenderer cant work with sonic stage anymore so if you upgraded to 2.2 himdrenderer is usless !!!!!!! please tell me that is not true Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davew Posted September 28, 2004 Report Share Posted September 28, 2004 wouldn't surprise me... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jadeclaw Posted September 28, 2004 Report Share Posted September 28, 2004 Ok, we have one feedback, if more members find missing parts and bugs, post them here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marcnet Posted September 28, 2004 Report Share Posted September 28, 2004 Could you lot please: Try himdrenderer 0.07 with sonicstage 2.2 with the logging option turned on. If himdrenderer fails then please let me know what himdrender said in both the error message box and by supplying the last 5-10 lines of the log file. Meanwhile im working on a fix that does not use the Sony Wav writer, but instead uses a built in microsoft direct show filter that gives me access to raw samples. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
minidisc3 Posted September 28, 2004 Report Share Posted September 28, 2004 Hi Marc, I've tried several other wav writers and they work. Unfortunately they came with either some Cyberlink or Pinnacle software package. Wouldn't it be possible to include the sonywavwriter in your himdrenderer and register it even if Sonicstage 2.2 is installed? Hey, if they removed the filter because of your himdrenderer program, it means Sony is very carefully checking what is going on in this forum. Marco Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jadeclaw Posted September 28, 2004 Report Share Posted September 28, 2004 Wouldn't it be possible to include the sonywavwriter in your himdrenderer and register it even if Sonicstage 2.2 is installed?Technically yes, but since that piece of software is © Sony Corp. it would be theft, so including it into any software package would be illegal. We must work with what the OS/SonicStage supplies or we have to create the pieces needed on our own. Hey, if they removed the filter because of your himdrenderer program, it means Sony is very carefully checking what is going on in this forum.They definitely know, what is going on here, they know the issues with SonicStage, but the fact, that Sony is also a media company leads to a certain type of thinking, that prevents them to supply the solutions, their customers actually need. Sony still is unable to see the simple fact, that MD users and P2P uploaders are two completely different groups, that have almost nothing in common. And finally, Sony listen up, neither the occasional swapped MD or CD nor P2P is the problem, in fact the music industry in its self is threatened by two new movements: First, self distribution, the music industry is no longer necessary to create and sell music. Just for the photokina trade fair, a small cd/dvd production station has been announced for less than 3000 bucks, it writes the data and prints the label on the disc in one go. In batches of up to 25 discs. Add an internet shop and your record company is ready to start. Second, the real piracy problem lies in Asia. In Bangkok/Thailand there is a complete department store for pirated software and music. A complete office pack goes out for less than 5 bucks. Yep, right in the city center. It wouldn't surprise me, if they have the complete Sony software line in stock as well... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dex Otaku Posted September 29, 2004 Report Share Posted September 29, 2004 Could you lot please: Try himdrenderer 0.07 with sonicstage 2.2 with the logging option turned on. I replied to this in the stickied thread. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doclloyd Posted September 29, 2004 Report Share Posted September 29, 2004 Here's my module version info: SonicStage : 2.2.00.09020 SonicStage Add-on for Connect : 2.1.00.06071 SonicStage Add-on for Connect Upgrade : 2.2.00.09020 OpenMG Secure Module : 4.0.00.05270 MagicGate Memory Stick Device : 4.0.00.06170 NW-E2, NW-E3, NW-E5 and NW-E8P : 4.0.00.06170 OpenMG CD : 4.0.00.06170 CD Walkman : 4.0.00.06170 Hi-MD : 4.0.00.06170 Music Clip, NW-S4, NW-E7 and NW-E10 : 4.0.00.06170 HDWM : 4.0.00.06170 Net MD : 4.0.00.06170 EMD Plug-in: 1.1.0.84 Playback Plug-in : 1.0.0.53 CD-R Writing Module(ATRAC CD/Audio CD/MP3 CD) : 2.2.00.09020 Px Engine: 1.6.14.507 Interesting how SonicStage Add-on for Connect and Sonicstage Add-on for Connect upgrade are different. What does that mean? Also, not shockingly, uploaded tracks still have 0 transfer rights to Audio CD. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jadeclaw Posted September 29, 2004 Report Share Posted September 29, 2004 Compared the version no.s: only three things have changed: The main app, the connect upgrade and the CD-R writer. I hope, it now is able to work with my DVD-writer. The transfer rights shouldn't have changed as the OpenMG module is the same. From the stickied thread: Dex: 150 tracks and no trash, HiMDrenderer still works too - Sounds good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aznsilvrboy Posted September 29, 2004 Report Share Posted September 29, 2004 Um..I cant even install it, it says "Data was unable to be retrieved from the server, Please check your internet connection and try again" someone help me? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doclloyd Posted September 29, 2004 Report Share Posted September 29, 2004 Some upgrade notes from Sony's support site (link "borrowed" from a thread on minidisc-t forums): http://ciscdb.sel.sony.com/perl/swu-downlo...68&PASSVAL2=SMB Minidisc-T forums link: http://www.minidisct.com/forum/showthread....17&pagenumber=2 Basic notes for those who won't click-thru to the site: The SonicStage® v2.2 application provides various enhancements over previous versions of the OpenMG™ Jukebox and SonicStage® software: * Integration of Connect™ Music Store - Music downloads powered by Sony. * Addition of Connect Music Store Radio. * Access to CDDB (online database of CD album information) for automatic titling of most commercially-available audio CDs. * Tracks stored in "My Library" can be transferred to a portable device an unlimited number of times. * ATRAC CD burning ("Create an ATRAC CD") and Red Book Standard Audio CD burning ("Create Audio CD") functionality. * The usage rule regarding burning count is now based on the number of times a given Playlist ("My Compilation") is burned, instead of the formerly used number of times a giben song was burned. The total number of playlist burns allowed is seven. So, for those who purchase Connect music, some restrictions have been eased, which is encouraging. I also need to look into the Radio portion, as it wasn't apparent to me yesterday when looking through the application. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
b.e.wilson Posted September 29, 2004 Report Share Posted September 29, 2004 I inserted a Hi-MD disc made using v2.1 this morning and plugged in my NHF800. SonicStage v2.2 reported that the disc was made using an incompatible program and I needed to re-initialize the disc. I'm certain this can't be normal behavior, as the database was converted from v2.1 when I first ran v2.2. Has my disc become corrupted somhow to cause this bahavior? I may need to reinitialize and lose one 'copy' of each of the 7 CD's I had loaded on the disc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jadeclaw Posted September 29, 2004 Report Share Posted September 29, 2004 I've had this with SS 2.1 a few times. Push the open lever once to the left while holding the recorder closed, the disc is read in again. In addition, if it is persistent, remove disc, unplug recorder, close SS, restart computer, then start SS, when it is fully loaded, plug in the recorder, then insert disc. Usually, the disc recognition is more reliable, when the recorder is plugged in after SS is fully loaded. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimmix Posted September 29, 2004 Report Share Posted September 29, 2004 Huh? no improvements on the Atrac+ codecs?? Nahh I won't bother downloadin' it :wink: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doclloyd Posted September 29, 2004 Report Share Posted September 29, 2004 Well, it's a good question. I'm not sure they'd mention that specifically in the list of updates. I haven't done any testing yet.. not sure if anyone else here has, though. ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
b.e.wilson Posted September 30, 2004 Report Share Posted September 30, 2004 Is SonicStage known to have difficulty with variable bitrate .mp3's? I just imported some 90 minute-long variable-bitrate audiobook files and they all appear to be about 23 minutes long in SS. I supose I'll need to convert these to a constant bitrate version first. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrgeen4242 Posted September 30, 2004 Report Share Posted September 30, 2004 Is SonicStage known to have difficulty with variable bitrate .mp3's? I just imported some 90 minute-long variable-bitrate audiobook files and they all appear to be about 23 minutes long in SS. I supose I'll need to convert these to a constant bitrate version first.I haven't tried any long VBR files, but it didn't seem to have trouble with short (3-5 minutes) files... though now that you are mentioning it, I remember seeing something about that problem somewhere... someone else will probably know about it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goldeightball Posted September 30, 2004 Report Share Posted September 30, 2004 hows it going I bought a Hi-MD the other day and havent installed the sonicstage 2.0 that came with it yet, because I want to transfer my files (audio mic interviews) direct to the PC in wav format for putting onto CD for broadcast, and I'm going to install the Himdrenderer programme eventually when I get around to buying Total Recorder as well. Now I see that SonicStage has been upgraded to v2.2, and Himdrenderer only works with 2.1, with some glitches for 2.2. Either way, I dont have an internet connection in my home, only in work. Any place or way you can download the installation for it so I can save it onto a CDR and then bring it home with me? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leland Posted October 1, 2004 Report Share Posted October 1, 2004 Yes, SS does have problems with Variable bitrate MP3's. It also has trouble with some high (>320mbps) bitrate files. The following is from the SS help file: However, the following music files cannot be transferred to any other devices/media, even if imported into My Library. MP3 format music files with a bit rate of less than 32 kbps. MP3 format music files with a bit rate of more than 320 kbps. MP3 format music files with a variable bit rate. Hint SonicStage supports ID3tag Versions 1.1, 2.2, and 2.3. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leland Posted October 1, 2004 Report Share Posted October 1, 2004 In the feature set for the 2.2 upgrade, it says: * Addition of Connect Music Store Radio. I cannot find it in the SW. I cannot log on to connect at the moment however as I am in Japan, so perhaps it only shows up when you are logged on. Has anyone tried this out? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doclloyd Posted October 1, 2004 Report Share Posted October 1, 2004 In the feature set for the 2.2 upgrade, it says: * Addition of Connect Music Store Radio. I cannot find it in the SW. I cannot log on to connect at the moment however as I am in Japan, so perhaps it only shows up when you are logged on. Has anyone tried this out?I'm waiting to see what this is all about. I'm in the States, but haven't seen anything that relates to this Radio thing. Also, most weeks (on Tuesday) the Connect store is updated w/new content. This week nothing happened, except for the 2.2 software upgrade. A while back, when the HD1 was announced on sony's website, their press release mentioned an upgrade to Connect Music Store 1.5 in the fall. I'm assuming that's what this release is based around. I'm curious to see what they change and if it's any better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LarryB Posted October 1, 2004 Report Share Posted October 1, 2004 Yes, SS does have problems with Variable bitrate MP3's. It also has trouble with some high (>320mbps) bitrate files. The following is from the SS help file: However, the following music files cannot be transferred to any other devices/media, even if imported into My Library. MP3 format music files with a bit rate of less than 32 kbps. MP3 format music files with a bit rate of more than 320 kbps. MP3 format music files with a variable bit rate. I have only VBR MP3 files encoded with Lame and imported in Sonic Stage's My Library. Yet I have never had a problem using SS 2.1 to transfer them to the MZ-NH1 or the NW-HD1 players. I do not have v2.2 of SS, however, so if version 2.2 no longer can handle VBR files, chalk up another reason to stay the course with v2.1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daijoubu Posted October 1, 2004 Report Share Posted October 1, 2004 SonicStage use whatever DirectShow MP3 decoder installed in your system (with the highest merit of course) Most of us still have the old Fhg v1.5 from 1998 which may have some problems with VBR and doesn't support freeform MP3s (over 320kpbs) Some might have the 1.9 (comes with some codec packs) though Try grabing this DS based decoder based on mpg123 (libmad also available) http://p23.aaacafe.ne.jp/~kanetuki/download.html (Old) Review of MP3 decoders: http://mp3decoders.mp3-tech.org/overall.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leland Posted October 2, 2004 Report Share Posted October 2, 2004 Larry, the statement I pulled from the help file has been there long before 2.2, so if you systems works now I would bet it will continue to work with 2.2. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doclloyd Posted October 3, 2004 Report Share Posted October 3, 2004 Well, Leland, Sony upgraded the Connect store over the weekend, which is why they just released SonicStage 2.2. They do have a radio section now, but I haven't been able to listen to it yet because a friend of mine is sleeping in my guest room where the computer sits. Looks pretty plain right now - just a few "stations" to listen to. I'm sure it will be expanded as time goes by. Otherwise, they've slightly redone the look/feel, but nothing too different. They've widened the content across the screen. You can jump genres at any point in the store, you're able to browse artists within a genre by clicking on a letter in the alphabet (nice touch, finally!), the "essential mixes" now have checkboxes so you can check/buy all at once. Also, something I haven't really played with yet is something I saw in the Electronc section called "MoodMix" where you pick a mood, like sad or happy, and it randomly selects some tracks for you and lets you buy them all. Interesting idea. Not sure if it's been mimiced in ITMS or not, since I don't use it. Anyway, that's all I've seen so far. Decent improvements. I wish they'd be able to offer up more random albums and tracks I can't find elsewhere because they're out of print or just hard to find. I wonder if Sony/Apple/others would ever start offering "Hi-Fi" versions of tracks for a little bit more money, like say 10 or 25 cents extra as a premium. Would it even work? I don't know... anyway, I won't go any further off-topic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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