This is exactly what i have been wanting from sony, i will be on board from the start on this one, while the d50 is a very nice unit it was just a bit bulky for me , i predict this will be a big winner in the taper community, open and "not so open", finally it will probably put to rest the last of those holding onto those hi-md decks which are still great but lets face it solid state over discs with the same or better quality is a no brainer