Topic: Hi-MD dreams come true

[twoheadedboy]

With the new release of SonicStage 3.4, you can now take recordings done via digital input and copy to .wav on your PC!

Check out http://forums.minidisc.org/index.php?showtopic=14137

Sony basically put everything into this version they should have in the first place. I'm not sure why, all I know is that this is a very good thing!

[twoheadedboy]

Wow, I thought more people would care about this...

[M]

I still don't think it's that good.  They are just finially removing some bad ideas that shouldn't have ever been inplemented.  I don't tape digi in (yet) so that doesn't affect me.  I think most of the people that use digi in have better recorders.

I like the idea of their lossless compression but I will only be impressed when I can record straight to that format.  I'm still waiting for the ability to upload all my aging md recordings.  WTF is taking so long.  They could also produce these 2gig discs that we've all been hearing about. 

[George]

When they start producing 2gb and 4gb discs then I'd be interested more in a Hi-MD recorder.

[gl0bber]

"It's a Sony."

 

[Brian Skalinder]

When they start producing 2gb and 4gb discs then I'd be interested more in a Hi-MD recorder.

And 8GB discs.  And supports 24-bit.

[George]

When they start producing 2gb and 4gb discs then I'd be interested more in a Hi-MD recorder.

And 8GB discs.  And supports 24-bit.

Yep.  Sony, as usual, has crippled themselves long enough to make it impossible to catch up. 

[tms]

Wow, I thought more people would care about this...

Maybe b/c it's on the same level as a JB3 (16 bit, 44.1 recorder, does it do 48?) only with a limited memory and higher cost.

It was also mentioned that it resamples the dig-in?

It could be a better choice for someone that wants to run analog in though.  My experience has been that the JB3 adds noise when powered by external power and recording is analog-in. 

What kind of battery does the Hi-MD use? That might be another strong pro, the JB3 battery is a weakness IMO.

And removable media may be considered a pro by some including me.  Unlimited size (just buy more) and I like not having to manage data files on my pc.

I don't know, it's smaller and requires less overhead, I might have to get one.

I wish someone would do an A/D comparison with the JB3.

[gl0bber]

Wow, I thought more people would care about this...

Maybe b/c it's on the same level as a JB3 (16 bit, 44.1 recorder, does it do 48?) only with a limited memory and higher cost.

It was also mentioned that it resamples the dig-in?

It could be a better choice for someone that wants to run analog in though.  My experience has been that the JB3 adds noise when powered by external power and recording is analog-in. 

What kind of battery does the Hi-MD use? That might be another strong pro, the JB3 battery is a weakness IMO.

And removable media may be considered a pro by some including me.  Unlimited size (just buy more) and I like not having to manage data files on my pc.

I don't know, it's smaller and requires less overhead, I might have to get one.

I wish someone would do an A/D comparison with the JB3.

The 2nd gen HiMD recorders (and probably 1st gen) have AK 5356VN-L 20-bit converters, not 16-bit.  I would presume that they dither to 16 when recording PCM.  ATRAC 3+ keeps the 20 bits.  I have both the RH-910 ($160, got a new one for $100, don't ask  ) and the MZ-RH10 ($230).  Both upload almost as fast as my MT and have quieter analog inputs to boot.

As for resampling with digi-in, I will never be able to claim that I can hear the difference, and my hearing is excellent.  Also, I have never experienced a crash or had my recordings mangled like with my MT (fw 1.2.3).

In my opinion, both the construction quality and the ergonomics are noticeably better than those of my MT.  The internal (replaceable) batteries last a bit longer as well, in my experience.

All for around $200 folks.  I can't really complain...

For further information, here's the spec sheet (PDF)

http://www.asahi-kasei.co.jp/akm/en/product/ak5356/ek5356.pdf

[tms]

Wow, I thought more people would care about this...

Maybe b/c it's on the same level as a JB3 (16 bit, 44.1 recorder, does it do 48?) only with a limited memory and higher cost.

It was also mentioned that it resamples the dig-in?

It could be a better choice for someone that wants to run analog in though.  My experience has been that the JB3 adds noise when powered by external power and recording is analog-in. 

What kind of battery does the Hi-MD use? That might be another strong pro, the JB3 battery is a weakness IMO.

And removable media may be considered a pro by some including me.  Unlimited size (just buy more) and I like not having to manage data files on my pc.

I don't know, it's smaller and requires less overhead, I might have to get one.

I wish someone would do an A/D comparison with the JB3.

The 2nd gen HiMD recorders (and probably 1st gen) have AK 5356VN-L 20-bit converters, not 16-bit.  I would presume that they dither to 16 when recording PCM.  ATRAC 3+ keeps the 20 bits.  I have both the RH-910 ($160, got a new one for $100, don't ask  ) and the MZ-RH10 ($230).  Both upload almost as fast as my MT and have quieter analog inputs to boot.

As for resampling with digi-in, I will never be able to claim that I can hear the difference, and my hearing is excellent.  Also, I have never experienced a crash or had my recordings mangled like with my MT (fw 1.2.3).

In my opinion, both the construction quality and the ergonomics are noticeably better than those of my MT.  The internal (replaceable) batteries last a bit longer as well, in my experience.

All for around $200 folks.  I can't really complain...

For further information, here's the spec sheet (PDF)

http://www.asahi-kasei.co.jp/akm/en/product/ak5356/ek5356.pdf

What's the best Hi-MD for taping?  Is one easier to use than the other?  Remote control available for either?

[gl0bber]

The RH10 and RH910 are mechanically/electrically identical, except for the following:

• The RH10 has a bright OLED display that is easy to read in the dark, but not so easy in sunlight.  The RH910 has a non-backlit LCD display where the reverse is true.
• The RH10 comes with a simple non-display remote in NA whereas the RH910 does not.  I believe you can get a better remote for both from Minidisco.
• The RH10 has an aluminum lid - the RH910 comes with a plastic one.
• You get a 1400mAh user replaceable NiMH gumstick (prismatic) battery with the RH10, 900mAh with the RH910.

Both recorders come with an external AA sidecar battery case for long run times.  With the internal battery alone, I've been very fortunate - able to fill a 1GB HiMD disc with 7+ hrs of ATRAC3+ material, line in, on a single charge.

I keep my HiMD recorders in Tamrac 5688 nylon cases since they are very scratch prone.

I believe I got a good bang for the buck.

Hopefully this will help in your decision making.  Let me know if you need more info.

[tms]

The RH10 and RH910 are mechanically/electrically identical, except for the following:

• The RH10 has a bright OLED display that is easy to read in the dark, but not so easy in sunlight.  The RH910 has a non-backlit LCD display where the reverse is true.
• The RH10 comes with a simple non-display remote in NA whereas the RH910 does not.  I believe you can get a better remote for both from Minidisco.
• The RH10 has an aluminum lid - the RH910 comes with a plastic one.
• You get a 1400mAh user replaceable NiMH gumstick (prismatic) battery with the RH10, 900mAh with the RH910.

Both recorders come with an external AA sidecar battery case for long run times.  With the internal battery alone, I've been very fortunate - able to fill a 1GB HiMD disc with 7+ hrs of ATRAC3+ material, line in, on a single charge.

I keep my HiMD recorders in Tamrac 5688 nylon cases since they are very scratch prone.

I believe I got a good bang for the buck.

Hopefully this will help in your decision making.  Let me know if you need more info.

Is the external AA sidecar a stock SONY item for these?  Or was it DIY?

[scoper]

I was ready to take the plunge for a HiMD last summer, and then I discovered this board and heard about the JB3, which Creative was selling new in the box at closeout prices (less than HiMD). For me, there are two things that cripple the MD as a useful taping rig:

1. Must go thru menus for manual levels EACH time you go to record - it doesn't even remember settings when doing a disc flip. Doing that in the dark (backlit display or not) would be very frustrating. My old MD (R50 and R55) can go directly into manual level mode.

2. 90 min maximum for PCM 44.1 - the disc flip is a major PITA. (how long does a HiMD take with a 90 min PCM file to write the TOC?)

The JB3 solves both issues, at the cost of size - no doubt the MD is stealthier (and, fwiw, has mic level inputs).

Right now, the holy grail for hobbyist tapers doesn't exist - it *could* have been the MT, if the bugs had been dealt with prior  to release, and it *might* be the new Edirol R09, which won't be out for at least two months.

Until then, we compromise...

[chong138]

I was ready to take the plunge for a HiMD last summer, and then I discovered this board and heard about the JB3, which Creative was selling new in the box at closeout prices (less than HiMD). For me, there are two things that cripple the MD as a useful taping rig:

1. Must go thru menus for manual levels EACH time you go to record - it doesn't even remember settings when doing a disc flip. Doing that in the dark (backlit display or not) would be very frustrating. My old MD (R50 and R55) can go directly into manual level mode.

2. 90 min maximum for PCM 44.1 - the disc flip is a major PITA. (how long does a HiMD take with a 90 min PCM file to write the TOC?)

The JB3 solves both issues, at the cost of size - no doubt the MD is stealthier (and, fwiw, has mic level inputs).

Right now, the holy grail for hobbyist tapers doesn't exist - it *could* have been the MT, if the bugs had been dealt with prior  to release, and it *might* be the new Edirol R09, which won't be out for at least two months.

Until then, we compromise...

Someone else said this on another thread but I was already thinking it so I'll repeat it.  How hard would it be for Sony to just make a Digital recorder just like an M-1 that uses a flash card or something?  I hate waiting and waiting for something good to come out...I wanna upgrade but I don't wanna get stuck with a decent recorder and have a great one come out a month later. 

[gl0bber]

Is the external AA sidecar a stock SONY item for these?  Or was it DIY?

Stock, included in-box.