The only option here seems to be an external USB supply with it's own battery level meter. A mighty big solution for what was such a small recorder. And all to do the same job a sidecar and a AA lithium could have done. As a long time minidisc user I think Sony really let it slip with that....but I'm carrying a bunch of shit anyway....what's an extra USB power supply.
I have seen those USB power supplies for under $10. Just stick 4 AA's in that and it should be fine. The question I want to test: will it power the unit with just the USB power supply or will it only charge the battery? My guess is both: power and/or charge.
You would really only need that for long recording ventures: Christmas Jam, festivals,etc. But, then again, an extra lithium battery can be had for less than $20 off ebay. I will probably just get 2 batteries and see how far I can go on that setup with my RH10 with NiMh as the backup.
two things:
- does it have a hold ? (and what kind(pressing for s few secs?)\
- does it have levels on the remote?
Almost every MD unit has a hold button, will check on that for the RH1. I have the RM-MC40ELK three line remote and it does show both channel's recording meters and I can adjust using the remote. It is fully functional with the new unit and all Hi-MD units. You can't intiate recording with it but you can take it out of Rec-Pause,etc. That remote usually runs @$70-80.
Any LCD MD remote will show you recording levels (not meters) and you can adjust. You can get a LCD remote off ebay for less than $20.