naturerecordists
[Top] [All Lists]

Re:Sharp no,..Sony Hi-MD Questions

Subject: Re:Sharp no,..Sony Hi-MD Questions
From: Rob Danielson <>
Date: Mon, 14 Feb 2005 13:23:11 -0600
At 11:48 AM -0600 2/14/05, Curt Olson wrote:
>Rob Danielson wrote:
>
>>  The recordings disappear from the orig HiMD after making a 2nd
>>  transfer. Once transferred to the PC, both the oma and converted .wav
>>  files are accessible for storing and BU. You can leave the oma files
>>  on your HD too and make additional conversions to .wav if needed.
>>  There's no need to make the 2nd transfer unless your PC encounters
>>  massive data loss on its own. I've been making multiple back-up
>>  DVD-R's and re-using the $6 1GB discs.  Another tip: before importing
>>  the .wav files into a mac audio apps, select them all, and give them
>>  read and write permission under "Get Info."  Might be needed with PC
>>  too. Transfer time is about 4X over the usb cable.
>>
>>  Its true, the new medium is not exploding out of the gates perhaps
>>  because its not better than iPod-- the chief marketing aim. Field
>>  recordists don't seem to be rushing to buy them, but at $239 for the
>>  NH800,..I'm baffled as to why. The students in my classes really like
>>  being able to digitally transfer files at home and listen to/work with
>>  them on their computers immediately. Most are using/reusing standard
>>  MD disks formatted as HiMD for 28 minutes uncompressed 16bit/44.1k Rob
>>  D.
>
>You have my attention now! Much of my "real" work ends up on network
>radio and on the internet, using various data-reduction schemes for
>both, so I've pretty much ignored MD until now to avoid introducing
>data reduction into my source recordings. But with Hi-MD's ability to
>record linear PCM audio, I'm beginning to think it might be a
>reasonable way to go. Rob (and anyone else), can you enlighten me a bit
>more about the Sony MZ-NH700, MZ-NH800, MZ-NH900 range of MD recorders?
>I've downloaded the manuals for all three of them, but maybe some quick
>answers can steer me in the right direction, as I have a client who is
>asking me for recommendations:

For full dicussion, go to minidisco.com and then to minidisc 
community-> HiMD forum.

>1) Rob, are you saying that transferring a .WAV file from Hi-MD to a PC
>strips it of its SCMS limitations?

You create a fully editiable," do whatever you want with it forever" 
stereo interleaved .wav file.

>
>2) Any unique problems transferring to a Mac (OSX 10.3.x) via USB?

I'll say, you can't! The software for usb transfer requires a PC and 
windows 98 or above (uses Sony's PC only software).  A friend gave me 
his old PC laptop to which I added a $16 cardbus card for 2.0 USB and 
FireWire ports. The $35 MacDrive6 application enables it to read Mac 
formatted drives so I can convert the oma files directly to the 
FireWire drive I use for editing. This made a standalone "transfer 
station" that runs on windows 98 and 32mb or ram. Transfer rate is 
about 4X realtime on mine.

>
>3) I'm familiar with Sony's mic pres and ADCs -- at least in their
>older porta-DATs. Are you satisfied with their sound quality on the
>Hi-MD recorders?

Yes. Its very similar quality to what I got from my Sony D8-- maybe 
even a little better a->d, but that's subjective. Not quite as mellow 
as the M-1's a-d.

>
>4) I don't need yet another radio, which the NH800 has, but I'm not
>opposed to it if it's the best unit of the three in other regards.
>Thoughts on these models? Other models I should consider?

See the HiMD forum for this in detail. Probably either the 800 or 
900. I know of no significant differences for recording purposes.

>
>5) I have my own sources, but any recommendations from here on where to
>buy the recorders and blank media?

I'd consider buying a 4 year warranty extension too. One of your 
sources should be fine.

>
>Thanks in advance,
>
>Curt Olson
>

-- 
Rob Danielson
Film Department
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee


________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

<Prev in Thread] Current Thread [Next in Thread>
  • Re:Sharp no,..Sony Hi-MD Questions, Rob Danielson <=
Admin

The University of NSW School of Computer and Engineering takes no responsibility for the contents of this archive. It is purely a compilation of material sent by many people to the naturerecordists mailing list. It has not been checked for accuracy nor its content verified in any way. If you wish to get material removed from the archive or have other queries about the archive e-mail Andrew Taylor at this address: andrewt@cse.unsw.EDU.AU