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Electronics : Sony MZ-NH600 Blue Hi-MiniDisc Walkman
Rating: 
- Excellent product - poor longtivity
As you may have seen, I reviewed one of the previous models of the standard MiniDisc that was the first generation. After being extremely impressed with the amazing sound quality, I had to opt for the Hi-MD model so I could record AND transfer my recordings via the original file on my PC, to which I can safely say this is simple and so effective on these range of Hi-MD models.
The other reviewers have probably covered everything you need to know, but their is an unfortunate problem in the long term... Disc Read Errors... Just like the original 'Playstation' from 1994, this device suffers an all too familiar internal warping around the laser head, because their is nothing keeping it cool. This is because the Hi-MD spins at a much faster RPM than standard MD, hence my original (2002) Minidisc still works, while this doesn't!
It would be harsh to call it a design fault, after all this model was released in 2004, and Sony probably never expected them to live for 4 years. However, they are becoming rarer and rarer, and it's a pity that such a high quality product fails to live longer. You may at first believe it to be a dust/dirt problem, but even I can see the laser head head has shifted so slighty out of alignment.
Sonic Stage 4.3, the last version of the 'infamous', shall we say, software, is thankfully bug-free and works a treat. If this player only comes with v4.0, I highly suggest going to Sony's Website and getting 4.3.
Their is no doubt the Hi-MD is superior to any Apple iPod or mp3 player out there, but if you're buying one 'second hand', I "highly" suggest you check how much it's been used, and how old it is. You've been warned!
Rating:
- Software lets it down
I'm a newcomer to minidisc, and I decided to wait for the Hi-MD format to become available before buying. I wasn't disappointed!
The battery life is excellent - I run it using 2300MaH rechargable batteries and get many hours of use between charges.
The sound quality is very good too, even in the LP mode on a Hi-MD formatted Minidisc. In this mode, I've managed to store about 9 albums on a standard Minidisc.
The SonicStage software is a little disappointing - the "40 seconds to transfer a CD" claim sounds good, but if you plan to transfer MP3 files, expect it to take a lot longer than that - on my (rather slow) PC, it takes about 2 minutes per song.
Also, tracks that you upload from minidisc to PC are saved in Sony's proprietary .omg file format, which only their software can read. Rumours abound that Sony are planning to release an OpenMG-to-WAV converter soon, which should fix this.
Finally, a warning: the new 1Gb Hi-MD discs are not yet available in the UK (August 2004). If you want to get your hands on Hi-MD media, go for one of the more expensive models in the range, which all come with a free 1Gb disc.
Rating:
- It's Great
I've always been a big fan of MiniDisk over MP3 as it doesn't tie me to the computer, so I grabbed one of these asap. It works well and does all the things regular minidisk does, you can get twice as much on the same disk (and three times that on the 1GB disk when they arrive) and it's better sound quality using atrack3plus. The SonicStage2 software is nice and isn't so restrictive using hi-md (also works converting mp3 and ripping audio cd's to minidisk etc). I've always wanted to archive my old tapes and records, top and tail the stuff (and delete things I don't want), and then if needs be, upload to computer.... so now I can!. Battery life as always with Minidisk is fantastic. The 600 might be a bit bulky compared to the high end normal md machines but it is very light. This will be about my 5th portable MD machine and I like it a lot.
- Excellent product - poor longtivityAs you may have seen, I reviewed one of the previous models of the standard MiniDisc that was the first generation. After being extremely impressed with the amazing sound quality, I had to opt for the Hi-MD model so I could record AND transfer my recordings via the original file on my PC, to which I can safely say this is simple and so effective on these range of Hi-MD models.
The other reviewers have probably covered everything you need to know, but their is an unfortunate problem in the long term... Disc Read Errors... Just like the original 'Playstation' from 1994, this device suffers an all too familiar internal warping around the laser head, because their is nothing keeping it cool. This is because the Hi-MD spins at a much faster RPM than standard MD, hence my original (2002) Minidisc still works, while this doesn't!
It would be harsh to call it a design fault, after all this model was released in 2004, and Sony probably never expected them to live for 4 years. However, they are becoming rarer and rarer, and it's a pity that such a high quality product fails to live longer. You may at first believe it to be a dust/dirt problem, but even I can see the laser head head has shifted so slighty out of alignment.
Sonic Stage 4.3, the last version of the 'infamous', shall we say, software, is thankfully bug-free and works a treat. If this player only comes with v4.0, I highly suggest going to Sony's Website and getting 4.3.
Their is no doubt the Hi-MD is superior to any Apple iPod or mp3 player out there, but if you're buying one 'second hand', I "highly" suggest you check how much it's been used, and how old it is. You've been warned!
Rating:
- Software lets it downI'm a newcomer to minidisc, and I decided to wait for the Hi-MD format to become available before buying. I wasn't disappointed!
The battery life is excellent - I run it using 2300MaH rechargable batteries and get many hours of use between charges.
The sound quality is very good too, even in the LP mode on a Hi-MD formatted Minidisc. In this mode, I've managed to store about 9 albums on a standard Minidisc.
The SonicStage software is a little disappointing - the "40 seconds to transfer a CD" claim sounds good, but if you plan to transfer MP3 files, expect it to take a lot longer than that - on my (rather slow) PC, it takes about 2 minutes per song.
Also, tracks that you upload from minidisc to PC are saved in Sony's proprietary .omg file format, which only their software can read. Rumours abound that Sony are planning to release an OpenMG-to-WAV converter soon, which should fix this.
Finally, a warning: the new 1Gb Hi-MD discs are not yet available in the UK (August 2004). If you want to get your hands on Hi-MD media, go for one of the more expensive models in the range, which all come with a free 1Gb disc.
Rating:
- It's GreatI've always been a big fan of MiniDisk over MP3 as it doesn't tie me to the computer, so I grabbed one of these asap. It works well and does all the things regular minidisk does, you can get twice as much on the same disk (and three times that on the 1GB disk when they arrive) and it's better sound quality using atrack3plus. The SonicStage2 software is nice and isn't so restrictive using hi-md (also works converting mp3 and ripping audio cd's to minidisk etc). I've always wanted to archive my old tapes and records, top and tail the stuff (and delete things I don't want), and then if needs be, upload to computer.... so now I can!. Battery life as always with Minidisk is fantastic. The 600 might be a bit bulky compared to the high end normal md machines but it is very light. This will be about my 5th portable MD machine and I like it a lot.