makezine.com: Sony MZ-NH900 Hi-MD Minidisc Recorder

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Sony MZ-NH900 Hi-MD Minidisc Recorder

Type(s): Electronics/Gadget
Tags: minidisc recorder recording audio sony

http://minidisco-store.stores.yahoo.net/mz-nh900.html
$229 (US, estimated) Buy from amazon.com

Tool photo.

MD isnt dead -- at least not at my house. Last year's release of Sony's Hi-MD portables has made this flexible format even more useful for hobbyists interested in more than just ripping their CD collection (although it's pretty good at that, too). With the native storage capacity of the physical media at 1GB per disc, and enhanced compression and storage formats, the user can now pick from a broad array of recording modes, smoothly trading capacity for fidelity, while remaining backward compatible with older recordings and media.

MD is tough to beat for live recordings of music or other events. The new Hi-MD portables also act as data drives, showing up as removable media when connected to a computer with an included USB cable. You can carry a mix of data and music on one MD, potentially eliminating another gadget from your kit.

Finally, the simple, two-wire, resistance based remote control scheme used by Sony for these devices makes them potentially very hacker friendly. Working up a micro-controller based interface would be straightforward and allow you to use the Hi-MD for a variety of interesting custom applications.

Discussion

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Sony uses DRM
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This is a really bad choice of a device for the Make forum. Any files you record can NOT be editied. Sony uses DRM. All recorded files MUST use Sony software.

Posted by nymble on July 18, 2006 at 11:42:05 Pacific Time

Sony uses DRM
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I should point out that this is no longer true- the latest version of the software allows you to upload from your recorder with no restrictions.You can also have DRM-free music in your library (so I re-ripped my entire library to be DRM-free). BUT it took a long time for Sony to allow this. I have an MZ-NH800 which I use to record (music and interviews), to listen to music and podcasts.

Is it hack-friendly? No. Is it a really handy tool for makers? If you need to do stealth recordings, impromptu interviews, use off-the-shelf batteries in your digital audio player, then YES.
Posted by peterleroux on December 03, 2006 at 12:07:21 Pacific Time