Re: MD: Other MZ-R900 New features
At 9/21/00 6:36 PM, David W. Tamkin increased the world's knowledge by typing: What I'm wondering is whether, if you turn manual end search off (which I guess can be seen as turning automatic end searching on), does the old shortcut to track 1 on Sony portables (END SEARCH, PLAY, STOP, PLAY if I remember right) still work? Yes it does. I accidentally made an interesting discovery last night. It is possible to record as both standard MD and LP2 on the same disc. I suspect that it's possible to mix any number of modes on the same disc. You just can't remove the track mark between tracks with different modes. I also noticed that the recorder remembers the last recording mode used. Last night I recorded a rehearsal using LP2. Now, even if I change the disc, it retains the LP2 mode. I suspect this is also true of the other modes as well. BTW... as far as a live recording goes, LP2 is very, very good. I couldn't detect any artifacts. But then again, I don't exactly have "golden ears." Ed "What the" Heckman [EMAIL PROTECTED] +--+ | There is nothing worse than a sharp image of a fuzzy concept.| | -- Ansel Adams | +--+ - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: Other MZ-R900 New features
I asked, T What I'm wondering is whether, if you turn manual end search off (which I T guess can be seen as turning automatic end searching on), does the old T shortcut to track 1 on Sony portables (END SEARCH, PLAY, STOP, PLAY if I T remember right) still work? Ed answered, H Yes it does. Thank you. H I accidentally made an interesting discovery last night. It is possible H to record as both standard MD and LP2 on the same disc. I suspect that H it's possible to mix any number of modes on the same disc. You just can't H remove the track mark between tracks with different modes. That's in the MDLP FAQ, I believe. It's the same as with SP mono and SP stereo: tracks in different modes can coexist on the same disc, but you can't combine them. H I also noticed that the recorder remembers the last recording mode used. H Last night I recorded a rehearsal using LP2. Now, even if I change the H disc, it retains the LP2 mode. I suspect this is also true of the other H modes as well. Now *that's* new. Sony portables traditionally lose the recording mode and revert to stereo as soon as you press STOP if you had been recording in mono. - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: Other MZ-R900 New features
At 9/22/00 3:57 PM, David W. Tamkin increased the world's knowledge by typing: H I also noticed that the recorder remembers the last recording mode used. H Last night I recorded a rehearsal using LP2. Now, even if I change the H disc, it retains the LP2 mode. I suspect this is also true of the other H modes as well. Now *that's* new. Sony portables traditionally lose the recording mode and revert to stereo as soon as you press STOP if you had been recording in mono. I just confirmed it. It does remember the last recording mode for all 4 modes, not just LP2 and stereo. Ed "What the" Heckman [EMAIL PROTECTED] +--+ | Our ego is our silent partner--too often with a controlling | | interest.| | -- Cullen Hightower | +--+ - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: Other MZ-R900 New features
From: "Ed Heckman" [EMAIL PROTECTED] I just confirmed it. It does remember the last recording mode for all 4 modes, not just LP2 and stereo. Interesting, I assume the end-search option is stored in the memory backed up by a little internal battery along with the clock. Easy enough to test, just disconnect from the mains and take out the battery overnight and see if it kept the setting. I must admit it would be rather silly if you had to change it back each time the batteries were out for any length of time. I wonder whether other things may be similarly held whilst "power is unavailable", such as the recording mode, manual record level, display choice (title, time played, disc remaining etc), or are they not classed as "setup options" and therefore are volatile. One quick question which has probably been answered somewhere, does it have program play (and if not, why not, Sony?) PrinceGaz. - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: Other MZ-R900 New features
The old Gazbag asked, | One quick question which has probably been answered somewhere, does | it have program play (and if not, why not, Sony?) Brian Youn mentioned it in his review: yes, with twenty slots. Brian also told me something odd about it: if you set single-track and repeat on, there will be a brief silence between the first two plays of the track but the transitions of further repetitions will be seamless. However, if you set program and repeat and you program only one track, all transitions, even from the first play to the second, will be seamless. - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: Other MZ-R900 New features
At 9/22/00 6:42 PM, PrinceGaz increased the world's knowledge by typing: I wonder whether other things may be similarly held whilst "power is unavailable", such as the recording mode, manual record level, display choice (title, time played, disc remaining etc), or are they not classed as "setup options" and therefore are volatile. Recording level is automatically reset when you stop recording, as is the automatic marking. However, the microphone sensitivity is remembered. It seems that Sony made a definite decision about what settings would be retained between each recording and which would be reset. One quick question which has probably been answered somewhere, does it have program play (and if not, why not, Sony?) Yes it does. One other subjective comment I have about it is that it feels very solid. Much more solid, in fact, than my C80 which feels positively flimsy by comparison. And just as solid as my R50. Ed "What the" Heckman [EMAIL PROTECTED] +--+ | People with tact have less to retract. | | -- Arnold H. Glasow | +--+ - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: Other MZ-R900 New features
I just received my new R900 today. Yippee! Now for some quick thoughts on it. At 9/18/00 3:21 PM, [EMAIL PROTECTED] increased the world's knowledge by typing: I think the blue looks nice. A little more green in it than the blue on the R-50. Slightly irridescent. Definitely. I would call it a slightly green turquoise color more than a true blue. The controls work well. Ergonomics are fine. Yep. Definitely better than my C80. Every button is easy to push, but not so easy that you'll push them accidentally. I have large hands with fingers than are relatively slim. The small buttons on the C80 are just about impossible for me to push, let alone someone with thicker fingers. The R900's buttons are easy enough for me to push that I imagine someone with thick fingers won't have much trouble. They're also well spaced. I did get a little confused about how to stop the thing since the stop/charge button isn't well labeled as stop. The level meter is horizontal and only goes halfway across the display, so it is difficult to tell where the peak level is until you get a reference point. There are no calibration marks for this, so that is not great, but it corresponds with the far right hand edge of the "rec mode" button. I've noticed that the last segment is right under the "rec" indicator with the second to last segment being right under the "sync" indicator. I do have a few minor complaints so far. First of all, I hate that I have to have "Synch" turned off to set the digital recording level. Although, now that I think about it, this may not be such a big deal because if synch is on then the unit automatically records as the CD is playing, which isn't exactly my goal when setting the recording level. I'm also disappointed that you can't set the recording level while recording. This isn't such a big deal when recording from another pre-recorded source. But it is a big deal when recording live. At this point it looks like it may just replace the R50 as my favorite portable. And I easily prefer it over the C80. But only time will tell for sure. :-) And of course, the first thing I did to it was to set End Search to automatic! ;-) Ed "What the" Heckman [EMAIL PROTECTED] +--+ | Nothing valuable can be lost by taking time. | | -- Abraham Lincoln | +--+ - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: Other MZ-R900 New features
From: "Ed Heckman" [EMAIL PROTECTED] And of course, the first thing I did to it was to set End Search to automatic! ;-) So am I correct in assuming that when set to auto end search, the only use of that button is to move the play position to the end of the disc? Nice to have, yes, but a bit OTT for a dedicated key? Also are the supported modes for record as well as playback, SP stereo, SP mono, LP2 stereo, LP4 stereo? Is there an LP2 mono available on it or any Sony deck (940?), and given that LP4 relies on joint-stereo encoding- LP4 mono is not possible? Sorry for so many questions in so few lines :-) Yours, PrinceGaz -- "In perfect love and perfect trust..." - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: Other MZ-R900 New features
At 9/21/00 4:44 PM, PrinceGaz increased the world's knowledge by typing: So am I correct in assuming that when set to auto end search, the only use of that button is to move the play position to the end of the disc? Nice to have, yes, but a bit OTT for a dedicated key? The End Search button still moves the play position to the end of the recording. But it's also used in editing track names. But if there are other uses, I haven't found them yet. Also are the supported modes for record as well as playback, SP stereo, SP mono, LP2 stereo, LP4 stereo? Yes. Is there an LP2 mono available on it or any Sony deck (940?), and given that LP4 relies on joint-stereo encoding- LP4 mono is not possible? The manual doesn't make any apparent reference to LP4 mono. At this point I'm assuming that it doesn't exist. And speaking of the manual, the little drawings next to the cautions in the Japanese section are pretty funny. They gave me the biggest smile. (After having a new toy to play with, of course.) Ed "What the" Heckman [EMAIL PROTECTED] +--+ | Nothing is so embarrassing as watching someone do something that | | you said couldn't be done. | | -- Sam Ewing | +--+ - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: Other MZ-R900 New features
Gaz asked Ed, | So am I correct in assuming that when set to auto end search, the | only use of that button is to move the play position to the end of | the disc? Ed has mentioned that it is used in titling. What I'm wondering is whether, if you turn manual end search off (which I guess can be seen as turning automatic end searching on), does the old shortcut to track 1 on Sony portables (END SEARCH, PLAY, STOP, PLAY if I remember right) still work? | Is there an LP2 mono | available on it or any Sony deck (940?), and given that LP4 relies | on joint-stereo encoding- LP4 mono is not possible? It seems that the bit that distinguishes stereo from mono in SP mode is used to distinguish LP2 from LP4. The evidence is that a non-LP machien will play an LP2 track silently for half its duration with the MONO indicator off, while an LP4 track will play silently on a non-LP machine for half (not one- fourth) of its duration with the MONO indicator on. If that's the case, they've pretty much locked out any chance to implement LP2 mono. - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: Other MZ-R900 New features
From: "David W. Tamkin" [EMAIL PROTECTED] | Is there an LP2 mono | available on it or any Sony deck (940?), and given that LP4 relies | on joint-stereo encoding- LP4 mono is not possible? It seems that the bit that distinguishes stereo from mono in SP mode is used to distinguish LP2 from LP4. The evidence is that a non-LP machien will play an LP2 track silently for half its duration with the MONO indicator off, while an LP4 track will play silently on a non-LP machine for half (not one- fourth) of its duration with the MONO indicator on. If that's the case, they've pretty much locked out any chance to implement LP2 mono. Thanks for that David, I suppose it sort of makes sense-- LP4 stereo is afaik like a mono LP2 encoding + channel differences (the "joint-stereo" mentioned in MDCP, and which MP3 also supports). I wonder if a mono signal encoded in LP4, given there are no channel differences in digital or only very slight analog differences, be almost as good as an "LP2 mono" anyway as there are none or very few channel differences to encode? I only wish they'd implemented an LP8 mode for dictation, lectures, or (my wish) audio books, still LP4 five hours on a "standard" disc will keep me happy provided it is at least as good as a decent 64kbps MP3. Maybe the day my faithful MZ-R3 is put into semi-retirement finally nears :-) PrinceGaz -- "In perfect love and perfect trust..." - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: Other MZ-R900 New features
PrinceGaz -- "In perfect love and perfect trust..." wrote: I only wish they'd implemented an LP8 mode for dictation, lectures, or (my wish) audio books, still LP4 five hours on a "standard" disc will keep me happy provided it is at least as good as a decent 64kbps MP3. Maybe the day my faithful MZ-R3 is put into semi-retirement finally nears :-) What will an 80 minute Md give you? 5 and a half?? 6? Larry - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED] - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: Other MZ-R900 New features
From: "las" [EMAIL PROTECTED] What will an 80 minute Md give you? 5 and a half?? 6? Larry Well one of my discs of Tolkiens' Lord of the Rings length came to 2h29m56s, just two seconds short of the theoretical maximum SP mono time on a 74 disc, presumably an 80 (80m59s) should allow as much as 5h23m56s if recorded in LP4 mode. PrinceGaz -- "In perfect love and perfect trust..." - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: Other MZ-R900 New features
=== = NB: Over 50% of this message is QUOTED, please = = be more selective when quoting text = === "Shawn R. Lin" wrote: Heheh, I have to agree with you. That's why everything I own is a Sony. Sounds confusing? I'm extremely frugal, so I buy broken stuff and fix it. All my televisions, several car stereos, several MD players/recorders, CD players, and my VCR's... all were broken Sony's that people unloaded for cheap or free. Sadly, I wish I could say the Sony items that I purchased BRAND NEW were immune to problems, but this is not the case. My Mobile ES Sony CD changer will need to be sent in for service a SECOND time. I'd fix it myself, but it's still under warranty. I think my Sony Spressa CD-RW drive is having trouble too. It corrupted a CD-RW, and it won't read many CD-RW's that it made a long time ago. Guess I shoulda got a Plextor. My friend the computer consultant and field engineer just build himself 2 "super" systems. He put Plextor 12x CD writers in each. They are amazing! Plextor has a technology that prevents you from getting all of those failed CDRs. It goes back and will do what ever it takes to see that your CDR is finished without any "buffer under run errors" etc. And man is it fast!! It can copy a music CD in about 6 minutes!! If you say so!!! I've come across several broken Sony Trinitron computer monitors too. All my TV's are Trinitron, and every single one of them have needed a flyback transformer. Two of them needed the transformer when I bought them, one of them had an unrelated problem when it was given to me, and blew its transformer later on. You're right I'm sure. I have not had much experience with them. I have only owned on Sony Monitor (I'm using it right now) and amazingly it is the only thing from Sony I own that has lasted over 3 years. That's the one with the LCD touch screen right? Want to sell it cheap? Heheh, just kidding. ;) I found it on the internet for $125. But that still seems like a lot of money for a remote (and one that might only last a week) Larry - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: Other MZ-R900 New features
At 9/18/00 3:21 PM, [EMAIL PROTECTED] increased the world's knowledge by typing: I wish Sony had not dropped the disc capacity and play location meter that is on the R-50. That was handy, but was dropped on the R-90 (R-55?). Perhaps I was the only one who used it. You aren't the only one who liked that. I have an R50 and an Aiwa C80. I definitely miss this feature on the C80. As for reliability, the C80 is in the shop for the second time. And I only bought it about 2 months ago. :-( Ed "What the" Heckman [EMAIL PROTECTED] +--+ | No one beneath you can offend you. No one your equal would. | | -- Jan L. Wells | +--+ - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: Other MZ-R900 New features
For Larry, I must say, the unit is working great so far. Completely reliable, as I reach the end of week one of operation :) Believe me, I don't want you to have any problems with it. As someone who was a mini disc sales person, the worst thing in the world that I wanted to see was defective units. Until the Sharp 701/2 problem we almost never got Sharps back. We got a few Sony R50s back. I have a theory that they apply different standards to the quality control of Japanese Domestic units then what they "dump" on the US market. I really believe that the Japanese domestic units are better. I could be totally wrong. But it seems that we had less problems with the Sony units we sold compared to the number of American units. Larry - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: Other MZ-R900 New features
Going back and forth like a bunch of little kids that are not getting their way regarding the reliability of Sony is senseless. The number of people is statically insignificant. I think that the consumer reports survey is more reliable. Before anyone says, consumer reports just has it in for Sony, Consumer Reports is constantly giving Sony products high ratings for features and specs. It is the readers that are not happy with Sony, Larry - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: Other MZ-R900 New features
At 9/16/00 7:22 PM, [EMAIL PROTECTED] increased the world's knowledge by typing: Overall, I am very pleased with the R-900. I got a blue one. Cool! I also ordered the blue one. (Supposedly it will ship this Monday.) How does it look? I wonder which one will be the most popular. I haven't seen a good picture of the display anywhere on the web. It seems to be very small, but packed with information. Can you give a brief review of it? How well does it handle? In other words, how comfortable is it to use the buttons/jog levers while holding it with one or both hands? Thanks! Ed "What the" Heckman [EMAIL PROTECTED] +--+ | There is no greater burden than great potential. | |-- Charles M. Schultz | +--+ - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: Other MZ-R900 New features
Ed Heckman wrote: At 9/16/00 7:22 PM, [EMAIL PROTECTED] increased the world's knowledge by typing: Overall, I am very pleased with the R-900. I got a blue one. You can say what you want about your recorder. Sony SUCKS I have never owned a reliable Sony product (one exception)!!! Every damn piece of sh!t that I over paid for the Sony "name" died before its time!!! EVERY one (again one exception)!!! I own a top of the line portable Sony CD player with a digital output. I doubt that this player has 50 hours on it. Yesterday I wen to use it and the remote would not illuminate. Then you couldn't read the display at all. Thenthe remote it just stopped working period!!! Sony has the poorest quality control and reliability of any piece of electronics I have ever owned (with their only exception being their Trinitron technology. For some reason, their computer monitors seem reliable). In Consumer Reports Sony consistently ranks near the top in reader polls when it comes to consumer dissatisfaction with regard to reliability. I'm not going to waste everyone's time going over the dozen or so Sony "nightmares" that I have experienced because I have more exciting news to post in a separate e mail. They are almost the always first to come out with all kinds of new and exciting features and the first to have those features break! I'm considering (what a schmuck I am. I always swear I'll never buy another Sony product. Then they come along with something totally unique and I cave in, only to find weeks or months later that it is not working). Buying their new 12 unit large touch screen illuminated remote control. If I'm stupid enough to buy one (they cost about $170.00-that's a lot of money for a remote, but if it eliminates 6 remotes sitting on a coffee table with one very easy to use unit, it may be worth it) I bet you read about it failing a few months later. Larry - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: Other MZ-R900 New features
las wrote: I own a top of the line portable Sony CD player with a digital output. I doubt that this player has 50 hours on it. Yesterday I wen to use it and the remote would not illuminate. Then you couldn't read the display at all. Thenthe remote it just stopped working period!!! I suggest you buy some batteries for it once in a while. -- Jim Coon Not just another pretty mandolin picker. mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] If Gibson made cars, would they sound so sweet? My first web page http://www.tir.com/~liteways - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: Other MZ-R900 New features
Jim Coon I suggest you buy some batteries for it once in a while. Jim, what have you been smoking?? There are no separate batteries for a wired remote control. Larry - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: Other MZ-R900 New features
Oh, never mind... las wrote: Jim Coon I suggest you buy some batteries for it once in a while. Jim, what have you been smoking?? There are no separate batteries for a wired remote control. Larry - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED] -- Jim Coon Not just another pretty mandolin picker. mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] If Gibson made cars, would they sound so sweet? My first web page http://www.tir.com/~liteways - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: MD: Other MZ-R900 New features
=== = NB: Over 50% of this message is QUOTED, please = = be more selective when quoting text = === Hi Leland, Thanks for the informative post. How do you find the sound of the R900, compared to your previous equipments? How are the bass/treble controls? Any info or opinions will be great. By the time all major portables of this generation roll out (early next year?), I'll be buying a new recorder, and this is the first time I'm seriously considering a Sony. Really, Sony's getting better, it seems. Defeatable end search, defeatable beep :) Despite the fact that they took out the unit-side bass switch on the E900. Leon Some other features, such as defeatable end search in the R900 that I have not seen in the descriptions from Sony et al include: Beep on remote is defeatable Auto track marking at selectable time intervals 5 min, 10 min, 15 min, has been added Mic sensitivity low and high are user selectable via software switch (not switch on the unit as with R-50 and before) Line Out mode will not drive headphones, leading me to believe it differs from the Line Out mode in the R90, which will. Might be quieter? LP2 mode sounds pretty good. LP4 mode is not good enough for music. Fine for speech. LP tracks can be "moved" using a non-MDLP recorder, but not deleted or named I got mine yesterday :) I didn't shop for price (as time was very limited) but I paid 34,800 Yen plus tax for total of 36,540 in Akihabara. I did not negotiate. Regards, Leland - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED] - To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
