- Record MP3s or CDs at up to 32x from multiple sources (PC, CD, radio, and more)
- Plays back in ATRAC3, supports MP3, WMA, and WAV formats
- Easy one-hand joystick navigation; bright backlit LCD display
- Up to 54 hours' playback on one AA battery (in LP4 mode)
- Water-resistant design with reflective casing; includes music management software, reflective hand strap
I think something like NetMD would have been utterly fantastic three years ago, when USB-enabled computers were starting to gain mainstream adoption, and before hard disk and cd-r burner prices hadn't dropped low enough for more people to rip and burn their music collection. Then, I think, the ability to transfer up to five hours of music onto a single, (relatively) inexpensive minidisc would have held greater appeal.
Regardless of timing, the NetMD technology is still pretty neat. You are able to transfer digital content, either imported mp3/wma or audio CD's, directly to minidisc using one of three compression settings.
SP, the full-bore setting, allows up to 80 minutes on one disc, and is the best sounding of the three. It is "lossy" compression, like mp3, but to my damaged ears, they sound at least as good as CD's. LP2 doubles the storage time, but the increased compression makes the resulting recordings sound like... well, ALMOST as good as a 160kbps cbr mp3. Almost.
LP4 quadruples storage time, but as you might guess, the sound quality is pretty dodgy, comparable to a poorly ripped 128kbps (or lower) cbr mp3. LP4 is pretty much a lost cause as far as most rock goes, but it is surprisingly passable for hip-hop and spoken word (and probably for most electronica, but I have yet to test this).
As far as transferring existing mp3/wma content goes, I wouldn't recommend it (I know, it pretty much nulls the hype of NetMD, doesn't it?). I've tried converting a batch of 160kbps cbr mp3's to SP and LP2, using the included OpenMG Jukebox. At SP, the sound quality is comparable to the original, but the transfer to MD takes almost as long as the length of the content. Transfer in LP2 is faster, if you disregard the processor-hog conversion to ATRAC LP2 mode, but the sound quality takes a nosedive.
From what I've read, OMG Jukebox is notoriously unstable. Or so I've read. I've been able to successfully install it on two separate Windows 2000 Pro machines, and I'm feeling so lucky, I'm going to buy a lottery ticket once I'm done with this review.
That said, once you fast forward to 2002, where more people than not have gigabytes of existing mp3's on her or his hard disk, you have to wonder whether it's more convenient to rely on a solid state mp3 player to take small sections of this content without any further format-shifting, or dump them en masse to CD-R/W's for use with 3" or 5" disc-based mp3 players. If NetMD handled mp3's and wma's natively (or even managed Sony's proprietary ATRAC without the inflexible audio management software), I think this product would have much more relevance today. However, due to intellectual property concerns, I think Sony hamstrung itself with its convoluted content management system.
In the meanwhile, I've been using the Net MD Simple Burner program to transfer audio CD content directly to MD (mostly in LP2 mode, with some LP4, but for some weird reason, SP is NOT available as a transfer mode with Simple Burner!). I have started amassing a usable variety of discs packed with songs for the gym or for walks in the park, and from there on, it's straightforward MD goodness. Compact form factor, high skip resistance, durable media, high battery life. Basically all the things that most CD-R/W mp3 players aren't. And in a nice change of pace from the bumblebee black-and-yellow motif, the new S2 Sports design definitely adds some to the "cool factor".
I'm inclined to think that Sony munged the Minidisc yet again, this time with questionable software, but the good news is that I am still able to make use of NetMD. Drop me a line if you have any questions or war stories to share.
Buy Sony MZ-S1 S2 Sports Net MD MiniDisc Player Now
Like everyone else who has bought an MD player, I too hate the Open MG software with a passion. But if that's the only thing that's keeping you from buying one today, then keep reading, because you might want to buy one after you see what I have to say.All you need to avoid using the Open MG software are two pieces of software. One comes supplied with the MD player, and that's the Net MD simple burner which allows you to transfer music CDs to your MD. The other piece of software is Nero Burning ROM. Simply use Nero to create a Music CD image on your harddrive somewhere, and then using the Nero Imagedrive which comes with the Nero burning ROM software, mount the Music CD image you just created. This tricks Net MD simple burner into thinking you have just put a music cd into your cd-rom drive and will then allow you to transfer all the mp3s you just burned to the music CD image.
Aside from the software that comes with the MZ-S1, everything else is great. Although slightly larger than its counterparts, I still find that the MZ-S1 fits quite easily into my pocket whenever I'm on the bus. One advantage to the S1 which most other MD players in it's price range don't have, is the Backlit LCD display. This is very useful for use in dim lighting.
If you are considering an MP3 player in the MD price range then you are probably looking at something with 128 MB of space. Under the best circumstances (1 MP3 = 3 MB) you will only be able to hold 40 MP3s or 120 minutes of music or 2 hours. With just one Mini Disc (costs approx. $1.50) you can hold over 5 hours of music. Mini Discs are very flexible. If you don't want to buy any more than the one that comes the the MZ-S1 then you can erase and rewrite to it over 1,000 times. No, I did not make a mistake: ONE THOUSAND. Mini Discs weigh nothing, and the players themselves weigh anywhere from less then a quarter of a pound to less than half a pound, and are comparable in size to any MP3 player.
In the end I didn't give the MZ-S1 five stars because the Open MG software was obnoxious. I hope Sony gets their act together someday and makes a piece of software that matches the quality and workmanship of the MZ-S1.
Read Best Reviews of Sony MZ-S1 S2 Sports Net MD MiniDisc Player Here
Thanks to Real for supporting the Sony MD players in the Real One Player! Sony has a long history of making innovative, easy to use, well designed, compact, and durable consumer electronics that come with some of the worst, least usable software you'll ever see. It's a shame, too...clearly some competent design and development effort goes into the SW, but usability and convenience (ironically, something the hardware itself shines in) is something that is just apparently not a consideration.Anyways, if this device wasn't supported by other software, I'd have a hard time recommending it...However, since it works well enough with Real One Player, I'd have to say you couldn't do better than this device for a portable (and ruggedized!) digital music player. I have experience with the Nomad II, Nomad Jukebox, Sony MusicClip (crippled by the OpenMG SW:, and RaveMP players. The sound quality is significantly better than any of those players. Furthermore, I've experienced much longer battery life than any of these other players by a factor of 2 or 3. The real payoff, however, is the cost of media: Minidiscs are a factor of 20-40x cheaper than comparable 128MB flash memory devices (compact flash, smart media, etc.).
Five stars if it didn't come with OpenMG.
Want Sony MZ-S1 S2 Sports Net MD MiniDisc Player Discount?
I bought the MZ-N505 (the gaudy little gold or silver one) but returned it for the MZ-S1. While the two are almost identical in recording and playing features, the N505 was so small and light that it felt dangerously flimsy. The more robust body of the S1 makes it a better buy.I'm planning on bringing my player around campus with me in (the bottom of) my backpack, carrying it when running, and keeping it in my jacket pocket while skiing. Nothing heavy duty--I think most people will subject their players to all kinds of similar use when they realize how convenient and portable they are.
The S1 is a shade bigger and weighs almost twice as much as the 505, but the only way you can tell the difference between 4 ounces and 7 is when you're holding one in each hand. That extra weight is used to make the body thicker and more 'drop-resistant'. Should I wipe out while skiing, the last thing I'll have to worry about is this player. I can hold it in my sweaty clutches or get it rained on and the rubber gaskets around the MD and battery compartments and the playing controls will keep it from getting wet inside.
The player controls put the 'joy' back in 'joystick'--they're designed to be easy to control when you hold it upright in one hand (while running,for example) but can be operated from any angle. The backlit LCD screen is another improvement over the N505.
I also found the design more tasteful--it lacks the "please steal me" ghetto design philosophy of the 505. When you throw in the hand strap and better headphones that come included in the package, the MZ-S1 is the better choice.
about 3 years ago, i upgraded my portable unit to the
sony mz-e44 model. it's a fantastic player, and i really can't say much bad about it. small, stylish, and efficient. a sweet blue/purple irridescent color scheme. but after 3 years, it was time to upgrade again.
i purchased the sony mz-s1 model about 2 weeks ago, and absolutely love it.
the minidisc technology is not for everyone. it is not the most perfect medium w/ which to record and listen to music. but from what i've seen and heard, if you are a fan or user of this technology, the mz-s1 will suffice for all your needs.
the pros:
stylish. off-white and orange colors. smooth, rounded edges. not the smallest and most compact model, but it's good enough for most purposes.
comes w/ software containing two seperate recording/playing programs. i've seen some negative opinions about the software, but it's nothing that should prevent the average user from enjoying the player, or the recording process.
you can record up to 5+ hours of music to one minidisc. this is the most major upgrade to the 2 previous players (3, if you count the home deck) i've owned.
my previous 2 models have occasionally skipped, even just during normal walking. this player has yet to skip on me. even once. even during rough, rugged movement. i once dropped the player while trying to put it in my pocketit hit the ground, but never missed a beat (and the casing didn't scratch or scuff, either! needless to say, a pleasant, and great surprise)
the cons:
a little bigger than it probably needs to be, but this is just nitpicking. the mz-e44 model is smaller, but only slightly, and the mz-s1's features more than make up for it. it still fits quite nicely in the inside pocket of my leather coat, but it doesn't fit as well into my jeans pocket, as the mz-e44 did.
the included software is a bit complicated and cumbersome at first, but after playing around w/ if for a short while, is easy to get used to.
this is probably nitpicking as well, but 2 things this player lacks, that my former, 3 year old model had, is a rechargable battery (still, you get 50+ hours of playback w/ a single AA battery, which really is nothing to complain about), and one of those remote-stick thingies that you can change tracks, volume, etc. from. in order to do these basic tasks, you have to actually touch the player itself. again, not a big deal, but a feature that would've been nice.
in conclusion, i would reccomend this player to anyone, though not highly. i would suggest doing some research and shopping around, to find the best fit for you. there's nothing here that should deter anyone from purchasing this model, but other models out there may contain other features that this one lacks, that may suit you better. still, this is a player that the average consumer can't go wrong w/, and should make most consumers happy w/ all the features and abilities it has. i know i myself am happy i bought it. and i owned what i previously considered to be a top of the line model (paid [money] for it 3 years ago).
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