Links:

• MDCenter (NL)

Reviews:

User Manual: AM-NX9

Features:

• 64X NetMD downloading (LP4 mode).
• ATRAC DSP Type-S (however, unit's ATRAC chip is not used for LP mode encoding).
• No audio input jacks! Records only from PC.
• Kanji capable backlit LCD remote.
• "Virtual Sound" DSP digital sound equalizer
• E.A.S.S. GP anti-shock system recovers disc data readout within 0.3 seconds by quickly refocusing, repositioning the optical pickup, and rereading missed data.

Notes: ^*Note hidden mic and line-in jacks in photo, apparently the rear-case from another unit was used for these publicity photos.

Links:

• Aiwa/Sony (Japan)
• AVWatch (Japan)
• AVWatch (2) (mech. trans).

Included Accessories: Backlit LCD remote, Charging stand, AC adapter, NiMH cell, SonicStage V1.5 CD, AA cell case, carrying pouch, USB cable

Specs: Headphone amp: 5mW+5mW into 16 ohms

Reviews:

User Manual: AM-NX1

Features: Digital and analog synchro start, backlit LCD on body and remote, body keys are not illuminated (as they were on the AM-F70). Jog dial for volume control as well as track selection, editing and titling. Titling may be done while playing or recording, but not with the remote. Up to 100 titling characters per track. Remote displays 10 characters, main unit LCD shows 8 characters. Divide rehearsal mode. 25 track program play mode. Microphone sensitivity low/high selector. Double speed playback mode (mono and stereo). Japanese model (at least) comes with one-point stereo mic.

Variants: The AM-C80 is apparently an AA dry-cell powered variant of the AM-F80 that comes with a car cassette adapter. The AM-F75 is a cost reduced version of the AM-F80 that drops the backlight and the remote's LCD. The AM-F72 is a further cost-reduced unit that drops the remote altogether.

Links:

• Japan-Direct posts clear snapshots of Aiwa's AM-F80.
• John Beal's bench measurements of the unit, showing that max SNR through the headphone output is 55dB. However the unit was able to record a signal with 92dB dynamic range and 81dB SNR (measured by playing the disc back through the digital output of a Sony MDS-JB930)

User Comments: Contrary to what I have read in some comparisons, the number of titling characters for a track is not 50, but 100. � The 2X playback mode works in stereo too. What the unit does is simply play every other sample, resulting in 2x the speed, but no pitch shifting. To activate the mode, you hold the play button for 2sec (works on the remote too). � The remote displays 10 characters, the main unit only 8. � Nowhere in the manual is "line-out" mentioned and how to use it (it's somehow combined with the headphone jack). � The included headphones have a weird rubbery 'ear-coupling' arrangement. If you get them in far enough, they have incredible bass response. Unfortunately I think it's ear-shape dependent, and I don't seem to fit the mould. � The jog-wheel doesn't click, so picking characters isn't as easy as it could be. Also when adjusting the volume, the steps are a bit too large (only 20 steps in total, as opposed to 30 volume steps for Sony machines). However because of the analogue-feel of the jog wheel, you can turn-up or turn-down the volume as quickly as you want -- impossible with the digital button-type volume controls in other units. � Response time from 'off' to 'play' is about 5 sec. Same as for MZ-R55. In fact the whole unit feels a lot like the MZ-R55, except that it has heaps more features, and 3-4 times the battery life. � Overall, this may not be the smallest unit in the world, the MZ-R90 has a few milimeters advantage, but in terms of usability and features, this one wins hands down.
-George Michalski

Reviews:

User Manual: AM-F80

Features:

• Backlit 10 character LCD on remote as well as backlit LCD and control buttons on body.
• Large style jog dial for inputting disc and track titles (up to 50 characters).
• High speed (2x) playback mode for mono or stereo recordings with no pitch change.
• Title search function allows another track to be selected by name while unit is playing.
• Divide function has rehearsal mode (as MD decks do) that repeatedly plays 3 second segment at divide point, allowing divide point to be moved with AMS knob or << and >> keys (edit point step size is 60ms).
• Synchro start recording from digital and analog sources.
• Repeat 1, all, shuffle and 25 track program play mode.
• 40 second shock memory, sampling rate converter.
• 1 bit DAC/ADC.
• Date and time stamp recording.
• Time mark function can automatically make a track mark every 5 minutes.
• Bass boost.
• 3 step battery life indicator on main body as well as remote.
• Included accessories: LCD remote, stereo headphone, one point microphone, AC adapter (AC-D401 [AC-D401U in US]), LiIon cell, Dry cell case (for AAx3), Carrying pouch, Neck strap.
• Color: gold.
• US, UK (& European?) units omit neck strap and one point microphone, US units replace earbuds with 'swoops' (HP-M038), which are behind-the-head street-style headphones.

Variants: The Aiwa AM-F65 has been released in Europe, it is nearly identical to the AM-F70 but has no backlight on the main unit's LCD panel, has no LCD panel on remote, and comes without dry cell case (for AAx3).

Tips:

• When you're in titling mode, hit the shift button (also the search button) right above the jog dial to choose between the uppercase, lowercase, and symbol character sets. -Ian McFarlane
• Record-pause (and hence record mode) can be activated from the remote. To activate from stop mode, hold down the MODE button on the remote for at least 2 seconds, then press the PLAY/PAUSE button. The recorder will then be in record-pause, to commence recording, push the PLAY/PAUSE button again. Also while in pause mode you can use the MODE button to access the recording options (record level, auto track marks, etc) as normal. -Brian Youn

Links:

• Battery substitution: Ricard Wanderlof has a page describing a battery substitute that can be used to keep your Aiwa running even though the original batteries are no longer available.
• Aiwa's Japanese announcement of the unit.
• Aiwa's English AM-F70 page.
• Rob Nguyen's comprehensive review of this unit plus his extensive comparison of the Sharp MD-MT821, Sony MZ-R55, and Aiwa AM-F70.
• Japan Direct has some clear snapshots of the Aiwa AM-F70, including one of it beside an MZ-R55.
• An Aiwa AM-F70 review at MiniDisc World.
• Heiko Debschitz notes photos and German pages for Aiwa's AM-F65/70 series in silver, blue, green and champagne.
• Bruce Mcmahan submits a detailed review of the Aiwa AM-F70.
• eTown has a review for this unit.
• Minidisco has a rotatable 3-D spinning image of this unit.
• The Aiwa AM-F70 is spotted for $200 at Tweeter (search for "amf70").
• Simon Wilson has made a handsome comparison report of the Aiwa AM-F70 and Sony MZ-R90.

Specs: Freq. resp: 20-20kHz +/-1dB @ 10KOhm. Headphone amp: 10mw + 10mw

Reviews:

User Manual: AM-F65 Electronic Shopping Mall

Features:

• Jog dial on the main body and remote, allowing easy character entry and disc operation (the volume knob doubles as the jog dial on the remote).
• Divide rehearsal mode (allows fine tuning of divide point with jog dial).
• Provides syncho recording from digital and analog sources.
• Sampling rate converter.
• Stereo/mono recording.
• Normal and 2X speed playback.
• Time mark function makes track marks every 5 minutes.
• Date and time stamp recording.
• Program (25 tracks), repeat, random, play modes.
• Resume function (restarts play from stopped place).
• 3 position battery level indicator.
• Auto and manual recording level controls, manual recording level can be changed while recording is underway.
• Silver color.
• One point stereo mic included.
• Separate L/R recording level meters.
• AM-F5 remote does not contain LCD.
• ATRAC 4.2 (according to Aiwa Germany).
• Differences from Sony MZ-R50: 10 second (Aiwa) vs. 40 second (Sony) shock memory. Sony button layouts are simpler. Sony has LCD remote. Aiwa allows manual recording levels to be changed without pausing the machine. Aiwa has recording level meters for both channels. Different batteries. Aiwa has smaller appearance. Both machines use clamshell (not slot in) disc loading.

Variants: AM-F7 model is nearly identical to AM-F5. It adds a backlit remote (plus firmware changes to drive it) and a few bug fixes.

Links: Nic Boyde's page for the unit. Aiwa Germany's page for the unit. Aiwa's English announcement for their AM-F7 MD portable Doug Rice shows how he made a Remote Control Timer for an Aiwa AM-F5.

Reviews:

User Manual: AM-F5

Features: Stereo/mono recording, 1bit d/a a/d. Backlit panel and buttons (buttons backlit on AC adapter only), Empty, Mid, Full battery level indicator. Optical, Line, Mic input done with one jack and a line/mic switch. Line/Headphone output similarly done with 1 jack and a switch. Six mode "DSP" (parametric equalizer with flat, rock, pop, jazz, bassboost, and `live' settings). Display has 4 modes: 1) track no./elapsed track time, 2) track no./remaining track time, 3) remaining no. of tracks/remaining disc time. 4) date and time stamp info (though in this mode time does not increment). Display repeatedly scrolls current track name. Four track marking modes: 1) copy marks present in digital input signal, 2) make a mark every 5 minutes (appropriate for meetings and lectures), 3) manual mode (push button to mark), 4) make a mark after 3 seconds of silence. Double speed playback. Auto start/pause mode (sound activated) records only while sound is present on mic inputs (may be set to high or low sensitivity and is also affected by mic input gain setting). Character input for titling, which can be done from the main unit or from the remote, in which case the volume knob is used(!) to select the characters. Up to 50 letters, numbers, symbols, or kana may be entered per track. Writes recording date and time on each track. Manual/Auto recording level adjust (level can be manually adjusted and switched between auto and manual modes during recording). Play modes: repeat 1, repeat all, random play (operates properly, will not repeat tracks), program play, index search function (entire disc's song names are scrolled in display, pressing 'enter' as one scrolls past causes song to play). Settable preferences: enable/disable ear guard function, enable/disable resume function, enable/disable LCD backlight (when disabled, backlight can be turned on for 3 seconds with DISP button), set LCD contrast. Recharge time: 2 hr=90%, 5 hr=Full. Rechargeable cell: LIP-12. Unique "clip on" attachment of LIP-12 rechargeable or 2 AA drycell case to side of unit. Playback: 2 AA only: 4 hr, Rechargeable only: 6 hr. Record: 2 AA only: 1 hr, Rechargeable only: 3.5 hr
Comments from German Stereo Magazine 10/96: Excellent manufacturing fit and finish. Integrated DSP. Works well as dictaphone. Manual recording level adjustable (2*12 segments !!). No sample rate converter. Usable for jogging (the other tested devices were not (Sharp, Sony?)). 6 Hour playback with rechargeable batteries. Recommend electret micro with high amplitude for best performance (input is noisy relative to DAT units). DA/AD worse than in home decks, but acceptable. ATRAC 3.0 (matches quality of converters), which sounds ok (improvement of ATRAC3.5 was a lower noise floor only). Evaluation: very good **

Mis-features: Cannot simultaneously charge battery and operate on AC adapter. In pause mode the fast foward/rewind function is unavailable, only track skip. Unit only records in append mode, cannot overwrite existing tracks.

Links: Bala Swaminathan's review of the Aiwa AM-F3, Aiwa's Japanese page for the unit.

Reviews:

User Manual: AM-F3

Features: ATRAC 2. Double speed playback, mono recording, back lit display, illuminated buttons, many index modes. Play modes: repeat 1, all, shuffle, random. Volume control on unit is digital, on remote is dial. "DSL" bass boost (3 levels). Editing: combine, divide, renumber, erase, erase all. Editing example: 1) Position unit to required point or track. 2) Select "edit", then toggle with "edit" to select function. To move use |<< or >>| to change the track number, then enter >>|. Text entry uses volume + and -. Edit positioning to within 1 second acuracy. -20dB Mic atten switch. Playback time: Li 2.5, ext. AA 2.5, both 6.5 hours. Recording: Li 2, ext. AA 2, both 4.5 hours. Dim: 1.5" x 4.5" x 5.5" -Ian Ogilvy

Reviews:

Features:

• Aiwa clone of Sony MZ-1.
• ATRAC 1.
• Track divide, combine, swap and erase.
• Battery level indicator.
• 24 Character title display.
• Disc and track labeling.
• Date and time stamp recording.
• 21-selector program memory.
• 4-way repeat play (one/all/shuffle/program).
• Resume play function.
• Clock display.
• Automatic and manual gain control (can switch between these two modes while recording, or change the manual gain while recording).
• -20dB mic attenuator switch.
• 3 level bass boost.
• Backlit display.
• Resume mode.
• AC adapter, rechargeable battery supplied.

Reviews:

Features: ?

Links:

• MDCorea.com has coverage of the Goldstar MD-R1 unit.

Notes: Mystery machine. Reportedly Goldstar OEM of the Sony MZ-1 or MZ-R2. If you can confirm this, or know anything further about this unit, please let me know.

Reviews:

Features: Rotating knob on side of unit for easy scrolling and function selection. MDLP compatible. 40-second anti-shock protection (160 seconds in LP4 mode), digital sync-recording, backlit remote, 7-level bass/treble adjust, DACB (digital active clear bass) bass boost (a boost circuit that is controlled according to the detected output level, to ensure low distortion, even at high volumes).

Links:

• JVC UK press release.
• The T-Station has further information on the XM-R700.

Reviews:

• HiFi Choice review of the JVC XM-R700SL.

Specifications: Headphone amp: 3mW+3mW at 10% THD, 16 ohms

User Manual: XM-R700

Features: Jog-dial on side of unit for character entry and editing. During character input, 9 characters surrounding the selected character are displayed, easing input. During playback the track number, track time, and title are displayed simultaneously. LCD on main body is 10 x 2 characters. 20 bit ADC and DAC. 24 bit calculation ATRAC. 40 second shock memory. Digital and analog syncho recording. Manual recording level control only, level can be adjusted during recording. "Active Clear Bass" (ACB). Gumstick LiIon. Will not recharge and play simultaneously (hit STOP to start recharging). Backlit LCD equipped remote. Accessories: Car power adapter CA-R551, cassette adapter: CK-101.

PC Connecting Kit: JVC's "MD Controller Software" allows connection of the XM-R70 to JVC's MP-C101 (Windows CE machine). JVC's MP-C101 page states: 7. MD Controller: JVC XM-R70 can be connected with AC-XR1 connecting kit. Disk name and track names can be entered from the keyboard in Roman letters, kanji and kana. Track order can be changed and tracks can be deleted by pen touch while looking at the track names. MD labels can be printed (JVC video printer required). The page includes a detailed screenshot.

Links:

• JVC Japan's page for the unit.

Reviews:

• Gabriel White contributes a handsome JVC XM-R70 review.
• Charles Snider creates an exemplary JVC XM-R70 page.
• MiniDiscussion has collected user reviews for this unit.

Tips: The Ambico model P-2000 camera case is the perfect size for the JVC XM-R70 recorder (even with external battery pack attached) and it has another compartment that fits about 4 MD's (in their cases) comfortably. It even comes with a detachable carrying strap. The case was $6.96 at Wal-Mart. -Brad Choi

Specs: Headphone 5mW+5mW (into 16 ohms). Input impedance: Line: 47k ohms. Minimum imput signal level: Line: 100mV, Mic 1.3mV.

User Manuals: XM-R70, XM-R70 courtesy Chris Gerrist

Features: Titling and editing functions are performed with a stylus and touch sensitive screen. 50ms divide point resolution. PDA like display shows full title of current track or partial titles of current track and next 3 tracks. Touching the name of the desired track starts that track playing. Wired remote uses normal 1/8" minijack. Button labels in English, but silk screened icons on display panel are Japanese.

Misfeatures: Stopping in mid-track followed by play resumes at head of track.

Links:

• JVC Page (Japanese) for unit.
• JVC's summary page (translated) and product page (translated).
• Nick Boyde's page for the unit.

Reviews:

Features: 12 character LCD on main unit. Track/disc titling. Track erase, move, join, divide, all erase. Recording: agc, st/mono. Play: repeat, random, program. LCD remote with track, time, operating mode and battery level display. Selectable "SLC" (sound leakage circuit) modifies sound to avoid disturbing others nearby. Bass boost.

Links:

• JVC's Japanese page for this unit.

Reviews:

User Manual: J/E

Features: ATRAC 1. AC power or Ni-Cad [JVC camcorder] battery operation. Large (3-3.5"), tiltable, backlit, 16 character EL display (reportedly quite bright). Slot-in disc loading. 12 button keypad and jog wheel on main unit (for AMS). Allows up to 32 character title input. Timer Play/Record (set start and stop times). Manual and automatic mic level recording. Dual L/R dB meters on display. Small 24 button wireless remote has simple playback, record and synchro-record functions (no record editing or track titling). Date and Time stamp recording (though clock must be reset on battery changes). Program, random, and 15 second intro (called ``Music Scan'' nowadays) play mode. Body color: dark gray. Battery life on 6V NiCad battery: playback 100min, record: 80min. Optional car battery cord: JVC AP-V7.

User comments: Too large to be considered a portable, even though it is a portable/home/car unit.

Reviews:

Features:

• Built-in monaural speaker and stereo microphone.
• World's smallest and lightest MD recorder with built-in speaker and mic.
• Digital speed control allows -50%-+100% adjustment of playback rate with no change in pitch.
• Large 2-line LCD on main unit (no LCD on remote).
• "Voice operation system" will start and stop recording in response to presence of sound.
• A-B repeat function.
• Finally -- an MD unit reappears with important functions available from buttons on the front panel as opposed to being buried in sub-menus. Front panel buttons appear to be Stop, Pause, Play, Record, Volume, FF/RW, Record Mode, Playback mode, Playback speed (+/-), A-B repeat

Links:

• Panasonic announcement.
• AV Watch coverage.

Accessories: 6-key remote, AC adapter, rechargeable battery case, carrying case, stereo in-ear phones, NiMH cell, dry-cell adapter case

Specs: Headphone amp: 5mW+5mw, Speaker amp: 120mW. Freq. Resp: 20-20kHz (+0/-6dB)

Reviews:

Features:

• NetMD downloading with Beat Jam software.
• World record breaking 130 hour battery life (as of 1/14/2004).
• Large style 3-Line LCD on main body displays 2 lines of Kanji/Hiragana.
• Kanji displaying LCD remote with ability to control recording.
• H.D.E.S. (Panasonic's "special" SP-mode ATRAC tweak)
• Has a CD 1-track recording mode, enters pause mode after recording one track.
• Jog dial.
• X-Bass.
• Docking cradle with separate speakers.

Links:

• Panasonic page
• AVWatch Japan
• Minidisc T-Station

Specs: Headphone amp: 2.8mW+2.8mW, Speaker amp: 900mW+900mW, JEITA, 20-20kHz +0/-6dB. Line in: 33Kohm, Mic in: 600 ohm, Headphone out: 50 ohm

Reviews:

User Manual: SJ-MR270

Features:

• World record breaking 130 hour battery life (as of 1/14/2004).
• Large style 3-Line LCD on main body displays 2 lines of Kanji/Hiragana.
• Kanji displaying LCD remote with ability to control recording.
• Jog dial.
• Stereo mic included.
• X-Bass.
• Docking cradle.
• Differences from SJ-MR270:
  • Non-NetMD
  • No H.D.E.S
  • No one-track recording

Links:

• Panasonic page
• AVWatch Japan
• Minidisc T-Station

Specs: Headphone amp: 2.8mW+2.8mW, JEITA, 20-20kHz +0/-6dB. Line in: 33Kohm, Mic in: 600 ohm, Headphone out: 50 ohm

Reviews:

User Manual: SJ-MR240

Features: Longest playing MD recorder as of 9/2002. Unit appears to be a non-NetMD little brother to the SJ-MR250 with improved battery life (and reduced 3.0mW headphone power [cf. 3.5mW headphone amp of SJ-MR250]). Includes charging cradle and small, separate titanium cone speakers. 10-key titling keypad in charging cradle for track and disk name input as well as MD editing (group, divide, etc.). One finger LCD remote, adjustable recording level for digital, line and mic inputs. Panasonic's "H.D.E.S" audio compression. Handy "1 track recording" feature that pauses unit after recording one CD track. Auto time-mark recording. Kanji and kana display on LCD remote and main unit (but no Kanji/kana titling is possible). Synchro-recording from audio sources (digital and analog?). 4-step battery charge indicator on main body and remote. S-XBS 2-step bass boost. Intro-scan playback. "Train-mode" feature to cut high frequencies on playback to avoid disturbing others nearby. One-track/all-track repeat, random play modes. Battery can be recharged without needing to be empty first. Available in silver, blue and red.

Links:

• Panasonic Japanese press release (mech. trans.)
• Minidisc T-station coverage.
• Brief AVWatch coverage (Japanese)

Included Accessories: LCD remote, AC adapter, stereo "inside-phones", attachable AA cell case, carrying pouch, USB cable, NiMH rechargeable cell, "multi-cradle" with speakers

Specs: Headphone amp: 3mW+3mW, Speaker amp: 900mW+900mW, 100VAC, Freq. Resp. 20-20kHz +0/-8dB

Reviews:

Service Manual: SJ-MR230

Features: Panasonic's first NetMD portable. MDLP and group functions. The unit includes docking stand and small (3cm diameter titanium cone) neodymium magnet "full range" speakers (a concept introduced on the Panasonic SJ-MJ50). Docking stand ("multi-cradle") incorporates NetMD PC connection, charging function (unit can be used while charging), and titling/editing keypad (titling interface based upon cellphone alpha input procedure). Capable of displaying kanji titles on LCDs of main body and remote. Remote features "one finger" control, 4 step battery level display. Divide rehearsal mode in 60ms steps. CD one-track record (record track and pause), recording level control, synchro-record, 2-step S-XBS (bass boost) and auto track-mark (3/5/10? minute) functions. Sampling rate convertor. Play modes: repeat 1/all, shuffle. Panasonic's "H.D.E.S" audio compression. Ships with BeatJam (Justsystem Inc) OpenMG compliant software for audio downloading and control of the portable.

Links:

• Panasonic press release (Japanese).
• Panasonic's Japanese page for the unit.
• AV Watch (Japan) announcement.
• AV-Land (UK) page for unit.
• Minidisc T-Station page for unit.
• Nikkei coverage (English).
• Japan-Direct's photos and page for the unit.
• AVWatch preview (mech. trans.) with good closeups.

Included Accessories: LCD remote, AC adapter, stereo "inside-phones", attachable AA cell case, carrying pouch, USB cable, NiMH rechargeable cell, "multi-cradle" with speakers, NetMD software

Specs: Headphone amp: 3.5mW + 3.5mW, Speaker amp: 900mW+900mW, 100VAC.

Reviews:

User Manual: J/E

Features: Portable MDLP recorder. World's smallest, thinnest and lightest as of 6/2001. "Smart operation pad" (touchpad) for control and titling functions. First recorder with group function support. Divide rehearsal mode in 60ms steps. Backlit remote. 12 character 2 line display on main unit. "One time record" function pauses unit after recording one CD track. Titling possible during playback. Auto-time-mark places track marks every 3, 5 or 10 minutes. Panasonic's "H.D.E.S" audio compression. Apparently has two fixed recording levels: "high" and "low" (or perhaps AGC, with two sensitivity settings). Available in silver, blue and white

Links:

• Panasonic's Japanese page for the unit.
• Minidisc T-Station's page for the unit.
• IGN review of the unit.
• AVLand (UK) page for the unit

Included Accessories: LCD remote, stereo "inside phones", AC adapter, gum-pack NiMH rechargeable cell, AA Alkaline cell external case, rechargeable cell case, carrying pouch

Specs: Headphone amp: 3.5mW+3.5mW, Frequency response: 20-20kHz (+0/-8(!)dB)

Reviews:

User Manuals: SJ-MR220, J/E

Service Manual: SJ-MR220

Features: Unit is world's smallest and lightest portable MD recorder (as of July 2000). Divide rehearsal mode in 60ms steps. Compatible with Panasonic's "MD Network" to interface with other audio devices. 40 second anti-skip shock protection, tone quality switch (S-XBS/train position), two line display and "Smart Operation Pad" (provides soft-touch buttonpads for the usual portable MD button functions and for titling). Panasonic's "H.D.E.S" audio compression.

Links:

• Panasonic's Japanese press release for this unit.
• MDMan.net has several snapshots of the MR200.

Specs: Headphone amp: 3.5mW+3.5mW at 22 ohms. 20-20kHz +0/-6dB

Reviews:

User Manual: SJ-MR200

Service Manual: SJ-MR200

Features: World's smallest and lightest MD recorder as of June, 1999. Unit incorporates .25um rule LSI and newly developed one beam optical pickup (world's thinnest: 6.6mm). Text display on main body is 2 X 12 characters. Edge mounted jog dial with integral push button for labelling and track selection (while playing a track, other track names may be examined and a new track selected). Can title while playing a track (though machine updates TOC and leaves unit at start of disc after every track title operation). Special "one track record" function puts unit into rec-pause mode after a CD track finishes. Divide rehearsal mode with 60ms adjustment step (like the Aiwa AM-F70 and home decks). Backlit remote. 40 second shock memory. Synchro-recording, sampling rate converter. Time Mark mode (automatic track marks at 3 or 5 minute intervals). Battery charges only when unit is stopped. No AGC(?), recording level control limited to "high/low" sensitivity switch (manual states that High sensitivity is for recording from portable products, and Low sensitivity is for recording from hi-fi products or boomboxes).

Links:

• Japanese press release for Panasonic's SJ-MR100. Panasonic's Japanese page for the unit.
• Japan Direct's clear photos and English information for the unit.
• Robert contributes a careful review of the Panasonic SJ-MR100.
• HiFi Choice magazine (UK) has a review.

Specs: Freq. Resp: 20-20kHz +0/-8dB, Headphone amp: 5mW+5mW into 14 Ohms. Line input: impedance: 47kOhms, level: High sens: 178mV, Low sens: 500mv. Mic input: impedance: 600 Ohms, level: 0.4mV. Power sources: Rechargeable: 1.2V, AA cell: 1.5V, AC adapter: 1.8V. AC power consumption at power off: 1.6W.

Reviews:

User Manual: SJ-MR100

Service Manual: SJ-MR100

Features: 80 second shock memory. Can be coupled to a PC for computer based titling, editing and music download. If you have further photos or details for this machine, please let us know.

Links: An E/Town article about MD at CES '99 mentions this unit.

Reviews:

Features:

• One-bit digital amp w/4-pole headphone plug.
• Backlit-LCD remote.
• Recording-start button on remote (!)
• Recording level control can be set automatically (for analog sources) or manually (for analog and digital sources).
• Syncro-start recording from analog and digital sources.
• Playback speed control.
• "Favorite-track playback" remembers up to 10 favorite tracks on up to 9 disks.
• Group mode support.
• High/Low microphone input sensitivity selector.
• Charge-stand.
• Character-stamp
• Timer alarm (avoid missing your train stop).
• Available in silver, blue and black.

Markets: Japan

Links:

• Sharp press release
• AV Watch (Japanese)
• Minidisc T-Station page
• Available from Outward Sound.

Included Accessories: LCD remote, Headphones, NiMH cell (with case), AC adapter, external AA case, charging stand, carrying pouch

Specs: Headphone amp: 8mW+8mW (@32k ohm), Line: 125mV (@10k ohm, -12dB), Freq resp. 20-20kHz +/- 3dB

Reviews:

Features: Prototype shown at IFA Berlin 2003.

• High(er) speed NetMD downloading: SP: 4X, LP2: 25X, LP4: 50X
• Small docking station with LCD, power, line in/out, optical in and USB connections (no LCD on MD unit).
• Auto (microphone recording) and manual analog recording level control. Digital recording level control.
• Group mode support.
• Timer alarm (avoid missing your train stop).
• CD synchro recording.
• Character-stamp (copy track titles from original to copied MD).
• One-bit digital amp with 4 pole headphone connector.
• Backlit Kanji-capable LCD remote.
• Available in silver, black, and red.

Variants: Unit is dubbed IM-DR80 in Japan and IM-DR580 in Europe. Kenwood sells the unit as the DMC-S9NET.

Links:

• Sharp's Japanese press release
• Kenwood DMC-S9NET page.
• AVWatch Japan.
• Minidisc T-Station page.

Specs: Headphone amp: 8mW+8mW @ 32ohms, line: 125mV @ 10k ohms

Accessories: Backlit LCD remote, headphones, NiMH battery and case, multi-voltage (100V-240V) AC adapter, "Multi-link station" (docking stand), external AA cell case, carrying pouch, USB cable, manuals, BeatJam software CD and manuals

Optional Accessories: HP-MD33 headphones (9mm diameter, in-the-ear type, 3 silicon gum earpiece sizes (S, M, L), ¥3800), HP-MD90 headphones (16mm diameter, adjustable angle, aluminum, over-the-ear type, ¥3300)

Reviews:

User Manuals: IM-DR80, IM-DR580

Features:

• A first for Sharp: Automatic (with settable low/high range) and manual recording level control (IM-DR420 only)
• NetMD downloading at 50x realtime
• 1-bit digital amp
• Group mode support
• Play modes: all, shuffle, all-repeat, shuffle-repeat
• Digital X-Bass
• Auto time-mark (3, 5, and 10 minute intervals)
• Line synchro-start recording (microphone synchro-start recording [i.e. voice activated recording] on IM-DR420)

Variants:

• IM-DR400 is non-remote base model.
• IM-DR410 is apparently identical to IM-DR400 but comes with carrying pouch and optical cable.
• IM-DR420 differs from DR400 and DR410, adding microphone input (with auto and manual recording level function) and non-LCD remote.

Included Accessories: Both units: 4-pole earphones, 4-pole to 3 pole conversion cable, AC adapter, carrying pouch, optical cable, analog cable (1/8" stereo to RCA x 2), CD-ROM, USB cable. IM-DR420 only: non-LCD remote, NiMH battery (AA formfactor), NiMH case

Links:

• Sharp UK manuals
• my-minidisc.com IM-DR410 page
• my-minidisc.com IM-DR420 page

Specs: Headphone amp: 8mW+8mW, 0.2% THD. Disc RPM: 400-1800 playback, 400-2700 recording

Reviews:

User Manuals: IM-DR400, IM-DR400 Quickstart, IM-DR410, IM-DR410 Quickstart, IM-DR420, IM-DR420 Quickstart, Software Preinstall, BeatJam

Features:

• MDLP support
• 3-step X-Bass.
• In common with all modern Sharp portable recorders:
  • Synchro recording for digital and analog (LINE/MIC) sources.
  • Character Stamp (Sharp feature since MD-MS200 that provides quick title text transfer from original to newly recorded disc)
  • Recording level control may be adjusted while recording is underway.
  • No automatic recording level setting.

Variants: MD-MT270 has no remote or microphone input, MD-MT290 has a non-LCD remote and microphone input.

Links:

• Sharp (UK)
• AVLand (UK)
• my-minidisc.com MT-MD270 and MT-MD290 pages.

Included Accessories: Earphones, AC adapter, RCA cable. Europe: optical cable

Specs: Headphone amp: 10mW+10mW RMS @ 32 ohms (0.2%THD), Line out: 250mV (-12dB), Freq. Resp: 20-20kHz +/-3dB

Reviews:

Features:

• Trace-back recording (formerly only available on MD decks) stores 5, 10 or 30 (user selectable) seconds of audio in memory while in REC-PAUSE state; when the user presses REC, recording actually begins 5, 10 or 30 seconds prior to the button press.
• Record breaking battery life: 120 hour playback, 64 hour recording.
• World's first MD recorder with 1-bit digital amplifier (uses 4 conductor headphone plug and jack).
• MDLP support (but not NetMD).
• "Favorite Playback" allows selection of up to 10 favorite tracks that are played when in Favorite Playback mode. These tracks are remembered for up to 9 different MDs in the recorder's memory.
• Playback Speed control in 5 steps: -30%, -20%, 10%, +5%, +15%
• First Sharp recorder with Treble control. Bass boost functions as it did on previous units, but treble adjustment is now available (in 5 steps: -2, -1, 0, +1, +2) after bass setting is selected.
• Equipped with a charging stand.
• Alarm timer from 1 to 99 minutes (to avoid missing train stops).
• New group mode function starts a new group when group button is pressed during mic recording.
• Backlit LCD remote.
• Microphone sensitvity setting (HIGH/LOW) incorporated into recording level control.
• Available in Silver, blue and pink.
• In common with all modern Sharp portable recorders:
  • Synchro recording for digital and analog (LINE/MIC) sources.
  • Character Stamp (Sharp feature since MD-MS200 that provides quick title text transfer from original to newly recorded disc)
  • Recording level control may be adjusted while recording is underway.
  • No automatic recording level setting.

Variants: Unit is badged "MD-DR480" in Singapore (Asia?). Euro variant is sold without charging cradle as the MD-DR470. Discussion of variants

Links:

• AVWatch Japan announcement (mech. trans)
• Sharp press release (mech trans page 1 and 2).
• Minidisc T-Station page.
• Minidisco page for the unit.
• Sharp MD-DR480 photo gallery (Minidisc Australia)
• Mike Sloan's photos of the Blue MD-DR7.
• my-minidisc.com page for the unit.

Reviews:

• Tina and Okinawa Joe's review.

Accessories: Backlit LCD remote, Headphone, NiMH battery, AC adaptor (auto-sensing 110-240AC in Asia), externally attachable AA drycell case, Charge stand, Manual. In Europe: optical cable (TOSlink to 3.5mm), analog cable (RCA to 3.5mm), carrying case. MD-DR480 (Asia): additonal ear buds (as well as headphones), AD-USB1 analog PC-Link (USB->analog) adapter, optical cable (TOSlink to 3.5mm), analog cable (RCA to 3.5mm) 4-Pole ->3-Pole conversion cable.

Specs:

• Output: Headphone: 8mW+8mW (32 ohms, RMS), Line 250mV (10Kohms)
• Input sensitivity: MIC H: 0.25mV (10kohms), MIC L: 2.5mV (10kohms), LINE: 100mV (20kohms).

User Manual: MD-DR7

Features: MDLP modes, 3-mode digital X-bass system, Digital rec-level control. Flat case (no battery bulge), MD-MT170/180 has no remote or microphone input

Variants: MD-MT170 and MD-MT180 appear identical in function. MD-MT190 and MD-MT200 come with non-LCD remote. MD-MT200 has Dolby surround DSP mode

Accessories: Headphones, AC adapter, PC Link kit (USB->analog for MT180, USB->optical for MT190&MT200)

Optional Accessories: Attachable AA cell battery case: AD-M18BC, Car adapter: AD-CA20X

Links:

• Sharp US press release mentioning unit.
• Sharp US page for unit.
• Sharp UK page for unit.
• French site MD-21 coverage of MD-MT180/190/200 units.
• Unit is available from Superfi UK

Specs: Headphone amp: 10mW+10mW RMS @32Ohms (0.2%THD), Line output 250mV @10KOhms Disc RPM: 400-1350, Freq. Resp.: 20-20kHz +/-3dB, Line input sensitivity: 100mV (20KOhms)

Reviews:

User Manuals: MD-MT180, MD-MT190

Features: MDLP Group mode, connectable to a computer via USB cable. Supports the OpenMG digital music copyright standard. (High-speed copying to unit in SP mode not allowed). Unit comes with OpenMG Jukebox Ver.2.2, which allows conversion of MP3, WMA, and WAV file formats to ATRAC3. Seven LEDs indicate the status of the transfer of audio files. Two-line LCD remote display. Track scan mode plays the first five seconds of each music track. Sound-activated microphone recording mode. 40 seconds shock protection (160 seconds in MDLP 4X). Unit is charged when placed in included stand.

Variants: This unit is likely to be badged the MD-MT899 in Europe.

User Tips: After installing the software that came with the unit, and discovering that some of the buttons were in Japanese, I stumbled on a solution. I first uninstalled the Sharp version of OpenMG and all the associated drivers. I then downloaded the Sony version of OpenMG from the OpenMG website and installed it. It's important that you only install the OpenMG software, and not the Sony drivers. I then reran the install from the Sharp CD. The Sharp install attempted to install OpenMG, but discovered that one was already on the system, and left it alone. It went ahead installed the rest of the software, including the MT880 driver. I now have a fully English version of OpenMG that works with my Sharp MD. (BTW-the Japanese button on the player says 'shuffle'). -Mick Gardina

Links:

• Sharp's official Japanese page for the IM-MT880.
• AV-Land has info on the IM-MT880.
• Japan-Direct has photos of the unit and offers it for sale.
• Unit was initially spotted at IFA 2001 (Berlin)

Reviews:

• Brian Youn's down-to-the-last-detail review of Sharp's IM-MT880 NetMD recorder.

Specs: 5mW+5mW headphone output.

User Manual: IM-MT880

Features: World's smallest portable as of Aug. 2001. MDLP capable, 2-line LCD, full editing and titling from remote. Unique group mode functions: "group move" moves track to new group, "group top move" makes entire group the first group on the disc, "group erase" removes all tracks within a group, "group booking" creates a group and places newly recorded tracks there, "group arrange" moves tracks not in any group to the end of the disc so that even machines that don't support group function will play the tracks in the same order.(?) Three color blinking LED signalling system indicates recording type (SP/LP2/LP4), state of charge, and operating mode. Optional AD-PCR3 connecting kit features USB to digital optical link as well as control of editing and titling from PC. High speed (2X) playback of monaural (SP) recordings, digital/line/mic-synchro start, auto time-mark (3/5/10 minute interval), character stamp, one-touch eject, digital and analog recording level control (no AGC).

Variants: Unit badged the MD-MT888 in Europe

Included Accessories: LCD remote control, AA dry cell case, headphone, charge stand, NiMH rechargeable cell (with case), carrying case, AC adaptor, connecting cord, Manual.

Notes: Display on main unit does not show disc or track names, only the track number, hence titling can only be done from remote.

Reviews:

• Eric Meyer's MD-MT770 review on Minidisc T-Station.
• François Demont's Sharp MD-MT888 review (en Français) has good closeup photos of the unit.

Links:

• Sharp's Japanese announcement (machine translation).
• Sharp's official Japanese page for the unit.
• Sharp English brochure page for the MD-MT888.
• Minidisc T-Station MD-MT770 page.
• Japan-Direct's closeup, side-by-side, photos of the Sharp MD-MT770 and Sony MZ-R909 recorders.
• MDMan.net's (Korea) gallery of side-by-side MZ-R909 & MD-MT770 snapshots, shows how similar Sharp and Sony's latest now look.
• MicMic's English info (the blue and pink models are visible at the bottom of the page).
• Unit is available from Superfi UK.
• AVLand (UK) page for the unit.

Specs: Headphone amp: 5mW+5mW into 32 ohms, line: 250mV into 10K ohms.

User Manual: MD-MT888

Features: MDLP recorder. The MD-MT88 and MD-MT99 appear to be the same basic unit except for slight differences in front panel button shapes. The MT-88 does not come with remote control or rechargeable battery.

Links: Sharp UK's MT-88 and MT-99 pages.

Accesories: Rechargeable battery: AD-N70BT, Car adaptor: AD-CA20X, Cassette adaptor: AD-CT14, MD to MD edit cable: AD-M5AC, Tie-Pin microphone: MC-TP2

Reviews:

User Manuals: MD-MT88, MD-MT99

Features: Unit is not MDLP compatible. 3-level bass boost. 40 second anti-shock protection, character stamp feature, clamshell design, synchronized recording for digital, analog, and microphone. MD-MT90 comes with non-LCD remote, MD-MT80 comes sans remote.

Links: Sharp UK's official English page for the MD-MT90. Sharp UK has an MD-MT80H page MD21 posts French information on the MD-MT90. An official Sharp press release talks about the upcoming release of the MD-MT877 (an MT77 variant) and the MD-MT90.

Reviews:

User Manuals: MD-MT90, MD-MT80

Features: MDLP capable. Smallest portable MD recorder in the world as of October 2000. Battery "memory effect" is reduced by automatic discharging circuitry in the charge stand. Can interface with a computer via USB connection kit (AD-PCR2), allowing track and title management and automatic label printing of a MiniDisc's contents, as well as an audio connection. "Scan" feature plays the first five seconds of each track. Two-line 12-character LCD display, digital recording level control, X-BASS boost, 40-second shock protection (provides 160 second protection in LP4 mode), hand strap. Microphone-synchronized recording function only records when sound is heard. Mono mode recordings can be played back at 2x speed. Track ``auto-mark'' function can be set to mark a track at regular intervals (3,5,10 minutes?). "Name Stamp" function allows easy copying of character information from one disc to another.

Variants: US (and Euro?) model badged the MD-MT877.

Reviews:

• Brian Youn's wonderfully detailed review.
• Read IGN's review of the Sharp MD-MT77.
• TechTV's review of the Sharp MD-MT877.
• HiFi Choice review of the Sharp MD-MT877.
• CNet comparison of the Sharp MD-MT877, Sony MZ-R900 and MZ-R700.

Links:

• Sharp's official Japanese press release for the MD-MT77.
• Sharp's official Japanese homepage for the MD-MT77.
• Japan Direct offers the Sharp MD-MT77 portable for US$399.
• T's MD Comparison Page has the MD-MT77 listed.
• A Chinese electronics news page has info on the MD-MT77.
• An official Sharp press release talks about the upcoming release of the MD-MT877 (US version of MT77) and the MD-MT90.
• Kenwood's Japanese press release for the DMC-M7R.

Specs: 5mW+5mW headphone output, 20 bit D/A converter, 1.2V NiMH, 1.5V AA, 5V adapter. Disc spins at about 400-1,350 rpm.
(battery times shown show SP/LP2/LP4)

User Manuals: MD-MT77, Update

Service Manual: MD-MT77

Features: Utilizes a charge stand for recharging Nickel Hyrdogen battery. 40 second anti-shock protection, adjustable digital input signal level, "microphone synchronized recording" (where the unit only records to MD when it detects audible sound with the microphone), synchro-recording function, shuffle and repeat modes, double-speed mono playback, voice-activated recorder for conferencing.

Variants: Sharp's Korean page for the MD-MT866 (the MT866 is the Korean model number of the MT66 model, unit reportedly has ability to title with Korean characters).

Reviews:

• A fan's detailed comparison review between the Sharp MD-MT66 and Sony MZ-R900.

Links:

• Sharp's Japanese page for this unit.
• Sharp's Japanese press release for this unit (and an English machine translation).
• Some German info on the Sharp MD-MT866.
• AVLand has MD-MT866 photos and specs on this unit.
• Minimaniax has further MD-MT866 photos and info on this unit.
• FelsWeb offers the Sharp MD-MT66 for USD$338.
• T's tables has photos from recent MD brochures for the Sharp MD-MT66.

Specs: 5mW+5mW headphone output, 5.0 VAC. 32kHz, 48kHz sampling rate converter.

User Manual: MD-MT866

Features: Recorder operates on either a single alkaline or rechargeable AA cell. No LCD on remote. Available in silver or blue.

Variants: MD-SR50: no remote MD-SR60: non-LCD remote (same unit as SR70?) MD-SR70: non-LCD remote MD-SR75: backlit LCD remote

Reviews:

• Read IGN's review of the Sharp MD-SR60.

User comments: The SR60 appears to exhibit behavior similar to the Sharp MD-MS702 when recording from the mic input, in that a short silence will be recorded when the recording level is adjusted between position 20 and 21 on the 30-point level scale. This pause occurs when both increasing and decreasing the recording level past this point. -J. Kwon

Links: Sharp's Japanese page (also available in English) and press release for this unit. Sharp's specs for the SR50/70/75 (they're all basically the same unit with variations in their accessories). Superfi (UK) has pictures of Sharp's MD-SR50 and MD-SR60 (the former sans remote), both apparently identical to the MD-MT50. Sharp MD-MT50 variants in New Zealand: the MD-SR50W (no remote), and the MD-SR70W (slight case variation, w/remote and headphones, of a sort). A Sharp Japanese page lists the MD-SR50, MD-SR70, and MD-SR75, as well as a statistics page showing that all three units are identical (though the SR75 reportedly comes with a backlit remote) and are simply meant for different world markets.

Entering Service Mode: (Beware of the dangers of attempting this!) You can enter test mode on an MD-SR60 (an MT50 variant) by holding the following keys simultaneously: 'disp', 'bass', and 'enter' and then 'play'. -Shiv Naimpally, January 2001

Specs: 10mW headphone output.

User Manuals: MD-SR50, MD-SR60, MD-SR75

Service Manuals: MD-SR50, MD-SR70

Features: Sharp claims 7 records for the unit:

1. Smallest and thinnest recorder (as of 7/99), 13% smaller and 14% thinner than previous MD-MT821 model.
2. Longest playing recorder (employs 7th generation ATRAC chip using .25 micron process that, along with high speed disc drive circuit and mechanism, was designed for low power consumption).
3. First portable recorder with recharging stand (no audio or control connections via cradle, however unit can record and playback while recharging in stand).
4. First portable recorder with Kanji display on remote (832's remote shows Kanji, 831's does not, though Kanji remote is available as an option). Remote is backlit and can display 5 Kanji or Hiragana, or 10 Katakana or Roman letters.
5. First portable recorder with optional PC (AD-PCR1) and Zaurus (AD-ZAR1) link. Via this link, titling (including Kanji input) and editing can be conducted, as well as program play selection, label printing, and MD library management. For label printing, 8 patterns are available, as well as the ability to include digital camera images. Name application can be downloaded from Sharp's home page
6. First portable recorder with digital recording level control.
7. First portable recorder with auto fade in and fade out during recording start and finish. Will automatically fade out level as recording encounters end of disc (3 step fade time selector)

Links:

• Sharp's Japanese annoucement and official page for the unit.
• A user's advice on using the Sharp Japanese AC adaptor.
• Japan-Direct posts several clear snapshots of the Sharp MD-MT831.
• Ed Wong has made a comparison photo gallery of the Sharp MD-MT831 and Kenwood DMC-L7R (its clone).
• Kenwood's Japanese page for its DMC-L7R unit (a Sharp MD-MT831 clone).
• Sharp's Japanese MD-MT831 PC Link page, with downloads and screen shots of the software available for PC and Zaurus platforms.
• The Korean MD page shows details and snapshots of Sharp's PC-Link kit for the MD-MT831.
• Minidisco has a rotatable 3-D spinning image of this unit.
• The Korean MD page has several snapshots of the Kenwood DMC-L7R (Sharp MD-MT831 clone).

Reviews:

• Robert has made a close and careful Sharp MD-MT831 review.
• Brian Youn's exquisitely detailed comparison of the Sony MZ-R90 and Sharp MD-MT831.
• Robert Nguyen also contributes a detailed comparison of the Sony MZ-R90 and Sharp MD-MT831 portables.
• Ian McFarlane adds a review of Sharp's MD-MT831 PC-Link kit (using Japanese software minus the fonts!).
• HiFi Choice magazine (UK) has a review.

Entering Service mode: Do be careful! It's pretty similar to most of the other Sharp portables but the battery compartment must be OPEN - i.e. the unit must have NO POWER. 1) Press and hold PLAY, SYNC[Enter] and DISP buttons. 2) THEN drop in the battery and close the compartment (or apply external power - eg turn on the DC power source). Display shows the EEPROM version code, followed by all symbols lighting up, followed by the standard Sharp test menu. My EEPROM version code is 921AcX. -Dave Hooper Gadget Squad reviews the Sharp MD-MT831, with favorable findings.

Specs: Motor speed: 400-1350 rpm, headphone amp: 10mW + 10mW * Headphone volume at 0 during recording and 15 during playback.

User Manual: MD-MT831 courtesy Robert Schwartz

Features: Sharp sixth generation ATRAC, 10 second shock memory, clamshell disc loading. Unit is apparently a cost reduced version of the MD-MT821. The MT15 takes Alkaline AA cells and has no remote, the MT20 takes AA rechargeables. Both come in Silver, MT20 version available in blue and gold as well. Sharp USA's MD-MT15 announcement stated this was the world's first MD portable recorder available for under $200.

Getting a Remote: The Sharp MD-MT15 does not include nor has the optional accessory listed for a remote (according to Sharp). It does, however, have support for a remote control (which I can confirm as I have the MT20 remote for the MT15). The remote can be ordered as a replacement part (#RRMCW0001AWSA) for the MD-MT20 and is fully compatible with the MD-MT15. There is no display, just operation of play, pause, fast forward, Bass, etc and can also be used in assisting input of titles. -Brian Teh

Links:

• Anton van Kinderen's spotting and accumulated info for the unit.
• Moshe Braner kindly submits a Sharp MD-MT15 review.
• Bas Oort offers some tidbits about the Sharp MD-MT15 service mode. o
• Pete DeBonte has a battery page that gives an MD-MT15 battery trick, allowing NiMH rechargeables to be charged with the unit's built in charger.
• MiniDiscussion has collected user reviews for this unit.
• Spencer Pablo has some snapshots from Comdex that show the MD-MT15.
• Calum Tsang contributes a tidy Sharp MD-MT15 review.
• The MD-MT15 is awarded the Etown Editor's pick position for best value.
• Michael Connor creates a Sharp MD-MT15 TOC cloning page, outlining how to get 78-80 minutes on a 74 minute MD.
• Trucki updates his MD-MT15 Titleaid QBasic software to 3.1 -- you can download it from his German MD page.

Tips: Using the built-in charger for off-the-shelf NiMH batteries: Just take a business card and wrap the batteries with it. You may need to trim the card a little. Insert all three into the battery compartment-the end of the card should be folded into the crease between the two batteries to hit the MT15's rechargeable-battery sensor. -Calum Tsang Trucki has created MD-MT15 Titleaid QBasic software, available from his German site. Trucki's site also shows off some deep hacking of the Sharp MD-MT15 (local English trans) and hacking that uses drill bits and extra connectors (trans).

Reviews:

User Manuals: MD-MT15, MD-MT16, MD-MT20

Service Manual: MD-MT20 remote schematic

Features: Through component size reductions, unit has 28% less volume and is 20% thinner than the MS721. Uses same LSI chip set as the MS721/722 (Sharp ATRAC 6). "Top open" (i.e. clamshell, not slot-in) disc insertion. 40 second shock memory. 20bit DAC and ADC. High speed scroll and 3 character display during character selection speeds titling. Triple shuttle backlit LCD remote. Mic and digital synchro start recording. Disk/track "name stamp" function allows titles to be cloned from another disc. 2x high speed playback option on mono recordings. Unit can be operated while recharging. Available in silver, blue and black.

Included accessories: LCD remote, headphone, LiIon cell, AC adapter, connection cord, AA cell case, handstrap, carrying case, instruction manual, warranty card.

Separately available accessories: 100-240VAC adaptor (AD-SS70AP) ¥5000, LiIon cell (AD-T51BT) ¥5500 (from 3/21/99), LCD remote (AD-S31RM) ¥7500, Car power (12/24VDC) adapter (AD-CA20X) ¥5000, Digital sound card (AD-AJ2) ¥25,000.

Mis-features: No date/time stamp during recording.

Links:

• Sharp's Japanese page and press release for the unit.
• Sharp's English MD-MT821 page.
• Photos and Japanese info for Kenwood's DMC-K9R, their Sharp MD-ST821 clone.
• Robert Nguyen's detailed review and clear photos of the Sharp MD-MT821, plus his extensive comparison of the Sharp MD-MT821, Sony MZ-R55, and Aiwa AM-F70.
• Japan-Direct has made a nice Sony MZ-R55 vs. Sharp MD-ST821 comparison that includes a side by side shot showing their relative thicknesses.
• MiniDisc World has a review for this unit.
• A user submits this unit's EEPROM settings.
• Leon Out provides detailed coverage of the unit, including the results of a search for new remote commands.
• Minidisco has a rotatable 3-D spinning image of this unit.
• The MD-MT821 is awarded the Etown Editor's pick position for best high performance MD unit.

Tips: Matthew Swift ([email protected]) reports that the Sony AC adapter model AC-E45HG (around $20) will work with the unit, even though it is rated at 4.5V and only 700mA.

Specs: Headphone amp: 10mw+10mw into 16ohms, Line: 250mV (@-12dB) into 10Kohms.

Reviews:

User Manuals: MD-MT821 courtesy Nick Paul, quick guide

Features:

• 40 second shock memory, Sharp ATRAC 6.
• .25 um process LSI includes digitized RF section, signal encoder/decoder, digital servo EFM processing and ATRAC compression and decompression on a single chip.
• 20bit ADC and DAC.
• Backlit remote (MS721 remote features 3 small jog rings for controlling track selection, X-bass and volume. MS722 remote includes watch/alarm clock functions and features 2 small jog rings for controlling track selection and volume).
• MS722 features large jog dial on front face of unit for titling and control.
• MS721 features diecast aluminum construction

Mis-features: No date/time stamp during recording.

Tips: The skip-track fwd/bkwd buttons on the remote are used to increase or decrease the recording level (values 0-30). It mirrors the functionality of the base unit. -Arne Bier

Links:

• Japanese info and pictures on Pioneer's PMD-P5 and 'R55 portables.
• Japanese information for Kenwood's DMC-K7R.
• Hannes Rohde has done a little experiment with the mic synchro start feature.
• Rob has a thorough review of the Kenwood DMC-K7R.
• Japan-Direct has photos of the Kenwood DMC-K7R.
• Jake Eu gives a sobering review of the Sharp MD-MS722, saying there are few real differences over the MS702.
• Joseph Reagle's Sharp MD-MS722 review.
• Japan Direct has a few snapshots of the unit.
• Robert Nguyen's thorough comparison of the Sony MZ-R55 and Kenwood DMC-K7R portables.
• A user submits this unit's EEPROM settings.
• MiniDisc-Canada offers the hard-to-find Sharp external drycell case for the MD-MS70x and MD-S301 portables.
• MiniDiscussion has collected user reviews for this unit.
• Radio College has a careful Sharp MD-MS722 review from a pro-use standpoint.

Specs: Input levels: Mic H: 0.25mV, 10Kohms, Mic L: 2.5mV, 10KOhms, Line: 100mV, 20Kohms. Headphone: 10mW+10mW, 16Ohms. Line: 300mV (@ -12dB), 10Kohms.

Reviews:

User Manuals: MD-MS721, quick guide, short

Service Manual: MD-MS721

Features: First recorder with an ``MD Jacket'' (i.e. square front face) design. Sharp ATRAC 5. 10 second shock memory. New 1 chip LSI incorporating the [digitalized] RF section, signal processing encoder/decoder, digital servo, EFM processing and audio compression/decompression circuitry. MS702 is ``sporty look'' model. Sampling rate converter. Digital/Line/Mic synchro start, goes into pause after 3 seconds silence. Mono recording. 2X quick playback mode. Time automarking at 3, 5 and 10 minute intervals. ``Moji Stamp'' function allows text transfer from original to newly recorded disc. Manual recording level control only (no AGC), microphone sensitivity selection is built-in, as part of the recording level control setting (0-20: HIGH, 21-30: LOW). Katakana/ Alphanumeric/ Symbol titling. Random, all repeat, 1 repeat play modes.

Included Accessories: Backlit LCD remote, headphones, LiIon rechargeable, AC adapter, AA case, carrying case.

Mis-features: No date/time stamp during recording. Be aware that when recording from the mic input and you adjust the recording level, a small 'glitch' (a few millisecs silence) will be recorded where the level drops from MIC 'H' to MIC 'L' (position 20 on the 0 - 30 level scale). -Graham Baker

TOC Undo: TOC Undo with the Kenwood DMC-J7R is very simple: Remove the battery/unplug the power supply without turning the unit off. When powered up again, it forgets that there are unwritten TOC changes. -Stefan Werner

Problems: There have been reports on MD-L of Sharp MD-MS701/702 units malfunctioning, displaying intermittent "UTOC Error" messages with damaged/irrecoverable recordings as a result. A user ([email protected]) advises:

1. It is important not to do an auto calibration in service mode without a "tdys1" (sony) testing MD or equivalent (Teac). This will definetly cause more problems!
2. Unit should be returned immediately when the first UTOC errors appear, it is a bad sign! It makes no sense to wait until the warranty has expired.

Accessories: Sharp seems to have sold the MD-MS702 outside of Japan without the external AA cell case. It's available though from Planet Minidisc and Minidisco.

Links:

• Sharp's Japanese information.
• Sharp's English page for these portables.
• Sharp Canada's page for the unit.
• Nic Boyde's snapshots of the MS701, MS702, Pioneer PMD-R3 and and the Kenwood DMC-J7R.
• A user's review of the Sharp MD-MS701.
• Matthew Brock compares the Sony MZ-R50 and Sharp MD-MS701.
• An MD user has made a page for the Sharp MD-MS702.
• John Beale has measured the SNR of the MD-MS702 and found it to be 81dB.
• Hannes Rohde has done a little experiment with the mic synchro start feature.
• MiniDiscussion has collected user reviews for this unit.
• Peter Wood has made a nice Sharp MD-MS7xx page.
• A user submits this unit's EEPROM settings.
• Ian Horsey illustrates the Sharp MD-MS701 disassembly procedure.
• A user comments that he repaired his MD-MS701 by using Horsey's procedure.
• MiniDisc-Canada offers the hard-to-find Sharp external drycell case for the MD-MS70x and MD-S301 portables.

Specs: 20-20kHz +/-3dB, wow & flutter <.001% peak. Output: Line: 300mV (-12dB) (50Kohms). Headphones: 10mW+10mW (32ohms). Input: Mic H: 0.25mV 10kOhms. Mic L: 2.5mV 10kOhms. Line: 100mV 20kOhms.

Reviews:

User Manuals: MD-MS701, HTML

Service Manual: MD-MS701

Features: Sharp ATRAC 4. Slot in design. Digital and Mic Synchro start recording (has Hi/Lo selector for mic synchro start threshold), Double speed playback, Time Auto Mark function (track mark at 3, 5 or 10 min. interval), Auto time stamping, Sample rate converter, Stereo/mono recording. Autoplay on disc insertion. With car adapter, resumes from start of song when car is started. Manually adjustable gain level can be changed during recording. Up to 100 characters per track and disc title may be entered, totaling up to 1700 characters per disc. Defeatable beep (hold bass boost button). "Moji Stamp" feature copies title and song names of one MD onto another, as follows: after dubbing MD->MD (analog, or digitally if permitted), original disc is placed in the MS200 to read and store the name data, duplicated disc is subsequently inserted and the stored names written to it from the MS200's memory. Industry's longest continuous recording time, on rechargeable (AD-MS10BT) (as of intro date). Ext power: AC adapter:5.0v, Dry cell case: 6.0v, Car adapter: 4.5v. The MS200 comes with one lithium ion battery and a LCD-less remote control (AD-MS20RM). Dry Cell case (AD-MS10BC) and LCD remote control sold separately (both AD-ST60RM and AD-SS70RM can be used). Pioneer and Kenwood models come with LCD remote that includes a ``play mode'' button setting Random, Repeat and Repeat 1.

Little known modes: P-save mode, stores less music in the shock-proof memory. To toggle it on/off, hold the ``Display'' button for 2 seconds when the unit is stopped. A-play mode, automatically goes into play mode when a disc is inserted. Hold the ``Mode/Ins'' button for 2 seconds when the unit is stopped.

Note: No AGC (automatic gain control) recording. The battery life is 9.5h (PB) when "auto Power Save" mode is ON. In this mode, the memory saves only 5 sec of data. If you turn OFF this "auto Power Save" mode, the memory saves 10 sec of data (which is the ordinary amount for other portables), and the battery life gets 20% shorter (==7.6h), according to the manual.

Mis-features: No "remaining track time" display.

Problems: Japanese domestic units have trouble charging on North American 120VAC house current.

Parts: Unit's DAC chip reported to be made by AKM semiconductor.

Links: Sharp's comprehensive summary page. A scan of all its surfaces. Conrad Sanderson's Sharp MS200 pages (and a subpage). The German Stereo magazine and a user compare the MZ-R30 and the Sharp MD-MS200. Emanuel Borsboom has a table comparing the Sony MZ-R30 and Sharp MD-MS200. Steven Smith has done a little bench testing of the unit. MiniDiscussion has collected user reviews for this unit.

Reviews:

User Manual: MD-MS200

Service Manual: MD-MS200

Features: Sharp ATRAC 3. "slot-in" (non-clamshell) disc insert/eject [easier to manage when you're on the go], stereo/mono recording, track move/ divide/ combine/ erase, random play, sound-synchro recording [starts recording when audio appears on the input, automatically truncates between track silence exceeding 4 seconds], auto marker, remote on headphone cord (volume, track select/position, stop/ pause/ play, bass boost), katakana/roman alphabet input/display. Line out uses the headphone connector. Unit available in black or silver. Comes with: headphones, remote control, lithium ion rechargeable battery, AC adapter, analog line cord, carrying case. Playback time 4.5 hours, recording 3.5. Recording time about 12 hours with separately available battery case (AD-MS10BC)

Comparison: with Sony MZ-R3 (showing features unique to each): Sharp MD-MS100 Defeatable beep sound. Ability to change recording level whilst recording. Standard 3.5mm headphone jack. Loud!! Uses 5V adapter. Combined headphone/line-out jack (though output impedance is adjusted to match the load). Calibrated level meter in dB. Suppl. acessories: headphones, rechargeable Lithium battery, power adapter, analog cable, carrying bag, remote control. Sony MZ-R3 Date/time stamps on recordings. Automatic gain control. Uses 4.5V adapter. Separate outputs for headphone and line-out. Suppl. acessories: headphones, power adapter, analog cable, carrying bag, remote control.

Problems: Japanese domestic units have trouble charging on North American 120VAC house current.

Links: Sharp press release. Sharp Japan Spec sheet (in English). Sharp Japan page for this unit, including a cute animation of the "Slot-in" design.

Reviews:

Features: Sharp ATRAC 2. Track/disc titling. Track delete move, join, divide. Sampling rate converter, st/mono recording. 1 bit AD and DA. Defeatable beep (hold bass boost button). Nearly identical in features to the Sharp MD-M20 (the MD-M20 kit included the AD-M20BC 6AA cell case as standard). Accessories: AD-M20BC 6AA cell case, AD-M20CK car mount kit (¥13,000, includes base mounting unit, car power cord, cassette adapter, 2 velcro strips. Mounts on center console). Battery: AD-M20BT Lithium Ion rechargeable (¥5000).

Links: User's review and comparison with MZ-R3.

Specs: Headphone jack supplies 10mW+10mW into 16ohm load, or 275mV line level (@-12dB) into 50kohm load.

Reviews:

User Manual: MD-M25

Features: Very similar to Sharp MD-M25. Smallest and lighest MD recorder at time of introduction.

Reviews:

Features: First Sharp recorder. Sharp ATRAC 1. Full editing and titling functions. 10 second shock memory. Rechargeable 3.6V Li-Ion cell, recharge time 1.5 hours. Battery life: continuous playback: 2.5 hr, continuous record (monitor volume at zero): 2 hours. No AGC (manual recording level only). Backup battery pack (4 1/2 x 2 7/8 x 3/4 inches) holds 6 AA batteries, pack snaps onto the back of the unit. 50-level recording meter.

Quick-Charge Trick: Purchase a Recoton DC adaptor with voltage selector ranging from 3V to 12V from Sears, and set it to 7.5 volts. The unit will now charge in 20-30 minutes with no damage done. I've been doing this for months and battery life has not suffered at all. -misfit809

Links: A user has several photos of the Kenwood DMC-A7R clone.

Specs: Headphone amp: 8mW + 8mW, 0.2% THD. Freq resp.: 20-20kHz +/-3dB. 1 bit A/D and D/A. 4.5 DC input.

Reviews:

Features:

• Expensive!
• Exterior case machined from a solid brass block.
• "High quality, low profile ear-bud headphones with an extended bass capability".
• Charging stand.
• Available in chrome finish, silver plate, or gold plate.
• std-MD (not Hi-MD)

Links:

• Sony press release

Reviews:

Features:

• A downloader -- no mic, line or optical input.
• FM/TV/Weather tuner built into (backlit?) LCD remote.
• Cannot record from tuner.

Links:

• Sony Canada page
• Available from Minidisc-Canada

Accessories: Tuner remote, Fontopia headphones (Canadian version), blank MD, USB cable, CD-ROM with SonicStage 2.0 and NetMD Simple Burner

Reviews:

Service Manual: MZ-NF520

Features:

• Kanji displaying, backlit, stick type LCD remote
• Digital amp
• 6 band graphic equalizer
• VPT acoustic engine
• 64X USB downloading (no uploading)
• SonicStage 2.0, SimpleBurner

Markets: Japan

Links:

• Sony Japan
• AV Watch Japan

Reviews:

Features: Bare bones MD downloader (no line/mic/optical inputs, no remote, no built-in editing functions).

• Unlimited checkout (feature of supplied SonicStage V2.0)
• Group mode support.
• Digital sound preset
• 10 play modes
• Colors: Canada: red or blue. USA: orange/grey ("Psyc") or blue.

Links:

• Sony Canada
• Sony US

Accessories: Fontopia in-ear-phones (Canada), SonicStage V2.0 CD w/NetMD Simple Burner, One blank, USB cable

Reviews:

Features:

• Pressing "Download" button on unit automatically rips and downloads CD tracks and titles them with CDDB (when used in conjunction with Simple Burner software operating in "simple mode").
• NetMD downloader/player -- no live recording capability.
• ATRAC DSP Type-S (though not used for recording as all encoding is done on the PC).
• Digital amplifier
• Remote displays Roman/Kana/Kanji alphabet
• Ships with NetMD Simple Burner (a first for Japanese NetMD units?)

Links:

• AV Watch (Japan) page.
• I4U page for the unit.

Reviews:

User Manual: MZ-NE810

Features: Unit appears to be an MZ-N510 with a radio tuner remote, but like the MZ-R700/MZ-G750 duo, most likely incorporates changes to the main circuit board to accomodate the radio remote.

• NetMD Recorder with AM/FM/TV/Weather radio incorporated into LCD remote (unit cannot record from radio).
• Bookmark track function (see Sony glossary).
• "Quick mode" (allows user to optionally trade battery life for faster queuing and FF/REW speeds).

Markets: N. America (only?)

Included accessories: AC adapter, AM/FM/TV/Weather radio remote, headphones

Links:

• Sony digital images for the unit.
• Sony Winter CES announcement.

Specs: Headphone amp: 5mW+5mW

Reviews:

User Manual: MZ-NF610

Service Manual: MZ-NF610

Features: Unit appears to be an MZ-N710 with a radio tuner remote, but like the MZ-R700/MZ-G750 duo, most likely incorporates changes to the main circuit board to accomodate the radio remote.

• NetMD Recorder with AM/FM/TV/Weather radio incorporated into LCD remote
• Bookmark track function
• Six Band equalizer and Virtual Phone Technology (see Sony glossary).
• "Quick mode" (allows user to optionally trade battery life for faster queuing and FF/REW speeds).

Markets: N. America (where unit is dubbed MZ-NF810CK and equipped with a Car Kit), UK, (Europe?, Japan?)

Included Accessories: USB cable, OpenMG v2.2(?), SonicStage1.5, Charge stand, AM/FM radio equipped LCD remote, Headphones, NiMH cell (part# NH-10WM, lower capacity than Sony's heretofor supplied NH-14WM), battery case, AC adapter, optical cable, "Car Kit" (including cassette adapter and Remote Commander (in-car mountable remote))

Links:

• Sony digital images for the unit.
• Sony Winter CES announcement.
• AVLand (UK) page for the unit.

Reader Comments: The LCD remote is un-backlit, bulky, and inferior to the RM-MC11EL that came with the MZ-R900. The worst part is that the "radio on" button (which turns off the MD and switches on the radio) is right on the top, so it is easy to push by mistake with your thumb when trying to use the other buttons. -Wing Durestos

Specs: 5mW+5mW headphone amp

Reviews:

User Manual: MZ-NF810

Service Manual: MZ-NF810

Features: Unit appears to be nearly an MZ-N10 but with a conventional NiMH (gumpack) battery and [non-rotating] jog-lever instead of jog-knob.

• ATRAC DSP Type S
• Max 64X download speed (LP4 mode)
• 200 second (?) G-Protection
• 6-band equalizer & Virtual Sound
• Bookmark and group mode functions
• 3 line display on main body
• Charge stand (power only, no USB connection)
• Personal disc memory (remembers settings for 20 discs)
• Melody Alarm (avoid missed train stops)
• Jog Lever
• Variable playback speed (50-150%) [though a user reports the quality is surprising low and hence unusable].
• Microphone sens. selector
• Name bank
• Joint Text (!)
• Auto time-mark (places track marks at regular intervals [user settable from 1 to 99 minutes] during recording).
• Date/Time stamp recording
• backlit LCD remote
• Fully aluminum body.
• PowerMode option (NORMAL/QUICK/PowerSave) User manual excerpt:
  • When the power mode is set to "QUICK", the power remains on within the recorder even when nothing appears in the display. This leads to a shorter battery life. For this reason, it is recommended that you charge the battery daily.
  • [In quick mode] if no recorder operation (including opening and closing of the lid) occurs for 17 hours, the power in the recorder automatically turns off. For this reason, the next time you start playback or do another operation, the recorder will not respond quickly. The unit, however, will return to quick mode afterwards.
  • The [Power Save] function allows you to maximize the operating life of the battery when playing the recorder with headphones/earphones (with a remote control) or a line cable connected to the headphone/LINE OUT jack. Power consumption is reduced by turning off the display when no operation has been made for a while.

Markets: UK, Europe, Japan

Links:

• my-minidisc.com page for the unit.
• AVLand (UK) page for the unit.

Included Accessories: USB cable, OpenMG v2.2(?), SonicStage 1.5, Charge stand, backlit LCD remote, Headphones, NiMH cell, battery case, AC adapter, optical cable, carrying case with clip.

Specs: 5mW+5mW headphone amp

Reviews:

User Manuals: MZ-N910, J

Service Manual: MZ-N910

Features:

• ATRAC DSP Type S
• Max 32X download speed (LP4 mode)
• 200 second (?) G-Protection
• Charge stand w/USB connection, USB connection also on main body
• 9-character LCD on main unit
• Group mode support
• Jog Lever
• Automatic time-based track marking (5,10,15 minute interval)
• non-Backlit LCD remote
• Body has aluminum top

Markets: UK, Europe and Australia (not Japan, US)

Links:

• my-minidisc.com page for the unit.
• AVLand (UK) page for the unit.
• Gallery at Minidisc Australia.

Included Accessories: USB cable, OpenMG v2.2(?), SonicStage1.5, Charge stand, non-backlit LCD remote, Headphones, NiMH cell (part# NH-10WM, lower capacity than Sony's heretofor supplied NH-14WM), battery case, AC adapter, optical cable.

Specs: 1.2mW+1.2mW(?) headphone amp

Reviews:

User Manual: MZ-N710

Features:

• System Controller/ATRAC DSP IC: CXD2680GA (CXD2676)
• Group mode functions.
• Entry-level NetMD recorder.
• No audio input jacks! Records only via USB download from PC.
• Max download speed 32X (LP4).
• No remote.
• "Quick mode" (allows user to optionally trade battery life for faster queuing and FF/REW speeds).

Links:

• Sony digital images for the unit.
• Sony Winter CES announcement.
• SonyStyle Canada

Included Accessories: Canada: Fontopia headphones, SonicStage 1.5, NetMD Simple Burner, USB cable

Specs: Headphone amp: 5mW+5mW

Reviews:

User Manual: MZ-NE410

Service Manual: MZ-NE410

Features:

• System Controller/ATRAC DSP IC: CXD2680GA (CXD2676)
• Entry-level NetMD recorder.
• ATRAC Type-S
• No microphone input
• Group and Bookmark track function (see Sony glossary).
• Recording level change and character input while recording
• Quick mode (!) according to Sonystyle Canada.
• Non-LCD remote
• "Quick mode" (shorter battery life: turns off the LCD, but leaves unit "on" for up to an hour with no user input -- unit will respond almost immediately when a track is played or cued within that hour).

Markets: N. America (where unit is dubbed MZ-N510CK and equipped with a Car Kit), UK, Europe, (Japan?)

Included Accessories: USB cable, PC software (SonicStage 1.5, Simple Burner 1.1), headphones, blank MD, AC adapter, carrying pouch. N. American unit includes a "Car Kit" consisting of cassette adapter, Rotary Commander (in-car mountable remote), cigarette lighter power cord and velcro mounting strips.

Links:

• Sony digital images for the unit.
• Sony Winter CES announcement.
• AVLand (UK) page for the unit.
• SonyStyle Canada
• Gallery at Minidisc Australia.
• my-minidisc.com

Specs: 5mW+5mW headphone amp

Reviews:

User Manual: MZ-N510

Service Manual: MZ-N510

Features:

• MDLP Support (but not NetMD)
• Large LCD shows both elapsed and remaining time.
• ATRAC DSP Type-S.
• Button layout resembling portable tape recorders, to ease use by first-timers.
• Digital pitch control allows slow or fast playback without change of pitch (useful for e.g. language learning or reviewing a lecture).
• Twin Speakers
• Automatic Time Track (inserts track mark automatically at regular intervals).
• Built-In Monaural Microphone
• Voice Mirror (blinks LED as voice signal occurs, assuring the functioning of microphone and recorder).
• Hand Strap
• Carrying Pouch

Links:

• Sony (Japan).
• C-Tec (Japan) (retailer).
• SonyStyle USA.
• my-minidisc.com

Included Accessories: In-ear headphones, carrying pouch, AA cell, handstrap

Specs: Headphone amp: 5mW+5mW, Speaker amp (mono): 140mW (70mW x 2)

Reviews:

User Manuals: MZ-B10, J

Service Manual: MZ-B10

Features:

• ATRAC Type R
• No remote, no microphone input.
• G-protection

Markets: UK/Europe (only?)

Included Accessories: AC power adapter, headphones, optical cable

Links:

• AVLand (UK) page for the unit.
• my-minidisc.com

Specs: 5mW+5mW headphone amp

Reviews:

User Manual: MZ-R410

Features: Sony's 10th anniversary Minidisc recorder, with several changes from previous models:

• ATRAC DSP Type-S (see description under MDS-JB980). (System Controller/ATRAC DSP IC: CXD2678-202GA)
• Unit is 30g lighter and 2.6mm thinner than the MZ-N1 (accomplished with new optical pickup and motor (30% thinner) and miniaturized main IC (33% smaller)).
• LP4 audio downloading at 64x realtime (LP2 @ 32x?, SP @ ?x).
• Downloading handled by SonicStage Ver 1.5 software (no mention of OpenMG Jukebox). Note: Japanese model ships with Japanese SonicStage, which cannot be installed on non-Japanese systems.
• (Correction) USB and charging connections are made through the docking stand only.
• Auto time-mark (places track marks at regular intervals [user settable from 1 to 99 minutes] during recording).
• Personal disk memory on MZ-N10 now remembers group mode (on/off) setting as well.
• User settable option (NORMAL/QUICK) for the unit's fast forward and reverse engagement delay (selecting QUICK reduces battery life). (Shared by all 2003 MZ-Nxx units, except, perhaps the MZ-N910).
• Rehearsal Mode: holding the track mark button down for a few seconds enters rehearsal mode, allowing fine +/- adjustment of the track mark's position, just like home Minidisc decks.
• Available in silver and grey.

  Common to MZ-N10 and MZ-E10:

• Built-in 3mm Lithium Ion cell.
• Further thinning of the magnesium case.
• Backlit remote has 2-line display for Roman alphabet titles, 1-line for Kanji titles.
• "Virtual Headphone Technology Acoustic Engine" uses DSP to provide "Studio, Club, Live, or Arena" effects.
• Equalizer allows 7 steps of adjustment (-10dB to +10dB) in 6 frequency bands. Equalizer settings are established with one of four fixed presets ("Heavy, Pops, Jazz, Unique") or one of 2 custom (i.e. user defined) settings. Equalizer and "Virtual Headphone" cannot be used together.
• "Bookmark Track" function can remember up to 20 "favorite tracks" from an MD and allows one to subsequently play just those tracks (tracks are registered by holding the joystick button down for 2 seconds while listening).
• Adjustable playback speed from -50% to +100% (factor of 0.5x to 2.0x) in 13 steps without change of pitch.
• "New" Play mode (See Sony portables glossary).

Other features incorporated from previous unit: 3 line LCD on main body, Jog-dial (now apparently a "Jog-knob" similar to the JVC XM-R700), manual REC level control selectable for digital and analog signals, MDLP group function, G-Protection Jog-proof, battery remaining indicator on main body and stick controller, one touch eject.

Features dropped: No Name Bank.

Remote: RM-MC35EKLU

Variants: European edition: Silver color only, power amp 2mW+2mW (equivalent to setting volume level to 25 out of 30 on the elsewhere available 5mW+5mW edition).

Links:

• Sony's Japanese press release (mech. translations: Babelfish (courtesy Peter Ravn), Translingo).
• Sony Minidisc 10th anniversary page (mech. translation).
• AV-Land (UK) coverage (good photo).
• Minidisc T-Station coverage.
• Spanish coverage at Quesabesde.
• AV Watch page (mech. trans) has coverage of the MZ-N10/E10 and LAM-10 units.
• PocketFad (Shenzhen China) has further photos of the unit.
• MDMan.net (Korea) posts several snapshots of the unit.
• Available from Japan-Direct for US$420 w/shipping.

Reviews:

• Brian Youn's comprehensive MZ-N10 review.
• Howard Chu's MZ-N10 counterpoint.

User Comments:

The Japanese model comes with Japanese software only, so beware. I was able to install the new drivers that came with it and it worked with Open MG 2.2 and Sonicstage 1.2, but I was not able to install Sonicstage 1.5. The menus would be gibberish anyway unless you had a Japanese OS or some kind of Japanese language support. The operation manual I got contains no English.

You can attach the USB cable without the cradle, but not both the USB cable and the external power or the AA battery pack at the same time. This is due to the fact that the external power comes in through the AA battery pack which attaches to and covers the USB port. The USB connector is a flat thin one I have never seen before. The power supply is 6V, no doubt due to the LIon battery charging needs.

There is a power option that selects between NORMAL and QUICK. I don't know if that is new, but it seems to reduce the delay that happens on older units when you fast forward or reverse play.

The mechanism is very quiet, quieter than my N505 and much more so than my R900. Nice and small and light. Controls seem intuitive and easy.

Transfer Speed Improvements: For LP2 mode, which I use the most, transfers are much faster, but the TOC update time limits the benefit. I tried a single 33 minute track and the N10 ran at about 30x real time while the N505 ran 15.5x realtime, so the N10 was almost 2 times as fast. With a 64 minute album of Miles Davis, which contains 7 tracks, 5 of which are about 10 minutes long, the improvement over the MZ-N505 was a factor of about 1.5 (it took 3 minutes 5 seconds to completely tranfer the disc). This is using OpenMG 2.2 or SonicStage 1.1. I don't think SonicStage 1.5 makes any difference to the download speed, it must be recorder and driver dependent.

Rehearsal and Bookmark Mode: When you add a track mark with the track mark button on the unit, you can hold the track mark button down for a few seconds to enter "REHEARSAL" mode and adjust the position of the track mark. This works just like on the home decks, although I am not sure if you can select how fine the increment of changing the position is. This is a very cool feature that is a first for Sony portables (Aiwa portables have had this since the AM-F5). Bookmarks are made by holding down the joystick for 2 seconds while playing.
-Leland McArthy

Specs: Headphone amp: 5mW+5mW into 16 ohms. 20-20kHz +/-3dB.

Included Accessories: (Japanese edition) Backlit Remote, AC power adapter, USB cradle, USB cable (1.5m), SonicStage Ver 1.5 CD-ROM (download software), attachable AA cell case, carrying pouch.

User Manuals: MZ-N10, MZ-N10 Courtesy Minidisco

Service Manuals: MZ-N10, MZ-N10

Features:

• Non-NetMD.
• Quite similar in features to Sony MZ-R909, but with battery life of the Sony MZ-N1. Differs from MZ-R909 as follows:
  • It lacks Joint-Text, a feature for copying track titles from CD-Text type CDs to MD. (Given that most CD-Text CDs had copy-prohibited titles, and that a special cable and Sony CD player was required, the feature's disappearance is not surprising).
  • LCD pixels and symbols are black instead of th MZ-R909's blue.
  • Magnesium shell makes the unit a bit lighter than the MZ-R909.
  • Case edges are more contoured than the MZ-R909 (see T-board comments).
• Personal Disc Memory (remembers program play, treble & bass, repeat mode, playback speed (80-110%), and volume settings for up to 20 discs within the unit.)
• Available in silver, blue and pink.
• Playback speed control without pitch change.
• Digital sound presets (8 step treble and bass adjustments that can be stored as "preset 1" and "preset 2")
• ATRAC Type-R

Links:

• A table of feature differences between the Sony MZ-N1/910/909/900/G750/N707/R700/N505/R500 machines.
• Sony's Japanese page for the unit (mech. trans).
• Sony's Japanese spec sheet comparing the MZ-N1, MZ-R910, MZ-R909 and other units.
• AV Land (UK) page.
• Minidisc T-Station page.

Reviews:

User Manual: MZ-R910

Service Manual: MZ-R910

Features: MDLP capable, ATRAC DSP Type-R. Remote has built-in AM/FM tuner with 40 presets. No NetMD support. Differences from Sony MZ-G750: ATRAC DSP Type-R, (... and ?).

Manufacturer's Specs:

• Built in tuner remote comtroller
• Digital FM/AM tuner with 40 pre-sets (35 FM/5 AM)
• G-Protection Jog Proof
• MDLP
• ATRAC TYPE-R DSP for high quality
• 4-position control key on the unit for ease of use
• Digital Mega Bass
• Up to 48 hours battery life
• 1 x AA sized battery goes inside the unit (battery not supplied)
• Digital recording level control
• Pop Up eject

Accessories: Euro-model: Remote control with built-in AM/FM tuner, headphones, NiCd rechargeable battery, AC power adapter/charger, TOSlink to 3.5mm mini jack optical cable, carrying pouch with belt clip

Available From:

• TechTronics (UK)
• my-minidisc.com (Germany)

Reviews:

User Manual: MZ-G755

Service Manual: MZ-G755

Features: Appears quite similar to the Sony MZ-R700. ATRAC DSP Type-R, Non-LCD remote. No NetMD support.

Links:

• Found on Minidisc T-Station catalog scan (m2_2.jpg).

Dealers: Available from Dick Smith Electronics (Australia).

Reviews:

User Manual: MZ-R701

Service Manual: MZ-R701

Features: First "Sports" Minidisc portable. Second (after the MZ-1) Sony MD recorder to incorporate backlit LCD on main unit (amber backlight). No remote; "one-thumb" joystick control on top of unit. "Buckle"-design case latch for improved ruggedness. Bright reflective surface (presumably to reduce solar heating and make finding a dropped one easier). Sony states "Splash Proof Water-Resistant(1) Design with high-impact plastic housing is designed for outdoor fun, with rubber gaskets, bushings, and waterproof seals that help keep out water, moisture, and dirt" but clarifies "Not meant to be immersed in or come into continuous contact with water". No Mic input, no remote jack.

Links:

• SonyStyle page for the unit.
• A One9ine (great name!) quicktime movie clip of Sony's "Sports" gear includes the unit.
• IGN review of the unit.
• Simple Burner Windows application for direct transfer from CD to MD that Sony ships with US model NetMD gear. (~1.7MB .zip)
• Planet Minidisc's Sony 2002 portables feature comparison chart.

Included Accessories: AC Adaptor, Headphones, Handstrap

Manufacturer's Features List:

• Easy One Hand Joystick Operation
• Backlit LCD Display
• Splash Proof Water Resistant(1) Design
  (1) Not meant to be immersed in or come into continuous contact with water.
• Reflective Hand Strap Supplied
• Reflective Casing And Rugged Buckle Mechanism
• G-Protection(tm)
• Up To 54 Hours Playback Using One "AA" Battery (LP4 Mode)
• Internal Battery Compartment Holds 1 "AA" Type Battery
• "Easy Skip" Group/Folder Function
• Plays Back In ATRAC3(tm) [and ATRAC. -eaw], Supports Multiple Internet Audio Formats (MP3, WMA, WAV)
• New NetMD Simple Burner Quick Rip CD Dubbing Application (Supplied) allows you to swiftly and easily dub music tracks from your CDs directly to the NetMD Walkman with no need to store files or manage music on the hard drive
• Compatible With Windows(r) 98/98SE/2000/Me/XP Operating Systems
• Music Management Software Supplied
• Ability To Record From Multiple Sources (PC, Portable CD, Home CD Unit, Radio)
• MDLP Long Time Stereo Recording And Playback (Up To 320 Minutes/Over 5 Hours Of Music) On One 80 Minute Disc (LP4 Mode)
• Digital Mega Bass(r) Sound System
• Remaining Recording/Playback And Battery Time Indication On Unit LCD
• Multiple Playback Modes, Normal - all repeat, 1 track, 1 track repeat shuffle, shuffle repeat, program, program repeat; Group - all repeat in a group, 1 track in a group, 1 track repeat in a group, shuffle in a group, shuffle repeat in a group, program 1 in a group, program repeat in a group; or lets you play through a MiniDisc from start to end.

Reviews:

User Manual: MZ-S1

Service Manual: MZ-S1

Features: NetMD recorder, allows direct PC to MD downloading of compressed audio (i.e. ATRAC) data via USB. MDLP. Additional features over MZ-N505: microphone input, remote control (with editing capability), charging stand, included car-adapter kit (via dummy cassette). Available in two-toned black/red and blue/silver. No microphone sensitivity setting.

Notes:

• Unlike the European MZ-N707, the North American MZ-N707 comes with the same editing remote as the MZ-R700 which is the RM-MZ-4R. The European version comes with the RM-MC10L, a remote similar to the RM-MC11EL (used for the MZ-R900 & US MZ-N1), but molded in black and presumably lacking a backlight. -Nassib Khayat

Links:

• A table of feature differences between the Sony MZ-N1/910/909/900/G750/N707/R700/N505/R500 machines.
• Planet Minidisc's Sony 2002 portables feature comparison chart.
• Simple Burner Windows application for direct transfer from CD to MD that Sony ships with US model NetMD gear. (~1.7MB .zip)
• Henke's MZ-N707 interior photos.

Hacks:

• By changing the unit's EEPROM values several MZ-R900 features can be added.

Supplied Accessories (UK edition): AC power adapter/charger, Headphones with LCD remote control, NC-WMAA NiCd (AA cell shaped), Optical Cable, Recharge Stand, 1.5M USB cable, OpenMG Jukebox Ver2.2 CD-ROM, Carrying pouch with belt clip.

Specs: Frequency Response: 20-20kHz +/-3dB, Headphone amp: 5mW+5mW

Links:

• Sony's NetMD announcement mentioning the MZ-N707.
• AV-Land (UK) page for the unit.

Reviews:

User Manual: MZ-N707

Service Manual: MZ-N707

Features: Cost-reduced NetMD recorder, allows direct PC to MD downloading of compressed audio (i.e. ATRAC) data via USB. MDLP. Available in gold (yellow?), silver, and blue. No microphone input!

Variants: Euro-version has non-LCD remote, North American version has no remote.

Links:

• A table of feature differences between the Sony MZ-N1/910/909/900/G750/N707/R700/N505/R500 machines.
• Sony's NetMD announcement mentioning the MZ-N505.
• The unit is available from SonyStyle
• AV-Land (UK) page for the unit.
• Simple Burner Windows application for direct transfer from CD to MD that Sony ships with US model NetMD gear. (~1.7MB .zip)

Hacks:

• By changing the unit's EEPROM values several MZ-R900 features can be added.

Specs: 5mW+5mW headphone amp

Included Accessories (UK): AC power adapter, Remote Control, NC-WMAA Rechargeable AA NiCd battery, Headphones, Optical cable (TOSlink to 3.5mm-jack), 1.5m USB cable, OpenMG Jukebox V2.2.

Reviews:

User Manual: MZ-N505

Service Manual: MZ-N505

Features: ATRAC Type-R, MDLP capable, G-Protection anti-shock, digital and analog recording level control, End Search/Auto End Search, Group function. Appears to be nearly identical to the MZ-R500. Note: Unit does not have microphone input or remote jack. A microphone or remote cannot be used with this unit.

Links:

• my-minidisc (Germany) page for the unit.

Supplied Accessories: AC power adapter (European and Chinese models), Headphones, Optical cable (not USA model), PC Link kit (MZ-R501PC only), Digital PC Link Kit (MZ-R501DPC only)

Reviews:

User Manual: MZ-R501

Service Manual: MZ-R501

Features: (First) NetMD equipped portable MD recorder, allows direct PC to MD download (but not upload) of compressed ATRAC audio at up to 30X real-time for LP4 audio (16x for LP2, and ~2x for SP mode audio. MDLP. ATRAC Type-R. (System Controller/ATRAC DSP IC: CXD2677-202GA) Docking cradle provides USB port and charging function. New stick controller with Kanji (Chinese character) display. 3 line LCD on main body. Magnesium case. G-protection. Group function. USB interface can be used for titling, limited editing, and control of the unit from a PC. Selectable microphone sensitivity (HIGH/LOW). "Ultimate Skip-Free G-Protection Technology" (Sony's 3rd generation shock recovery system that combines a lighter servo mechanism and improved electronic circuitry. Adds shock protection to the pick-up mechanism, thereby minimizing the loss of position. It continues to provide quick recovery from both horizontal and vertical shock.)

Software: PC download application is Open MG Jukebox 2.2, and allows CD, WAV, and MP3 tracks, as well as music purchased on the Internet to be downloaded to MD (being converted to ATRAC in the process, as necessary). OpenMG system will ensure that a bonafide NetMD recorder is connected before allowing a transfer, and will prevent ATRAC audio files created on one PC from being played, downloaded or used on a different PC. Open MG Jukebox is SDMI compliant and allows up to 3 track 'check-outs' from PC to MD, tracks can subsequently be 'checked-in', deleting them from the MD. (Check-in transfers the track "rights" back to the PC, but not the audio).

Included Accessories: Backlit remote, headphones, USB cradle, USB cable (1.5m), OpenMG Jukebox V2.2 CD-ROM, AC adapter, rechargeable NiMH cell, battery carrying case, external dry-cell adapter case, carrying pouch.

User Comments: Front panel rocker-control has poor ergonomics. -eaw

Notes:

• The Japanese MZ-N1 comes with software that installs an English version if an English language version of Windows is running, however the installer and help file is in Japanese.
• Though the MZ-N1 can display Kanji titles on its remote, it only writes Kanji titles to MD with the Japanese version of the software.
• The US MZ-N1 comes with the same remote as the MZ-R900 (RM-MC11EL/S).
• The US version does NOT include the carrying pouch (the soft cloth bag) that is shown in Brian Youn's review of a Japanese unit. The manual, which lists all of the equipment and accessories included, does not mention a carrying case either. -Haemish Edgerton

Reviews:

• Brian Youn's detailed look at the unit.
• Nick Riley's impressions of the Sony MZ-N1 and OpenMG.

Links:

• A table of feature differences between the Sony MZ-N1/910/909/900/G750/N707/R700/N505/R500 machines.
• Sony's MZ-N1 announcement (mech trans. of NetMD equipment and Initial NetMD announcements).
• Sony's (Japanese) MZ-N1 product page (trans)
• Sony's (Japanese) NetMD page
• Sony's (Japanese) NetMD equipment page
• AV-Watch (Japan) coverage of Sony's NetMD gear (trans)
• MiniDisc T-Station page for the unit.
• AV-Land (UK) page for the unit.
• Japan-Direct's page for the unit.
• Available for pre-order from SonyStyle.
• Simple Burner Windows application for direct transfer from CD to MD that Sony ships with US model NetMD gear. (~1.7MB .zip)
• Unit is available from Superfi UK.
• Julian Zhu's MZ-N1 interior photos.
• Planet Minidisc's Sony 2002 portables feature comparison chart.

User Manuals: MZ-N1, German

Service Manuals: MZ-N1, 1.4, MZ-N1

Features: MD recorder intended for business use (dictation, recording meetings). Internal stereo flat microphone and monaural front speaker. Voice-Operated Recording function automatically starts recording when it senses sound, and stops recording when the sound stops. MDLP compatible, Group mode functions. Easy Search function allows skipping ahead or back one minute per button press. Two types of track marker let you indicate the importance of recorded events. Jog dial for easy speed control and editing, Large LCD with 3 lines of display, Playback speed control function (+10% to -20%). Click alert indicates disc is out of space. Operating instructions: English, Japanese, Korean, Chinese, Russian, Spanish.

Tips: Hitting FF or RR for about 1 second or a bit more, releasing, then immediately hitting FF or RR again, results in an instantaneous response.

Links:

• Sony's official English description for the MZ-B100.
• Sonystyle Japan has another page for the MZ-B100.
• Radio World review of the unit.
• Minidisco page for the unit.
• Minidisc T-Station page for unit.
• MD-21 (French) page for unit.
• Planet Minidisc's Sony 2002 portables feature comparison chart.

Specs: 2.8cm speaker. Headphone amp: 5mW+5mW, 20-20kHz +/-3dB

Reviews:

User Manual: MZ-B100

Service Manual: MZ-B100

Features:

• Updated and improved version of the MZ-R900.
• ATRAC Type R
• Group function
• 3 line 9 character LCD
• Speed-sensitive jog-dial (fully rotatable).
• Combined headphone and line out jacks (use the unit's menu system to switch between the two different modes).
• LCD on remote (remote is RM-MC11EL, same one as used on the MZ-R900).
• Selectable microphone sensitivity (HIGH/LOW).
• Available in silver, blue, and red.
• Other improvements over MZ-R900: (Courtesy Brian Youn)
  • In manual recording-level mode, recording levels can be adjusted while recording is underway.
  • Dual VU meters on left and right channels during recording and playback,
  • LCD contrast adjustable in 8 steps
  • SOUND settings can be changed from the main unit (without the remote)
  • Playstation-like control pad (push for PLAY, rock left, right up or down for other functions).

Notes: The MZ-R900 will fit into the MZ-R909's charging cradle and charge properly. (MZ-R909 Cradle ["charge unit"] part#: 1-476-763-12)

Reviews:

• Brian Youn's comprehensive review of the MZ-R909.

Links:

• A table of feature differences between the Sony MZ-N1/910/909/900/G750/N707/R700/N505/R500 machines.
• Sony's official Japanese press release announcing the MZ-R909 (English machine translation also available).
• AV-Watch has further photos and Japanese information on the MZ-R909.
• Japan-Direct has several clear photos of the Sony MZ-R909.
• AV-Land (UK) gives some initial MZ-R909 coverage, with listed features and photos.
• Japan-Direct's clear photos and page for the Sony MZ-R909.
• MDMan.net's (Korea) gallery of side-by-side MZ-R909 & MD-MT770 snapshots, shows how similar Sharp and Sony's latest now look.

Specs: 5mW + 5mW headphones output, 100VAC.

User Manuals: MZ-R909, German

Service Manual: MZ-R909

Features: MDLP capable. G-Protection anti-shock, digital and analog recording level control, End Search/Auto End Search. Optical cable supplied with unit. Note: Unit does not have microphone input or remote jack. A microphone or remote cannot be used with this unit.

Links:

• A table of feature differences between the Sony MZ-N1/910/909/900/G750/N707/R700/N505/R500 machines.
• AVLand has photos and specs on the MZ-R500.
• An official Sony press release states that all of 2001's MDLP portable recorders (MZ-R500, -R700, -G750 and -R900) will be available in the United States.
• Planet MiniDisc has the MZ-R500 in stock.
• Video-direct's comparison table lists this unit and other current Sony models.

Hacks:

• By changing the unit's EEPROM values several MZ-R900 features can be added.

Reviews:

User Manual: MZ-R500

Service Manual: MZ-R500

Features: Similar to MZ-R900 (MDLP capable, G-Protection anti-shock, digital and analog recording level control, Manual End Search/Auto End Search). Optical cable is supplied with unit.

Differences from MZ-R900: Non-LCD remote, battery is AA formfactor (i.e. round, accepts AA drycell or AA shaped rechargeable), does not have 1) double jog lever 2) Joint-text recording (transferring titles from special CD-TEXT CDs when recording with special Sony cable from special Sony CD players) 3) date-time stamp recording 4) Personal disc memory 5) Microphone sensitivity switch.

Variants: In Asia the "PC" version of the unit is apparently shipped with an analog version of the USB audio adapter.

Reviews:

• Niels Pijck's MZ-R700 review.
• CNETAsia review of the MZ-G750 mentions the MZ-R700 comes with the analog PC link in Asia.
• CNet comparison of the Sharp MD-MT877, Sony MZ-R900 and MZ-R700.

Links:

• A table of feature differences between the Sony MZ-N1/910/909/900/G750/N707/R700/N505/R500 machines.
• AVLand has photos and specs on the MZ-R700.
• Mark Bausch scans in pages from the Spring 2001 issue of Sony Style magazine that describes the MZ-R700.
• An official Sony press release talks of the MZ-R700DPC, MDX-CA680X, and MXD-D40 units. (Browse to third page of the CES Press Releases.)
• Pages from the Spring 2001 issue of Sony Style magazine describe the MZ-R700 and MZ-G750.
• An amusing advertisement for the Sony MZ-R700DPC has a typo describing how you can use your R700 to create your own "personal MD complications."
• An official Sony press release states that all of 2001's MDLP portable recorders (MZ-R500, -R700, -G750 and -R900) will be available in the United States.
• Planet MiniDisc has the MZ-R700DPC in stock.
• Video-direct's comparison table lists this unit and other current Sony models.
• Walmart sells Sony's MZ-R700 online.