Post by anon on Jan 31, 2007 8:08:59 GMT
From: Dah-Dit (Original Message) Sent: 25/07/2006 10:47
If anyone is considering getting an Mp3 player, be it solid state or Hard Disk based, may I suggest another option??
Have a look at Sony's Minidisc Range - particularly the Hi-MD models.
Why?....A number of reasons:
1 They are not Hard Disk based, therefore cannot be catastrophically damaged by hitting a pothole / being dropped.
2. The 1Gb discs hold up to 45 albums on them each. As they are changeable like a floppy disc, and being small, they are ideal for touring. Allowing you to swap as you wish.
3. Battery Life is amazing!! Many models run on a single AA battery which is good for up to 27 hours of playback! Yes, you read that right! Taking a charger with you isn't a pre-requisit for a tour then....
4. They don't only accept connection to a PC. As a digital recorder, they can be plugged into ANY music source via the source's line-out or headphone socket to the Minidisc's line-in. Sometimes I'll plug the Minidisc player into a digital radio and leave it to record a station overnight (up to 7 1/2 hrs on a 1Gb disc) just for a variation again. Or I may connect to the PC for transfer of Podcasts etc...
5. They can also be used to transfer data between computers (like a memory stick).
On the Derbyshire run, I set the thing up on random play under the seat of the bike, before we set off at 7am in the morning. Throughout the whole day, I never touched the thing - on and off the bike, I left it running all day.
I finally got back to London at 2am Monday morning - never heard the same track twice and the battery was still showing over 1/2 battery life left.
Prices vary between <£100 to up to over £200.
Worth consideration.
Find out more:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minidisc
www.minidisc.org/part_Hi-MD_Sony.html
NB. Sony have their own ATRAC3 compression format, that can compress music down to 48kbps. The software supplied with the players allows you to convert Mp3 files to the much smaller ATRAK3 format, which allows more tracks on a disc, and longer battery life. 48Kbps is fine for on the bike.
Many of the latest Hi-MD Minidiscs will also play Mp3 files natively - ie. without any form of conversion, but fewer tracks will fit on a disc as they are much bigger. Battery life is also shortened.
Although conversion may take a little time - it's much better to do.
Regards,
Neil
From: Poo4_Boy Sent: 26/07/2006 23:32
You're preaching to the converted in this house.
Since using MiniDisc for sound work in the theatre I've been a convert.
We now use it for all personal music solutions, its not trendy like MP3 players, but its far more flexible and, as you say, battery life is not an issue.
Roger
