Your alternative to conventional MP3 players or even MP3 CD players.
Written: Dec 20 '01
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Pros: High capacity, economical media, AM/FM tuner, compact.
Cons: Wished one MD could really replace the Nomad Jukebox and no Mac support.
The Bottom Line: If you're considering a compact MP3 player or a smaller alternative to a CD player, without the cost. This is your ideal player for your purpose.
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| lavoisier's Full Review: Sony Walkman MZ-G750DPC Personal MiniDisc Player |
Since I have a large MP3 collection of more than 200 songs, I really do enjoy my MP3 collection. But while I’m away from my desktop computer, I didn’t really have the opportunity to have the pleasure to listen to my MP3 collection. So I went out and searched for an MP3 player. But the problems I had with other MP3 players, such as the Compact Flash Card or Smart Media Card based players is that the media is rather on the expensive side. At about $85 for just a 128MB Smart Media card or Compact Flash card, it’s rather very expensive for the time being. Then I’ve searched the portable MP3 CD players (Discmans), but if I were to constantly take my MP3 when I go out, it would be rather bulky, since I have to carry the player and I have to also carry the CD(s) with me, in case I want to change my CD in the player. Then I looked at the Creative Nomad Jukebox, although it had the capacity, but again the player was about the size of most portable CD players, which I can’t put into my pocket. As a result the Nomad Jukebox and the portable MP3 CD players really require a backpack just to carry it, unless you invest in one of those belt straps or pouches, but who wants to where those. Besides, I tend to be clumsy with big things, especially with the portable CD players. Then until recently, I came across the new breed of MP3 players. They were Sony’s MD players, but they have the MDLP feature that allows me to upload my MP3 files into the MD media into the player. At less than $3 per disk, I can hold up to 320 minutes of music, equivalent to 4 full audio CDs, plus a little more from the 5th CD, yet it’s very compact, so I can put the media in my pocket without worry. Again, it still has the anti-skip feature with the player and the media, which allows me to use the player with confidence, even when running on the hard pavement. At $299, it’s worth the investment, even though it’s rather expensive.
Experience
Many people think that this is just an MD player, well it is and it also functions as an MP3 player. It requires software in your computer to really upload your MP3 collection to your MD player. The software that Sony bundled was rather basic, but it does the job very well. Even installing the software was easy and I followed the installation procedure as directed on the manual. After the software was installed, the computer was restarted and I immediately took the MD player and connected the PC link into my USB port on the back of my computer and almost instantly it recognized the MD PC link. Then I hooked the MD player’s special cable into the MD player and the PC link to upload my MP3 collection to the MD disk. In just a few minutes, depending on the speed of your computer, you have yourself a MP3 collection into a MD disk. With the software that the MD player provides, it allows me to choose the songs I like to have in the MD disk and choosing it was easy with the selector and the indicator allows me to know when the disk is full.
The Street Style headphones that were supplied by Sony in the MD player bundle were excellent. The headphone clinged to my ear top and the neck of the headphone was hanging on the back of my neck. The design of the headphones was also very neat and futuristic. The sound that comes out of those when plugged into the MD player, it’s rich and very vigorous. With the digital Mega Bass booster, it makes the basses even more vibrating and exciting.
Even the design of the player was very futuristic. With the controls on a layout circle, it makes it a very easy area to control my playback and the LCD screen even has a backlight. The remote control can even allow me to control the playback of the player without accessing the player itself. It plugs easily to your MD player and the controller can even be placed on your shirt easily, because of its back clip.
Something extra that was featured in the MD player is the AM/FM tuner. I didn’t really expect this on any MD player, but it’s a nice extra. Because whenever I don’t feel like listening to my audio collection, I can always tune my player into the AM/FM radio for my favorite radio station.
Although it’s about 3 inches thick, I can still fit the player into my pocket. However what I didn’t like about the design of the player is really hump for the AA battery compartment. However, it’s much better than the rechargeable units, because whenever the battery dies down for the player, I can always change battery and not interfere my enjoyment. Even an AC adapter is included for listening your audio collection, if you’re near an electrical outlet.
Final Word
Even though at $ 300, it’s worth the extra money that I’ve spent with player. Even some of the Compact Flash or Smart Media based players can even be very expensive to support expansion. With economical and compact media costs, it’s really a great value as for an MP3 player. However, I wished that the player could replace or even have the capacity of a Nomad Jukebox. In addition, Mac users should look elsewhere, since this player doesn’t support Macs.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 300
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Epinions.com ID:
lavoisier
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Member: Hugh Jazz
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Reviews written: 180
Trusted by: 26 members
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