The Sharp MT821 is a real winner
Written: Dec 03 '00 (Updated Dec 06 '00)
|
Product Rating:
|
|
|
Pros: Light weight, long anti-shock protection, affordable price, many features, user friendly, durable, overall great product.
Cons: Tracks take forever to name, will skip if you shake it long or hard enough, jogging is fine though.
|
|
|
| _fate_'s Full Review: Sharp MD-MT821 Personal MiniDisc Player |
Review: Sharp MD-MT821
Mp3 vs MiniDisc:
I decided that my CD player was no good. It was only $40, it was from a no name company, and it scratched all my CD's as it played them. The CD player ate a fully charged set of 2 AA batteries in approximately 4 hours, and I was fed-up with switching batteries constantly. I searched the internet, and decided to get a minidisc player. I had agonized over whether to get an MP3 player, or a minidisc player, and I realized that a minidisc would provide me with all the features I would need. Both an MP3 player and minidisc player are small, compact, and lightweight, but MP3 players are usually plastic and seem flimsy. Most minidisc players, on the other hand, are made with aluminum or other metals, and seem more durable as compared to consumer plastics. Nearly all MP3 players run on AA batteries, while a lot of minidisc players run on lithium ion, or nickel metal batteries, thus providing a longer play life. MP3 players don't skip, mainly because they have no moving parts, while minidisc players can, but usually come with skip protection. Both provide re-recordable media, but the minidisc comes with interchangeable media.
My Decision:
Weighing these differences, I decided that the minidisc be my choice. I surfed several main websites (minidisco.org, mindisctstation.com, japan-direct.com etc.) and collected input on what would be the ideal player at a worthwhile price. I ended up debating over whether to get a Sony MZR-91, or a Sharp MT-821. I read that the 91 had the longest battery life out of all the minidisc player/recorders, and that it was incredibly popular. I decided to purchase that. The day before I planned to order it, however, my friend informed me that the remote on his MZR-70PC had broken and didn't work at all. He also explained how the minidisc would randomly fast forward or stop playing at times. He had only owned the minidisc for about 2 months when this happened. I switched my decision to the Sharp just to be safe. I was actually quite relieved that I made the decision that I did. In retrospect, I noticed that the MZR-91 actually had quite a small display (just a small strip), and the minidisc seemed to have less functions that the Sharp that I picked out.
My Experience:
The minidisc player came in the mail direct as an import from Japan, gift wrapped (to avoid import taxation). I was ecstatic and immediately put my minidisc to use, as I had borrowed some minidiscs filled with music from my friends. I was happy to see that the battery had been pre-charged and I popped in the lithium ion battery and proceeded to play the music. I had replaced the headphones with the more expensive Sony earbuds with bass boost which I had purchased for my PC. The sound was incredible: the same that you would expect to hear from a CD played by your home entertainment system. I fiddled with the bass and the equalizer adjustments to suit my preferences. I was happy with my purchase. The buttons enable you to easily navigate about the options. The remote has a little fish that runs across it when you don't name your tracks. The remote is a little frightening at first because of the awkwardness of the arrangement, but in no time, you will have it figured out and known like the back of your hand. Everything about the minidisc player I found wonderful, and even my friends envied me. I had noticed something, probably common to all minidisc players, which I found annoying. In order to name your tracks, or your minidisc, you must scroll through the alphabet letter by letter and select them. Other than that, my purchase was flawless.
Relief:
I was surfing the internet a few days ago, and I came across a website containing nothing but minidisc forums. I found a forum about only Sony minidisc players, and I found about 320-some threads complaining about problems having to do with the MZR-91. I read some of them and they were really awful. I'm actually quite relieved that I purchased a Sharp, and even if the problems with the Sony minidiscs aren't common to all of them, at least I saved myself the risk. I am happy with my MT-821.
Conclusion:
I carry this minidisc with me everywhere, and I listen to it endlessly. It never leaves my pocket, and its very convenient to have around. It's probably one of the best purchases I've made, other than my PDA's. I give this minidisc player/recorder a perfect score, and if you are looking for a music player, forget about CD's or MP3's. This is the one for you!
Recommended:
Yes
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
_fate_
|
|
Reviews written: 24
Trusted by: 53 members
About Me:
A student studying Computer Science, and obsessed with computers.
|
|
|
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.