Pros: Small, good sound, large number of features to experiment with.
Cons: Learning curve in SonicStage software, MD file transfer limitiations. Remote could be tougher.
The Bottom Line: If you are ready for the MiniDisc plunge, this will fit the bill. But if you want the full compliment of MD capability, wait for HiMD.
therainking's Full Review: Sony Net MD Walkman MZ-NF810 Personal MiniDisc Pla...
The MiniDisc format has been around for quite a while. It is an audio format based entirely on Sony technologies like ATRAC for compressing music with little (as possible) loss of quality. It was originally intended as a replacement for the cassette recorder, and has exploded in Asia and some parts of Europe, but has never really turned the corner in the United States, where consumers have skipped over the MiniDisc to MP3 Flash and hard disc based players. However, MiniDisc does offer some benefits if you are willing to deal with the tradeoffs.
The MZ-NF810 - Interesting Solution
I was pushed into getting a MiniDisc device after a friend of mine recorded a performance I sang in. I decided the opportunity to do good quality recording at a decent price, as well as being able to tote around more music without digging as deep as necessary for an iPod was worth a shot. eBay searches yielded the MZ-NF810.
Overall it is a sleek device. It certainly has the fit and finish of a Sony product, with all of the joints tight and solid construction all around. My eBay package did not include everything that comes with the store bought kit, which would include the following:
-AM/FM/TV/Weather Band Tuner Remote Control
-Car Kit Accessories
-Charging Stand
-Rechargeable Battery
-software (Music Management & SonicStage™ Software And Net MD Simple Burner Application Included)
-USB cable
-earbuds
-instruction book
Also, cribbing from another Sony, the features are:
-Mic Jack
-Record Mp3s Or CDs At Up To 32X (results vary based on PC specifications)
-Ability To Record From Multiple Sources (PC, Portable CD, Home CD Unit, Radio)
-Utilizes Affordable MD Media For Over 5 Hours Of Music Storage On One 80 Minute Disc (LP4 Mode)
-Plays Back In ATRAC3 Audio, Supports MP3, WMA, WAV
-Up To 82 Hours Continuous Playback Using Supplied
-Rechargeable Battery (LP4 Mode)
MDLP Long Time Stereo Playback (Up To 320 Minutes/More Than 5 Hours In LP4 Mode) Of Music On One 80 Minute Disc
-Compatible With RealOne Player
-Skip-Free G-Protection Technology
-"Easy Skip" Group/Folder Function
-6 Band Graphic Equalizer (4 Preset/2 Custom)
-Acoustic Sound Settings
-Multiple Playback Modes
It also includes a "dry" battery add-on, which extends the battery life of the device considerably. The add-on accepts all AA sized batteries. The player itself uses a gumstick style NiMH battery that that totes about 10 mwh of power. I would suggest searching out the larger capacity 14 mwh batteries that Sony used to include with MD players and recorders.
Playback Functions
The MZ-NF810, like all MiniDisc players, was intended to play back prerecorded MiniDisc media. If you recall, Sony made a push back in the late 90's to make the MD format an accepted way to deliver music. It failed in the U.S., so that leaves you with getting your own music. Once you have done that (covered later in this review), the NF810 performs admirably. It has good sound and response through the entire spectrum, though some may say it is a little on the quiet side. It's maximum volume is not particularly loud, but if you are still concerned about your hearing, there is the ability to use Sony's AVLS method of limiting the maximum volume of the device. It can be turned on and off through the menu options on the face of the player (but not through the remote). The included headphones connect to the remote through a standard minijack, but I would suggest using a different pair. The sound on the included headphones it pretty good, but their cable is so short as to make use of the remote more difficult.
The NF810 offers 4 preset EQ settings (Heavy, Jazz, Pops, and Unique) and two settings that can be changed by the user (Custom 1 and 2). They do make a difference in your listening experience, though I have pretty much let it on the Jazz setting. There is also a Virtual Surround setting, but I have not found it to be useful for prerecorded music.
The included remote is a mixed blessing. Sony included an AM/FM/Weather/TV audio tuner in the remote, but it is not particularly powerful. Your mileage may vary, but I found it difficult to get much of a signal indoors in some instances. The remote can perform the following functions:
- play/pause
- skip forward/back between tracks
- Fast Forward/Reverse through a track
- change folders for playback
- change play modes (single track, shuffle modes)
- volume
- LCD display change (track number/title scrolling)
It has a clip to attach to your clothing for quick access. The radio button is awkwardly placed, causing occasional accidental presses and sudden changes from disc playback to radio.
Be careful with this remote, as the replacement price from Sony is over $100. Check eBay for much better pricing, as low as $25.
Recording Functionality
I have not yet used the microphone or optical input options that are intrinsic to the device, though I will be using the mic input this weekend. I'll update this section once I have some experience with it.
The NF810 is a NetMD device, which was Sony's response to the call for ways to put music on the MD devices through a computer. The implementation Sony chose involves preservation of licensing, limiting a user's ability to do too much duplication of music. This is understandable, given Sony's status as one of the 5 largest music distributors in the world, but it can lead to some frustration if you don't know what the limits are going in.
Getting music onto the NF810 can be simple....or difficult. Sony has included two pieces of software for installation on your PC. SonicStage and SimpleBurner are heavily Macromedia Flash oriented tools that aren't as intuitive as one would hope. Once you have installed the drivers for your device and connected it via the USB cable, you can open up SonicStage.
In order to transfer CD, MP3, WMA, or WAV files to the NF810, SonicStage must perform a conversion of the files to the Sony ATRAC3 format. This is where there can be a loss of quality, depending on the quality of the source. When converting from CDs, the loss is negligible. Low bitrate MP3s can suffer more in the process, as both ATRAC3 and MP3 are "lossy" compression schemes, meaning they both throw out some data in the conversion process.
Once the conversion is complete, you must then choose how much data you want to save on the MD media. This media typically comes in 74 and 80 minute lengths. MD blanks are not widespread, though Best Buy usually has them. There are many online sources as well, and I'll give links later in the review. Using a scheme that looks similar to old VCR terminology, you can choose Stereo, LP2, or LP4. To get the most music on a disc, use LP4, but know that the quality of sound will take a hit. I have used mostly LP2, allowing me to put an entire 2 CD opera on a single MD (in this instance, "The Ballad of Baby Doe," an American opera by Douglas Moore). Certain very loud passages in the opera seemed to give the player a touch of trouble as they splattered a bit, but this may be a problem with the source as well.
Now, here's the kicker. As I stated earlier, Sony is one of the 5 major labels. In order to control the music files, SonicStage allows you three 'checkouts' of each music file. After three checkouts, you must check the file in (that is, remove it from a MD) at least once before you can copy it again to another disc. If you are converting CDs to MD for listening, this probably won't be a problem. But, if you are making mixed discs, this can become a hassle. There are a few ways around it, but nothing officially supported. There is also no method for getting audio digitally back from the MD player onto your computer. Sony recently introduced the new HiMD format which allows this under certain circumstances. However, the NF810 can only transfer to the computer via the headphone out, which could be a problem as it is not a clean line out.
Using the NF810 Day to Day
The beauty of the NF810 is it's small size and "shockproof" nature. The device must take a severe shake in order to cause a skip in playback. Picking it up and shaking it, for example, will not cause a skip due to Sony's G-Shock technology, in which the NF810 caches about 40 seconds of data before playing it back.
Playback in each of the modes uses varying amounts of power. The most power consumptive is the radio tuner, which consumes the internal battery relatively quickly. It is recommended to use the dry battery pack with the NF810 when listening to the radio.
Resources
The MD community has a lively, thriving community that has sprung up around it on the Internet. Thousands of users around the world are able to share information and tips oin how to use MDs via sites like the MiniDisc Community Portal (http://www.minidisc.org) and the MiniDisc T-Station (http://www.minidisct.com/index.html). I strongly encourage you to take a look at these sites for more information on the MiniDisc format.
Accessories, like microphones, blanks, and cases can be found at:
Conclusions
The MZ-NF810 MiniDisc Recorder is a fine product, providing you are aware of the limitations of the format. It performs admirably in it's functions. Sony could have included a larger rechargeable battery and a sturdier remote. If you are ready to immerse yourself in the world of MiniDisc, you could do worse than the MZ-NF810. If you want the best and brightest, however, you should be looking at the new generation of HiMD players from Sony. One more caveat: these devices are NOT...I repeat, NOT in the same competitive class as iPods, Dell's digital jukebox, or any other hard drive based MP3/WMA/AAC players. The NF810 does not offer anywhere near the storage of these devices in one place. However, none of the others have a recording feature that comes close to the MD's capabilities. At best, MD players coexist with MP3s, but have a function that makes it stand out from the others.
****Update****
A couple of weeks ago, I was intending to use the MiniDisc to record a performance. I was prevented from doing so by time and awkward mic placement problems, but I did test it out. The sound was extremely good for recording a solo human voice. I was in a church sanctuary, singing without accompaniment.
The microphone I used is unidentified, as I borrowed it from another MiniDisc owner, but you can see many different types and a tutorial on mic types at Minidisco.com
Record and play back your own MP3 mixes directly to your Sony Mini-Disc Built-in bookmark function for skipping directly to your favorite songs More t...More at Amazon Marketplace
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