Wondering about Minidiscs? Here's a great FAQ about Minidiscs.
Also, wondering how you can more easily copy your MP3s to your MD without having to use that dreaded piece of software from Sony called OpenMG? I found out how in a post on T-Station. Read more of this article for information. You'll need Nero for this. Nero is worth every penny as a CD-R/RW software, so don't worry about buying it. This technique works quite well.
Dino at T-Station posts:
Hi all avid MD buffs- First off I want to thank everyone here especially all the regular posters. I've been keeping a close eye on a lot of threads over the last few days- spent heaps of time researching a new portable music device...and all I can say is: MD, where have you been all my life?!! Just got a n707, absolutely love it. I am re-discovering how much I enjoy portable music. BUT...I aggree with most here, OPENMG sucks the big one. Rediculous restrictions.. can't upload, CANT DELETE for crying out LOUD!! I found I couldn't even delete my own sound bytes recorded after a bunch of files downloaded with OPENMG!! absolutely crazy... I got the 'Simple Burn' software, not bundled with the AUZ models, not even a mention of it (thanks sony, luv ya), and yes it is simple and is limited to LP2/LP4, but what it does, it does well and the software isn't a bugfest like openMD. Rips albums quite fast and very happy with LP2 for quality. I found a quick and easy way to get my mp3's onto my MD by using Simple Burn. I haven't seen this on any other post and my apologies if I'm just repeating someone elses idea. CAVEAT- you need Nero, and nero's imagedrive, or something similar that can create a virtual CD disc image, and mount it to your desktop. Five easy steps to a clean and hassle free mp3-md burn: 1. Open nero, select Audio CD from the presets and drag all the MP3's you want into it. Nero is far less picky about formats and sample rates. I found this method foolproof. 2. Save or 'Burn' your cd to your hard drive (not your burner). Nero will give you a default filename of 'image.nrg' 3. Use Nero's imagedrive (bundled with nero) to mount the .nrg you just created. Lets say for this example, drive 'F' I'm not an expert, but I found these 3 steps took around 2 MINUTES or less for a regular sized audio cd, ie: about 10 mp3 tracks to be converted and 'burned' to my hard drive as a regular audio CD 'image'. I have a PIII 1gig, so that would have helped with the mp3-aif conversion times. Faster machine=faster mp3 conversion=faster image creation. Now If you know how to use Simple Burn, the rest as they say, goes without saying. 4. Select your 'virtual F' cd drive in Simple Burn & burn that sucker. 5. When you're done, trash the .nrg file sitting on your desktop (large file). If your machine is 'fairly' fast (most today are) then Simpleburns' CD-Atrac conversion is done in on-the-fly in RAM. Notice your HD doesn't tick over at all. ADVANTAGES TO THIS METHOD *you're using reliable software *unlike openmg, crap isn't left all over your hard drive, not to mention that f**ing checkin-checkout bullshit. *you can delete, re-arrange tracks on your MD to your hearts content WITHOUT having to do it via your pc. *did I mention you dont have to use openmg? *it's faster and doesn't thrash your HD *no openmg Now..all I need is to be able to upload audio, then I will be an EXTREMELY happy customer. Well thats about it. BTW, can someone please tell me why sony called their monster openMG, I would have thought openMD would have been more appropriate. cya's and thanks again.