Sony Net MD MZ-NF610 Personal MiniDisc Player
- Backlit Display: No
- Recordable: Recordable
- Built-in Equalizer: No
- Headphones: Yes
- Remote Control: Yes
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Sony MZ-NF610 Personal MiniDisc Player - Yep, I Have One of These
Pros
Small, easy to use - very portable...
Cons
The software for transferring has issues every now and again.
Recommended it?
Yes
The Bottom Line:
A most excellent, portable audio device. Highly recommended for all music fans and especially those who aren't electronics-savvy.
Preamble
I don't know how it came up, but back in October, my buddy Mike and I were filling Garrett in on the Sony Personal MiniDisc Player. As we sat there, explaining what it is, how it works, it suddenly occurred to me to post a review about it.
So, here ya go :)
What Is A MiniDisc Player?
Glad you asked. A MiniDisc Player is a device that serves two purposes. First, it allows you to record music from specific sources (i.e your pc, the radio, portable cd, home audio system, etc...) to it. Second, it allows you to listen to music. I think of it as a cross between a cd player and that ancient device known as a cassette tape recorder/player :).
People like a MiniDisc player because of two things. First, it's very compact. This particular MiniDisc player is 4 ounces and 3-5/16"W x 1-3/16"H x 3"D. It easily fits into your pocket although I wouldn't recommend you putting it there :). Second, the MiniDisc player produces cd quality sounds so it is just like carrying around your cd player.
So your next question...how do you get the music from your source (like a pc) to the MiniDisc player? To simplify things, you install their software, hook up your USB cable, plug your MiniDisc player in, and you transfer.
That's it!
What You Get - Sony NF610
When you purchase your Sony MiniDisc player, you'll get the following: the MD recorder (which allows access to AM/FM radio), 1 mini-disc, USB cable, remote control, 1 rechargeable AA battery, A/C adapter, a manual, and the software to make your MD recorder do neat things.
The Software
The cd-rom they enclose with your MD recorder has two different applications on it. The first, Net MD Simple Burner, allows you to copy your cd tracks directly to your device via your PC. It skips the need to first, place it on your hard drive thus saving you some space.
The second, Sonic Stage Music Management, is also a tool that allows you to copy music to your MD device. The difference is that if you want to use it to pull tracks off of your cd's, it will place the data first on your hard drive. The biggest difference between the two pieces of software though is that the Music Management piece allows you to customize the heck out of what you eventually place on to your MD Device.
For example, you can use this software to create play lists on your hard drive that can eventually be transferred over to your MD Device -or- you can just listen to them from your computer.
Also something to know...by installing Sonic Stage you also get a free plug-in to RealONE Player just in case you want to listen to your library through this tool.
Now, I'm not going to lie to you. There have been some issues with Sony's software. If you keep on top of the patches at their web site, you should be fine.
What Kind of Music Files Work?
You can transfer just about any music related file format to your MD Recorder - MP3, WMA, WAV, and ATRAC3.
The minidisc that holds your music can be programmed to hold music that is stored at different bit rates. Now, I'm not a genius that can explain this in detail. What I can tell you is that if you want to cram five hours of music on to one disc, it gets stored differently than if you only want one hour of music on it. I supposed that it affects quality to go to the extreme (five hours) however I don't notice it...
The Headphones
The headphones that come with your MD Recorder are the traditional, large ones. The quality is good considering that it isn't a high-end set so these should work fine for you unless you are an audio snob and/or you like those things that you can stick in your ears.
The Remote Control
There is this little thingie they call a remote control that allows you to stop, start, skip, etc... through the music on your MD Recorder without having to touch any of the buttons on the actual device. I hardly EVER use this remote control because, of course, I'm a hands on girl and I feel the need to touch all of the little buttons. When I do use this, there have never been any issues. It works as describes.
Battery Life
The specs tell you that the rechargeable provides for 56 hours of continuous play before you need to replace it/recharge it. So far, I've found that it outlasts that statement! The first time, mine went for approximately 80 hours, without degradation to quality before I had the need to recharge.
The Discs
You can purchase a set of five discs just about anywhere - Target, Walmart, Best Buy for under $10. You can record up to five hours of music on one disc. That's a lot of music people! These wonderful discs also allow you to re-record over them an unlimited number of times. For real! I like this feature a lot.
Other Accessories I Have
I'm an accessories girl - I purchased the car adapter set and the thing that allows me to strap it to my forearm so that when I exercise, I don't have to hold it. Both are wonderful compliments to the MD Recorder.
Warranty
The Sony MZ-NF610 Personal MiniDisc Player is covered for 90 days after purchase against defects in workmanship. Something happens in those first 90 days, you get your MD Recorder replaced or repaired for free! After 90 days and up until 1 year, Sony will supply the parts but you have to pay for the labor...
The End
If you want something really compact in the audio arena but with versatility, Sony's MiniDisc Player is the way to go. You'll be thrilled at the amount of music you can keep with you at one time without having to drag your cd collection with you.
I don't know how it came up, but back in October, my buddy Mike and I were filling Garrett in on the Sony Personal MiniDisc Player. As we sat there, explaining what it is, how it works, it suddenly occurred to me to post a review about it.
So, here ya go :)
What Is A MiniDisc Player?
Glad you asked. A MiniDisc Player is a device that serves two purposes. First, it allows you to record music from specific sources (i.e your pc, the radio, portable cd, home audio system, etc...) to it. Second, it allows you to listen to music. I think of it as a cross between a cd player and that ancient device known as a cassette tape recorder/player :).
People like a MiniDisc player because of two things. First, it's very compact. This particular MiniDisc player is 4 ounces and 3-5/16"W x 1-3/16"H x 3"D. It easily fits into your pocket although I wouldn't recommend you putting it there :). Second, the MiniDisc player produces cd quality sounds so it is just like carrying around your cd player.
So your next question...how do you get the music from your source (like a pc) to the MiniDisc player? To simplify things, you install their software, hook up your USB cable, plug your MiniDisc player in, and you transfer.
That's it!
What You Get - Sony NF610
When you purchase your Sony MiniDisc player, you'll get the following: the MD recorder (which allows access to AM/FM radio), 1 mini-disc, USB cable, remote control, 1 rechargeable AA battery, A/C adapter, a manual, and the software to make your MD recorder do neat things.
The Software
The cd-rom they enclose with your MD recorder has two different applications on it. The first, Net MD Simple Burner, allows you to copy your cd tracks directly to your device via your PC. It skips the need to first, place it on your hard drive thus saving you some space.
The second, Sonic Stage Music Management, is also a tool that allows you to copy music to your MD device. The difference is that if you want to use it to pull tracks off of your cd's, it will place the data first on your hard drive. The biggest difference between the two pieces of software though is that the Music Management piece allows you to customize the heck out of what you eventually place on to your MD Device.
For example, you can use this software to create play lists on your hard drive that can eventually be transferred over to your MD Device -or- you can just listen to them from your computer.
Also something to know...by installing Sonic Stage you also get a free plug-in to RealONE Player just in case you want to listen to your library through this tool.
Now, I'm not going to lie to you. There have been some issues with Sony's software. If you keep on top of the patches at their web site, you should be fine.
What Kind of Music Files Work?
You can transfer just about any music related file format to your MD Recorder - MP3, WMA, WAV, and ATRAC3.
The minidisc that holds your music can be programmed to hold music that is stored at different bit rates. Now, I'm not a genius that can explain this in detail. What I can tell you is that if you want to cram five hours of music on to one disc, it gets stored differently than if you only want one hour of music on it. I supposed that it affects quality to go to the extreme (five hours) however I don't notice it...
The Headphones
The headphones that come with your MD Recorder are the traditional, large ones. The quality is good considering that it isn't a high-end set so these should work fine for you unless you are an audio snob and/or you like those things that you can stick in your ears.
The Remote Control
There is this little thingie they call a remote control that allows you to stop, start, skip, etc... through the music on your MD Recorder without having to touch any of the buttons on the actual device. I hardly EVER use this remote control because, of course, I'm a hands on girl and I feel the need to touch all of the little buttons. When I do use this, there have never been any issues. It works as describes.
Battery Life
The specs tell you that the rechargeable provides for 56 hours of continuous play before you need to replace it/recharge it. So far, I've found that it outlasts that statement! The first time, mine went for approximately 80 hours, without degradation to quality before I had the need to recharge.
The Discs
You can purchase a set of five discs just about anywhere - Target, Walmart, Best Buy for under $10. You can record up to five hours of music on one disc. That's a lot of music people! These wonderful discs also allow you to re-record over them an unlimited number of times. For real! I like this feature a lot.
Other Accessories I Have
I'm an accessories girl - I purchased the car adapter set and the thing that allows me to strap it to my forearm so that when I exercise, I don't have to hold it. Both are wonderful compliments to the MD Recorder.
Warranty
The Sony MZ-NF610 Personal MiniDisc Player is covered for 90 days after purchase against defects in workmanship. Something happens in those first 90 days, you get your MD Recorder replaced or repaired for free! After 90 days and up until 1 year, Sony will supply the parts but you have to pay for the labor...
The End
If you want something really compact in the audio arena but with versatility, Sony's MiniDisc Player is the way to go. You'll be thrilled at the amount of music you can keep with you at one time without having to drag your cd collection with you.
