| |  | Electronics Sony MZ-S1 S2 Sports Net MD MiniDisc Player |  | | | | | | | | | | Rating:  - it's not an mp3 player
I bought this mini disc recorder for a very good price.The good part is that the software included has it's own compression format that allows lots of music on one disc and allows the user to set compression ratio....the bad part is that the software is cumbersome to use and very very slow....if you are looking for a mp3 player buy one...not one of these....I bought to use as a portable player (the discs are rewritable) and as a portable recorder which seems to work ok although it does not provide much flexibility...overall i am happy since it cost so little
Rating: - Sony has a limited idea of "sports"
Let me say first that this MD player has treated me well over the last few months, in fact I may be pushing on a year with this thing now.It is my second MD player though as my first one just decided to kick the bucket after about two years so the verdict is still out on this current one.
If I hadn't invested in so many minidiscs when I was overseas I would have gone with an MP3 player or something like it but if you need an MD player like I did (do) and you're looking for a sports model I would say go with this one for sure.There is only one drawback to this as far as I can tell (I am pretty low maintinence when it comes to this stuff) but it has the potential of being a big one depening on what your expecting out of a "sports" product like this.I feel confident in saying that this is pretty much only good for those who run or jog.Mall walking, line dancing and the stairmaster would probably be ok too.The only control for the unit is placed at the point where the thumb rests on the player making the thing pretty much useless for sports that either require the use of your hands or your hands to be gloved up (though the thumb control is easy to use otherwise).I am truly amazed that this does not have a remote to it.I still use it when I'm biking but I either put it in a pocket (in which case I need to fish it out if I want to change the track) or I ride my bike with one hand (in which case I truly expect to find out soon just how much abuse this thing can take as it smashes into the ground with myself and the bike).
As far as the battery goes I'm convinced that there are little elves that change it (one AA) when I'm not looking because in almost a year I have replaced the battery once. I've had long times where I haven't used it, but it's not like it's collecting dust either.
In a nutshell, if you are in a position where you need to get this type of MD player I think you will be more than satisfied with it.The reason I gave this 4 stars is because of the lack of remote, this makes it for a very cumbersome sports walkman, almost to the point of contradicting itself.If however you are a runner , jogger or line dancer then this product was made just for you.
Rating:  - Best Music Player for people on the go
Sony has made great improvements on it software (2004 edition is very stable).It is just as easy as itunes.If you have 1ghz processor or better don't worry about the software if you have a slower computer you may want to upgrade first.The baterry life is great. I run on a track team and I carry the music player in my spike bag.It rains some days and sometimes I have to leave it in direct sunlight.But it still works great.
Rating: - Wonderful... Almost.
So there are ups and downs to this package
If you're looking for a good alternative to CD, or you don't have the money for an iPod, look into MiniDisk.If a CD and a Floppy disk had a child, a MiniDisk would pop out.The media has the decent durability of a floppy, with the capacity of a CD (not a full CD, but 169MB is not bad for music.)The S1 alone is built like a rock, (which is nice at school.) However, because of the construction, it is a good bit heavier then other MD's (which isn't saying much) I can say that the player (with battery and disk) has a decent heft, but nothing extraordianry (imagine a weighty CD player.)It's overall size being smaller then the average CD player, I find it's easier to carry around then my old CD player.
The added bonus of REMOVABLE media gives you a gigantic leg up on flash MP3 players, allowing you to carry more music on two MD's then on a standard Flash MP3, and a about $2 a piece, they aren't that expensive.And because the media is re-writable, a 5 pack will last you a LONG time ($10 at Target).The battery life shines above and beyond however, I got a good 30-40 hours of playtime off ONE AA battery, and another in a bag is easy to carry along.(I keep one AA in my backpack.)
Ah, yes, the above does sound like a very lame comercial, but this thing deserves it.However, everything must have its flaw, and the NetMD's have an inherant flaw... In the software given out with them.
The software has caused quite a bit of my hair to relocate to the floor after being ripped out.4 hours later, and quite aggrivated, I resorted to the grande olde internet.I found a rather easy way around the software Sony seemed to spend 5 minutes on... (the infamous SONICSTAGE!)Now, supposedly, SonicStage Version 2.0 is much better, but the original SonicStage (Version 1) is INCREDIBLY ustable, locking up in mid-burn, etc. etc. Very confounding.However, there is a way around it.The drivers for NetMd's can be downloaded for RealPlayer.I did the following
First and formost, you must INSTALL SonicStage (Fear the install, it's like being in a very large pool, on top of a hill, in the rain, while cursing the god of thunder, and telling him to give you his "Best shot") After you've woken up after installing (yes, you might fall asleep) Do the following.
1)Download RealPlayer at their website (free)
2)Once installed, open it up and click on Burn/Transfer
3)Click "Add a New Device" it will open a web page in RP, look around a bit, and you find the NetMD Section
4)Download the driver you need.
And you're done, SonicStage has been bypassed.
However, I find that queuing songs up for burn can lock up RealPlayer as well.To solve this, I queue up one song at a time, then copy that ONE song to the MD.Then repeat till I have everything done.It takes time, and I can't leave my computer, but it works, and I haven't had any trouble since.What I usually do is set it to burn a song, do whatever on the computer for a minute or two, and check back.(for instance AIM) It works pretty well (I'm woking on a burn right now.)
In summary, the player and all NetMD's are incredible.The software included could be affiliated with several choice words. RealPlayer takes time, but it works, and once the music is on the disks, it plays flawlessly (I shook the thing for 3 minutes straight and the sound didn't even waiver.) It also looks really really nice, and the backlight is a soothing orage irridecent glow... Very comforting.I am very happy with this purchace.Thumbs up.
Rating: - Durable But Not Very Compact
The Song MZ-S1 MD Player is very durable indeed. It would probably survive a 4-foot drop. However, at over 7 oz., it is not very compact. It weighs more than my CD Player! If you are looking for durability, this is the one for you because not will it survive through the harshest of falls, it is also water-resistant. But, if you are looking for something tiny, I reccomend getting a Network MP3 Player. The MZ-S1 is very . . . chunky. I would reccomend getting it if you play sports often, or if it is for someone irresponsible. (i.e. you teenage son or husband =])
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