For those interested: I have written a brief evaluation of the new SonicStage 3.2, which is actually due for official release on July 27, 2005.

—> click here for relevant discussion of SonicStage 3.2 for MiniDisc use

—> click here for relevant discussion of SonicStage 3.2 for all other ATRAC related device use.

SonicStage 3.2 (English version) Web Installer—> click here *will require a simple registration to access the download section.

In addition, for those interested: SonicStage 3.2: ATRAC3plus Frequency Analysis .

Whoa! Awesome! These new modes should help out a lot in terms of conserving space without sacrificing quality. The jump from 64kbps to 256kbps was a little too much.

Thanks for the info…I’m going to try it out!

One awesome new update is the ability to play files directly from the device within SonicStage 3.2. Previously, only ATRAC3 compressed music would play. However, I can now play MP3 files directly.

I’ve verified this with both my VAIO Pocket and my MZ-RH10 HiMD unit. Coolness!

Also, FWIW, I love the Japanese version of SonicStage since it doesn’t seem to have the initialization issue people are seeing with the English version. I simply upgraded to SS 3.2 and plugged in my devices and started using them without issue.

Brilliant. I’m pleased to hear your pleasant experience with SonicStage 3.2.

Yeah, I’m currently testing out the software on all my Sony ATRAC devices (except for my NW-E507 which died).

Just for fun…I plugged them all in at the same time…

SS 3.2 handles all the devices at once pretty well. When you switch from one to the other it changes available options to you. Still, it’s pretty neat. I’m surprised my hub could handle all the devices…

For those that don’t know…

[Back row] VAIO Pocket VGF-AP1 and NetMD MZ-N1
[Middle row] VAIO Music Clip MC-P10
[Front row] Hi-MD Walkman MZ-NH1 and Hi-MD Walkman MZ-RH10

I will take another picture of them once I get my NW-E507 back from Sony.  :wink:

Very nice collection! The only one MD portable (from your picture) missing from my own collection is the blue MZ-N1.

I used to have a R900 but it was stolen…i’m still nostalgic about that one since it was a fine unit and the first to introduce the LP2/LP4 ability. I think each one I purchased moved MD technology forward (or kept it alive depending on how you look at it).

The MZ-N1 introduced NetMD.

The MZ-NH10 introduced Hi-MD.

The MZ-RH10 introduced OLED to MD units and finally added direct USB charging and transfer. However, it lost the LINE-OUT ability.  :cry:

The R900 is indeed a beauty; I have the red version in my collection. Anyhow, I sure wish to find a mint blue N1.

just curious, does sonic stage lag? it seems like folders open slowly

when i click file or edit, it takes 2 seconds to load up.  is it normally like that?