Sony Portable Mini-Disc Player/Recorder (MZ-R500PCNAVY)

Manufacturer: Sony
Customer Rating:

, based on 16 reviews

Out Of Stock

Description/Reviews | Feedback | Accessories

Editorial Review:

MDLP (MiniDisc Long Play) allows up to 5 hours of music on one minidisc
Flexible editing (add text, combine, divide, move, erase)
Level control for consistent recordings
Up to 48 hours of playback with one AA battery (in LP4 mode)
Digital Mega Bass Boost for full, rich low-end

The jacket size MD Walkman player/recorder MZ-R500 easily slips into a pocket for personal enjoyment just about anywhere. MDLP Long Time Recording and Playback lets you record 2X (LP2) or 4X (LP4) longer on an 80-minute MiniDisc to provide as much as 320 minutes (over 5 hours) of music with excellent sound quality. Skip-Free G-Protection technology makes the MD Walkman an ideal on-the-go companion, with an advanced system that provides more than 10-times faster shock recovery compared to conventional systems, ensuring perfect playing performance without skipping even during such active uses as jogging. Download new songs from the net in any format you like with the Analog PC Link cable.Digital Mega Bass sound system provides rich, deep bass tones with digital signal processing for virtually inaudible harmonic distortion. Digital recording level control allows you to achieve a consistent recording level on your MiniDisc no matter what the source of your recording. When the eject mechanism is pressed on the unit, the lid pops up and ejects the disc approximately 1/2 inch making for easy loading and unloading. Digital Synchro Recording lets you make digital copies of your CDs onto a MiniDisc with synchronized operation that begins recording when digital input signal is received. You can create or modify individual track information as the MiniDisc is being recorded. The LCD display alerts you to the time left on the MiniDisc for additional recording or to conclude playback, and provides a visible symbol battery power remaining.

Customer Reviews:

Good, but here's what's lacking

I bought an MZ-R500 a couple of years ago solely to record live music. What a surprise that this model doesn't have a mic input jack! It only has a line input, and I was unable to record anything live. (Later I learned that I'd either need an accessory battery box or an upgrade to record with a microphone). I quickly upgraded to an MZ-R700 which has the neccessary mic input jack and have been more or less happy. Also lacking with this model is the inability to start recording from anything other that AUTO volume level. To change levels out of AUTO, you always have to start recording, press pause, and then go into the menu to manually adjust the volume. Quite a pain when you want to record live stuff on the fly. OH well. . .

2004-09-05

this MD Rocks

this MD is the best thing i ever bought!! it is so much better then a mp3! you get 5 hoursd on one disc and you can get a disc (which is rewritable) for about one dollar. it doesn't skip at all it is great for running skateing or anything else. If your thinking about getting one of these, do it because the are awesome!!

2002-12-13

MiniDisc / MegaCool

This was my first MiniDisc player/recorder and I still use it for dubbing CDs and MP3s. It's small size is great for when I'm travelling around town on the bus or making a long winded trip via air. You can track your tunes out just like with an AudioCD, putting about 20 tracks on one disc. The lower compression recordings don't sound great, but it's better than sitting on that bus listening to some freak yelling obscenities. Most recently, I upgraded to an iPod and just drag and drop one months worth of songs onto my 10gb unit, but I prefer taking the MiniDisc on longer trips---it's durable and expendable.

2002-08-03

For folks on the go.

This little MD player is one of the greatest audio investments I've ever made. I can't figure out why folks are buying MP3 players. These MD recorders, especially the MZ-R500, seem to be the best kept secret in the world of mobile personal audio.

One complaint however... I don't like the fact that the recorder always defaults to "automatic" recording volume level. You will quickly find out that the auto volume feature doesn't let enough sound in. It also makes "mush" out of live albums as it compensates too much for the crashing percussion instruments. I found this out when I recorded the live version of Orange Blossom Special by Johnny Cash. I thought something was wrong with the MD recorder. When I set the recording volume manually, the mush went away.

It must be set to manual each time you record, from song to song or album to album. Any time you start recording, in other words. All other settings the user makes stays put, just this ONE feature resets to auto. Quite frustrating.

Once these small issues are figured out, this is a fantastic little gadget. Certainly meant for folks on the go. Simply start it playing and slide the "hold" feature in place. All the buttons are now disabled and can't be hit accidentally. Drop it in your shirt pocket and go! This thing does NOT skip either!

Cheers.

2002-07-27

Totally Exceeded My Expectations!

I bought the R500 today not knowing exactly what to expect. I had heard nothing but good about it, but the choice was mine to make.

... a previous customer had bought my MD recorder, but then returned it for one reason or another, anyway ... :)

I immediately bought the R500 and a 5-pack of MDs, (which I now know will last me forEVER) went home and without a 10 minute delay, started recording my own songs! It was the easiest thing to figure out, and the cables came with it! Now, an hour later, I have figured out most of the functions (with the help of the instructions manual) and I am using my MD player like a veteran.

If you are looking for ease-of-use, good price, and overall great deal, look no further than the MZ-R500. Though the previous owner put a couple scratches on it, they make the recorder look rugged. :)

Again, don't look any further if you're looking for ease-of-use, good price, and an overall great deal. Buy some new headphones though.

...

2002-07-02

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