Customer Reviews:
 Great Re-Invented Recording Format January 19, 2002
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
Sony introduced the MiniDisc format to the U.S. in 1992 - it was not a big success, even though Minidisc was highly successful in Asia and, to a lesser extent, in Europe. Since then, Sony has had several major advertising campaigns to promote the format. I've always been intrigued by it's exceptionally small form factor, and it's re-recordable disc format. Improvements to the compression encoding known as ATRAC have made the minidisc a more than capable replacement for the cassette tape, with faster and easier access to song selections, editing capabilities that are computer like, and quality sound (particularly when recorded using the optical input). And yet - America (and I) were not convinced enough to take the plunge. The early units were expensive, and the blank media costs were way too high ($10-15 or more). But recently, Sony introduced a series of new Minidisc player/recorders in the U.S., of which the RZ-500PC is the least expensive, that can be attached via USB port to your computer to copy compressed music files. And, to make the format even more enticing, they engineered the unit to be able to record up to 320 minutes of stereo sound on a single 80 minute disc. And the disc prices were lowered to the range of a quality cassette (about $2). These changes are what finally convinced me to try the format. I gave my wife a suggestion to buy the MZR500PC for me as a Christmas present. Fortunately, she followed my suggestion. I haven't had this much fun with a new "toy" since I got my first stereo. The recording and editing functions are astounding. For example, because of the scattered bit type recording process that it uses, you can record a series of songs, then remove one, replace it with another, and not effect any of the other recordings. You can change the song sequence, or, if you just want to re-record the whole disc, it can be erased completely in only seconds! It has a feature, active only when recording optically, called "Sync-Record" that puts the unit into pause when the record and play buttons are simultaneously activated, and as soon as it senses sound, it starts recording! When the sound stops, so does the recorder. Great stuff! It's only drawback when compared to MP3 players or MP3/CD players is that it records in real time (an hour's worth of music takes an hour to record, whether its compressed music files from your computer, CDs recorded from your stereo, or cassettes recorded from a player). The MZR500PC is a great way to enjoy truly light, portable, quality music. Get it, use it, and I'm sure you'll get to like it as much as I do. Take the plunge!!
Mixed Feelings January 15, 2002
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
This was a gift so I can't complain too much. It's not the unit I asked for (the Sharp model). I had one of the old Sony MD recorders - cost me alot of $. It quit working a few years ago. I think it was the MZ-R1. I needed something to play the 30+ MDs I had. For the average user, this unit is fine. It works as advertised for the most part. The PCLink barely works on my PC. There's a conflict with the USB drivers. PCLink is designed to take over the speaker output so if you can get it to work, you can't leave it connected. I'm planning to get a Y-adapter so I can connect both my speakers and any recording device at the same time. There is no Line Out connection so you have to use the headphone jack if you want to hook it up to a stereo system which I often did with my old MD unit. The MZ-R500 also seems to operate more slowly than Sony's older recorders. The controls are not as straight forward as they used to be. Erasing MDs and tracks are more difficult than before. It wasn't something you could easily do on the old unit. The menu on this one isn't organized in the best way. On the plus side, you are able add titles with this unit. The battery seems to last forever - on one AA battery. Sony used rechargeable battery packs in the past - with a battery pack that used 3 AAs that could be used as a backup. The controls are a bit small for people with big hands but it's not impossible. I just have to be careful.
 Excellent Choice December 27, 2001
8 out of 8 found this review helpful
The Sony MZR500 is an amazing MD player, with functions to please almost anyone. I'll outline some of the pros and cons of this model:PROS:
- text capability
- MDLP (which allows for up to 5 hours of music onto one MiniDisc)
- FULLY Mac compatible (with iTunes, anyway)
- excellent sound quality
- repeat function
- unbeatable price
- PCLink included
- small size allows for maximum portability
- excellent battery-life
- easy recording CONS:
- records in real-time
- comes with cheap, flimsy earbuds
- no remote-control
- small buttons may provide some problems for big-handed people
- small display This model is a perfect choice for a first-time user, or even an electronics savvy audiophile.
Sony MZR500 MiniDisc recorder review by Sanjay Schrapel November 24, 2001
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
I recently bought this MD recorder for my dad. It is excellent, and some of it's features include CD text, digital recording and MDLP recording, where you can get 4 CDs WORTH OF MUSIC ON 1 TINY LITTLE MD!!! I frequently use Audiogalaxy to get some of my favourite beats on MD. Using my knowledge of the quality of Sony products, I then decided to buy a Sony MD player (model MZE300) which you Americans can't get!
The player included a pair of high quality fonotopia earphones with a gold-plated plug, which I recall getting a pair from Tandy for $40 Australian! The instruction booklet is very easy to follow, just as long as you read the English one, not the Korean one!
The only thing I hate about the player is the small buttons, where the >>/ button was pressed when I intended to press the [Enter] button, but I only use it for recording, as I use my player for playing them (the MZE300 has big, easy to press buttons).
Unfortunately the Australian model MZR500 doesn't have the online music download feature, but MP3s and WMAs can be recorded by using a 3.5mm to 3.5mm cable.
Battery life is commendable, with up to 22 hours recording time or 40 hours playing time using 1 Dick Smith NiCad rechargeable AA battery.
If the MZR500 included compatibility with a remote control, the deal would be unbeatable. The only other problem with the recorder is the 6 character text display which is used to display the track number and track name, along with the menu functions, and can become very awkward and a pain to use.
All in all, an unbeatable MiniDisc recorder. When Sony iron out the few problems discussed here, no other MiniDisc player manufacturer will be able to sell anything.
Notice a difference? November 19, 2001
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
I've seen this player and ive seen others(most are larger). The sony an compress files to give much more music per md and has MUCH longer battery time than any i've seen yet. All it needs now is a seperate wired remote control. With that it would be perfect.
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