Sony MZ-S1 S2 Sports Net MD MiniDisc Player

I've bought one of this Net MDs a few months ago, and I gotta say that it's a really great machine. You can store almost 320 minutes (more than 5 hours) in only one MD. I've got only 5 MDs and I've got all the songs I wanna listen to in a long trip.
I usually have long trips and only one AA battery gives me the best of my music. The orange light of the screen is one of its best features, that's something that not all the MDs have neither the most expensive model. I really like its modern design and its reflective smoke withe is something nice.
But nothing is perfect. The weight is its weak point. I gotta wear a jacket to carry it easily, because it cannot be carried in the shirt pocket, hardly in the jean pocket.
Despite that thing, I recommend this MD, I'm satisfied with it and you'll surely be too.

:P I read the reviews for this MiniDisc player and "millions" of others and I decided to go with this one because a fellow runner had recommended it. I bought it and I was sort of disappointed because it was so huge. I must've gleaned over the Editorial Review because it said the player was, "a larger, chunkier, and heavier MD player than most, because it's a rugged sports model." ACK!
As a runner, a "larger, chunkier, and heavier" model wasn't what I wanted! If I wanted a big huge thing I would keep using my iPod. haha So yeah, I think the reviewer who wrote it was good for running was a guy. . .it's a little (ok, a lot) heavy for me to carry on a run. =T The software isn't too much to complain about, but just the size was staggering. Oh, and the little joystick on top was hard to use for me. To change tracks you have to push it forward and to stop it you have to push down. I had to restart it several times to change tracks because I kept pressing DOWN on it making the player stop. It was pretty irritating/annoying. Anyways, if you're looking for a sporty looking heavy MiniDisc player, this is the thing for you! :) I wish I could keep it, but at 149 or 159 (I forget) it's not worth it for me. :P

My previous Sony MD player is over 3 years old and still sounds as wonderful as when I first bought it.It has been dropped a few times while exercising and doesn't sound any different.The only reason I replaced it(although I will keep it as backup)was the never ending change in technology.The sound coming from this new machine is absolutely awesome and it fits so comfortably in the palm of my hand.The many features of this MD player I probably will never use because I have Sony's CD/MD recording boombox which is about as old as my last player.I don't think I have to worry about dropping this one,it feels very durable.This little stylish piece of equiptment gets a rave review from me.I never buy anything electrical,unless it's by Sony...although I don't have much to say about the included software.They do need to work on that!

Here goes. This review is meant to make buyers aware of the flaws in this so-called "easy transfers" from a PC to a NetMD (ANY model of NetMD).

Don't get too worked up about the hype of cheap minidiscs and 160 Mb worth of songs you can put in it. There are some catches that you need to be aware of:

1. You can transfer your MP3s only 3 times to a minidisc. Yes, 3 times. Why? Sony has made a licensing agreement with itself (the Sony label company) that an MP3 file can only be transfered 3 times. So, if your first transfer didn't work-- you got 2 transfers left. If your disc got broken, it doesn't matter-- only 1 transfer is left. This, ladies and gentlemen, is called the OpenMG magic. The OpenMG software is a nightmare to be told in reason number 2.

2. The OpenMG software that comes with this device is a pure frustrating-agonizing joke. Go to www.musiclub.sonystyle.com and see how many people are complaining about this software. Sony "the software company" and Sony "the electronics company" is so incompatible with each other that you'd think one's made in Japan and the other in the U.S separated by a large body of water (literally). Technically: You have to convert MP3s to an ATrac3 file before transfering anything to a NetMD device. OpenMG's job is to convert MP3 files into Atrac3 files. Guess what? Those converts DOES NOT always work. Transfering a CD to an MP3? You still need to convert to Atrac3 files. You cannot record anything to a minidisc without converting it first-- well what if the conversions DOES NOT always work? A HAH! Strike 2!

3. Finally, I have had a NetMD MZ-NF610 for the past 2 months. The first month, everything worked fine--transfers were good, followed every single instructions on the manual, and never dropped, bumped, and hurt the device in any way. What happened in the second month you asked? These MP3-Atrac3 conversions started to go wrong. Go to any minidisc forum in the website (search for "minidisc forum" on google) and you will see that there's this huge problem of converting files. The conversion progress goes up to 8 or 9% and then it halted into nowhere. No explanation and no reason. Sony support line doesn't help because the people working there are your grandparents.

If you're thinking about buying this device as an alternate MP3 device, re-think again. The industry is on a crackdown and what makes you think that you can transfer these files freely? Buying this device is like buying a 200 dollar worth of fish net. The simple truth.

I have been extremely pleased with my Sony Sports Net MD player! The sound quality is excellent, and I found learning to use it pretty intuitive (and I am not really a techno geek type).

I looked at a LOT of different brands, sizes, and types of MP3 players before deciding on the Sony. Why I chose the Sony: (1) I have a Sony PC, so I figured I would not have compatibility issues; (2) Sony has an excellent reputation for electronics and sound; and (3) I wanted the ease of changing out mini discs.

I found it easy to learn to use - both the hardware and software. If you are copying to a mini disc straight from an audio CD, the speed is unbelievably fast! I haven't figured out what to do with the MP3 music files I have, which the software does not appear to recognize; but that is a very tiny part of my music collection, so this is not a big drawback for me.

I find that using the ATRAC4 file type, I can get about 2 ½ hours of tunes on 1 mini disc, rather than the 5 hours I've seen advertised. Usually 1 full mini disc will carry me through 2 workout sessions on the treadmill or exercise bicycle.

Caution: one stereo store associate told me this format (mini disc MP3 player) is rapidly headed toward obsolescence. I plan to purchase a bunch of blank mini discs to have on hand in case he is right.

I agree with other reviewers that the size and shape of this sports model is somewhat limited by not having a belt clip. The hand strap is fine and more than adequate for walking or jogging; but it gets in the way if you are using any equipment where you need to use your hands (e.g., elliptical trainer or weights). For me, it was worth getting this larger sports model to be it sure it was safe against any water or sweat damage.

I simply cannot say enough good things about this Sony MP3 player! Having great quality music of my choosing really gives extra pump to my workout.