Sony MZ-M200 MiniDisc Portable Audio Recorder
Includes stereo microphone and quality earphones.
Overall User Ratings (based on 0 ratings)
Submitted February 3, 2009
"Avoid DRM hassles, don't buy a MiniDisc recorder at all, especially from Sony!"
Verified Customer
zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
Much better options are available. Unless you just have to have MiniDisc or like abuse from faceless multi-national corporations, I would look into getting a solid state recorder instead. Ironically, the Sony recorder in that category is probably among the best. It's a shame their corporate management treats their customers like criminals to protect their music division.
Sound
MiniDisc compresses the sound when it records, so it's closer to mp3 quality. For this price you can get a recorder that uses solid state technology and records at 24/96 in uncompressed format.
Ease of Use
Despite having success with the older generation of MiniDisc recorders, I swore off MiniDisc altogether after running into Digital Rights Management problems with some of the later models.
Picture this. I was at a friend's house working on a deadline. My sister had a recording of her singing public domain songs, that she made with her brand new MiniDisc recorder. I tried to use the software to load the MiniDisc recording into the computer digitally. The software prevented me from doing this, on the theory that since the recorded tracks didn't have a special copy protection flag set, they must be pirated music.
I then had to run the 1/4" headphone out into my friend's terrible SoundBlaster 1/4" line input with its 60dB S/N ratio in order to complete the transfer of the songs to CD, losing tons of quality in the process.
Sony generally makes fine products, but their corporate management doesn't really trust the people who buy their products since Sony runs both a technology company and a music company.
If you do want to buy this device, make sure and do your research and make sure that it is free from this severe limitation.
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Submitted October 17, 2007
"MZ-M200. The latest and best of the portable MD recorders."
It's the latest, and the best, portable MD available. And perhaps the last of it's kind. I expect Sony to stop making MiniDisc players and recorders very soon.
Sound
This unit is technically very good, and probably the absolutely best MD player/recorder still available. And unlike previous portable Hi-MDs, it support the original MD format/speed. And it is the only model I'm aware of that is MD-mode compatable with a PC/computer.
Great product.
Quality
I've already used it a number of times, with Sony's Sonic Stage PC program, and it has worked quickly and flawlessley.
Value
It's definitely worth the $300-$350 it's available for. I wouldn't pay the $400 some sites are asking, as it's readily available for $350.
Manufacturer Support
No problems, no contact with Sony.
The Wow Factor
I've seen, and have a, better looking Sony portable MD, but this one is no slouch.
Musical Background:
Hobbyist.
Musical Style:
'50s - '60s Rock & Roll, and Country
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