Sony Portable Mini-Disc Player/Recorder (MZ-R500PCNAVY)
Great Re-Invented Recording Format
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 &quot;toy&quot; 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 &quot;Sync-Record&quot; 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!!