Sony MZ-S1 S2 Sports Net MD MiniDisc Player

Sony MZ-S1 S2 Sports Net MD MiniDisc Player
by Sony

Our Price: $349.99
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Category: Network Media Player
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Customers in the UK, buy this product at amazon.co.uk for British Pounds

Digital Photo Product Details

Manufacturer: Sony
Brand: Sony
Edition: Electronics
Model: MZ-S1
Publisher: Sony
Studio: Sony
Music Label: Sony
Product features:

Record MP3s or CDs at up to 32x from multiple sources (PC, CD, radio, and more)
Plays back in ATRAC3, supports MP3, WMA, and WAV formats
Easy one-hand joystick navigation; bright backlit LCD display
Up to 54 hours' playback on one AA battery (in LP4 mode)
Water-resistant design with reflective casing; includes music management software, reflective hand strap

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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Sony MZ-S1 S2 Sports Net MD MiniDisc Player

Customer Review: I got what I expected, and I'm happy with it.
Summary: 5 Stars

After three minidisc units, two of which have been handheld portable devices, this one still gets a full five stars. My previous portable MD was a Sharp model from about 5 years ago. I never had a single problem with that one, and my favorable experience has continued with this Sony model. Really, this Sony MD player/recorder delivers everything I had been looking for in this type of product with the VERY appealing added benefit of being designed for rough use. In shopping for my second MD player, one of my biggest criteria was product endurance and rigidity (I was looking for something to accompany me on my long distance runs). I've been a very satisfied owner of this Sony model for about 7 months so far, and it has scored perfectly in the toughness department in addition to all other aspects. The MZ-S1 excels for several reasons:

-Battery life is incredible.
-Design and ease of use, especially during long runs, is perfectly suited for the right hand (lefthanded people might find this an awkward fit at first).
-The bass is surprisingly full, without compromising much of the treble. The sound in general is great, even with the factory headphones that come with the player.
-The editing and recording options, particularly the computer downloading feature, are more than adequate for my uses. I was able to download several minidisc's worth of music from my computer without much effort.
-The wrist strap and contours of the MZ-S1 keep its presence in the back of my mind when I'm working out.
-The placement of the controls (i.e. the joystick) is ideal for physical activities such as running.
-The finish of the product's housing is very durable and obviously designed to outlast the technology.
-And lastly, while this shouldn't determine whether or not you buy this product, it is an attractive design, specifically the pearlescent, reflective coating.

If I had to be really picky and choose one thing to complain about, it would be the fact that the player can't readily be worn on the waist (such as with a belt clip). However, after the first couple uses, I've decided I'd rather hold it in my hand anyway. Overall, I've given this player a fair set of tests and trials and I can't find anything wrong with it. In fact, I was so happy with the Sony S2 line of sports-oriented audio products that I've since bought the S2 CD player and S2 Radio Headphones. Both of those products have been equally good to me.

In regards to the other reviews telling of horror stories and technical problems, I can't really speak to those issues, except to say that with any electronic product these days, there will be some degree of risk involved. Nothing's a sure bet (as I've learned too many times the hard way). All you can do is treat the device well, and hope it treats you well in return. As for this one, I bought it off the shelf of my local electronics superstore and it's delivered on every promise the package made. I hope this helps you make an informed decision.

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Description of Sony MZ-S1 S2 Sports Net MD MiniDisc Player

If you crave tunes while you workout, then check out this S2 Sports Net MDM-^Y by Sony. This handheld minidisc Walkman« records CDs or MP3s from your PC at up to 32x speed. It features a durable, water-resistant design, the G-ProtectionM-^Y anti-shock system, and rich Digital Mega Bass« enhanced sound. You can get up to 54 hours of playback with 1 "AA" battery and the MDLPM-^Y feature provides 4 times as much music on 1 disc than a standard MD, giving you over 5 hours of music.

Combining the power and versatility of a minidisc Walkman with a body shell that is both reflective and robust, Sony has created a minidisc (MD) player/recorder aimed at the active sports market.

The MZ-S1 Net MiniDisc Walkman is a larger, chunkier, and heavier MD player than most, because it's a rugged sports model. It comes complete with a large latch that clips securely over the rubber-sealed disc slot, rubber covers for all the ports and socket, and a tough, wipe-clean case that won't scratch. The earbud headphones are light and unobtrusive, too, but the strap only prevents you from dropping it rather than letting you carry it easily.

You can run, jog, and shake or drop the case without interrupting the music, and all the controls are on the side, falling naturally under your thumb when you hold the player one-handed. Play, stop, fast forward, rewind, and volume are all combined in one five-way control; only pause is separate. Although the edges are a little sharp for comfort, the control makes it easy to get the track you want without looking at the player, and it's almost impossible to change the volume by accident; if you do there's an automatic volume control to stop it from getting too loud too suddenly.

You do need to look at the player to record or edit track names, but as you can only record from an external source like a CD player you're not likely to be on the move at the time. There's an optical cable in the box for digital connections but you'll need a second cable for analog sources. Alternatively, you can plug the USB cable into your PC and transfer tracks you have stored as MP3 or WMA files. You get the same choice of single-, double-, or quadruple-length recording, which puts over five hours of music on one minidisc, and you get about 50 hours play time from a single AA battery. The OpenMG JukeBox software is a little complicated because you have to check tracks in and out of your library to transfer them, but you can create multiple playlists and convert CD tracks directly. You can't transfer tracks from minidisc to MP3, though.

You're paying a slight premium for the rugged, go-anywhere portability of the Net MiniDisc Walkman, but the controls are simple and the sound quality is excellent. --Mary Branscombe, Amazon.co.uk

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