GeezerVison

MiniDisc Hacking For those interested in going beyond the normal "user-mode" of their MiniDisc equipment, we have these tidbits:

• ATRAC problem signals We're collecting signals that trip up ATRAC, have you got a contribution?
• Recording volume control Morten has a page for making a recording volume control, useful even if your portable already has an online-adjustable recording level.
• Apparent MD glitches:
  • Jonathan Irwin investigates the Sony MD deck Monaural Mode Error.
  • A track splitting/recombining problem on the MZ-R3.
  • Problems editing monaural audio. Jonathan Irwin discusses his further findings on this problem.
  • Sony's MDM-X4 units have a glitch that causes track delete to frequently malfunction.

The Guts

• Sharp MD-MS200 insides Photos and commentary by Duncan Chisholm.
• Sharp MD-MS701 disassembly Ian Horsey illustrates the disassembly procedure.
• Sony MDS-JA3ES optical assembly snapshots (Graham Baker).
• Sony MDS-JE500 circuit board snapshot (Christoph Gommel).
• See also the Repair Tips section for more gory details.

Portable's Remote Control Interface

• Aiwa AM-F65 remote control signalling (James Ward).
• Sony MZ-R2's remote control signalling (Chris Iffland).
• Sony MZ-R3's remote control display interface signalling (Havard Torring).
• Sony MZ-R3/R30's remote control signalling (Andy James).
• Sony MZ-R30's remote control signalling (Leon Woestenberg).

Deck IR Remote Interface

• MDS-JE500 IR Remote Codes (Shawn Lin).
• Kenwood 1050 IR remote codes (Mark Corner).
• Sony RM-D10P IR remote codes.
• Linux IR remote control The LIRC page describes an IR remote control interface for Linux.

MD Table of Contents (Directory) Hacking

• TOC data structures With the help of an MD Data drive, the MD TOC data structures are explained (and C versions are shown) .
• Cancelling TOC updates Dirk has found a ``Super Undo'' function available on modern Sony decks that cancels a pending TOC update.
• Sony TOC cloning David Tamkin has written extensively about TOC cloning procedures on the Sony MDS-JE520 (applies to other modern Sony decks).
• Sharp TOC cloning (for MD-MSxxx slot-in units). Helge Böhme shows a removable Sharp TOC-cloning clamp for portables, based upon his earlier work with carefully placed adhesive tape.
• TOC cloning on Sharp MD-MT15 class machines (cached).
• Emergency TOC procedures for an MDS-303 Martin Borus describes a procedure for older Sony MD decks. These are useful if you need to undo an edit, or recover a recording where power failed part way through.
• TOC tricks For those with equipment capable of TOC cloning, Peter Ravn describes several TOC tricks, including a way of defeating SCMS by faking an analog recording.
• Faking out SCMS with TOC cloning. Martin Borus has an interesting method of preventing SCMS by making a digital recording look like an analog one.
• TOC cloning to increase disc capacity R. M. Morriën shows how to make 60' MDs longer with a TOC cloned from a 74' disc and Peter Ravn has a page describing how to clone a 74' disc into an 80' one.
• TOC cloning to increase disc capacity Tom Daniels gives a pictoral description of how to add 4 minutes capacity to a 74' blank.
• Examining TOC details Various TOC minutia such as a track's absolute disc address, SCMS status, and recording mode flags can be examined with modern Sony decks using Retry Cause Display Mode.
• Wolfgang's MiniDisc Analyzer provides a peek into the Audio MiniDisc Table of Contents. He also reveals some enigmatic MD Secrets, discussing the ability to create virtual MD tracks (allowing you to permanently mark your favorite MD tracks for playback), and showing how to pack up to 80m16s of audio on an MD.
• MD on disc data structures Some scanty (and partially incorrect) information has been cleaned from The MiniDisc Book by Jan Maes.

Service Mode ***Before entering service mode, beware of the possible risks***

• Kenwood 1050MD deck Entering service mode.
• Sharp MD-M?701/721/821 EEPROM settings (Florian Rist)
• Sharp MD-MS701 EEPROM settings (Bull).
• Sharp MD-MS702 EEPROM settings (Hannes Rohde)
• Sharp MD-MT15 Entering service mode. Michael Conner shares his experience of adjusting the bass boost.
• Sharp MD-MT20 Entering service mode (Remko van der Vossen)
• Sharp MD-SR60 Entering service mode (Shiv Naimpally)
• Sharp MS100 and MS200 Entering service mode (Dirk and Andrew Tonner)
• Sony MDS-302/S30, '303/S35, '503, 'JA3ES, and other modern decks Entering service mode. Modern units have a few more diagnostic functions.
• Sony MDS-501 Entering service mode.
• Sony MDS-JE500/S37 Key check mode.
• Sony MDX-C150 Adjusting the focus bias.
• Sony MZ-R1 Entering service mode. This allows you to reinitialize MDs to blank if for some reason the normal procedures don't work.
• Sony MZ-R2 Entering service mode. Once there, you may need the MZ-R2 EEPROM settings.
• Sony MZ-R30's Entering service mode (Leon Woestenberg). Once there, Ico Doornekamp shows how to use the MZ-R30 as a thermometer. Matthew Dolan has a page covering the MZ-R30/35's test mode in detail.
• Sony MZ-R90/R91 service mode entry procedures.
• Sony bookshelf systems Entering service mode.

Labeling, Filing

• Covers4MD.com (in both English and French) maintains a growing collection of Microsoft Word MD covers for music albums.
• DMX web pages into text file conversion for titling purposes (John VanderWerf).
• Lotus Approach database for keeping track of MDs (Lars Petter Larsen).
• MD-Cover software for Deja MD Cover (Stefan Zimmer).
• Mini Disc Labels -- download MD labels or email them in. (Ciaran Lalor)
• Microsoft Access has allowed Bob Harding to catalog and organize his MiniDisc collection. You can download his Access database.
• Microsoft Word Techniques:
  • Print text directly on Memorex MD labels (Ross Miller).
  • MD label template (Mike Reilly).
  • MD label template which fits 18 MD labels on one page, useful for when printing on a full sheet of sticker paper (Dave Law).
  • MD label template for the English and Japanese versions of Word 2000. (Gakushuu Hasegawa)
• Postscript MD edge label for various brands of MD blanks (Jeff LaPort).
• Song compilation software Freeware program also helps optimize media usage (Heber Acquafreda).
• Sven's MiniDisc Labels Page explains how to make your own MD labels in three easy steps.
• TapEdit (Windows 95 shareware) helps you label MDs (also available at geocities and tripod).
• Visual Basic database, for cataloging Vinyl onto MD (Matt Black).

MD Control via Infrared Interface

• Ultra-simple IR remote plans and software for controlling Sony decks with an LED attached to the serial port. (Local copy available)
• USB ZephIR is a Mac scriptable learning infrared device designed to contol MD decks (as well as other electronics).
• MD Titler, a piece of Palm software that allows you to use your PDA to control your Sony MD deck (Paul Ellams). A Palmgear page outlines the program in detail.
• Computer-connectable infrared MD titler (scroll down in page for English description) offered by ue-consult, a German electronics company.
• CIR (Computerized Infrared Remote) a parallel port to IR TX/RX interface you can build (Earle Philhower).
• EasyTitle, adapter for using PC keyboards to do MD titling (see entry in accessory table for details).
• HP100/200LX MD IR remote titling for Sony MDS-303 (and more modern) decks (Luk Van Loock's modification of Diomidis Spinellis' work).
• HP100/200LX MD database and IR control program (Helmut Lucke). Mike Daniels rewrote it for improved speed.
• HP48 IR remote titling for Sony MD decks (Frederic).
• Kenwood MD titling program (Mark Corner) that uses the $180 Slinke-e box (see below).
• Psion based IR MD deck control (Jim Pollock)
• Slink-e IR interface from Nirvis Fully featured RS232 to IR TX/RX hardware interface.
• Virtual Remote and EasyText free software for MD control and titling via the CIR IR interface (Mark van Rossum).
• WinRemote Titling Package (see entry in accessory table for details).

MD Control via Electrical Interface

• For Sony Portables
  • Computer titling interface for Sony portables. This has now been commercialized into the Mironics titler. (Bruce Miranda)
  • MiniDisc Control Center, a freeware (but closed source) titling program for Sony MD portables. (Tim Pitman)
  • Home-brew PC titling solution for Sony portables (English version). (Bernhard Meyer).
  • MD COM, DIY PC titling solution for Sony MD portables. (Lionel Pawlowski)
  • Radio controlled record button for Sony portables (Brian Houghton).
  • Sony MZ-R37/55/90/91 PC Link via Parallel Port Allows control, titling and song transfer from PC. Free plans or $60 finished product available. Includes free Winamp Titling plug-in. (Barry Carter).
  • Sony MZ-R50 infrared remote control How to build an IR remote interface for a Sony MZ-R50 (Terje Lassen).
  • Sony infrared remote. Detailed plans for construction, PCB masks, firmware, etc. (Gabriele Bellini)
  • MZ-R37 remote control, available on eBay is a good source of the remote jack plug necessary for Sony remote control projects.
• For Sony Decks
  • MP3 to Sony MD deck transfer and titling (source code and detailed plans) via home-brew RS232 to control-A1 interface (Peter Spindler).
  • RIP MDS-PC3 (v0.4b), a free alternative to Sony's M-Crew software that offers improved MP3 file handling. (George Styles)
  • Freeware MP3 to MDS-PC2 recording program that uses the Control-A1 interface to title and mark tracks (Simon Taylor).
  • MiniDisc Manager Software Freeware program for PC control of Sony S-Link equipped MD decks, uses the Nirvis S-Link adapter (below). The latest version includes a WinAmp Playlist Recorder function that fully automates the titling and recording of MP3s and CDs onto Sony MD decks (William Hollingworth).
  • Listing of S-Link Commands for controlling Sony MD Decks (William Hollingworth's).
  • Nirvis Slink-e Serial port to Sony S-link A1/Control-S/IR interface adapter.
  • Open S-link Project Dedicated to making ``computer S-link controlled automation a wide and openly available option for everybody''.
  • Slink CAV-1 interface details: A website describes hacking Sony's Slink CAV-1 interface, felt to be similar to the MDS-PC2's CAV-50C.
  • Sony S-Link Resource center
  • Sony CDP-CX200 (CD Jukebox) Interface project Seeks to build a PC interface to the device, making use of Sony's Control-A1 signalling (Rudy Moore).
  • Sony PC-Link Homepage (in Japanese). Features a cool Shockwave demo of their MD Editor program (hit the "demo" button, then start boning up on your Japanese).
  • Sony S-link to PC RS232 interface Available fully assembled ($65) or as a kit ($45) (Tim Trolinger).
• For Sharp Portables
  • TitleAid: Sharp MD-MS70x PC Link via Parallel Port Describes how to build an interface which allows titling (mostly) from PC (you must still press a few buttons on the unit for each title). (Thomas Meier).
  • English and German TitleAid/Labelaid/Testaid website (using Meier's basic design) for titling on Sharp MD-MT15, MD-MS7xx and Sony MZ-R90/91 units and making MD labels. (Trucki)
  • Sharp MD titling freeware that uses Meier's computer interface to Sharp portables (above) (Eric Georgeaux).
  • QBasic titling program for Sharp portables (Trucki).
• Aiwa AM-F5 Remote Control Timer (Doug Rice).

Construction Projects

Adding Digital I/Os

• Creating a cheap optical plug is described. (Cornelis van Rensburg).
• Modify Sony MDS-JE330 to add a coax or optical digital output (Robert Meyer-Piening).
• Modify Sony MDS-JE440 to add digital optical output for about $10 in parts (Darren Tulk).
• Modify Sony MDS-JE470 to add digital optical output (Hunter Wright).
• Creating an optical output signal from a standard CD-ROM drive (Thomas de Bruijn).
• How to create a CD player with optical output from a CD-ROM drive (HeadCase Electronics, UK)
• Professional balanced audio I/Os and remote fader start conversion kits for MD decks (PASS).
• CD-ROM drive to MD adapter available for $50 (Mathic).
• Modify Diamond MX300 for TOSLink output DIY instructions.
• Modify Sony CDP-CX200 CD Jukebox to provide TOSlink optical output (Lawrence Gough).
• Modify Sound Blaster Live Value card for optical digital I/O (John Balint).
• Modify Teac SP-D1260 5 disc CD changer to provide TOS-link optical output (Joe Tymecki).
• Modifying CD-ROM for Digital Recording DIY instructions (Shawn Lin).
• Adding digital output to a CD-ROM drive (David Williams)
• Optical miniplug cable made from a TOSLink cable and BIC pen cartridge (Denis Dubuisson)
• SBLive Value optical I/O daughter board DIY instructions (Kenneth Lee).
• SBLive to MiniDisc for 250 Rubles or less (Alexey Lavrovsky).
• TOSLink cable made using bulk optical fiber and TOS-Link dust plugs. (Mark Brooke).
• Modify Sony MDS-JE510 to add digital coax input (A.J. Aylestock).

  Digital Format Conversion

• Coax to Optical S/PDIF converter, with instructional diagrams and photos. (Roberto Barrios)
• Digital format conversion from a simple circuit. (Alain Brenzikofer)
• Digital Coax-to-Optical converter. Page contains detailed photos, schematics and instructions for building a complete device. (Nikhil Choudhary)
• Cheap S/PDIF coax to optical converter circuit using an IR LED (George Sopko).
• Coax to optical miniplug made using an LED and BIC pen cartridge (Chris Kuethe).
• S/PDIF coax to optical converter. (Leon Woestenberg)
• TTL<->S/PDIF converter schematics (Heiko's DAT Page).
• Converting an S/PDIF coax digital audio signal to optical (Shawn Lin).
• Kit (item # E970031) for building an optical to coaxial digital signal converter. (CI-Electronics in Holland -- they also sell the TOSLink transmitter and receiver modules separately. However, to build the kit you need the Elektor magazine article as well).
• The previous projects employ Fiber Optic Transmitters and Receivers, see the Accesories Table for suppliers.

  Serial Copy Management System

• Defeat the SCMS on your MZ-R900 by following Brian Youn's step-by-step directions.
• Elektor/Stippler SCMS Copybit killer
  • Ordering kit and EEPROM (Stippler Electronics).
  • Schematics (Dito).
  • Assembly description (Derek Streeter).
  • Schematics scans (Bob Willcox).
  • SCMS effects of an Elektor Stripper examined with Sharp a MS702 in service mode. (John Manson).
• SCMS killer DIY project for about US$50 in parts (Leon Woestenberg).
• Sony MZ-R50 prior to EEPROM Ver 1.40 hidden SCMS defeat mode. Streeter's modification to the AVLS switch for SCMS control on these models. (Derek Streeter and others)
• SCMS situation when copying from MD to DCC-951 (Ralf Kuchenhart).
• Sony MDS-302/303/503 units have a glitch where SCMS fails to operate properly (Martin Borus).

  Microphones

• In-ear microphones take binaural recording to its logical extreme (Mike Harman).
• Mid-side microphones, plans and kit.
• Jim Coon's ``Famous'' "T"-Microphone plans.
• Mono integrated plug/microphone, 2 versions. DIY plans (Niels Linneberg).
• The Microphone Do-It-Yourselfer's page has good mic battery box plans.
• Homebuilt binaural microphones for about $20 in parts. (Tidmarsh Major).
  • Comments on building Tidmarsh's mics (Doug Brown, Steve Smith and others).

  Microphone Related

• Simple Microphone Preamp plans, with PCB layout (photos) (Glen).
• Velcro microphone cable strain relief for MD portables (Christoph Cech).

  Power Conversion

• 5 volt regulator circuit for running Sharp portables. (Renard Dellafave).
• Inexpensive 120VAC to 100VAC conversion for running Japanese MD gear in the US using a 24V doorbell transformer.

  Optical Connectors

• Homebuilt optical miniplug. (Erhard Schreck)
• Simple home made optical miniplug. (Chris Kuethe).

  Other Construction Projects

• Smart NiMH/NiCd battery charger plans (Roberto Barrios).
• Headphone amplifier plans to give portables all the headphone oomph they need (Stephen Lafferty).
• Auto-track-mark timer circuit (en Français) Modify Sony MD decks to insert track marks every 3 minutes while recording (Yves Le Page).

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