Rating: 
Summary: Probably real nice - if you're OK with copy barriers
Review: In a bit of a hurry, I purchased one of these primarily to record digital audio on location using the mic input. The package states support for .wav, and so I expected to be able to copy to my PC and export to .wav or something usable elsewhere. I learned the hard way that it can't be done, or at least they work hard to prevent it. The software locks you into their proprietary anti-copy world, which may be fine if you're a mainstream user (though I really think it's gotta be confusing at first for most). For me its death and now I've gotta return this gorgeous piece of hardware :(
Rating: 
Summary: Read this before purchasing any Sony MD product
Review: In a nutshell, Sony has muddied the incredible promise of their MD players with a copy protection scheme that further proves the music industry is run by money-grubbing ogres. Unless Sony separates their music hardware business from their music software business, the latter is going to destroy the former. Despite the impression given by the Sony web site, you cannot transfer MP3 files directly to your player. Instead, you must use the proprietary OpenMG Jukebox software to import your MP3 files and convert them to a new format -- ATRAC3. The OpenMG program uses an annoying check-in/check-out system to transfer the ATRAC3 files to the player's MD. You check-out a song when you transfer it to the MD, but you're limited to only 3 transfers. If you check the song back in, which removes it from the MD, you get credit for another transfer. If you use up all of your transfers, you have to re-import (and convert to ATRAC3) the original MP3 file into OpenMG. The 32X transfer speed hyped for the new NetMD players is only for files which use the lowest quality ATRAC3 bit rate (66 kbps) and the time to convert your MP3 files to the ATRAC3 format is not included. If you use the higher quality bit rates (105 kbps and 132 kbps are your only other choices), the transfer time (and conversion from MP3) is slower. You can always rip your CDs directly to OpenMG in ATRAC3, but you won't be able to export them to the standard MP3 format. I bought my MD player so I could listen to my CD collection while working out or lounging by the pool. In anticipation of receiving it, I've been busy ripping my CDs to my home computer. I don't want to deal with converting them to another format (why should I?) and I don't want to be bothered with checking files in/out and I don't want to be forced to use OpenMG to manage my music collection. You may be wondering if the check-in/check-out system is actually annoying in practice or if it just sounds like it would be. You also may be wondering how the various ATRAC3 bit rates sound. Unfortunately, I can't help you because I'm returning my player to Circuit City without having experienced a single note of music. The copy protection hurdles are more than I want to jump. I'm not a criminal and my music player shouldn't be my adversary. Fortunately, there are plenty of good MP3 players from other manufacturers, though I will miss the low media cost that MD promised (heavy sigh). May Sony NetMD R.I.P.
Rating:
Summary: absolutely stunning
Review: It's amazing how much the software which comes with this is total garbage. I already have a Sharp portable minidisc recorder which doesn't have a USB port so I bought this one so I could have lossless transfers between the recorder and pc. After installing and uninstalling and re-installing the software 5 times (no small task considering it installs 2 applications and 3 patches which are all separate from one another) I can't get it to do anything beyond locking up my computer or almost working and then crashing. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that it installs Directx 8.0a without asking, even if you already have directx 8.1, who knows. The package comes with 3 addendums warning that you should try to not connect the recorder before installing the software, hit cancel when it prompts you to install a driver, try restarting, try uninstalling then restarting, try disconnecting the unit for 5 seconds... All of which are fine suggestions if any of them worked. Seriously, I would much rather someone from Sony just come over to my place and punch me in the stomach, at least it would be more honest and less time consuming. I waste time with computers for a living and I can't wade through this. I guess the unit itself is decent, but a good quality Sharp model is like $75 less.
Rating: 
Summary: Not For Audiophiles (3.5)
Review: Minidisc players thus far are not for audiphiles. Using Real 1 player to transfer to your MD player is the best and most stable option because the supplied software is absolute garbage even when it does work properly. It removes all tags from from your songs to "prevent piracy" but really just, as early mentioned, makes the software totally useless. Quality, the player records in 3 modes. Stereo(70 min) which is basically near cd quality, Lp2(160 min) "normal" sounding music. It sounds fine but not quite as good as a 192 mp3, Lp4(320 min) sounds fine for normal music listeners but not for some(me). The music is slighly slurred together more, but still fine. "Normal" music and hard rock sound fine. My plight is that not only am I an audiophile but I listen to very, very extreme music: Death and black metal. Often the wild guitards and crushing drum battery acquire static that wasn't on the original recording. Dimmu Borgir, especially PEM (for you fans) sounds like garbage even in LP2 which drove me insane when I found this out. Even the lighter Cradle of Filth picks up static when put into lp4. Most pop rock and especially 80's rock sounds fine due to it's not-so-extreme tones. However, count on buying better headphones because the bass of the supplied earbuds is junk and the over the head ones aren't fun to wear. You'll have to spend about 30$ on new headphones to get a frequency range that'll make all the sounds LP4 creates ( I found that not so great or average headphones cause more static on their own in LP4). I recommend sony's for this. Portable audio isn't advanced enough yet for one such as myself but for normal listeners the MD Player is Definitely better than an MP3 player. Not only due to the simplicity of use but the battery life, Way over 18 hours, I can't remember exactly, depending on the power requirements of your 'phones.
Rating: 
Summary: Good but not Great!
Review: Minidiscs are not very popular outside of Japan however, they are much more versatile than CD's or MP3's. The N707 is a prime example. It has the ability to record from various sources. Most notably the internet. I specifically bought this model because I'm still in college and I use the Microphone recording feature for note taking, as well as "freestyling" with my friends. I also love to make my own mixtapes of my favorite artists or songs all on one disc. I won't bother with the product specs but in short its a great product worth the money and effort to find one on the market. The only drawback is trying to set-up your computer to use the MD for recording from your PC. PLEASE READ THE INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY!!
Rating:
Summary: The sound is great, but the software...
Review: Net MG Jukebox 2.2 is so buggy as to make one wonders how Sony dares to bundle it with such a nice MD player, and expect customers to swallow it. It effectively renders the MD player useless if you want to transfer MP3 files from a PC to Minidisc. As that was main main interest, I'm thinking in returning it.
Rating: 
Summary: Still in the Dark Ages of Vinyl
Review: So I've read all the reviews, all had excellent points made. Everyone can agree that nothing is without it's own flaws. Horror stories aside, to this day, I have yet to use Open MG (I don't do MP3). Simple Burner in LP2 mode has been quick and painless for me, thanks. In harsh contrast to my touchy CD burner, I do not have any "coaster" MDs on my coffee table placed near my ever-growing stack of "error" CD-Rs (that took twice as long to burn, I might add). I heavily used ONE 'AA' dry cell battery with the 707 on my recent 2 1/2 week trip thru Europe while everyone else's MP3 and CD players were going silent every other DAY. I have a library of vinyl and mixtapes that I've happily archived to MD with the 707 and couldn't be more thrilled with the results. The car kit and complimentary blank 80min. MD are Godsends as well. Also no drama with the supplied headphones and remote. All in all, I'd buy another one!
Rating:
Summary: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
Review: THE GOOD here, and there is good, is a well made bit of hardware with excellent sound, long battery life, compact size, etc. I didn't even mind Sony's digital rights management, designed to ensure you don't go into production of MD discs full of other people's music. THE BAD is that, while the device is fairly well optimized for ripping CDs, and at that, the DRM isn't a hinderance to anyone making copies for all their friend (as opposed to all of the East Coast). But it's huge hinderance for field recording, a perfectly legal pursuit. I can download YOUR music from CD at up to 32x over USB, or via optical TOSlink in realtime, but I can't upload MY recording digitally to a PC. Period. Only output is analog. THE UGLY is that you are intentionally deceived. None of the MD players support anything but ATRAC or ATRAC3 on-disc. The DRM software has to convert MP3 or WMA files to ATRAC/ATRAC3 for download, dropping in quality vs. pure MP3. The current version of their DRM doesn't support VBR MP3s, period, and seems to choke on most ID tags. So even in transcoding, it's not MP3 compliant (VBR is a requirement of the MP3 spec, and supported on virtually any player you'll find). Your 5-hour playing time is only by way of LP4, which is 66Kb/s ATRAC3. Maybe not as cheesy and full of artifacts as WMA, but questionable for music.
Rating:
Summary: Great player easy to use with a Computer, but not for MP3's.
Review: The MZ-N707 is my favorite travel accessory. It's so small you can comfortably tuck it into an inner jacket pocket and listen to whatever you like as you ride the metro or take a walk. It never skips, even when dropped, and the small remote is convenient - it lets you skip tracks or raise the volume without getting sweat on the player at the gym. Other useful accessories which are included are the AC adapter and rechargable battery (recording really can drain batteries), car kit with tape adapter and cigarette-lighter power supply, and a padded case. The "simple burner" works great, allowing you to copy a cd in minutes via your computer's USB port. Handily, you can download the track names with CDDB, and make any changes you like simply by typing them on your computer's keyboard. Unfortunately, the more sophisticated OpenMG Jukebox program, which promises to let you put MP3's onto Minidisc, is loaded with copyright controls and absurd restrictions that are designed to hinder music piracy, but instead make the program useless. So in conclusion, this is a great player, but only for making your own MD's from CD's. For MP3's which you have not made yourself, it's nearly useless.
Rating:
Summary: ***** Great Product by Sony!!! *****
Review: The MZ-N707 is one of the best mini disc players of all of the types that are out now. It is only rivaled by the MZ-N1 which is also made by Sony, but which I feel, is over priced. On the other hand the MZ-N707 is the perfect size and weight, and works perfectly. It destroys its competition with the new Net MD Mini Disk burning speed of 32X. This product rivals or beats any other music, CD or mp3 player in the world, including Apple's new product, the Ipod. This is the best product that you can get for a decent price. Keep putting out the good products Sony!!!
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