MiniDisc Manager

The MiniDisc Manager software allows computer control of Sony MiniDisc recorders that have a compatible slink control port using the Slink-e controller available from Nirvis Systems. This software was written for the MDS-JB920 model, but it should work with other Sony recorders with slink ports (such as the MDS-PC1, MDS-JA33ES, MDS-JA22ES, MDS-JB930, MDS-JE630 and MDS-JE640). Some earlier models such as the MDS-JB700 don't support all the functions such as title editing.

Please note: This software will not work with the Sony slink interface box. It also won't work with Sharp or any other non-Sony MD recorders.

PLEASE DO NOT EMAIL ME WITH QUESTIONS REGARDING SONY Web-MD PRODUCTS. This software is no help transferring audio from MD to a computer.

 

Software Features 1. Fully automatic downloading of disc and track names from the player 2. Easy editing and uploading of disc and track names to the player 3. Displays current track and disc names with a scrolling display 4. Displays track and total disc lengths 5. Displays recorder modes:     Record input signal type (analog, optical etc.)     Stereo or Mono recording     Play mode (shuffle, program or continue)     Repeat mode 6. Basic player functions:         Play         Record         Stop         Eject         Pause         FF, REW         Next Track, Previous Track 7. Direct track access by double clicking track name 8. Editing functions:         Track Erase         Track Move         Track Split         Track Combine         A-B Erase 9. Copying of disc and track names into the clipboard for printing disc labels etc. 10. Window size can be expanded to view more tracks and long track names 11. T-Rec recording mode 12. Music Scan 13. Automatic recorder display text scrolling

NEW! WinAmp Playlist Recorder function

The WinAmp Playlist Recorder feature is a new extension to MiniDisc Manager that automates the recording and track naming of CDs, MP3s and other media types to MiniDisc.

MiniDisc Manager uses the WinAmp program to generate a playlist of media tracks. MiniDisc Manager will communicate with WinAmp via a plugin to load the current playlist which is then used to control recording on the MiniDisc and playing on WinAmp. The track names from the playlist will automatically be written to the MiniDisc.

 

Why use WinAmp Playlist Recorder?

Normally recording MP3s and CD tracks to MiniDisc can be difficult. Even with CD-sync features, the tracks must still be manually named. Recording MP3s is even more difficult since it requires both the MP3 player and MiniDisc recorder to be started simultaneously.

MiniDisc Manager automates all of this, plus it allows advanced playlist generation with the ease of use of WinAmp.

 

WinAmp Playlist Recorder Features:

• Simple and highly automated recording of CDs, MP3s and other WinAmp supported media types to MiniDisc
• Automatic track name transfer from WinAmp (WinAmp can look up CD track names using CDDB)
• Direct digital recording of MP3s when using a digital I/O sound card
• Use WinAmp's digital signal processing plugins and equalizer to enhance the sound quality while recording
• Percent complete display for each track as it is being recorded
• Displays total WinAmpPlaylist length
• Displays total remaining recoding time on MiniDisc
• Automatically selects to append the Artist name onto the track name if different Artist names are in the playlist (manual override)

For more information, read the WinAmp Playlist Recorder README file.

 

CDJ Playlist Recorder function

The CDJ Playlist Recorder feature is a new extension to MiniDisc Manager that automates the recording and track naming of CDs and MP3s to MiniDisc.

MiniDisc Manager uses the Nirvis CDJ program to generate a playlist of CD and/or MP3 tracks. MiniDisc Manager will communicate with CDJ to load the current playlist which is then used to control recording on the MiniDisc and playing on CDJ. The track names from the playlist will automatically be written to the MiniDisc.

Why use CDJ Playlist Recorder?

Normally recording MP3s and CD tracks to MiniDisc can be difficult. Even with CD-sync features, the tracks must still be manually named. Recording MP3s is even more difficult since it requires both the MP3 player and MiniDisc recorder to be started simultaneously.

MiniDisc Manager automates all of this, plus it allows advanced playlist generation with the ease of use of CDJ. Tracks on multiple CDs in a multi-CD player can be selected for recording.

CDJ Playlist Recorder Features:

• Simple and highly automated recording of CDs and MP3s to MiniDisc
• Automatic track name transfer from CDJ (CDJ can look up CD track names using CDDB)
• Automatic pausing of recording as CDJ changes CDs on multiple CD recordings
• Direct digital recording of MP3s when using a digital I/O sound card
• Percent complete display for each track as it is being recorded
• Displays total CDJ Playlist length
• Displays total remaining recoding time on MiniDisc
• Automatically selects to append the Artist name onto the track name if different Artist names are in the playlist (manual override)
• Automatically selects to append the Album name onto the track name if different Album names are in the playlist (manual override)

For more information, read the CDJ Playlist Recorder README file.

Software Requirements:

1. Sony slink compatible MiniDisc recorder (e.g. Sony MDS-JB920 or similar)
2. Nirvis Systems Slink-e controller
3. Slink-e ActiveX server software from Nirvis Systems
4. Slink cable
5. Windows 95/98/NT4/2000

Legal:

By downloading the MiniDisc Manager software, you agree to the following terms:

1. MiniDisc Manager software is available free of charge and must not be resold or included with other software packages without prior authorization from William Hollingworth.
2. This software must not be distributed or copied without prior authorization from William Hollingworth.
3. No warrantees are given or implied. If it works great! If it doesn't I'll try to help, but I'm not responsible for any damage to your system or MiniDiscs.
4. Copyrights, brand names and trademarks are properties of their respective owners.
5. The MiniDisc Manager software is Copyright (C) 1999-2001 William Hollingworth.

Attention Hackers!

Are you interested in the Slink commands for the MiniDisc recorders? Do you know some or all of the commands? Do you have access to any method of monitoring commands sent to the recorder by "other" (more commercial) software packages? I'd like to heard from you! A listing of slink commands that I have been able to decode is available below.

Download:

File	Size	Description
mdmanager.zip	199 kb	MiniDisc Manager Version 1.01 (010428)
mdmanagerreadme.html	7 kb	"Readme" file for MiniDisc Manager Version 1.01 (010428)
cdjplaylistreadme.html	13 kb	CDJ Playlist Recorder function "Readme" file for MiniDisc Manager Version 1.01 (010428)
winampplaylistreadme.html	11 kb	WinAmp Playlist Recorder function "Readme" file for MiniDisc Manager Version 1.01 (010428)
mdslink.txt	14 kb	Listing of Slink commands for Sony MD recorders

Updates:

I will continue to make improvements and updates to the software. If you would like to be notified when a new version is available, please send me an email message to: will@airmail.net.

Contact:

For comments, questions, suggestions etc.:
    will@airmail.net

MiniDisc Manager is available from:
    http://web2.airmail.net/will

Find out more about the amazing  Slink-e controller from Nirvis Systems:
    http://www.nirvis.com/