Expert: Cleggsan - 9/30/2008

Question
QUESTION: Hello, I have a Sony compact stereo and a Sony MD player, recorder, and I recentlty purchased a Sony CDR. I want to copy all my MD to cd using my new Sony CDR only I can't get the CDR TO see the MD player? I am very upset! Can you tell me what I am doing wrong? Tom Corsie



ANSWER: I cannot give you a specific reply without the model numbers and age of the equipments you are using.  All are not the same in terms of their I/O set up and operational functionality.

In general, however, if you have a digital out from the MD and digital input on the CDR you should be in business.  Study and follow the owners manual carefully as there are stumbling blocks along the way.

You should also try going from analog out on the MD to analog in on the CDR.

One problem is that certain music which you might have on MD is encoded with a recording inhibit bit.  When seen by the CDR it will refuse to record the signal because it is copyright material.  In this case it should give some indication on the display.

So, let me know if you need further assistance.

C



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you for answering my first question. One other is should I go through the Sony receiver? All are digital capable. The music is live and not encoded. Can I go deck to deck as you've explained, just to copy the MD to CDR? And Thank You again Tom Corsie

Answer
The MD recorders that I am familiar with have a regular SPDIF output of either optical or fiber.  Also, Sony uses Atrac digital recording format, so if that is what your MD machine has its output will not be compatible with cdr. If your cdr has atrac input it will be compatible.

But, if the digital formats are not compatible you would have to pass through the receiver in analog style.

C