Never Stop Learning!

As if it wasn't bad enough that the worm gear can fail in Sharp MiniDisc player/recorders, there are different sizes! Update 2/26/2024 - Confirmed (ask me how I know...) that the Sharp MD-MS722 with the "G-Shock" design also has a 33mm long gearshaft like in the Sharp MD-MS721 Update 1/10/2024 - because of course there is... Yet another gearshaft size has emerged! Pictured below is a 33mm long gearshaft (probably using the same gear as the "M" or "702"-style). These were found in the Sharp MD-MS721 and the Kenwood DMC-K7R Update 12/29/2023 - This is way late, but as expected, the Large Recorder gearshaft is the same in the MD-DR77 and MD-MT770 Update 8/28/2023 - no surprise, the Kenwood DMC-J7R uses the same gear/gearshaft as the Sharp MD-MS702 Update 7/30/2023 - Fixed a Sharp MD-MS702 and it is a Large size but see this photo - you can see that the gearshaft has a different design as well with a large, flat section and a smaller plastic gear... Up...

Say what you will about Hi-MD, but it's another niche within a niche for those that seek the best possible quality from their MiniDiscs. Read more about it on the many websites and wikis out there, but just know that you need a dedicated Hi-MD recording device and Hi-MD players since they used a different format than normal recordable MiniDiscs. Yes, you can reformat a "normal" MiniDisc into the Hi-MD format and fit some uncompressed music on there, but Hi-MD also featured 1 Gb discs that were nearly triple the capacity of "normal" MDs. Please read more about this format that really was "too little, too late" as flash memory players and iPods came along. Either way, we're not here to discuss the practicality of MiniDiscs nor Hi-MD! We've chosen this format and these devices because we love the nostalgia and tactility of this format. Sony made a few portable Hi-MD devices like the simple MZ-EH50 and this nicer MZ-EH70. The MZ-EH70 was more pre...

To celebrate the New Year 2024, I'm giving away a Panasonic SJ-MR230 complete set with recorder, speakers, dock and charger! These have exceptionally good speakers for their size and the dock is a nice way to charge and display your recorder ( NOTE - you must have the AC power connected AND a battery inside to play audio through the speakers ) YouTube video: I just repaired the Record button and everything's working fine! For the third giveway (completely free to enter!), use the Rafflecopter widget below to enter between December 26th and January 1st midnight US Pacific time. a Rafflecopter giveaway If you're not in a region that uses 100v, please get the proper adapter/transformer ( US users can use the one here ).  Please see official rules, here! Privacy policy is included here also - I don't need/want your info outside of getting this device to you! To enter, just use your email (I don't use Facebook so I don't know where those entries will go...) and I...

For the 12 or so people that read this, I'm sure you know I love my Sharp MD-DR7/DR77s. In this case, I found a blue MD-DR77 (2004) for less than 2000 yen (about $15 USD) that was "unconfirmed" and had a "door malfunction". As you can see, the eject slider is missing and the door wouldn't close properly. Check out the video for the fix which included some careful bending of the eject hook so it lined up with the door lid and a replacement of the eject slider which came from an MD-DR7 (same eject hardware).

I hesitate to call this a "repair" video since it was an easy fix, but check it out if you'd like to see inside a Panasonic SJ-MJ500 since I do open it and clean/lube it after prying open and cleaning the battery compartment. This was a "steal" for less than $20 USD (2780 yen) with the speaker dock and power supply! Unfortunately, I didn't get the proper remote for it, but I do have some that work with it. The Panasonic SJ-MJ500 (late 2005) was their last "Dockin'style MD" player that included the previous 50/55/57/58/59 generations of players. Those also had speaker docks that slid in/out. This last model is distinctive with speakers that fold in/out. If you run into players that have their old gumstick batteries stuck inside, there are various methods to open the door without damaging them. Luckily, this was a quick fix on a late-model Panasonic. It was untested, but worth a gamble, I'd say!

The Sony MZ-E909 (late 2001) is an all-magnesium body resulting in a lightweight, stylish player. Admittedly, I bought this for the remote - an RM-MC12ELK (my 2nd favorite Sony remote!), but after some fixes, this player is working fine. First - the cosmetic fix was the logo had popped out of the lid. Some BSI glue fixed that quickly. Secondly - the eject mechanism wasn't working. The unit wouldn't eject discs when opened. This was much more delicate than I expected (the other mechanisms I've seen in the MZ-Rxxx or MZ-Nxxx are more straightforward and sturdier), but I worked it out. Check out the video for more details!

  The Sharp MD-SS503 (2003) is very similar to the colorful MD-DS5 series which also had backlit remotes that were color-coordinated with the players. These Auvi-branded players came in different colors than the MD-DS5. This deep blue was just one example, but another model is a fiery red! I bought this model as a complete "unconfirmed" set that came with the dock and matching remote for under 3000 yen!  As soon as I fired it up, I could tell what was wrong... watch the video and listen to the horrific sound, but it was evident that it was a gear issue. Luckily I had a spare and was able to replace it! Please watch the video for the exact steps! Now that I also have another "bad" gear and gearshaft in hand, I may try the "Loctite trick" that a viewer on YouTube mentioned! I'll keep you posted once I try it! Thanks for reading and watching!

This is OVER - I've attempted to contact the winner and if there's no response in 72 hours, I will have to choose another (well, Rafflecopter will). For the second giveway (completely free to enter!), use the Rafflecopter widget below to enter between December 10th and December 16th midnight US Pacific time. a Rafflecopter giveaway Up for grabs will be a nice Kenwood DMC-S55 set that was featured in one of my videos. This set will include the speaker/charging dock, AC adapter, remote, and MiniDisc player! I love these sets and have a few keepers, so I'm giving this one away! You can easily dock and play music (the speakers are OK... don't expect bass from them) easily by dropping the player into the cradle. Additionally, you can do that in real-time - go directly from listening to your headphones or the speakers! The remote is a great 2-line, backlit one and I like the fun sound of these Kenwood units. If you're not in a region that uses 100v, please get the pr...

The Sony MZ-N10 is still one of the coolest models in the MiniDisc universe, IMHO. It's got a great 3-line display and jog knob on the body that mean you can operate it easily without a remote. Now if only it was backlit...  You may have seen my other MZ-N10 videos including accessing the Service Menu and replacing the old Lithium-ion battery . This time it's an "unconfirmed" Sony MZ-N10 from Buyee. It wasn't too expensive and it came with the AA sidecar (proprietary connector) so it was worth a gamble even if I couldn't fix the recorder. It was in pretty good shape outside of the scuffed knob plate and interestingly enough, the battery could hold a bit of charge... There was an unsightly gap even with the lid closed which led me to figure out what was wrong and how to fix it...  Oh yeah, and there was a mysterious "note" left inside which I don't think could have happened by accident! Check out the video to see an uncommon fix!

  As a fellow MiniDisc lover, it's perfectly normal to idly browse Buyee auctions before bed and throw random bids out there, right? In this case, I just couldn't pass this one up! Sure, both of them were listed as not working (the Kenwood DMC-T55 supposedly powered on, but not for more than a second, while the Sharp MD-DR7 was dead), but when has that stopped me?  The Sharp MD-DR7 was in pretty good shape and as a Sharp-lover, you can never have enough spare parts... Based on some of the other videos / posts , we know the Kenwoods can have an issue right at the battery door due to their design, so I figured I'd "roll the dice" on these. Sure, there are some Buyee fees and the shipping costs to me, but let's not spoil the fun! I did win the auction for less than one United States penny! As usual, I started by checking power on each device via battery and/or AC. After that, it was time to open things up and check them out. Watch the video to see if one of them...