Sony MZ-N510 Silver Net MiniDisc Walkman

Its obviously an entry level recorder so doesn't have some of the cooler features like backlit LCD and the remote is very basic. Its light and looks good (apart from the plastic back), sound quality is excellent even with the basic headphones. The bundled software Sonic Stage seems to work well with both MP3s and CD audio, no serious problems yet.

Everything else you would expect from a Sony MD recorder is there: MDLP for squeezing up to 320 mins on one MD, G-Protection Jog proof, optical cable included, rechargeable battery included, Group function for grouping albums/genres etc, and blah blah blah techie stuff.

For those confused with the concept of NetMD, it is what they call a 'format extension' as opposed to a brand new technology. Its aimed to rival MP3 players in that you can 'download' MP3s to your MD recorder. You could still record MP3s with ordinary MD recorders but NetMD is designed to make the process faster and easier. Faster is the key to it, it uses your PCs USB port to whizz the songs over to be burned onto the Minidisc, whereas you have to actually play the songs through your computer to record on ordinary MDs. Incidentally, the MD doesn't actually play MP3s, the bundled Sony software converts your MP3s to the Minidisc's native ATRAC format, but its all done pretty quickly and painlessly.
You can just drag and drop your playlists from PC to MD in the recording window and make yourself a beverage.

I did hope for something a little more solid feeling, with better headphones, and a fancy remote, but then I'm a cheapskate who wants the best. You don't get the best unless you pay more.
And lets face it, some of the costly MP3 players just don't cut the mustard. Until they sound as good as a minidisc and until they are as versatile, I would stick with MD technology.

Overall, I would say it is a good introduction to minidisc recorders and shows the advantages of the NetMD format extension very well. Musicians and professionals will want to pay more to get more (the MZ-N510 doesn't have a microphone input so won't appeal to budding bands), but if you want a personal portable player which sounds as good as CD, can be used to record/play a range of music formats, and from a variety of sources, then you'll be happy with this.

The player/recorder is not the most fancy looking MD that Sony bring out but it gives you great sound, is totally jog proof and as it is a Net MD allows you to record MP3's onto it.

So what are you getting for you £130. Firstly you get a well built MD player that allows you to record from a CD or DVD player as well as from a PC. You get an optical lead to plug into a CD or DVD player and a USB cable to go into the PC. You also get a rechargeable battery and a charger so you don't have to spend lots on batteries. The MD player gives you CD quality sound if you record in sterio along with being pocket sized.

The only down side is that the buttons are plastic and the LCD screen is quite small. But these are only minor problems. This player gives you everything that you need and is at a great price. In my opinion if you buy a more expensive Song MD you are buying looks or the little LCD stick. With this MD you get great sound, Net MD and a jog proof player plus a case. All you will every need at a great price.

I was impressed by the speed at which the transfer took place - previous MD reviews I had read mentioned recording at the same speed as the CD played: Sony have done well here and it's almost as convenient as my old MP3 player. The battery life is fantastic - nearly a month on average with a Duracell, easily over 2 weeks with the supplied rechargeable battery. Once you get used to the complexities of the menu system it's a very slick device. The quality of the sound is very high indeed and there is no discernable noise. I have also found it to be largely immune from skips and dropouts when I walk around: can't comment on running though :-)

Once thing I take issue with though is the heavily publicised Electronic Music Distribution (EMD). If you're in the UK, you're going to be disappointed when you go the OpenMG web site and find that they only have the facility in Japan. They have been promising a European service sinc at least October 2003 and nothing has appeared. If Sony intend to attract consumers by using EMD then they are wasting their time. My advice would be to buy the device for it's CD-handling capabilities and wait until Sony and other distributors realise that other countries other than the USA listen to music.