Sony MZ-M200 Manual

Page of 88
Explanations
About Hi-MD
“Hi-MD” is a new MiniDisc format. Incorporating the new ATRAC3plus audio compression 
technology, Hi-MD is a new recording format that delivers longer recording times than standard 
MD discs. Hi-MD discs can also be used as a computer storage medium for non-audio data such as 
text and still images.
About ATRAC
ATRAC (Adaptive TRansform Acoustic Coding) is a generic term for an audio compression 
technology that realizes both high sound quality and high compression rates. Three versions are in 
use: ATRAC (SP mode (normal MD format)), ATRAC3 (LP2 and LP4 modes) and ATRAC3plus 
(Hi-SP and Hi-LP modes). Compared with a CD, the compression rate for ATRAC3 is about 10 
times higher, and for ATRAC3plus, about 20 times higher.
“Hi-MD mode” and “MD mode”
This recorder has two operation modes, “Hi-MD mode” and “MD mode” that are automatically 
recognized whenever a disc is inserted.
Disc
Mode
1GB Hi-MD disc
Hi-MD
60/74/80-minute  
standard disc
Blank disc
The operation mode set in the “Disc 
Mode” ( page 59) menu is applied.
Disc containing music  
in Hi-MD mode
Hi-MD
Disc containing music  
in MD mode
MD
About LinearPCM
LinearPCM is a digital, non-compressed audio coding system. You can enjoy high-quality sound 
equal to that of CDs by recording in this mode.
The meaning of “no sound”
“No sound” describes a recorder condition in which the input level is about 4.8 mV during analog 
input or less than –89 dB during optical (digital) input (with 0 dB as full bit (the maximum 
recordable level for a MiniDisc)).
About System File
The system file is space on the disc that is used to store information other than audio files; for 
instance, track numbers.
If the MiniDisc were a book, the system file would correspond with the index or table of contents. 
The recorder rewrites the system file whenever an operation such as recording, adding or deleting 
track marks, or moving tracks has been done. (“SystemFILE WRITING” appears in the display 
when the recorder is rewriting the system file.) While the recorder is writing disc information, 
make sure not to move or jog the recorder or disconnect the power source as this may cause the 
information to be incorrectly recorded or the disc contents to be lost.
80
MZ-RH1/MZ-M200.GB.2-669-084-11(1)