Home > Consumer Reviews > Sony MZ-S1 S2 Sports Net MD MiniDisc Player

The "electronics fan from Austin" was 100% correct. The software is hideous and the Mini-disk player is great. They need to make it compatable with Windows Media Player. For now I use RealOne...
I absolutely love this player! I wanted to hate it and punish Sony by returning it because of their hideous software, but once I realized that I could keep the hardware without using their software I decided that it is a fantastic device. The key for me is using RealOne Player to add files to the device. Using RealOne I can get MP3s onto the unit quickly and easily, without any of the restictive "check-out" procedures that Sony is trying to cram down our throats.

As for everything else about the device...absolutely no complaints. I was worried it would be too heavy for long runs, but I was pleasantly surprised that it didn't bother me at all. The ability to have great, customized soundtracks with me on runs more than made up for having to carry the player in my hand. I think the wrist strap is fantastic because it gives me the confidence to carry the player very loosely in my hands, instead of a death grip that would fatigue my hands and arms. Yes, some people might prefer a clip or belt strap, but I find that I would much rather carry this in my hands given its weight. The sound is absolutely fantastic. Although some reviews have said the volume level is a little low, I have found that even with hearing that my wife claims borders on deafness, I can get this player cranked up loud enough that it hurts.

I received this as a gift and was initially disappointed that it wasn't a memory-based MP3 player. But the more I researched the various options, the more I realized this is a fantastic solution. In my opinion, what sets a mini-disc player apart from memory-based players is the ability to create different sets of music on dirt-cheap media. Instead of having to constantly connect my player to the computer for loading and unloading tunes to fit my mood, I can cheaply create a whole bunch of different discs - one for endurance runs, one for pace runs, one for sprints, etc.

If not for the Sony software, this player would definitely be a five. But since you can work around it easily enough, I will give it a four.

I had been thinking about getting a new portable audio device for some time now - never went for it until now. The last unit I owned was the Sony Sport Walkman back in the 80's (not the yellow one, the black one). I loved that Sony Walkman damn it (no really - I "loved" it) It went everywhere with me - the thing was a brick, built like a tank and sounded RAD! That thing, and my original Simms Switchblade and 40's of Mickeys..... those were the days... But I digress. Point being, I was gonna be hard pressed to replace it with an unworthy replacement. Well, twenty years later.....

I bought this unit after researching portable players for MiniDisc's, MP3's, CD/MP3's, as well as MP3 Jukeboxes units. I wanted to get back into listening to tunes while snowboarding...The S2 or S1 or whatever just seemed like to right choice...These things have come down in price. The USB feature really sold me as I have a ton of MP3's on my PC that I would need to have on MD.

I'm happy with my decision. I was able to load and use the included software to rip and convert my CD's and MP3's onto MD's within minutes (Win 2000 PC). I did not have any of the bug issues I've read about - I was a little concerned but I guess I lucked out. I did notice that during the loading processes for Simple Burner and OpenMG that updates / patches were added.

The sound is great - can't say enough about the sound. Example: I converted a CD track to MD using the Simple Burner program (very simple and quick to do with the USB), listened to the original CD track on a Sony CD Walkman then listened to the ripped track on my MD unit with the same headphones - the NetMD blew away the diskman on sound! - bass was way better. overall tone was fatter / more clear, etc. I had read that the sound on MP3 players are hollow and not very loud. I'm convinced that MD's are the way to go if audio quality is important. For me this was very important.

I ruled out CD/MP3 players (portable CD players that read MP3 files) due to my past experience with burning CD's full of MP3's. This allows you to get a lot of MP3's on a single CD, data transfer is much faster from PC to portable media but very unreliable as scratches can render them useless. Very prone to skipping and just kinda junkie, one track is normal the next one could blow your ear drums out. Also - not very flexible - if you have new MP3's - you need to burn another CD. And overall just not as cool - it's basically a workaround for the fact MP3 players can't offer a cost effective way to improve capacity. Have you seen the cost of those memory flash sticks? Flash this!

I looked at that Apple iPod.... Carry 20 GB's of MP3's with you - what ever. I'd break that thing in one day... I looked at other GB + Jukebox players - too bulky - too expensive, and not portable enough.

So far so good with the NetMD S2 / S1 or S1 / S2. It is a bit more work to get your music organized with MD - but once you do it's flexible, highly portable, and sounds great...

Bought it to listen to mp3 files I have. Can't because of the bad Sony software that comes with it. Ok ok, actually I could, IF I burn a cd first of what I want then transfer that to minidisc........ To load a blank minidisc with about 2 1/2 hours of music took about a hour total. This involved using the sony clunky software to get a playlist, convert said list to the minidisc file format, transfer files to minidisc. The conversion from mp3 to the sony format took about 45 minutes, and the transfer to the minidisc at least 20 minutes. This was on a pretty zippy P4 2gig machine! Irked me a little at the time involved but could live with it, then I found out you can only do this 3 times........... after that you have to reconvert the song again. This is Sony trying to stop song piracy.....Frankly I don't give a whoop about Sony losing a dime from piracy and think they have ruined what is a great hardware product with absolutely terrible software. As seems the case with most sony items I have, they like to add about 5 steps more than are needed. SOOO I have returned this player to buy a Rio mp3 player instead. So far that the Rio is great and had it up and running in 20 minutes when the sony took almost 2 hours............Can not recommend this item for mp3, for straight cd to minidisc it is ok.......but why not get a regular mp3 player instead and have more flexible product?

yes, the MZ-S1 is heavier than most newer MD players. and yes, it's pretty bulky. but if what you want is a functional player to carry with you while you run, this is a great product. once you figure out how to use the strap, you can run without clinging to the player-- it feels very natural in your hand. contrary to what other reviewers have said, i find using the joystick controller very natural; it's great to be able to control volume without feeling for the remote, or for a dial somewhere on the player. also, it NEVER skips. the player i used to run with was slightly smaller but less sturdy, and i had to spend way too much time worrying about holding my arm steady in order to keep it from skipping.

[note: i have not (and will not-- i use another program that works fine) used the software that comes with the player, so i can't comment on it. i also never use the headphones that come with audio equipment, so i can't comment on them, either.]

I recently purhcased the MZ-S1 and think it is a great system. I have always looked for a good system to exercise with and have always been disappointed with radios (reception or commercials) and CD players (too large). This technology is great and the only complaint would be that it would be nice if it had a belt clip as an option. But I like carrying the unit when running and using the joystick - very cool.

The software, OpenMG Jukebox, is also great. I am running Windows ME and have had no issues at all. Initially, the driver would not load but the manual helped me out and it loaded off the CD via Device Manager. OpenMG is great for oranizing mixed discs and very fast and easy to use.

Overall, this is a great product. It is not only great for working out but will be ideal for travel as it is smaller then a CD player.