For ripping CDs to the device, Sony includes Net MD Simple Burner software, which converts to only LP2 or LP4 we'd prefer having the option to rip to normal stereo levels to preserve sound quality. As one might expect, sound quality diminishes as playback time increases. You can select normal stereo (74 minutes), or you can choose LP2 (148 minutes) or LP4 (296 minutes) in order to fit more music onto the device. Sony's OpenMG Jukebox software handles the transfer of MP3s, WMAs, and WAVs from your hard drive to the MZ-N1. Other than the USB connection, the MZ-N1 has all the standard MiniDisc connections: an analog line-in jack, an optical line in with a cable included, a mike input, a headphone/line-out jack, and an AC-adapter port. This MiniDisc unit connects to your computer's USB port in order to download music at speeds faster than real time. The MZ-N1 sits in its small docking station and recharges its battery using the attached AC adapter. There's only one problem: As with Sony's flash-based MP3 players, copyright-protection software turns a silk purse into a something of a sow's ear. The MZ-N1, the crown jewel of this line, allegedly offers superfast, 32X transfer speeds as well as the ability to record live audio.

With its Net MD line, Sony has made the MiniDisc format more palatable to online music fans, allowing users to connect the units to a PC via USB and store between 74 and 296 minutes of MP3s on inexpensive media.

Sony net md openmg jukebox 2.2