Victor XM-R2
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Victor presents one of a kind unique MiniDisc Recorder:
The XM-R2 is - like no other!
The XM-R2 is - like no other!
MiniDisc [MD] is a magneto-optical disc-based data storage device initially intended for storage of up to 74 minutes and, later, 80 minutes, of digitized audio. In the form of Hi-MD, it has also developed into a general-purpose storage medium. MiniDisc was announced by Sony in September 1992 and released that November for sale in Japan and in December for the USA and Europe. The music format was originally based exclusively on ATRAC audio data compression, but the option of a linear PCM recording was later introduced to attain audio quality comparable to that of a compact disc. MiniDiscs were very popular in Japan but made a limited impact elsewhere. {wikipedia}
The first MD with touch screen PDA style stylus control. Easy to use for song selection, editing, and titling input with the "Pen Touch'' Portable MD XM-R2.
The first* MD portable equipped with pen touch operation.
Just by touching screen icons and characters with a pen, operations such as title input, song selection, and editing are carried out with surprising speed. Includes a special stylus that fits into the unit. (*As of December 1996)
Easy to see, easy to operate, large-style LCD display.
Large style LCD display of 12 characters X 4 rows. In combination with the stylus pen, the unit operation is quick and easy.
Big screen LCD
Stylus touch inputs.
- Pen Touch Character Input: Katakana, Roman letters (upper and lower case), digits, and symbols are displayed on 5 pages (screens). For example; the upper case Roman letters are all on one screen, making character selection easy.
- Pen Touch Song Selection: The names of the current song and its three following songs are displayed. If you touch the pen to the name of the song you want to hear, that song will quickly start to play.
- Double Counter Display: While recording, a song's elapsed time plus the MD's remaining recording time are simultaneously displayed.
- Disc Information Display: Information such as title name and recording time, track count, etc., are displayed in summary.
- Pen Touch Editing: With pen operation you can divide and combine songs, allowing you to freely edit recordings.
Continuous 13 hours of "long Play'' (with rechargeable and alkaline cells)
Built-in rechargeables give 4 hours of playback and 2.5 hours of recording time. Together with AA alkaline cells, 13 hours of playback and 6.5 hours of recording time have been realized. A Long recording 148-minute monaural mode is also possible.
The XM-R2 can be easily connected to a mini-system or radio cassette, allowing high-quality recording from CD via an optical digital/line input terminal.
Well equipped with features:
Remote control with easily removed headphones.
Bass boost,
Auto level control,
Mic input terminal.
Accessories:
Remote control x 1
Stereo headphones included x 1
Pocket carrying case x 1
NiMH Rechargeable Battery x 1
Dry cell case included x 1
NiMH Battery Case x 1
RCA Cable x 1
AC Adapter x 1
User Manual x1
XM-R2 Portable MD Recorder Y 53,000
Few words
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Note: Since this player was an exclusive model for the Japanese market there is very little info available.
Following up on the unique Victor recording machine XM-R1, Victor re-invented the MiniDisc with their 2nd in line flagship the XM-R2. This is a very unique piece of equipment.
Victor XM-R1
In comparison, the major difference between the XM-R1 to the XM-R2 is the LCD part which is now bigger and has a touch screen. Wow, now there is a touch panel screen!! a unique concept for portable Minidiscs.
Difficult to spot within the design, is the stylus pen which is seamlessly housed to the top right. The Top also has all the basic controls and terminals lined up like; the headphone terminal, Input level wheel, microphone terminal, and shared terminal for an Optical/Line In. The input level has a possible subtle adjustment, but I think it should've been made a bit bigger.
Even though the XM-R2 looks fancy it has a few weak points, one of the weak points is the accessories, the remote control, and the earphones should have been similar in design and functionality to the main unit in a way and not so plain and cheap.
Terminals, slider, and stylus
On the left side, there is a hole at the central part, this is for the battery box attachment. The lower left also has the AC power input.
On the front panel at the top, there is the battery cover, when you slide the top of the battery cover, you'll find Victor's unique rechargeable battery, it is big and heavy, the battery is very different from other manufacturers, and the compatibility is very uncommon, it is unlike any generic Ni-MH rechargeable batteries.
Battery Compartment
The Sound Quality:
( ( ( (( ((( d(-_-)b ))) )) ) ) )
With the supplied earphone, the XM-R2 has quite a disappointing sound. Honestly, I would say this is so embarrassing, for such an innovative MiniDisc there is no sense of hopelessness in the quality of the XM-R2. However, when replacing the earphones, and listening with a good set of headphones, the impression changed completely.
XM-R2 inheritance has a very good sound balance. However, there are barely any sound details because the sound level was so insufficient that you nearly lose any or all dynamics to the sound, there isn't any presence to the music because of that. therefore, the low and nondynamic sound, in my opinion, is disappointing for this otherwise unique and amazing recorder.
Eject/Open Disc
In October 2001 Victor went out of the portable MiniDisc market, but they still continued to manufacture MD Radio-Cassettes, it is hard to say why they decided to discontinue the Portable MiniDisc Division, however, it could be because of the lack of quality units that could appeal to their customers.
There is an OEM version of the XM-R2 available with the AKAI brand name, the model name is, AKAI PDM-7R in Blue.
The AKAI OEM version of the XM-R2
It appears to be nowadays, that the AKAI version is far more sought after than the original version the Victor itself, there are too many interested parties who specifically would like to own the AKAI one. because of that its price tag is way too expensive than the Victor, and the availability of the PDM-7R is numbered while the XM-R2 is vastly available. since these two are domestic Japanese models you can exclusively find them in Japan/Asian markets.
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