Sharp NetMD IM-DR80 /IM-DR508/ IM-DR850

~~Sharp IM-DR80/IM-DR508/IM-DR850~~

Portable 1-Bit ΔΣ NetMD Recorder

In 2000, Sony announced MDLP (MiniDisc Long Play), which added new recording modes based on a new codec called ATRAC3. In addition to the standard, high-quality mode, now called SP, MDLP adds LP2 mode, which allows twice as much recording time (160 minutes on an 80-minute disc) of good-quality stereo sound, and LP4, which allows four times more recording time (320 minutes on an 80-minute disc) of medium-quality stereo sound. The bitrate of the standard SP mode is 292 kbit/s, and it uses separate stereo coding with discrete left and right channels. LP2 mode uses a bitrate of 132 kbit/s and also uses separate stereo coding. In the last mode, LP4 has a bitrate of 66 kbit/s and uses joint stereo coding. The sound quality is noticeably poorer than the first two modes but is sufficient for many users. Tracks recorded in LP2 or LP4 mode playback as silence on non-MDLP players. Sony announced they would cease the development of MD devices, with the last of the players sold by March 2013. NetMD recorders allow music files to be transferred from a computer to a recorder (but not in the other direction) over a USB connection. In LP4 mode, speeds of up to 32× real-time are possible and three Sony NetMD recorders (MZ-N10, MZ-N910, and MZ-N920) are capable of speeds up to 64× real-time. NetMD recorders all support MDLP. NetMD is a proprietary protocol, and it is currently impossible to use it without proprietary software, such as SonicStage. Thus, it cannot be used with non-Windows machines.{wikipedia} 

Introduction

Sharp Corporation released NetMD compatible portable MD recorder "IM-DR80" on September 18th, 2003. The initial price was ￥37,000 yen. Four types of coloring are available: silver (-S), red (-R), blue (-A), and black (-B). the portable MD recorder is compatible with Net MD that can transfer ATRAC3 music data from a PC at high speed. It also supports MDLP and is equipped with a unique mobile 1-bit ΔΣ digital amplifier in the amplifier section. It adopts a 4-pole plug type inner ear type headphone that separates the left and right channels independently.

The biggest feature is that it comes with a cradle-type "multi-link station" equipped with a USB, one optical digital/analog input each, and two analog outputs. In addition to being able to charge and connect to a PC just by placing the main body, you can enjoy music easily by combining it with an active speaker with stereo mini input. In addition, the multi-link station is equipped with an LCD screen and operation keys, and you can also control playback/stop and edit.

The ATRAC decoder is 24bit. Adopts a skipping guard memory for up to about 160 seconds (LP4) and a digital "X-BASS" that allows you to select the deep bass level from three levels. As a special playback function, it is equipped with a "playback speed control" function that can change the playback speed to -30 / -20 / -10 / + 5 / + 15%, intro, random, and random repeat playback functions. In addition, it also has a "favorite playback" function that allows you to specify a maximum of 10 songs for each disc.

The battery is a nickel-hydrogen rechargeable battery and can be used in combination with the included AA battery case. With only rechargeable batteries, the playback time is about 42 hours and the recording time is about 15 hours (both at LP4). When using the AA battery case (1 alkaline battery) and the attached rechargeable battery together, the playback time is about 122 hours, and the recording time is about 40 hours (LP4 at the same time). Charging time is about 3.5-5.5 hours. The ATRAC LSI and high-order delta-sigma modulation circuit are packaged in a single package to achieve long-term drive.

The input/output terminals of the main unit are equipped with a microphone input and a headphone/remote control dual-purpose terminal. The external dimensions are 80.1 x 72.6 x 16.6 mm (width x depth x height). 

Weight is about 120g (including rechargeable battery). 

Net MD compatible software "BeatJam" is compatible with Windows 98 SE/Me/2000/XP/Vista/Win7.

Two types of headphones are supplied: over the ears type and in-ear type. the headphones are not limited to the inner ear type that supports the 4-pole plug included in the package, but the normal 3-pole plug type can also be used. As a 4-pole plug compatible product, in addition to the ear-mounted headphones HP-MD5S.

The remote control can display multilingual/alphanumeric characters. In addition, a "recording key" that allows you to operate the microphone recording from the remote control is newly installed. The LCD is equipped with a backlight and has a slim and easy-to-grip design.

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Catalog

Sharp IM-DR80 - A Very Rare Japanese Catalog from 2003

Packaging & Accessories

There are 3 versions to this NetMD Recorder, the Japanese domestic model the IM-DR80 comes in red, black, and silver. the Asian market model the IM-DR805 comes in blue only and is quite rare and there is the World model which is the IM-DR850 comes in Black and silver.

IM-DR80 Japanese/IM-DR805 Asian

IM-DR580 World

Owners Manual

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Technical details

Specifications

• Net MD MiniDisc Recorder/Player with MDLP

• 24 bit ATRAC

• Mobile 1-bit Digital Amp

• 4-pole headphone plugs

• ’Top-open" disc insertion

• One-touch disc ejection

• No LCD screen on the main unit

• LCD remote with Chinese support & REC button

• Charging cradle with LCD screen, editing functions, and Line & Speaker outputs

• Favorite tunes function

• Group Function

• Traceback and group-up recording functions

• Synchronized recording

• ALC [Automatic Level Control] option for recording

• On-the-fly manual recording level adjustment

• Auto T-MARKing at fixed intervals of 3, 5 and 10 minutes

• Alarm function [adjustable to 1-99 min]

• Playback speed control [-30%/-20%/-10%/+5%/+15%]

• Introduction playback

• 3 step X-BASS Boost and Treble adjustments

• 40/80/160 second anti-shock memory

• Stylish AUVI recharging cradle with LCD screen

• Headphone output: 8mW+8mW (32 Ohms)

• Line output: 125mV (-12dB / 10K Ohms)

• Max playback time: 80/ 103/ 122 hours

• Max record time: 20 / 30.5 / 40 hours

• Recharge time: 3.5 hours [%90] / 5.5 hours [full]

Dimensions:

• 80.1 (W) x 72.6 (H) x 16.6 (D) mm

• Weight: 2.6 lbs [including NiMH battery]

Supplied Accessories:

• LCD stick remote

• headphone

• LCD charging cradle

• NiMH cell

• International [100-240V] AC adapter

• AA cell case

• carrying case

• instruction manual

• warranty card

• registration card

• Beatjam CD

• BeatJam manual

• BeatJam registration card

Service Manual

MD Mechanism and the cradle disassembly

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