Excellent Unit Besides 2 Minor Issues
Written: Dec 18 '02
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Pros: Lightweight, Small Size, Durable,
Cons: Skipping unexpectedly, disc read error
The Bottom Line: If you can find this unit at a decent price, buy it and you won't be sorry.
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| livinlife2000's Full Review: Sony Walkman MZ-E900 Personal MiniDisc Player |
I have always opted to keep portables separate in regards to player only and record-playback ability. My first portable player was the Sony MZ-E50 which you can only get in Japan at the time (1998), I then upgraded to the Sony MZ-E900 2 years ago when the advent of MDLP was introduced. I may review the E50 at a latter date but unlikely due to the fact it is 4 years outdated.
Build
Sony has always made stylish units and this one continues that fact. There are two color choices both are brushed silver with either blue or silver accents. Mine came with the blue accents which had a good contrast. All the parts have a good sturdy feel to them and in no way feel “plasticy” except for the battery case which attaches to the side of the unit to hold 1 AA. I have accidentally dropped it a couple of times, holding up exceptionally well. This is only of the smallest player-only portables out there about 3 minidiscs high and 1 across. The next step up is Sony’s new 10th Anniversary MZ-E10 which is about 2 minidiscs high and about 60 grams in weight.
Functionality
As with many MD players, this one is light, out of the way and you sometimes forget you’re even carrying it. There are however some issues that I have with the unit. Now and again when I start playback of a disc, I will either get a disc error or no disc message even though there is a disc in there. I usually have to stop and start playback or eject and reinsert the disc to correct this problem. The other issue I came across was the fact that sometimes the player needed to be laying flat so that it won’t skip. There is no real explanation why these 2 issues pop up but they do. Besides these 2 minor details, you can expect all the functionality you need.
Battery
I will not go into the technical specifications of the unit as Epinions does a good job going over everything except that it doesn’t mention that the battery life is stated only for playback in SP mode with the supplied rechargeable battery. (NiMH NH-14WM) Here’s how the other modes break down:
NiMH NH-14WM Battery
SP – 29 Hours
LP2 – 33
LP4 – 37
AA Alkaline Battery
SP – 42
LP2 – 49
LP4 – 58
Both Batteries
SP – 76
LP2 – 87
LP4 – 100
I rarely use the 14WM battery and mainly use only AA and using the unit for at least 2 hours, 5 days a week, I usually have to get a fresh battery every 3-4 weeks and that is mainly playback in LP2 mode.
Conclusion
One reviewer had a con for this unit as being playback only and I wouldn’t think that it would be a con. Someone who’s thinking about buying this unit would fully know that this isn’t a recordable device and look at Sony’s other line of product. If you are looking into getting a playback only portable MD player this is the one to get.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 234.99
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Epinions.com ID:
livinlife2000
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Reviews written: 3
Trusted by: 0 members
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