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In Winamp at least, you can choose the output device it uses: open the Preferences window (Ctrl+P is the quickest way), click on Plugins-> Output, double-click on the waveOut plugin, and choose "USB Audio Device" for output. Then you can go about your business in Windows with the "bings and such" going to your soundcard while Winamp plays to the Xitel DG-x [or whatever USB interface you are using]. Then when you finish your MD recording, change Winamp back to Wave Mapper output. -Richard Rudie
| Picture | Name | Desc | Price | Connectors | Dimensions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | CatchSound PC Link | USB to TOSLink digital audio output device | $140 | In: USB Out: TOSlink (optical digital) | |
Description: Connects from your PC's USB port to the optical port on your MD recorder. Compatible with Windows 98/2000 and Macintosh computers. Includes Jet-Audio internet music player software and optical cable (TOSlink/miniplug ends). Links: Machine translated manufacturer's homepage for the CatchSound. Brian comments on using the CatchSound adapter with MD gear. You can purchase the CatchSound from Japan-Direct. | |||||
| Picture | Name | Desc | Price | Connectors | Dimensions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Griffin iMic | USB audio input device | $35 | In: 1/8" stereo analog (mic, line level) Out: 1/8" stereo analog | |
Description: High quality analog audio input to Macs/PCs/laptops. Connects to USB port, full duplex I/O support. Can be ordered direct from the manufacturer. Links: Griffin's official iMic webpage with further information and reviews. Also see ordering information for the iMic. Tony Kwong gives a brief but useful review of the Griffin iMic being used with a Mac. | |||||
| Picture | Name | Desc | Price | Connectors | Dimensions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Mironics MiniDisc Suite | parallel port to Sony remote jack titler/controller | $60 ($40 w/o cable) | In: parallel Out: Sony remote connector | |
Description: Unit interfaces the personal computer with a portable Sony Minidisc recorder (not compatible with all models, check the Mironics website before ordering). Unit's primary function is high-speed titling of MiniDiscs using your computer's mouse and keyboard, it also serves to assist in PC-to-MD recordings by having recording control of the MD unit. (Audio signal must be transferred by a separate cable.) Software interfaces with Winamp for recording functionality. V2 includes music cataloging capabilites and macros. Links: Mironics' official website for the MiniDisc Suite, complete with order information and even instructions on how to build your own hardware connector to use with their software. | |||||
| Picture | Name | Desc | Price | Connectors | Dimensions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Sharp AD-PCR2 | PC USB port to Sharp MD-MT77 link Intro: 11/2000 | MSRP JPY 18,000 | USB, Sharp Remote Connector Plug, OUT: Optical | |
Features: Software/Hardware package allows titling (using Kanji, Kana, and Roman alphabet), digital music downloading, and basic MD unit control from a PC. Works only with Sharp MD-MT77 portable. Software package is in Japanese. Software also allows a library (i.e. database) of MDs to be assembled. Links: Sharp's
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| Picture | Name | Desc | Price | Connectors | Dimensions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Sharp AD-PCR1 | PC serial port to Sharp MD-MT831/-MT832 link | MSRP: JPY 8000 | RS232 Serial, Sharp Remote Connector Plug | |
Features: Software/Hardware package allows titling (using Kanji, Kana, and Roman alphabet) and basic MD unit control from a PC. Works only with Sharp MD-MT831 and MT-MT832 portables. Software package is in Japanese. Software also allows a library (i.e. database) of MDs to be assembled. Links: Sharp's Japanese page for the kit. Sharp's Japanese download page for the software. | |||||
| Picture | Name | Desc | Price | Connectors | Dimensions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Sony PCLK-MN10/CAV-MN10 | PC to MD deck USB adapter w/digital audio transport Intro: 5/2000 | MSRP: JPY15,000 | IN: USB OUT: Control-A1, TOSLink (optical digital) | DIM |
Features: Software/Hardware PC to MD linking kit. Allows PC control of titling, editing and recording of PC audio (digitally, from USB port of PC). PC can be used to control other components (Tuner, CD player, etc) within the HiFi system. Kit includes: Software CD-ROM, USB cable, TOSLink cable, USB to TOSLink/Control-A1 adapter box. Compatible with Sony MXD-D40, MDS-JE470 and MDS-PC3. Kit cannot transfer HiFi audio back to PC. All transfers conducted in realtime. Manuals: PCLK-MN10 Software manual (PDF). See also scanned pages 1 2 3 from M-Crew manual outlining how to connect the Sony MDS-PC3 to a PC. Downloads: PC editing software (M-crew1.05E.EXE). USB driver for Windows 2000 and Windows 9x. Links: Sony US page for the unit. Sony's homepage for M-Crew compatible gear. A Japanese Sony shop's page for the unit. Minidisco sells the PCLK-MN10 and has further info on it. | |||||
| Picture | Name | Desc | Price | Connectors | Dimensions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Sony PCLK-MD1 | PC to MD Deck adapter Intro: 5/2000 | MSRP | IN: RS232 Serial connector OUT: Control-A1 (1/8th" phone jack) | DIM |
Features: Software/Hardware PC to Sony MD Deck link kit for PC control of titling and editing. Allows recording from CD to MD if CD is also a Sony Control-A1 device. Hardware includes: (?). Compatible with Control-A1 equipped MD decks. The PCLK-MD1/MD2 Sony PC link kits are identical hardware and only differ in their software. -Marco Rossen Manuals: PCLK-MD1. Software Updates: SonyMods.com has an archived collection of all available PCLK-MD1 software versions (also available locally from us). Musique is a third party software package for use with the Sony PCLK-MD1. Musique requires the Sony CAV-50 or CAV-1/2 (RS232/Control-A1 adapter included with the PCLK-MD1). Brian Conte has further details on S-Link and CAV signalling protocols. Links: Available from Planet Minidisc. sony_md_software | |||||
| Picture | Name | Desc | Price | Connectors | Dimensions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Xitel MDPORT-DG2 | USB to TOSLink digital audio output device | Street $60 | In: USB Out: TOSlink (optical digital) | |
Description: USB to TOSlink device. Generally compatible with all MD units. Sony includes this unit with their MZ-RxxxDPC portable MD recorders with USB PC Link kits. Links: Xitel's official page for this unit. (However, Blair Aakre reports that contrary to the Xitel web site, the MDPort-DG2 does work with the latest version of MacOS X, 10.1.2.) This item is available from Minidisco. | |||||
| Picture | Name | Desc | Price | Connectors | Dimensions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Xitel MDPORT-DG1 | USB to TOSLink digital audio output device | $100 | In: USB Out: TOSlink (optical digital) | |
Description: USB to TOSlink device. Not compatible with Sharp or JVC MD units, or the Sony MZ-R3, MZ-R5, MZ-R30, MZ-R37, MZ-R55 units (because the DG1's optical output is turned off when no audio is being output, and the synchronization delay to reaquire the S/PDIF stream causes certain MD units to clip the beginning of the recording). Sony includes this unit with their MZ-RxxxDPC portable MD recorders with USB PC Link kits. Links: Xitel's official page for this unit. Brian comments on using the Xitel MDPORT-DG1 with MD gear. This item is available from Minidisco and Planet MiniDisc. | |||||
| Picture | Name | Desc | Price | Connectors | Dimensions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Xitel MDPORT-AN1 | USB to line level analog audio output device | $60 | In: USB Out:1/8" stereo phone jack | |
Description: USB to analog (audio line level) device (incorporates D/A converter). Sony includes this unit with their MZ-RxxxPC and MZ-RxxPC portable MD recorders w/USB PC link kits. Links: Xitel's official page for this unit. Brian comments on using the Xitel MDPORT-AN1 with MD gear. This item is available from Minidisco and Planet MiniDisc. | |||||