Differences

This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.

--- faq [2010/02/02 12:37] – created glaubitz
+++ faq [2010/02/21 17:59] – glaubitz
@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 ====== FAQ ======
-How can I contribute to this project?
+//I didn't had any time yet to answer all the questions yet, I'm just very busy recently, sorry. Please check back later.//
-What type of MiniDisc devices are compatible with this software?
+**How can I contribute to this project?**
-Why does development of the software take place at such a slow pace?
+You can either contribute code (please look at the [[Tasks]], there is alot to do), translations or artwork. We really appreciate **any** input. And be it suggestions, complaints or flaming =).
-I tried formatting a HiMD in //qhimdtransfer// but that doesn't work, why?
+**What type of MiniDisc devices are compatible with this software?**
-I tried renaming a track in //qhimdtransfer// but that doesn't work either, what's wrong?
+Generally, all MiniDisc devices with a USB connector (either //NetMD// or //HiMD//) are supported. Older models without USB do not allow any transfer of tracks to or from the MiniDisc besides using S/PDIF (TOSLINK or co-axial) or analog inputs/outputs.
-I tried transfering a track to my HiMD walkman in //qhimdtransfer// but it won't work. Why?
+**Why does development of the software take place at such a slow pace?**
-Why can I transfer some tracks from my HiMD and some not?
+Since Sony won't give us any specifications how the USB protocol and encryption of the tracks on MiniDisc works, we have to find ourselves by means of reverse engineering. This is a very tedious job, especially since Sony has developed a highly sophisticated software for digital right management (DRM) called //OpenMG//. It's the heart of all Windows software that allows to communicate with your MiniDisc over USB and just everything going from and to the MiniDisc has to go through the //OpenMG// software layer. There are a very few parts like MP3 supportt which does not really need //OpenMG// and that's why we supported that first in our software. But anything beyond MP3 requires a complete understanding of the inner workings of //OpenMG//.
-What is the difference between MP3 and LPCM/ATRAC3/3+ tracks?
+**I tried formatting a HiMD in //qhimdtransfer// but that doesn't work, why?**
-Why are some of the pages in the wiki non-public? I thought all this stuff is free software.
+This feature has not been implemented yet in //libhimd//. On Linux, you can use //himdformat// to format a HiMD. If installed //qhimdtransfer//, just run himdformat from a terminal. For other Linux systems, get the source from git (see [[compilingonlinux]]) and build the [[compilingonlinux#basictools|basictools]]. Formatting on MacOS and Windows is not yet supported by //qhimdtransfer//. You have to use //SonicStage// or //HiMD MusicTransfer for Mac// instead.
-Why is it so difficult to write a free transfer software for MiniDisc as a replacement for SonicStage?
+**I tried renaming a track in //qhimdtransfer// but that doesn't work either, what's wrong?**
-What is essentially the difference between NetMD and HiMD devices, especially from the way my computer treats them?
+**I tried transfering a track to my HiMD walkman in //qhimdtransfer// but it won't work. Why?**
-Will it ever be possible to transfer tracks off NetMD device with this software?
+**Why can I transfer some tracks from my HiMD and some not?**
-Does this software also support NetMD devices? My NetMD is not recognized by //qhimdtransfer//.
+**What is the difference between MP3 and LPCM/ATRAC3/3+ tracks?**
-I downloaded and installed both versions for MacOS but neither of them for me, why?
+**Why are some of the pages in the wiki non-public? I thought all this stuff is free software.**
-Does this software also work on other operating systems other than Linux, Windows and MacOS?
+**Why is it so difficult to write a free transfer software for MiniDisc as a replacement for SonicStage?**
-What is the [[NetMDPython]] stuff for and what is Python at all?
+**What is essentially the difference between NetMD and HiMD devices, especially from the way my computer treats them?**
-I have loads of old standard MDs with recordings I want transfer to my PC, what's the best way to do that?
+**Will it ever be possible to transfer tracks off NetMD device with this software?**
+To the current knowledge it is **NOT** possible to upload tracks from pure NetMD devices since the hardware simply does not have the capabilities. You can buy and use a Sony MZ-RH1 or MZ-M200 Walkman to upload tracks. However, tracks transfered with //SonicStage// in NetMD cannot be transferred back to your PC, while tracks transferred with //Sony MD Simple Burner// **can** be uploaded again. We assume, that SonicStage sets a certain protection bit for each which prevents the upload of these tracks while MD Simple Burner does not.
+**Does this software also support NetMD devices? My NetMD is not recognized by //qhimdtransfer//.**
+NetMD devices are supported by the Python scripts so far only. Please check this [[netmdpython|section]] for more.
+**I downloaded and installed both versions for MacOS but neither of them work for me, why?**
+Your version of MacOS is obviously older than the one we used to build //qhimdtransfer// for MacOS. You may try to compile the software yourself on your version of MacOS. Please see the appropriate section in this wiki: [[CompilingOnMac]]
+**Does this software also work on other operating systems other than Linux, Windows and MacOS?**
+Yes, the software generally works on all operating systems which provide the necessary libraries. *BSD and Haiku should work as well OS/2 (eComStation). We haven't tested it on other operating than Linux, MacOS and Windows yet, however. If you need assistance installing the software on other operating systems, please do not hesitate to contact us.
+**What is the [[NetMDPython]] stuff for and what is Python at all?**
+**I have loads of old standard MDs with recordings I want transfer to my PC, what's the best way to do that?**
+The most convenient method is to use Sony's MZ-RH1 or MZ-M200 Walkman. These devices allow direct upload over USB to your computer. Depending on your operating system/computer, you will either use the official software or our software for this job:
+  * if you have Windows, please install and use //SonicStage//
+  * if you have MacOS or Linux, please see this [[netmdpython#upload.py_-_upload_tracks_from_standard_mds_using_sony_s_mz-rh1_m200|section]]