Music Files, MagicStick and VAIO

[rbienstock]

I have an NR-70, that I've used for some time, but never used any Memory Sitcks or the audio player. I just got a Sony VAIO computer that has a memory stick slot. I have one purple stick and one MG (white) stick. Initially, didn't use the MemoryStick slot, but, instead, I installed the MSImport drivers on the PC, connected the Clie and used SonicStage to copy files from a CD to a white stick in the Clie. The tracks got created without any problems, but the Artist/Song Title data is totally corrupted. The songs play fine, but the associated information is total garbage. I then tried copying some MP3 files to the MS, into the Palm\Programs\MSAUDIO folder both using the MSImport program and the Memory Stick slot on the VAIO. This worked a bit better, as I was able to see the files and play them. Unfortunately, any form of organization is lost: all of the songs show up lumped together in a single "album". So I have a few questions:

[list=1]
Does it make any sense to use SonicStage and the ATRAC format entirely and just deal with MP3s
How can I catalog and/or organize my MP3s into albums on the Clie?
Should I be using the White or Purple Memory Stick? The documentation seems to imply that I can't use SonicStage and copy ATRACs unless I use a white stick.
Is there a simple, step-by-step procedure for getting music onto a Clie and keeping it organized?
What is the best way to move data to and from the stick, using the Clie or the MS slot in the VAIO?
I transferred my MP3s at 128Kbps. Is this the preferred rate for the Clie or should I use something less to save space?
[/list=1]

I also have a secondary issue: I tried running the backup utility, and it copied the entire contents of the Clie to the Stick. I don't really need that, as I have a backup via hotsync. What I really need is a backup of my data in case my batteries go dead. Will it be sufficient just to copy the AddressBook.pdb and DateBook.pdb files (I don't use ToDo or memo), or should I backup some other files as well. Are there other files that I should backup? Am I being foolish here? Should I just get a 16Mb stick and keep a total backup on it? If yes, it would be a pain to have to keep backing up everything each time, but the MSBackup program seems not to have a facility for doing incremental backups. Is there a better program to use?

[Lee Carnahan]

Can't help you on the organization part, but I just bought a refurb NR70-V from Sony, and, being an iPod owner, am really into MP3's.

I drag-copied MP3 files the first time to the MSAUDIO folder on the Memory Stick, using my Mac (TiBook) running OS X, and using a Sony two-button Memory Stick mouse. I thought that I'd have to use Magic Gate 'Sticks, but it worked fine.

The only problem I had was that the Mac created an extra file for each (resource fork issue?). So, on the Memory Stick, I just deleted those files, which I think were each 0.1K. After that, no problem.

Of course, all works without a hitch when doing the same thing on the VAIO, using the built-in MS reader/writer.

As for the bit-rate, yeah, I think 128mbps is the right number. 128's sound decent, and I fit I think 22 songs, most of which were 128, but some were 192 and above. IMHO, going below 128 loses too much audio quality.

HTH

[Vidge]

Originally posted by rbienstock
<snip>So I have a few questions:

[list=1]
Does it make any sense to use SonicStage and the ATRAC format entirely and just deal with MP3s
How can I catalog and/or organize my MP3s into albums on the Clie?
Should I be using the White or Purple Memory Stick? The documentation seems to imply that I can't use SonicStage and copy ATRACs unless I use a white stick.
Is there a simple, step-by-step procedure for getting music onto a Clie and keeping it organized?
What is the best way to move data to and from the stick, using the Clie or the MS slot in the VAIO?
I transferred my MP3s at 128Kbps. Is this the preferred rate for the Clie or should I use something less to save space?
[/list=1]



Way too many questions in one post :( but I'll answer as best I can. I use an NR70V with a VAIO desktop
1. No
2. AFAIK, can't be done
3. White if you are using Sonic Stage & ATAC3, purple for regular MP3s
4. Drop & drag to the proper folder on the MS. See 2 above for organization
5. I use the MS slot on the VAIO and only use MP3 format. Faster & easier than the MS Import.
6. You can use 96 Kbps, but no lower. That will make the files smaller. The loss of fidelity is generally not significant IMHO.

[Vidge]

Originally posted by rbienstock

I also have a secondary issue: I tried running the backup utility, and it copied the entire contents of the Clie to the Stick. I don't really need that, as I have a backup via hotsync. What I really need is a backup of my data in case my batteries go dead. Will it be sufficient just to copy the AddressBook.pdb and DateBook.pdb files (I don't use ToDo or memo), or should I backup some other files as well. Are there other files that I should backup? Am I being foolish here? Should I just get a 16Mb stick and keep a total backup on it? If yes, it would be a pain to have to keep backing up everything each time, but the MSBackup program seems not to have a facility for doing incremental backups. Is there a better program to use?

Of course the backup utility copied the contents to the stick - that's what it is designed to do. And unless you are running a 3rd party backup program, you are not getting a complete backup on hotsync. If your batteries go dead, the backup on your memory stick will save you from having to reload all that data.

IMHO the best backup program out there is BackupBuddy. It has the ability to do incremental backups and will truly backup all of your data to the computer.

[Spiral]

Well, you CAN go below 96, just doesn't sound that great. 96 generally is pretty good, 80 is ok, 64 is listenable for me (b/c i mostly listen to music while concentrating on somethign else and at relatively low volumes).

Actually, when encoding VBR files just to test it out, I found that I could play files even around 60 kbps, but the quality was no better than 64 and the file size was about the same. Audioplayer even recognized the files when displaying file info as 60 kbps, but played anyway.

[rbienstock]

Originally posted by Vidge
Of course the backup utility copied the contents to the stick - that's what it is designed to do. And unless you are running a 3rd party backup program, you are not getting a complete backup on hotsync. If your batteries go dead, the backup on your memory stick will save you from having to reload all that data. IMHO the best backup program out there is BackupBuddy. It has the ability to do incremental backups and will truly backup all of your data to the computer.

I've used BackupBuddy for years, and it is a really great program. But it is my understanding that, unlike previous versions, Palm Desktop/HotSync 4.1 backs up virtually everything and the only advantages to BB are the AV, duplicate removal and backup of programs in Flash. FWIW, I actually have two Palm devices, the just acquired NR-70 and a Kyocera SmartPhone. I keep these synced on two different computers, and I've done hard resets on the Kyocera and gotten everything back even without BB, including all my phone settings. Am I mistaken about this? Is there something that isn't backed up by Hotsync 4.1? I haven't tried this, or checked the documentation, but will BB do backups to the MS? Is there a program that will automatically do incremental backups to the MS?

[rbienstock]

Originally posted by Vidge
Way too many questions in one post :( but I'll answer as best I can. I use an NR70V with a VAIO desktop
Sorry for so many questions, and thanks for the very useful advice. :cool: That one can't organize one's MP3s is really a drag. Hopefully, at some point a better MP player app will come along. As to the optimum file size, I do most of my music listening on a RioRiot which has a 20Gb hard drive and generally use 196 WMA, which I think sounds better than MP3. The real issue I was asking about with the Clie is how good is the audio section of the Clie? I actually can't tell the difference between MP3s recorded at 320K and 128K when listening on the Clie, but I definitely can on the Riot. The NR-70 is for my wife and a 128Mb MS hasn't really got a lot of space. I'm probably just spoiled by the huge capacity of the Riot.

[Vidge]

Originally posted by rbienstock


I've used BackupBuddy for years, and it is a really great program. But it is my understanding that, unlike previous versions, Palm Desktop/HotSync 4.1 backs up virtually everything and the only advantages to BB are the AV, duplicate removal and backup of programs in Flash. FWIW, I actually have two Palm devices, the just acquired NR-70 and a Kyocera SmartPhone. I keep these synced on two different computers, and I've done hard resets on the Kyocera and gotten everything back even without BB, including all my phone settings. Am I mistaken about this? Is there something that isn't backed up by Hotsync 4.1? I haven't tried this, or checked the documentation, but will BB do backups to the MS? Is there a program that will automatically do incremental backups to the MS?

It is my understanding that some things still do not get backed up using 4.1, but don't ask me what they are:) BB will do backups to the MS (there is a free version available to do this too). I'm not sure about the automatic incremental backups - somebody else will have to help you there.

Don't forget that BB also will backup the MS itself - so if you are backing up your PDA to the MS, when you hotsync, the MS will be backed up, too. That way you can be doubly sure to get all of your info.

[Vidge]

Originally posted by rbienstock
The real issue I was asking about with the Clie is how good is the audio section of the Clie? I actually can't tell the difference between MP3s recorded at 320K and 128K when listening on the Clie, but I definitely can on the Riot. The NR-70 is for my wife and a 128Mb MS hasn't really got a lot of space. I'm probably just spoiled by the huge capacity of the Riot.

If you want more capacity, then using the white Magic Gate MS and ATRAC3 will do it. ATRAC3 has some kind of compression that allows a lot more music to fit on the MS. I've heard people say they get 4 hours of MP3s on a MGMS.

And since this is for your wife, why not let HER decide?:D

[hausponce]

I like using "MusicMatch Jukebox Plus" to rip my CD's into MP3's. I've ripped in VBR up to 320kbps(larger file size,Better sound quality). I like VBR at 192kbps(about 21 songs on a 128mg memorystick).
I haven't tried this yet because the thought just accrued to me. If you load the MP3's onto the memorystick one by one, would they stay in the order loaded???

[Sacharissa]

Originally posted by Vidge


If you want more capacity, then using the white Magic Gate MS and ATRAC3 will do it. ATRAC3 has some kind of compression that allows a lot more music to fit on the MS. I've heard people say they get 4 hours of MP3s on a MGMS.

And since this is for your wife, why not let HER decide?:D

I second that...I've been using the MagicGate Memory Sticks with ATRAC3 for my T665 and at the medium compression setting (I forget what it is) I routinely get 40 to 50 songs on one 128mb stick...and they sound pretty good, even when hooked up to external speakers. Theoretically, I could get up to 80 songs with a higher compression!

I know a lot of people hate the hoops you need to jump through in order to use the ATRAC3 files, but since I started with the Sony MS9 Network Player, I never had a huge library of MP3s to convert, so it's worked for me. I just use the same sticks for my Network Player and my T665.