Re: [linux-minidisc] Feedback from a MZ-N910 Mac OS X user

[Adrian Glaubitz <glaubitz@physik.fu-berlin.de>]

Hi Michael,

On Apr 18, 2011, at 9:52 PM, Michael Earley wrote:

> Hello,
> 
> well thanks to Adrian and Vincent I finally got the python scripts running to copy from a MZ-N910 to my Macbook with Snow Leopard and I'd like to give a little feedback on my experience as a simple user.
> 

Thanks for your kind feedback! We always appreciate that, there's always something that one overlooks as a
developer. Also, we can never test all configurations and settings, so it really helps a lot improving the
software when we receive feedback :).

> 1. python has to be called directly from /opt/local/bin/python2.6 instead of ./ as the installed version of Python is apparently not looking for the installed extra packages at the correct location.
> 

I haven't had time yet to figure out how to improve that. But once I know I will add the information to the wiki,
putting it onto my todo list right now!

We are working on a C port of the NetMD code which is partly going to be done by a student within
this years' Google Summer of Code [1]. So look forward for some major improvements
in usability regarding NetMD soon :). The aim is a complete integration of the NetMD functionality
into QHiMDTransfer, getting closer a fully-fledged, free SonicStage clone.

> 2. The instructions for Mac OS X on https://wiki.physik.fu-berlin.de/linux-minidisc/doku.php?id=netmdpython do not explicitly mention adding <sox install dir> to $PATH in .profile.
> 

Thanks for the note, I'll add that.

> 3. The instructions mention audio card with analog input as a requirement, but somehow I overlooked this and wondered why SoX wasn't picking up any sound. Maybe you could make this a little clearer
> 

True. It's really confusing with the different set of features and capabilities with all the different MiniDisc
models. I actually started to improve documentation here and there, added a features matrix on the
front page of the wiki [1]. The matrix also mentions the requirement of an analogue audio cable for
all models except the MZ-RH1/200. Sorry for the previous confusion.

> 4.  SoX v14.3.1 would not record, not even with a simple sox -d xxx.wav
> 
> 5.  SoX v14.3.2 records, but gives out a lot of "sox WARN coreaudio: coreaudio: unhandled buffer overrun.  Data discarded."  errors. I realize that this isn't your problem, folks, and I'll keep an eye open for a new release.
> 

Ok, I think I should bring my MiniDisc Walkman from home. It's currently at my parents'
place in Germany while I reside in Norway. I'll be down there next week. I got two
Macs here (one with Leopard, the other one with Snow Leopard), so I am able to
test myself.

> Now, where was that "Donate" button again...

Right on the front page :).


Thanks for the feedback,

Adrian

[1] https://wiki.physik.fu-berlin.de/linux-minidisc/doku.php?id=portingnetmd
[2] https://wiki.physik.fu-berlin.de/linux-minidisc/doku.php#status