・MZ-R30

038   |   Sony   |   '96  10.21

New Design New Color New Points

With a more refined form and a more focused layout, the MZ-R30, compared to its bulkier and heavier predecessor, the MZ-R3, feels like a complete reincarnation.

The revamped simplicity retains the segmented design language while enhancing the intuitive and efficient Jog Dial for functions like track selection, text input, and editing. It has been redesigned and optimized: the horizontal scroll has been transformed into a vertical wheel configuration, enabling single-finger scrolling to browse information and confirming selections with a press. Essentially, it operates similarly to a mouse scroll wheel (though the Jog Dial-shaped mouse wheel might not have existed at this time).

Though appearing sluggish compared to its main rival, Sharp, and lagging behind Sony's drawn-out strategies, it finally incorporated frequency sampling almost a year and a half later, defining it as MD Link. In simple terms, it expanded the previous restrictions of digital recording via the Optical interface, limited to 44.1kHz sampling for CD and MD, to accommodate different digital sources like CS 48kHz, BS 32kHz, DAT 48kHz, removing the prior limitations.

This model adopts a square-shaped LCD screen, consolidating information display: track names, track numbers, time, REC Level, battery life, all available at a glance without the need for toggling. The Position Pointer indicates the overall progress of recording/playback positions.

A thoughtful addition is the automatic sync recording feature when using the optical interface. It automatically starts or pauses recording based on the presence of music signals, preventing errors during song starts or pauses.

Equipped with basic remote control functions, it features a detachable special plug headphone (Micro Plug) design, allowing users to purchase replacements, albeit restricted to Sony-compatible headphones.

The new rechargeable battery boasts an annual endurance record of up to 5 hrs for recording and 12 hrs for playback. However, the charging time has significantly increased to a lengthy 5hrs.

PMD-P1