The MZ-DH10P is based around Sony's proprietary Hi-MD format which gets up to 1gb of data onto a single mini disc. This new capacity has seen a renascence in the formats sales and a new group of fans pointing out that many people buy 1gb flash memory players, where as the MD format means you can change the discs giving you a much bigger library.

We were attracted to the MZ-DH10P due to its large 1.5" screen which serves a number of purposes on the player, the most obvious one being cover art. So that you can now see the album cover while navigating the disc and also while playing. It is also possible to view JPEG images using the photo browser, these can either be on the Mini Disc to start with or transferred over the USB connection. Sony have taken to calling these image files "Jackets" as they surround the audio tracks they are associated with and Sonicstage manages them as an integral part of the media asset.

Using the MZ DH10P is a great experience, the revised jog wheel is actually better then the Ipods implementation, the silver dial gives far more tactile feedback and is so simple to use when scrolling through the tracks contained on the disc. The OLED screen makes browsing easy even when the screen is not at a perfect right angle, for example when the unit is tucked away in a jacket or a bag, the angle of viewing can be quite acute and yet it is still possible to read track names.

Sony have also supplied a revised remote control meaning most features of the MZDH10P are available without needing to go near the unit, although without the main screen navigation is a shade tricky. The rest of the package includes a USB cradle, headphones and our pet hate Sonic stage software, we've had to promise not to lay into sonic stage after receiving so many emails the last time, so it shall suffice to say its not good.

Sony have been busy enabling all their digital audio players to work with MP3 and were pleased to see that the MZ-DH10P has had the treatment. It now supports MP3,  WAV and Sony's own Atrac formats, using the highest compression in Atrac3 plus means you can squeeze 45 hours of music onto a single disc.

Navigation of the menu system and the cover art system is pure Sony style and perhaps one of the best gadget interfaces we've been treated too this year, everything is presented in logical fashion and its easy using the search function to find tracks quickly.

The 40 gram mini disc player has an extra weapon to convince us to buy, the rear of the player houses a 1.3 mega pixel CMOS camera which gives a resolution of 1280 x 960 comparable with a top end cameraphone. Just slide back the cover and the LCD screen becomes a viewfinder and the jog wheel acts as the control for the digital zoom feature, it all works very well and produces good quality images given its amount of pixel power.

Sony have changed the look and feel of this unit substantially in order to work as a digital camera as well as an MD player / recorder. The Arch shaped case is more ergonomically sensitive to being held steady for image capture, one downside of this design is that the unit cannot stand upright by itself, which is weird considering the camera has a self timer. So if you intend to take some self portraits you'll be needing the supplied cradle.

Other cool goodies on offer include shock protection making the Hi-MD format ideal for those on the move or wanting music while engaged in sporting activities, there's also a clock alarm system and also the obligatory equalizer.

Expected on sale in the UK this June priced at around £260 the Sony MZ-DH10P Hi-MD represents real value for money when pitched head to head with the hard drive MP3 players like the Apple Ipod and NW-HD5.

Published - 09/05/2005

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