Sony MDS-JB 930 Mini disc player / recorder

What's On the 930

• Power standby switch. A red LED within the switch glows when switched off to indicate mains power is still on line.
• Timer switch (Off / Rec/ Play). Note - this unit still requires you to buy a separate timer for unattended use.
• Large headphone socket with a headphone volume control alongside.
• PS/2 computer keyboard socket. A keyboard can be directly connected to both control the unit and enter titling (no software required). I have not had time to use this yet so cannot comment on its effectiveness.
• pitch control button - to alter the playback pitch.
• Filter button - providing four different digital sound envelopes to the analogue output stages.
• Time button - to display number of tracks and time either recorded or still left.
• Play Mode button - to select shuffle or programmable playback.
• Scroll Button - to scroll track titles across the display once per push. It's a shame Sony still haven't adopted Sharp's much better idea of allowing scrolling to be continuous whilst a track is playing, so that long titles can be read at a glance.
• Display/Char button - provides access to various information display modes and character input options.
• Display Window - located in the top centre of the facia, this is a two line display which is very clear to read and provides various information depending on the operating status.
• MD Insert Slot - also centred on the front panel but underneath the display. Transport in and ejection of the discs is very smooth indeed.
• AMS rotary knob - grouped together with three buttons, Menu/No, Yes, and Clear, this allows selection of tracks, setting the clock, selecting titling characters and selecting menu items and set-up values. It can also be pushed once to start Time Recording (see Features).
• Eject - this largish button triggers TOC Writing before ejecting the disc.
• Record Mode switch - a two position switch to select Mono or Stereo recording.
• Input switch - a four position switch to select from one of the input source sockets on the back panel ( Opt 1, Opt 2, Coax, or Analogue )
• Record Level - This rotary knob allows you to adjust recording levels either before or during recording in both Analogue and Digital recording modes.
• Operation Controls - The usual group of six buttons provide for Fast Fwd, Fast Rev, Record, Play, Pause and Stop.

• Line - 4 phone sockets for left & right line-in and line-out to your amplifier.
• Control A1 II - there are two mini-jack sockets for A1 Mk II control connections to compatible components. I don't have any other items with this feature so they won't get used here.
• Digital - there are Two (yes 2!) Optical Toslink In, one Coaxial In, one Coaxial Out, and one Optical Toslink Out sockets. If this isn't enough for all your needs you must be living in a space station. (:o) All the sockets are gold plated.
• Mains lead - is of the captive type with a 3 pin plug fitted.