TitleAid 70X
A small interface and DOS-Software for
Sharp MiniDisk Recorder MD-MS7XX

First released:  9. July 1999
Last updated: 05. May 2007

Hi Sharpys!

First of all: I can't built and sell the interface due to lack of time.
But I'm willing to give support via eMail...

I'm very surprised about the enthusiastic response!
Thank you for your comments!
If you have any experience with any other Sharp MD-Recorder please eMail me!
I will share/link the info!
And if you have written a better soft -you're welcome too!
And here is the first response:
IT WILL WORK WITH A SHARP 722!!

• Wesley d'Haene constructed a similar interface which works fine with his 722! He modified his software (WIN95/98) to work with the TitleAid-interface... Thanks, Wes!

• A great site about MD Titling: http://minidisc.trucki.de

• Tim Styles created a simple resistor network interface for a MD-MT161
  
  
  First a few informations:
  The keys of the remote are connected to a resistor-network. When a key is pressed, a specific resistance value is "sent" to the recorder. My printerport interface (w/o battery!!) simulates this resistance, controlled by a very small DOS-Program. The intention for writing a DOS application was the portability to small handheld machines (in my case an Atari Portfolio).
  If there are user of other handhelds, e.g. HP, I would be happy to get response!
  The interface simulates all remote keys except the PLAY and HOLD key/switch. The PLAY button is directly connected to the CPU of the recorder, because the second function of this key is to power on the recorder. It is connected to PIN 6 of the remote plug and closes to dig. GND when pressed.
  If you want, you may connect a transistor (npn) to PIN6 and a free printerport data line to control the PLAY function. Collector at PIN6, Emitter to dig. GND and Base via 10k to D4.
  The HOLD key shorts the resistor network to dig. GND and it makes imho no sense to control by a PC.
  
  If you own a Sharp and the remote, you can try out the functionality:

• To title, you have to stop or pause the player, then - press the EDIT keyon the 7XX to choose Disk or Track Title
press ENTER on the 7XX to set title mode
• change the character with the + or - key on the remote
• for small chars you press the DISPLAY key on the remote
• for chars like /,;.: etc. you have to press the CHARACTER key on the 7XX
• for the next char position you press the forward (-->) key on the remote
• to set the name, you have to press the ENTER key on the 7XX
• select the next track with forward (-->) key and start over to the first point in that list.

The parts signed with on the remote can be controlled with TitleAid, primary an easy way to input the names of tracks or disk. Every key not present on the original remote has to be pressed on the sharp. TitleAid just can simulate remote keys!

The interfaces speed is 10 keytouchs per second. A name-string is transferred in a few seconds.
The electronic consists of a CD4051 (8 analog switches, binary selectable), a cap, four diodes (e.g. 1N4148 or other small signal diodes - I used schottky types I found in my "wonder chest"), 10 resistors (1/8 or 1/4W - the smaller the better, and the values can be "near by" - no accuracy to the least Ohm necessary! At least: 6k9 means 6900 Ohms <-; ) , a 25pin SUB-D with housing and a cable with selfmade plug (for the MD remote slot).
Thats all... Costs: Around $10!


This is the remote plug and the internal wiring. The numbers are introduced by me. Pin 5 is connected to the resistor-net in the remote. Pin 4 is digital ground. Pins 7 and 8 are for LCD display data and switching the background illumination.


Thats all - a selfmade plug and a small circuitry...
$10 and two hours in the evening...
Soldered on a vero with single pads, no stripes.

The plug - final state ...
Made from a 3.5mm earphone plug and a small piece of a vero-board (1mm thick). The the shown piece is cut from an old board's edge connector and filed down from 1.7mm to 1mm. The metal stripe must connect PIN5 near Line IN. The vero-board is glued in an 1mm-slot I've cut in the earphone plug's plastic case.

Schematic of the interface

Software-DownLoad


MiniDisk related Links
Atari Portfolio related Links

Have more fun with your sharp...
cu,wu
Thomas

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last revised: 05-Mai-2007