Features: Sharp claims 7 records for the unit:

1. Smallest and thinnest recorder (as of 7/99), 13% smaller and 14% thinner than previous MD-MT821 model.
2. Longest playing recorder (employs 7th generation ATRAC chip using .25 micron process that, along with high speed disc drive circuit and mechanism, was designed for low power consumption).
3. First portable recorder with recharging stand (no audio or control connections via cradle, however unit can record and playback while recharging in stand).
4. First portable recorder with Kanji display on remote (832's remote shows Kanji, 831's does not, though Kanji remote is available as an option). Remote is backlit and can display 5 Kanji or Hiragana, or 10 Katakana or Roman letters.
5. First portable recorder with optional PC (AD-PCR1) and Zaurus (AD-ZAR1) link. Via this link, titling (including Kanji input) and editing can be conducted, as well as program play selection, label printing, and MD library management. For label printing, 8 patterns are available, as well as the ability to include digital camera images. Name application can be downloaded from Sharp's home page
6. First portable recorder with digital recording level control.
7. First portable recorder with auto fade in and fade out during recording start and finish. Will automatically fade out level as recording encounters end of disc (3 step fade time selector)

Links:

• Sharp's Japanese annoucement and official page for the unit.
• A user's advice on using the Sharp Japanese AC adaptor.
• Japan-Direct posts several clear snapshots of the Sharp MD-MT831.
• Ed Wong has made a comparison photo gallery of the Sharp MD-MT831 and Kenwood DMC-L7R (its clone).
• Kenwood's Japanese page for its DMC-L7R unit (a Sharp MD-MT831 clone).
• Sharp's Japanese MD-MT831 PC Link page, with downloads and screen shots of the software available for PC and Zaurus platforms.
• The Korean MD page shows details and snapshots of Sharp's PC-Link kit for the MD-MT831.
• Minidisco has a rotatable 3-D spinning image of this unit.
• The Korean MD page has several snapshots of the Kenwood DMC-L7R (Sharp MD-MT831 clone).

Reviews:

• Robert has made a close and careful Sharp MD-MT831 review.
• Brian Youn's exquisitely detailed comparison of the Sony MZ-R90 and Sharp MD-MT831.
• Robert Nguyen also contributes a detailed comparison of the Sony MZ-R90 and Sharp MD-MT831 portables.
• Ian McFarlane adds a review of Sharp's MD-MT831 PC-Link kit (using Japanese software minus the fonts!).
• HiFi Choice magazine (UK) has a review.

Entering Service mode: Do be careful! It's pretty similar to most of the other Sharp portables but the battery compartment must be OPEN - i.e. the unit must have NO POWER. 1) Press and hold PLAY, SYNC[Enter] and DISP buttons. 2) THEN drop in the battery and close the compartment (or apply external power - eg turn on the DC power source). Display shows the EEPROM version code, followed by all symbols lighting up, followed by the standard Sharp test menu. My EEPROM version code is 921AcX. -Dave Hooper Gadget Squad reviews the Sharp MD-MT831, with favorable findings.

Specs: Motor speed: 400-1350 rpm, headphone amp: 10mW + 10mW * Headphone volume at 0 during recording and 15 during playback.

User Manual: MD-MT831 courtesy Robert Schwartz