Sony introduces a new Hi-MD portable player and recorder dubbed MZ-RH1 in Europe and in Japan. A US announcement might still follow today.

Sony positions the MZ-RH1 as high-end music recording device. Sony's Hi-MD recorder can store the uncompressed LinearPCM format so music can be recorded and played back with the same sound quality as the original source. Besides LinearPCM the MZ-RH1 also supports MP3 and (ATRAC, ATRAC3, ATRAC3plus).

To make it easier to monitor recording a backlit spectrum analyzer and the recording buttons are available on the top of the MZ-RH1 (photo below). The new Hi-MD player measures 83.8×84.4×14.7mm.
Windows and Mac users will be able to connect the MZ-RH1 via USB 2.0 to their computers. Battery life is 19 hours.
The Sony MZ-RH1 will go on sale in Japan in April and in Europe in May.
More details in this Sony European press-release and in the company's Japanese press-release.