Ripping Minidisc audio - Is there an easy way?

Was wondering if there is an easy way to rip your Minidisc audio files into WAV or MP3 without realtime dubbing (Via your Soundcard).

Is there a way you can do it like you would ripping a CD?

Im researching this for a work mate so Im not sure what type of player he is using. He did mention that it has a USB connection.

Anyone know of any software that can do this?

Can't you put minidisks in most CD-Drives in your computer?

I dont think so...

this is what they look like. They are inside a case..

Na I reckon you can because the drivers for my phone came on a minidisk. If you open your CD Drive, there should be the spot where you put the normal CD, and in the middle there should be a smaller indent where you can fit a minidisk.

I think you are confused with a Mini-cd.. Im talking about a minidisc

Not sure that you can take it out of its case

refer to pic bellow ;-)

I certainly don't know for sure, but from what I've picked up from mates with them I think you have to do it the long way around.

yes it can be done a friend of mine does it he still uses mini discs and transfers em via usb. 

from memory it takes nearly the same time to do it.

i should see him in the shop today so ill ask him

Thanks guys. Did some more research on this and turns out there is software that can do this but its for sony players only using a sony proprietary protective encoding and one-way transcoding to ATRAC format audio.

You got to love it when one company wants to monopolise a certain market.

Still looking for another way to do this. There has to be a way.

Simmo, if you can check with your mate that would be great, I should be coming past the shop after work tonight.

btw, he is using a AIWA Net MD player


cheers

Then get an illegal copy of acid pro (v6) and convert from ATRAC to whatever...  Im only assuming Acid reads ATRAC, fair assumption tho seing Sony now own acid. 

That would be too easy if it was a Sony player. Its a damn AIWA player, and will not work with the Sony software. Been looking all day and cant find anything.

thanks for the advice so far guys

In all the years ive been using minidisk, there is no quicker way.. you record in realtime.. you playback in realtime.. you record from MD to PC in real fucking time. I got a NetMD sony portable the other day from cashies... Not supported by MacOS and on pc the usb only features so that you can drag songs from your computer to the mini disk player..... sux arse.. but still WAY easier than carrying around a laptop just to record sets away from home...

Ive seen Snype with a MP3 player that does record in... might have to start thinking about changing technology soon...

like the tape to usb thread, the easiest way is never the best way...
usb out of that mini disc to your computer and capture the files in a decent audio program... mini discs are good, but they ain't Dats ,Adats or hard disk recorders as such, therefore they need lots of other little bits and pieces in the middle to make them interface with other stuff... atrac is sony's thing... but they still may playback on an aiwa, which is a good brand for stable and long-term portable equipment, i'd say that it wouldn't have recorded the files in atrac, so it'll make it easier for you,  , if you grabbed them as normal audio, wav's, aif's,  then convert them to whatever you want later...
and turn off all your non-essential power while doing it, washing machines etc... or do it in between the fridge cycle...

Thanks guys for all your help. Now I have to tell my mate that he has to dub his 100+ minidiscs in realtime. 

Thank F%&K its not me that has to do this