Web MiniDisc has always supported Hi-MD devices in standard MD mode. As of Web MiniDisc Pro 1.4.0, Hi-MD modes are also supported.

Hi-MD mode features are much newer than NetMD and there may be bugs. You may lose data on your discs.

There are two ways to access Hi-MD modes in Web MiniDisc Pro: Restricted and Unrestricted.

Restricted mode lets you download audio from MDs and edit track metadata (names, order, etc..) It also allows you to transfer MP3 files to the discs, but it shouldn't be used for that if the unrestricted mode is available, because it causes a lot more wear on devices when writing audio. It doesn't let you write ATRAC3 / ATRAC3+ or PCM audio.

The unrestricted mode lets you do everything the restricted mode does, but also lets you transfer MP3s, ATRAC3, ATRAC3plus and PCM tracks onto HiMD discs without wearing them out. Unfortunately, because of the WebUSB standard's restrictions, it has to be accessed using exploits, so it's limited to Sony HiMD portables only, but with this version's release, ElectronWMD is also getting an update with full, exploit-free support for Hi-MD.

To access a HiMD device in restricted mode, you need to:

• Connect the HiMD device to the computer with a HiMD disc inserted.
• Select the root directory of that device in the appropriate dialog (f.ex. E:\ on Windows, /media/user/disc on Linux, /Volumes/disc on MacOS).
• Done. You can now edit the track names and download audio from the HiMD disc.

To access a HiMD device in unrestricted mode, you need to:

• Connect the Hi-MD device to the computer, while it's in MD mode (either with a regular MD inside, which has at least one track, or just set to MD disc mode and without a disc)
• Connect it to Web Minidisc Pro, as you would do if you wanted to use normal NetMD mode.
• Open the overflow menu, select Settings, then 'enable homebrew mode shortcuts', then close the Settings (this step needs to be done only once)
• Open the overflow menu, select Homebrew shortcuts, then 'Switch to HiMD unrestricted mode'*
• At this point, you'll see Web MiniDisc's loading screen, then a 'Loaded.' dialog will appear. After closing the dialog you'll be put back at the 'connect' screen. — At this point the exploit is already loaded onto the device and it will stay loaded until the device goes to sleep, unplugging the USB cable will not erase the exploit —
• Insert a Hi-MD disc (either a Hi-MD formatted MD with at least one track, or a blank one with the device set to Hi-MD mode)
• (Windows only) Install Zadig again for this new HiMD device. It should have 0x5341 as the VID.
• (Linux only) Add a udev rule for the new device:

SUBSYSTEM=="usb", ATTR{idVendor}=="5341", ATTR{idProduct}=="5256", MODE:="0666"

• Click the downwards-pointing arrow next to the connect button, then select Hi-MD (Unrestricted). A WebUSB dialog will appear. Select your device, then wait. Make sure the device is called “HiMD”, and not “NetMD/HiMD”. You might need to wait a few seconds for the “Hi-MD” device to appear.
• Done. You can now upload AT3/3+/PCM/MP3 audio

If the 'Switch to HiMD unrestricted mode' is greyed out, it means your device isn't supported yet and you'll need to download its firmware and send it to asivery so that it can be reverse engineered. To download the firmware, click on 'Enter Homebrew Mode' in the same menu, then once the homebrew mode loads, open the menu again and select “Read Firmware”. It might take a while.

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