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Overview


  • A MiniDisc (MD) is a disc-based data storage device intended for storage of digitized audio.
  • The recording is performed by a magnetic recording head,
    and requires an increased amount of (battery) power (laser in write mode).
  • The playback is done by the laser alone, similar to a CD player.
  • The technology was announced by Sony in 1991 and introduced January 12 1992,
    and is capable of storing any kind of binary data.
  • It is based on ATRAC/ATRAC3, using various bitrates, and sampling directly from the analog input.
  • It includes a digital rights system for recording from the digital (optical) input.
  • Some modern recorders have USB connectors but require special software for operation.
  • Standard discs can store 80 minutes of recordings (or indeed a few minutes less).

Market history


Along with Philips and Matsushita' Digital Compact Cassette (DCC) system, the MiniDisc was targeted as a replacement for analogue cassette tapes as the recording system for Hi-Fi equipment but, as a consumer format, MiniDisc has met with only limited success, though it has enjoyed a loyal niche following in some circles. It did not catch on in the U.S. and Europe as well as Sony had hoped; in Japan, it is still relatively popular, though quickly being replaced by flash and HDD-based audio players like Apple's iPod. The low initial uptake of the format was attributed to the small number of pre-recorded albums available on MD as a relatively small number of publishers embraced the format. The initial high cost of equipment was also a factor. The pre-recorded disks disappeared from the market rather suddenly — coincidentally, once the cost of a blank disc plus the cost of the compact disc version became less than the cost of the equivalent pre-recorded minidisc.

The company avoided the mistake that it had made in the 1970s with the Betamax video recording system, and this time licensed the MD technology to other manufacturers, with JVC, Sharp, Pioneer, Panasonic and others all producing their own MD systems. In recent years MiniDisc has faced new competition from CD-Recordable, solid-state memory recording (flash memory), and hard disk recording, while the popularity of traditional cassette tape refuses to wane in certain quarters. MiniDisc is widely respected as being a very reliable format when it comes to portable audio storage, such as field recording.

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@davidsinger what are you doing with the minidisc player?
SlippingAway (Karim) Sun, 08 Nov 2009 07:17:09 -0000
@davidsinger what are you doing with the minidisc player?
Time to begin surgery on the minidisc player.
davidsinger (David Singer) Sun, 08 Nov 2009 02:52:34 -0000
Time to begin surgery on the minidisc player.
Sony MZ-DN430PSBLK Psyc MiniDisc Network Walkman (Black): Check out the new look of PSYC MiniDisc players. The .. http://ping.fm/HsMU7
nathanmolina (Nathan Molina) Sun, 08 Nov 2009 01:55:31 -0000
Sony MZ-DN430PSBLK Psyc MiniDisc Network Walkman (Black): Check out the new look of PSYC MiniDisc players. The .. http://ping.fm/HsMU7
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emmetthowell (Emmet Thowell) Sun, 08 Nov 2009 01:55:11 -0000
Buy Sony MZ-DN430PSBLK Psyc MiniDisc Network Walkman (Black): Check out the new look of PSYC MiniDi.. http://tinyurl.com/ykgynwn On Sale
Been a 'wedding' DJ for 10.5 years now.... back then I was convinced minidisc was the future! How I laugh at past me.
leonoldman (Leon Oldman) Sun, 08 Nov 2009 01:25:43 -0000
Been a 'wedding' DJ for 10.5 years now.... back then I was convinced minidisc was the future! How I laugh at past me.
Minidisc Players Reviews: Sony MDSJE320 MiniDisc Recorder http://cli.gs/hWnbL
Falknerb3r1 (Falkner Mcmahon) Sat, 07 Nov 2009 22:43:37 -0000
Minidisc Players Reviews: Sony MDSJE320 MiniDisc Recorder http://cli.gs/hWnbL

 
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MiniDisc Community Page - General coverage of MiniDisc (MD) audio equipment, technology, and suppliers.

MiniDisc Switzerland - Details of the various products on the market including photographs and specifications. Lists known problems, sorted by make and model.
Meta Description: [ MiniDisc Switzerland ]

MiniDisc T-Station - News, opinions, media gallery, product and retailer reviews, price watch, links.

MiniDisc Zone, The - The latest news on minidiscs along with detailed specifications on new players, recorders and discs. Offers a photo gallery.

MiniDisc: Logical Successor To The Cassette Tape - Offer an overview of the product and links to other websites.

Mironics Minidisc Suite - Offers automated titling and recording from PC to MD. Acts as a MDTitler, and recording catalog.

Petition Online: Sony Net MD Software Petition - Petition aimed at the Sony Corporation to convince them to acknowledge the problems and bugs in their Net MD software which is used along with their MiniDisc player product line.
Meta Description: [ Sony Net MD Walkman Software Problems Petition, hosted at PetitionOnline.com ]

Reactive Sounds - Offers pen microphones and accessories for mini disc recorders.
Meta Description: [ Innovative minidisc recorder accessory products. Other accessories from Reactive Sounds include Delta microphone, Podcast and Digital recorder accessories. We are your PodCast and Digital recorder accessory worldwide specialists. ]

The MiniDisc Appreciation Page - Several interesting sections including comparisons of MD to cassette, DAT and CD; information about MPEG Layer 3 on the net; an MD Techie Corner and an up-to-date list of the best MD prices.

Viruz MD-Page - Pictures and reviews of players and recorders; links.
Meta Description: [ A good Minidisc-site, with pics, reviews and a lot more. The news is getting fast to this site!! ]

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