MiniDisc

A Sony minidisc player and disc

A MiniDisc (MD) is a small magneto-optical disk. It is used as a replacement for the Audio cassette. It was developed by Sony to store music. Later it was modified, so it can also store data. The music it stores is compressed in some way, like an MP3. Recent Hi-MD models have the option to not compress audio, and offer audio identical to CD-quality.

MiniDisc recorders allow the user to modify the contents of (recordable) disks. That way, tracks can be split, combined or rearranged. Audio tracks can be input while a live recording is in progress, too, for example, while recording a live concert or interview via the microphone input on a MiniDisc recorder.

MiniDisc Media

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  Pioneer MiniDisc car receiver

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  Sony Hi-MD Recorder MZ-RH1, released 2006

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  A recordable Memorex-brand minidisc.

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  Comparison of several forms of disk storage showing tracks; green denotes start and red denotes end. Some CD-R(W) and DVD-R(W)/DVD+R(W) recorders operate in ZCLV, CAA or CAV modes.

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  MiniDisc Deck MDS-JE780 (2002–2005)

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  MiniDisc Recorder MDS-B1, normally used in recording or broadcast radio studios.

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  Detail view of the MZ-R30 MiniDisc recorder (Sony, 1996)

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  A NetMD Sony MiniDisc Recorder