MiniDisc [Sony]
Maker and role
Sony Corporation, Manufacturer
Production date
Post 2004
Object detail
Accession number
2023.149.4
Maker
Production period
Description
Sony MiniDisc
Part 1: White plastic case for Sony minidisc. The case is open at top end and has cutout enabling access to minidisc. “SONY” is engraved on the front. A lined blue and white paper insert is attached inside the case. On the outer side of it, “TITLE” is printed and on the bottom edge, "SONY" is printed. "Pop 1" has been handwritten on the outer side and bottom edge of the insert.
Part 2: Square blue plastic minidisc with "INSERT / THIS / END / SONY / 1 GB Hi-MD” printed on the front. A white sticker with "Pop 1" handwritten on it and "0MUSIC 0PC DATA" printed has been adhered. On the bottom edge, there is a white sticker with "Pop 1" handwritten. At the back, “4AAB1706F / Hi-MD” is engraved.
Part 1: White plastic case for Sony minidisc. The case is open at top end and has cutout enabling access to minidisc. “SONY” is engraved on the front. A lined blue and white paper insert is attached inside the case. On the outer side of it, “TITLE” is printed and on the bottom edge, "SONY" is printed. "Pop 1" has been handwritten on the outer side and bottom edge of the insert.
Part 2: Square blue plastic minidisc with "INSERT / THIS / END / SONY / 1 GB Hi-MD” printed on the front. A white sticker with "Pop 1" handwritten on it and "0MUSIC 0PC DATA" printed has been adhered. On the bottom edge, there is a white sticker with "Pop 1" handwritten. At the back, “4AAB1706F / Hi-MD” is engraved.
Brief History
The MiniDisc was a development in portable music player technology that was released in the early-1990s by Sony. It was a continuation in the development in optical disc technology (e.g. CDs). A key aspect of MiniDiscs was their re-writability and were intended to be used much like a mix-tape, recording from external sources. However a small number of artists released content directly onto MiniDisc.
MiniDiscs use magneto-optics to store data. This process involves writing data via magnetisation which is then read by a laser light. This is different to optical disc technology such as CDs where the laser light both reads and writes data. MiniDisc technology had a relatively short-lived peak in popularity and was soon superseded by MP3 players and iPods. Magneto-optical media and devices have now reached end-of-life status and as such is considered an obsolete technology.
This MiniDisc was produced by Sony and used the company’s Hi-MD digital storage format which was launched in 2004. Hi-MD MiniDiscs were able to store up to 1 Gigabyte of audio and non-audio data. This development allowed MiniDIsc players to act as both mass-storage drives and portable music devices. The disc itself is housed inside a coloured plastic casing.
MiniDiscs use magneto-optics to store data. This process involves writing data via magnetisation which is then read by a laser light. This is different to optical disc technology such as CDs where the laser light both reads and writes data. MiniDisc technology had a relatively short-lived peak in popularity and was soon superseded by MP3 players and iPods. Magneto-optical media and devices have now reached end-of-life status and as such is considered an obsolete technology.
This MiniDisc was produced by Sony and used the company’s Hi-MD digital storage format which was launched in 2004. Hi-MD MiniDiscs were able to store up to 1 Gigabyte of audio and non-audio data. This development allowed MiniDIsc players to act as both mass-storage drives and portable music devices. The disc itself is housed inside a coloured plastic casing.
Marks
SONY Engraved
SONY Printed
TITLE Printed
Pop 1 Hand-written
INSERT / THIS / END / SONY / 1 GB Hi-MD Printed
Pop 1 Hand-written
0MUSIC 0PC DATA Printed
Pop 1 Hand-written
4AAB1706F / Hi-MD Engraved
SONY Printed
TITLE Printed
Pop 1 Hand-written
INSERT / THIS / END / SONY / 1 GB Hi-MD Printed
Pop 1 Hand-written
0MUSIC 0PC DATA Printed
Pop 1 Hand-written
4AAB1706F / Hi-MD Engraved
Media/Materials
Credit Line
Sony Corporation. Post 2004. MiniDisc [Sony], 2023.149.4. The Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT).
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