MiniCDs

MiniCDs are a family of smaller optical disc formats. They are typically 8 cm (3.1 inches) in diameter, compared to the standard 12 cm (4.7 inches) of a Compact Disc. This smaller size allows for different applications and portability.

There are several variations of MiniCDs, including Mini CD-ROMs, Mini CD-Rs, and Mini CD-RWs. Mini CD-ROMs are pre-recorded discs, similar to standard CD-ROMs, and are often used for software distribution or multimedia content. Mini CD-Rs are recordable discs that can be written to once, while Mini CD-RWs are rewritable, allowing data to be erased and rewritten multiple times.

The capacity of a MiniCD is typically around 210 MB, though this can vary slightly depending on the specific format and encoding. This is significantly less than a standard CD, which holds about 700 MB. Due to their limited capacity and the rise of flash memory and streaming services, MiniCDs are less common today than they once were.

MiniCDs found niche applications where a smaller form factor was advantageous. They were sometimes used for audio discs, especially in portable players, and for distributing small software titles or driver discs. Some portable CD players were designed to accommodate these smaller discs. The reduced size also made them more convenient for mailing or incorporating into other packaging.