minidisc

MiniDisc is a magneto-optical disc-based format developed by Sony and introduced in 1992. The standard discs are 8 cm in diameter and are typically used within a protective cartridge. MiniDiscs store audio or data using a combination of magnetic and optical principles, and were marketed as durable, portable media that could be recorded, rewritten, and erased.

Technically, MiniDisc recording relies on magneto-optical technology, in which laser heating enables a magnetic layer to be written or erased by applying an external magnetic field. Audio versions typically used Sony’s ATRAC compression to fit more sound onto the disc, while data versions used the same physical media for computer storage. The discs are read with a laser, and the magnetic state of the recording layer determines the stored information. The format later saw an extended recording option known as MDLP, which used improved compression to achieve longer playback times on the same disc.

Formats and capacities vary. Audio MiniDiscs commonly offered up to 74 or 80 minutes of stereo playback on standard discs, with MDLP providing longer recording times by increasing compression. Data MiniDiscs allowed storing hundreds of megabytes of data per side, depending on the encoding and disc specifications. The physical media were re-recordable, enabling multiple write cycles, and could be used with dedicated MiniDisc players, recorders, or data storage devices.

Market history and legacy. MiniDisc was popular in the 1990s and early 2000s as a portable, durable alternative to cassette tapes and early CDs. Its use declined with the advent of inexpensive MP3 players and USB-based storage, leading to the gradual discontinuation of consumer MiniDisc equipment and blank media in the 2000s and early 2010s. Today, it persists mainly among enthusiasts, archivists, and some DJs, who value its calm transportability and archival qualities.

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