In these two years we have seen the growth of production of colored blankas complete series and as single blank.
Every brand is trying to find his own niche.
Sony offers two models with the features of "professional".
In these years, many manufacturers of players/recorders have started producing by third parties, with your own brand, blank MiniDiscs, like Aiwa, Kenwood, Panasonic, Technics, etc.
Sony Color Collection 2° series
Always based on four colors, with recording time of 60 and 74 minutes.
With this series Sony starts to complicate matters; in both, 60 and 74 min. there are two different variants, with text on the same color of shutter blank while the other presents "recording time" in white.
Here Sony introduces, in the cases, the opening to be able to extract the minidisc "inverted V" that will continue as a constant in all Sony production with minor variations.
The rear shell took over the black.
It also introduced colored labels matched to the color of the blank.
Probably, in a limited edition, Sony also manufactures of cases with the color of the corresponding blank.
The idea is definitely valid, especially aimed at the younger market, but instead of coloring the rear shell and leave the front transparent shell, thought to be placed anterior shell keeping unchanged the black color of the shell back (see photos) preventing see the label on the blanks.
In my opinion was not a particularly effective marketing strategy.
Axia MDc
It looks very similar to MDs of 1995;
A shell design definitely wanted, although the color is always the classic dark grey.
Produced in medium / large numbers of pieces.
Xeus Double Core
Present on the market as a manufacturer of MD for a brief period, this is perhaps the most beautiful model produced by Xeus.
The black color of the shell, written in gold and blue half moon, present on both sides of the shell make it really appreciable. Available in 74 min.
TDK MD-XG 2°series
Few differences on this model than the previous one, especially the shutter.
The color is slightly bluer than the previous, same knurled surface appearance of MD, nothing particularly nice.
The case, for the first time, is transparent.
Available 60 and 74 min.
Maxell Gold USA version
Presented only for the US market, is probably the first model of the Gold series, produced in many variations over the next few years.
It presents a very serious look.
Note the old logo of Maxell.
Sony ES 1° edition
In 1996 Sony feels the need to create a truly professional blank; totally changes the color of the shell with a ceramic-like plastic surface white and with inscriptions on both the shell and the blank color gold. To touch the surface seems slightly wrinkled, improves grip.
Were presented with recording time of 60 and 74 min.The shutter is a champagne color; the result is very nice.
The cases have the same type of surface and lettering in gold colour, while at the rear shutter color.
This series will be followed after about 3 years from another very similar.
Maxell MD-PRO 1° series
Product probably between 1996 and 1997, it have the same shell of MD-RM 2 ; the stutter, in metal, has the inscription "PRO".
The case is soft plastic of larger than the normal case.
Sony Prism 1° series
As the first product of the year Sony launches a new model "seriously" the Sony Prism of 1997 with recording time of 60 and 74 minutes.
The name is taken for many other series produced in later years.
In my opinion, the Sony minidisc 1997 Prism is an ugly, comparable as beauty at Sony MDW-a.
Available in 60 and 74 min.
The back of the case is always black, while the transparent front window is a dark blue color, follow the same considerations already made for cases for the Sony Color Collection of the year before.
I found the Sony Prism packs in plastic boxes containing five MDs separated each from their sled.
Maxell MD-MR3
Evolution of previous models of Maxell Color, has no special characteristics
The only real difference, than the predecessors, they have the most intense shell colors.
Axia MD Box
The first series "Colors" Axia's.
Produced in four colors, 60 - 74 minutes duration.
Maxell Gold & Platinum 1° series
With this series produced in duration of 60 and 74 minutes the Maxell introducesthe colors black and gold, which will be so fortunate in the production of blank.
The striped appearance of the underside of the shell, in my opinion, is not so nice.
The platinum model use the blue, silver and gold; maybe a little too much.
TDK XA
The TDK XA is the prototype of a long production of blanks in gold colour and black; the product lifetime of 60, 74, 80 min.
The shell surface is ribbed; the gold color of support takes place using a plastic gold color.
Sony Sparkling 1997
With the introduction of Sony Sparkling 1° series, we see the continuation of the search for a different look with more intense colors and with the same shutter colorful.
The cases appear fully transparent and slide open, is abandoned the label to be glued on the back of the case and is replaced by a block that remains inside the case.
Note the presence of stripes on the sides of the case for easy scrolling.
Maxell GS
Blank product only in 74 min,
has two new features: the first fully transparent (maybe the first-ever) and plastic shutter instead of aluminum.
The plastic shutter were challenged for the alleged fragility.
Besides being "fragile" are much more elastic than those of aluminum.
To me it is not ever break one, as happened some aluminium shutter "widen the arms" and are marked with a shot directly.
Axia MD PS
This is the first example of Axia high level production; produced in duration of 60 and 74 minutes, the case appears to be colored in the same color of the blank and the opening of the same is carried out using two buttons on the sides of the case. (see photo)
Undoubtedly a significant production cost.
TDK Musicjack 1° series
Produced in both 60, 74, 80 min duration, presents than previous models of the channels from the centre-circle.
Good looking also the green water color of shell.
The case presents a novelty; a central notch to facilitate the release of blank from custody.
Will be present for most of the series MusicJack.
Sony PRMD 74
After the production of the series "ES", Sony felt the need to produce a true "MD Professional" introducing the PRMD 74 min, only in this logging runtime.
The minidisc are individually wrapped in a lightweight nylon pouch that allows the re-closing of the same to protect the case.
The blank moved the feeling of professionalism.
The case is very large sizes.
These dimensions will become standard for all "professional" products from other homes.
Labels allow you to save a large amount of data.
