History of portable MiniDisc & Blanks - 1) The early period 1992 / 1995

On the left Sony Mz-1 (recorder) compared with Mz-2p (player)

Sony MZ-1 - Sony MZ-2P

The first Minidisc unit on the market have Atrac 1 and 10-second shock-resistant memory, both MZ 1 / MZ 2P.

As you can see from the photographs, dimensions are stackable as the weight of the two machines.

Both are a matte black color to add a further sign of professionalism; in '90 many of professional machines for Hi Fi were that color in contrast with the classic steel color of consumer model.

Loading of blank inside the machine was power assisted.

Battery is BP-MZ1. Remote MR-MZR1

At the same time, were also presented some clones of the Sony Mz-R1 like Aiwa AMD-100, Goldstar MD-R1; while, as players, have been presented completely new models, such as Aiwa AMD-50 and Sharp MD-D10

Sony MZ-R2 with AA battery adapter

At the end of 1993, Sony made available a new recorder, model MZ-R2; smaller size, lower weight, possibility to connectan AA battery adapter.

From now, Sony has dropped the insertion mechanism servo assisted.

With this acronym, R2, Sony began to identify portable recorders with the initial letter ' R '.

ATRAC 2. 10-second shock-resistant memory.

Battery LIP-12. Remote MZR2MP.

In the same period was also presented a player, small size, the MZ-E2.

With this player, Sony introduces the remote controller with the display.

The remote, followed an evolution over the years, comparable to those of the machines.

With this acronym, E2, Sony began to identify portable player with the initial letter 'E'.

Other Japanese manufacturers started producing their own new models of recorders: Aiwa AM-F1, Kenwood DMC-A7R, JVC XM-D1, Sharp MD-M11.

Saba MCD-1

The player presented one other clone; RCA RP 6001 A, Saba MCD-1, Sanyo P-1 and a pure clone of E2; the Goldstar MD-R2; Sharp introduced MD-S10, the first Sharp player with remote controller with the display.

Sony MZ-R3 on the left MZ-R2 on the right

After 18 months, I emphasize the 18 months, in may 1995, Sony introduced a new recorder and a new player; the R3 and the E 3.

Editing aesthetics of R3 is based on the vertical setting of the machine to the horizontal setting; power is supplied by AA batteries; you can add an additional AA adapter.

ATRAC 3. Ni-MH (BP-DM20) rechargeable or 2 AA cells (LIP-12 LiIon rechargeable can be used with separately available external case)

Remote MZR2MP.

Sharp MD- S20

Player models produced in this period are few; Sharp MD- S20 and MD-S25, the first player light and small.

LCD display on remote

During 1995 the other manufacturers began to market a greater quantity of recorder machines: Denon DMP-R30, DMP-R50, Kenwood DMC-E7R, DMC-F5R, JVC XM-R1, Panasonic SL-MR10, Pioneer PMD-R1, Sharp MD-M25, MD-MS100.

Sharp MD-MS100 is the first machine with "slot-in" (non-clamshell) disc insert / eject, a method easier to manage when you're on the go.

Sony also produced another machine, the MZ-B3; a dictating machine with built in microphone and speaker to replace the old machines that work with compact cassette; stereo and mono recording.

This, (B), is another acronym which indicates the machines to be used as a dictaphone.

1996 / 1999