From here on, producers realize that MDS are losing ground to CDs. Continuous research begins to improve the products both in terms of sound and aesthetics.
In January, Sony MZ-R501 recorder; appears to be nearly identical to the MZ-R500, an entry-level machine.
Sharp enters the market four new recorders MDLP with increasing price: Sharp MD-MT170 / MT180 / MT190 / MT200; entry model, low price ( 170 / 180 )
These machines are sizable, and aesthetically cannot be placed among the best Sharp projects.
Gumstick batteries, AA adapter.
Remote without display.
In February Sony enters a new player, the MZ-E505.
Sharp present a new player, MD-ST700, with a "double face" design. MDLP
3-LED display on unit, recharging cradle.
Gumstick battery, AA adapter.
In March, Sony, distributes the cost-reduced N505 NetMD recorder and MZ-N707, with, unlike the 505 microphone input, remote control with editing capability.
AA battery power, remote for N707: RM-MC10L.
In April, Sony MZ-S1, First "Sports" Minidisc portable recorder, Splash Proof Water-Resistant, bright reflective surface, with dedicated headphones, weight and sizeable.
The acronym "S" sport was used only for this machine.
In may, Sony, presents: MZ-R701 recorder; appears quite similar to the Sony MZ-R700.
Sony MZ-G755 recorder, remote has built-in AM/FM tuner with 40 presets. No NetMD support.
ATRAC Type-R. Remote RM-MZ1T.
AA battery power.
In June Sony introduces a recorder, MZ-R910 non-NetMD; quite similar in features to Sony MZ-R909.
Gumstick battery, remote RM-MC11EL.
In July presented a new recorder and a new player: Panasonic recorder SJ-MR250; the unit includes docking stand and small (1 inch diameter titanium cone) neodymium magnet speakers full range "(a concept introduced on the Panasonic SJ-MJ50).
Sharp MD-ST800 player with includes Dolby headphone system.
Blinking LED indicates SP/LP2/LP4 playback mode. Recharging stand.
Gumstick battery, AA adapter.
In September Sony launches:
MZ-N10 Sony's Minidisc recorder 10th anniversary, first portable with ATRAC DSP Type-S.
MZ-E10 player, unit achieves new world firsts in weight and size.
Both have a built-in 3mm Lithium Ion cell.
Please note; on N10 to use the AA adapter requires that the internal batteries are charged, otherwise, only with external battery, it doesn't work.
In addition, the AA adapter is specific only to this model.
Remote RM-MC33EL.
E10, for its tiny size, has no AA adapter.
The remote control for the E10 was designed only for this model; RM-MC33ELU and differs from normal MC 33 for jack.
Color silver, gold.
Please note, all other models allow you to insert the headphone jack directly into the machine, while in this model you will need to use the remote.
JVC- Victor presents XM-ZX5 player; unit incorporates small speaker in charging stand.
Multicolor "Rainbow Illumination" LED built into charging stand indicates when unit is charging.
MDLP; gumstick barrery, AA battery adapter.
Sharp shows off its technology producing the MD-DS8; world's first mobile 1 bit - AUVI Technology (Delta Sigma/1-bit digital amplifier equipped Minidisc player. Four pole plug & jack headphone to accomodate 1 bit digital amp.) Dolby headphone system .
With this model, and the next, the Sharp presents players with a minimalist look but at the same time very fine itself, in my opinion one of the most beautiful ever produced.
The following year Sharp enters the DS9, a "limited edition" of the DS8 with a color slightly bronzed.
Charging stand, gumstick battery, AA adapter. The 1 bit - AUV l sound really great !
In October, Panasonic introduces the SJ-MR230 recorder; with a line very stringy, front shell mirror.
Unit appears to be a non-NetMD little brother to the SJ-MR250.
Kenwood comes up with three new players models:
DMC-Q33 Charging stand, gumstick batteries, AA adapter.
DMC-Q55 Charging stand, gumstick batteries, AA adapter.
Very similar aesthetically, the Q33 has a smooth coated surface while the Q55 has a satin surface.
Both have the Kenwood logo soft anti-slip rubber.
Kenwood DMC-Q77 Folding charge stand with built-in stereo speaker. Gumstick batteries, AA adapter.
In this model, the entire central insert is of soft rubber.
In November the Sony player MZ-E710.
In December the Sharp comes up with a new recorder, MD-DR470 / DR480 / DR7 world's first MD recorder Auvi with 1-bit digital amplifier (see Sharp MD-DS8 for Auvi Technology). In Japan take the name DR7, in Europe DR470, in Asia DR480. Equipped with a charging stand.
Gumstick battery, AA adapter.
In January, Sony introduces the MZ-R410, low level recorder.
In February Sony introduces various models; four players and one recorder:
Sony MZ-B10 MDLP business recorder
New Sony model:
MZ-E310 entry level player, ATRAC R. No remote. Only jack for headphone. AA battery power.
MZ-E510 ATRAC S player.
MZ-E610 Teenage girl-friendly colors, player ATRAC S.
Sony MZ-E810SP First Sony with docking cradle incorporating speakers.
ATRAC Type-S. G-Protection.
Remote RM-MC33EL.
Gumstic battery, AA adapter.
Sharp enters the MD-DS5, considerably more great than the DS8 and appearance more "plastic".
Charging stand. Gumstick battery, AA adapter.
In the photo, on the right, you can see branded model MD-SS503, identical to the DS5; so branded for the international market? Not equipped with charging station?
Auvi ( see Sharp MD-DS8 for Auvi Technology)
In March Sony introduces four new models "N" net downloader recorder:
MZ-N510 Entry-level NetMD recorder, ATRAC Type-, non LCD remote .
MZ-NE410 Entry-level NetMD recorder. No audio input jacks! Records only via USB download from PC. No remote
MZ-N710 portable NetMD recorder, in this model, as in the elder brother NF810, the display appears to be placed sideways on the front of the machine; in my opinion a choice aesthetically questionable.
Sony MZ-N910 unit appears to be nearly an MZ-N10.
Atrac Type S. Remote RM-MC33EL.
Gumstic battery, AA adapter.
Aiwa presents AM-NX1; no audio input jacks! Records only from PC.
Sharp introduces two new recorders: MD-MT270/MT290 I think, without denial, being among the worst ever produced, entry level machines, low price recorders. Remote without display.
A new player, Aiwa AM-PX1
April
MZ-NF610 Unit appears to be an MZ-N510 with a radio tuner remote.
MZ-NF810 Unit appears to be an MZ-N710 with a radio tuner remote.
Aiwa AM-NX9, Aiwa's last recording to be produced.
Sony MZ-NF810 another portable NetMD recorder.
Kenwood DMC-Q35, player, Digital (1-Bit) amp.
Charging stand, gumstick battery, AA adapter.
Kenwood logo in soft rubber.
September
Sharp IM-DR400 / DR410 / DR420 NetMD downloading at 50x realtime, 1-bit digital amp.
AA battery power.
In the photo, the first machine at the top
is a DR370, not netmd, I couldn't find news on it.
Sharp IM-DR580 / DR80 ( internal / external market), Kenwood DMC-S9NET, the same mechanics, with docking station, no display on the machine.
The function NetMd is obtained solely using the docking station.
Gumstick battery, AA adapter.
AUVI ( see Sharp MD-DS8 for Auvi Technology)
Sony MZ-E620 ATRAC S, five diffrent colors of body and stand; grey, black, gren, red, blue.
Charge stand.
Sony MZ-E720 player - New High Definition Digital amp IC
Two new players from; JVC XM-S5; JVC XM-C3 Mindblowing 315 hour battery life
Sharp MD-DS30 / DS70; Sharp 8th generation ATRAC chip features Delta-Sigma modulation and reduced power consumption. Digital amp.
Charging station, gumstick battery, AA adaptor.
The body of DS70 and DS30 appears very carefully painted. Very nice machines. AUVI ( see Sharp MD-DS8 for Auvi Technology).
With this model, DS 70, Sharp seems to follow the minimalist look of the DS8.
October
Kenwood DMC-S33 player, MDLP player with charge-stand. Digital 1-Bit amp.
Gumstick battery, AA adapter.
The entire central insert is of soft rubber.
Kenwood DMC-S55 player, MDLP player with speaker - charge stand. Digital 1-Bit amp.
Gumstick battery, AA adapter.
November
Aiwa AM-PX3 player, similar aesthetically to Sharp DS30.
Since then locate temporally production of md is hard, I found inaccuracies of acronym of models and the date of manufacture; the exact date of manufacture I am moved up by machines and by checking the labels with the serial number and date of manufacture.
While Sony concentrated on the Hi-Md format, gradually abandoning the production of MDLP players, some brands as Kenwood, Panasonic, Sharp, Victor continued to produce MDLP players until the year 2006. (this is the date that I found within a Sharp MD-DS33).
February
Panasonic present SJ-MR240 and MR270, both with docking station.
April
Sony MZ-N420D Portable NetMD downloader.
Sharp present MD-DR77; one-bit digital amp w/4-pole headphone plug. Reappears after the absence of DR80, the display on the machine body.
AUVI ( see Sharp MD-DS8 for Auvi Technology)
May
Sony MZ-NF520 portable FM/TV/Weather NetMD recorder. Only downloader.
Tiny machine display.
Remote RM-MC34LT. No backlight.
AA battery power.
Sony MZ-N920 portable NetMD recorder.
Machine sold only in Japan in three different colors, features a setting much like the R910 presented a couple of years earlier.
The display, compared the R910, is smaller.
Digital amp. Remote RM-MC33EL.
Gumstic battery, AA adapter.
Victor present XM-B22, a new player.
June
Sony Qualia 017
The term Qualia comes from the Latin "quality".
Qualia was a boutique brand of high-end electronics, created by Sony to showcase their best technology.
It is the most expensive ever produced md machine, and undoubtedly is very nice.
October
Panasonic present SJ-MR50; portable MDLP recorder w/builtin mic & speaker.
ln 2004, probably in the first half of the year, Sony introduces the latest series of MDLP players, "30" with E630, E730, E830, and EH930 , this is probably the first Hi-Md player product; appears as in the next section.
Sony MZ-E730 HD digital amplifier, G protection.
Gumstick battery, AA adapter.
Remote RM-MC38EL.
Sharp in 2004 introduces a series of entry-level player, with an attractive look, the abbreviations which are identified the models are different from standard numbering Sharp, maybe they're models that were introduced in peripheral markets.
Sharp MD-K61
Sharp MS-SK5
Sharp MD-K601 was probably produced between late 2003 and early 2004; Sharp MS-SK5 and Sharp MD-SY510 to mid-2004 while the Sharp MD-DS504, which incorporates the look of the series DS70, towards the end of the year.
Sharp MD-DK301 was produced in 2004.
Non Auvi machines except 504 and 301.
Sharp MD-DS504
Sharp MD-DK301
Sharp has produced that same year, a number of player of high level, the evolution of the series DS 30/70,
The new MD-DS55 and DS77 are the linear aspect of the previous series; While the DS 55 presents the size slightly larger than the DS77, the DS 77 has a wavy front shell, (sound waves?) with iridescent colors.
Auvi ( see Sharp MD-DS8 for Auvi Technology)
JVC produces 2 players, XM-C11 and XM-C17.
Both feature a minimalist appearance, produced in various colors.
Charging stand. Gumstick battery, AA adapter.
JVC / Victor produces the last series di players; XM-C31 e XM-C37.
XM-C31 is a light weigth player, very classy design, produced in three different colors.
Charging stand. Gumstick battery, AA adapter.
XM-C37 has a metal front as a mirror, the sizes are slightly higher than the contemporary player.
Gumstick battery AA adapter.
Kenwood DMC-T55 portable MDLP players
w/speaker/charge-stand "Digital Clear PWM" power circuit produces lower noise.
Gumstick battery, AA adapter.
Kenwood DMC-T77: Main body's front panel "active illumination" indicates playback and charging states. User settable to "Mellow" (slow), "Vivid" (fast), etc. illumination modes (plus "off"). Gumstick battery, AA adapter.
Perhaps the last portable MDLP players from Kenwood: DMC-V33 and DMC-V55.
Have a "clear digital amplifier" source probably by Sharp.
w/speaker/charge-stand. Gumstick battery, AA adapter.
Panasonic present the last player: SJ-MJ100
Sharp DS700
Sharp DP700
Sharp produces his last series of players; the MD-DP700 equipped with built-in speakers in the charging station and DS700 without charging station. Both Auvi ( see Sharp MD-DS8 for Auvi Technology)
Sharp present MD-DS33, low price md player; i ve found one produced in 2006.
Non auvi
