A Sony MiniDisc Odyssey: The History, Players, Discs, and How to Take a Hobby Way Too Far

Тәжірибелік нұсқаулар және стиль

Something a bit different. :-)
Check out these other resources about MiniDisc:
Techmoan: kzread.info/dash/bejne/nYlnpMWen7DbkaQ.html
Gordon Laing: kzread.info/dash/bejne/kZuIj8Vwgs--epM.html
minidisc.org/
www.minidisc.wiki/
Support me on Patreon! www.patreon.com/christopherfrost
Equipment I use to make my videos (Amazon affiliate links):
Canon EOS R5: geni.us/CanonEOSR5Body
Canon EF-RF Adaptor: geni.us/CanonEFtoRF
Sigma 50mm f/1.4 'Art': geni.us/Sigma50mm14Art
Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 IS STM: geni.us/CanonRF35mm18Macro
Marumi Fit and Slim CPL Filter: geni.us/MarumiFitSlim77
AudioTechnica AT2020USB+ Microphone: geni.us/AT2020USBPlusMic
Rode Smartlav+ Microphone: geni.us/RodeSmartLavalierPlus
Rode SC3 adapter: geni.us/RodeSC3MicAdaptor
Zoom H1n Recorder: geni.us/ZoomH1nMiniRecorder
DJI Mini 2 Drone: geni.us/DJIMini2FlyMore
Music:
'Sidewalk Shade', Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0
creativecommons.org/licenses/b...

Пікірлер: 109

  • @paul4424
    @paul44244 ай бұрын

    Well that was unexpected..I totally believed this to be a Techmoan video, lol. Great video, Chris!

  • @ogjbot

    @ogjbot

    4 ай бұрын

    Technoman is a great channel

  • @Poorgeniu5

    @Poorgeniu5

    3 ай бұрын

    I thought I clicked on a GameHut video.

  • @martinclinton6284

    @martinclinton6284

    3 ай бұрын

    Can't be Techmoan, he doesn't have a massive bag of broken Minidisc players 🙂

  • @Augnos
    @Augnos3 ай бұрын

    I hope this video takes off, it’s such a treat to hear my favorite photography KZreadr talk about vintage tech.

  • @EggTamago7
    @EggTamago7Ай бұрын

    The algorithm delivers me a 40+ minute video about MiniDisc? Guaranteed watch. Didn't expect just how unhealthy the obsession would get by the end of the video, though lol I'm under no delusions - my interest in this is purely nostalgic. I had a NetMD portable in the early 00s that accompanied me through most of high school, and a bit into university. It helped me weather the gap between iPods being affordable (my 30gb iPod still stands as the portable music player that I used for the longest time) and the last properly good portable format before it (cassette). For those years in the early 2000s, NetMD was such a sweet-spot on price and performance. In the 90s, MiniDisc was a format that I super wanted to use, because it was so obviously superior to cassette. But, a $500 CAD MiniDisc portable for an 8 year old to take to school every day was a pretty hard sell to my parents. So, I used cassette and a low-end Sony Walkman on the go, and CD at home, recording loads of mix tapes along the way.

  • @InfectiousGroovePodcast
    @InfectiousGroovePodcast3 ай бұрын

    I absolutely ADORED the MiniDisc format. I was the only person I knew in the US who loved it but I was all in.

  • @rosco-reigns

    @rosco-reigns

    26 күн бұрын

    Amazing video. I cannot get enough minidisc content

  • @bobbyl1670
    @bobbyl16703 ай бұрын

    I installed a Sony 4 Minidisc head unit changer in my car. Cost me £1200 at the time. Great video. Brings back so many wonderful memories.

  • @AnthonyTeasdale
    @AnthonyTeasdale3 ай бұрын

    Fond memories of doing my paper round with my MiniDisc player also. Currently have a Sony NetMD and a Hi-MD model, The Hi-MD being my late fathers. I believe my original was a Panasonic, but it is long lost to me.

  • @tszxc8836
    @tszxc88363 ай бұрын

    Love what you're doing with the channel, from reviewing camera bodies to personal projects like this. Great video

  • @fotografi4fun
    @fotografi4fun4 ай бұрын

    Thank you for this nostalgic video. I have only had one MD player, and I do believe it was the same as your first recorder, only mine was silver. It died at one point, and I bought a 80 GB HDD MP3 player that I replaced with a 80 GB iPod Classic. I actually often think about the MD days and miss my old player, but I’m not going down that road now. Still a lovely reminder of the good old days. Thank you 😊

  • @cjmoss51
    @cjmoss514 ай бұрын

    Im glad you decided to make a video about this. I saw a mini disc in one of your other videos and left a comment to that affect. Incredible tech that came a bit too late here in the US. By the time it got good, we already had at least 3 generations of iPods.

  • @rricci

    @rricci

    3 ай бұрын

    I think the iPod would have defeated the MD no matter what. I prefer the MD. I Just like it.

  • @admiralandersen
    @admiralandersenАй бұрын

    Thank you very much for a great video about MiniDiscs. I use MiniDiscs almost every day. I have a player in the kitchen, the bedroom, the living room, the balcony and the office. I also have two portable players. approx. once a quarter I have a party on the balcony, and the rule is to only listen to music from MiniDisc.

  • @yajiu
    @yajiu3 ай бұрын

    Great video mate! Lots of work! I couldn’t believe you went to all that trouble with the ‘new’ prerecorded disc! Excellent job!

  • @rodzalez3549
    @rodzalez354913 күн бұрын

    I still have my Sony net MD that I bought with my own money at 16 years old. I'm 36 now. That little machine still works, has lots of sentimental value.

  • @r2r0TV
    @r2r0TV3 ай бұрын

    Unexpected but a pleasant surprise ! Can’t count the amount of times I’ve came back to view your videos! Deff one of the best channels out there !

  • @diegosilang4823
    @diegosilang48239 күн бұрын

    I bought my first MD back in 2004, it is a Hi MD/ NET MD player only. Because I bought the lowest priced model, it doesn't come with recording. After years of storage, I tried to use it again and I encountered no disk error, I Googled the problem and track it down to dried up lubrication on a worm gear that moves the optical laser. I took it apart and lubricate the worm gear with light silicon lubricant and it works like new. I bought a MD with recorder and when you play it, it is just pure satisfaction.

  • @yoice.
    @yoice.2 ай бұрын

    Truly happy to see one of my favorite channel talks extensively about a topic that is obscure to most people, yet had a significant spot in my childhood! Great work!❤‍🔥

  • @weeks55
    @weeks553 ай бұрын

    I thoroughly enjoyed this! And thank you for the usual test footage of the stabilization system in the first five minutes. This is always important for people buying into a Sony crop format system.

  • @Poorgeniu5
    @Poorgeniu53 ай бұрын

    I never had, let alone played with a MiniDisc player but what I can say is that I do own the MiniDisc's offshoot cousin that is the Universal Media Disc (UMD) that Sony used for the PlayStation Portable (PSP). Although, I only brought Gran Turismo PSP in UMD format, I can relate to the satisfaction of inserting the media into the player or in my experience, my PSP!

  • @dinokaki
    @dinokaki4 ай бұрын

    Wow, MD ! I used to still have a player of this but broken few years ago. Good job! what a memory

  • @Snostrebla
    @Snostrebla3 ай бұрын

    Thank you for making this video, my teen years were very much filled with Minidisc and being a teen in the US during the same time the iPod started I was definitely the weird one. Still have a good amount of my old stuff from 20 years ago.

  • @AvidRetro
    @AvidRetro2 ай бұрын

    Fantastic professional video, I had the same Sharp minidisc portable recorder back in the day and an AIwa for playing back. Fun times! I still have many models today although I know I need to downsize my collection somewhat!

  • @alexandrederny1804
    @alexandrederny18043 ай бұрын

    Hello Chris, Because of your video I decided to take out my minidisc and make it work again. Your video helped me a lot because I was able to make it work within minutes, thanks to your very useful information. I burned a couple of them and tested the quality of the sound with my 700$ headphones. It’s far from perfect but it’s not bad at all. Thank a lot for making this work again for me. I was also a very big fan of minidisc. Your video was great.

  • @JagaimoNeko
    @JagaimoNeko4 ай бұрын

    Thank you for the video! I never had an MD player/recorder, we were using audio cassettes until my father purchased an iPod 4 (a.k.a. "iPod click wheel") in 2004. The HDD is still alive now although I had to replace the battery multiple times and it's a bit tricky process and I am using it more or less regularly for twenty years already!

  • @IAmKAZMO
    @IAmKAZMO2 ай бұрын

    I have the red 909 in mint condition. Everytime i post it, people go crazy when they see it... It's marvelous !

  • @BlazeOnMoto

    @BlazeOnMoto

    2 ай бұрын

    I have same one only in blue colour. Love it!

  • @daveinportland
    @daveinportland4 ай бұрын

    Excellent timing and perfect my lunch hour. MD was the best. Thank you.

  • @AlexRutiaga
    @AlexRutiaga4 ай бұрын

    what’s with us camera people that draw us towards old tech, that Techmoan cameo was totally unexpected

  • @ikemadethis894
    @ikemadethis8943 ай бұрын

    I remember when i bought my minidisc player/recorder. It came with a portable minidisc player. I made mixes for fun on the weekends. How fun!

  • @PhilKnall
    @PhilKnall3 ай бұрын

    This went way farther than i thought 😅 amazing stuff. I recently got an R50 and am in the process of going off the deep end 😅 i grew up in Austria, not that far from the UK but for some reason nobody i knew had any MDs. Also just bought my first pre-recorded disc - a Chicane album. Never seen any pre-recorded discs back in the day i think!

  • @martin.dubovszki
    @martin.dubovszki4 ай бұрын

    That was amazing! Though I've never owned any minidisc playback/recording devices (always used casettes before MP3 players took over), Thank you Christopher for introducing me this piece of technical history!

  • @bejnerowicz
    @bejnerowicz4 ай бұрын

    So awesome. Very nice video!… oh wow ! The end just got me with the lavalier mic 🤯

  • @dancingwiththedogsdj
    @dancingwiththedogsdj3 ай бұрын

    I'm loving this video.... I still have some of those old TDK tapes made for better CD reproduction still in the sealed package. I can't wait to get back into playing with audio and everything. Fantastic video! 😊🌎❤️🕺🏻🐶

  • @danlundgren262
    @danlundgren2623 ай бұрын

    That's so great! At one time I was so intent on organizing, perfecting and displaying my relatively few albums (my era was LP's and cassettes). I really appreciated and listened to each song and album more when they were so tangible. Now that I have immediate access to almost any and every song ever recorded in a digital world, I find that there's too much to listen to and appreciate them less!

  • @ronnyandernie
    @ronnyandernie3 ай бұрын

    This is like Teachmoan fanfic. Love it.

  • @jdtseventyfour
    @jdtseventyfour16 күн бұрын

    Great video that covers all bases of Mindisc, very enjoyable

  • @ThatGuy-mn2gg
    @ThatGuy-mn2gg12 күн бұрын

    I went all in. Had a complete ES car system, several MD discman and a home unit to record it all. Oh, I forgot that I bought the Sony PCLK-MN10. Sony came up some new format that allowed you to put several hours on one disc. I think the bitrate was less than 88kbps. It was like peas and carrots until MP3 took off. Literally killed the format overnight. My buddy owns the ES home unit. Hasn't used in in over a decade.

  • @bucharestbiketraffic
    @bucharestbiketrafficАй бұрын

    I am amazed you use Vegas Pro to edit your videos. I thought I am the only one doing that. 😅

  • @williamdlc3
    @williamdlc33 ай бұрын

    Hope we have more videos like these soon!! Follower since the Canon T3i days here and have made a lot of lens investments from your tests, God bless!

  • @tyhodnett3031
    @tyhodnett30313 ай бұрын

    Unexpected but appreciated. I took a trip to Japan last week with the intent to find some retro tech including MiniDiscs, since I never had the opportunity as an American, but ended up wasting all my time film camera shopping. (Silver lining: I picked up a Nikon F601 Quartz with a Sigma 70-300 f/4-5.6 for a grand total of ¥1000.)

  • @channelzero2252
    @channelzero22523 ай бұрын

    Owning a minidisc Walkman and a Pioneer deck, I was with you.... until the 30 minute mark! Making the covers? Hell yeah! Cracking open the minidiscs and swapping the shells? Well I'll admit I occasionaly did that with cassettes, but I'd never do that to a minidisc! Incidentally I have had two discs go corrupt on me, both second hand Sanyo discs. I mention they were second hand because I do not know their usage/storage history prior to me purchasing them. They were part of a lot of about 20 and, so far, the rest are still fine. I think it was just pure bad luck.

  • @deanwalliss8739
    @deanwalliss87394 ай бұрын

    Good one Chris. I love it when you branch out.

  • @MacPhantom
    @MacPhantom4 ай бұрын

    This video was pure joy, A to Z. Thank you, Chris!

  • @NotSoGoodGamingTV
    @NotSoGoodGamingTV4 ай бұрын

    Cool excursion, enjoyable to watch.

  • @Snezhana_ph
    @Snezhana_ph3 ай бұрын

    Thank you so much for this wonderful video about a wonderful time .

  • @tbrown2892
    @tbrown28923 ай бұрын

    I love your camera and lens reviews Chris.

  • @elvinlawcc
    @elvinlawcc3 ай бұрын

    I love my MD players it brings back the memories of the good old days! After so many years mine still in good working condition! Nowadays I used to play music through streaming services but sometimes I just want to go back to the fun time with physical media.

  • @rricci

    @rricci

    3 ай бұрын

    I see no reason not to record off the streaming services onto MD.

  • @NorCal-yeti
    @NorCal-yeti4 ай бұрын

    This was fun Chris . My first Sony Walkman was so amazing to my ears. I’m an 1980’s kid and I have been kind of a tech nerd ever since. PS I shoot the Sony a7rv and zi am in love with that cameras color science 🧬. Good Bless you and keep you! Walter P from Santa Cruz California 😊

  • @ArleyMcBlain
    @ArleyMcBlain4 ай бұрын

    just added to watch later, i used to record with a yamaha md8 eight track board, and commute with the sony minidisc walkman, i was all-in haha

  • @RobR386
    @RobR3863 ай бұрын

    I have two portables and a micro system deck. The portables are MZ-510 and MZ-520 My deck is a Sony CMT-M373NT All netMD I still use them regularly, pairing them with a headphone amplifier and Bluetooth transmitter, they sound great through AirPod Max headphones.

  • @misophoniq
    @misophoniq2 күн бұрын

    Is that "build" music from The Sims 3 @23:18? 😀I recognize the tune but not sure where I heard it but I know I heard it a lot!

  • @stlrsfan27
    @stlrsfan273 ай бұрын

    Awesome video my friend .keep up the great work. And thank you for showing your collection. Way cool 😎. Take care. 🤠🇺🇸

  • @benjamin5126
    @benjamin51263 ай бұрын

    Unfortunately I was born a little bit too late to experience this technology (mid 90‘s). But I love learning about such things. I wonder if the small discs in the old PlayStation Portable have anything to do with MiniDiscs? Thank you for this interesting video!

  • @kennztube
    @kennztube11 күн бұрын

    I agree regarding smart phones and music. I use a DAP which is tiny and plays Hi Res audio and stores 2TB. i had several mini disc players and liked them. Indeed phones batteries are chewed up listening to high quality audio and then video and texting etc, always hear colleagues complain about charging their devices and wondering why I'm not.

  • @monitorphone5412
    @monitorphone54122 ай бұрын

    Thanks for making this video I absolutely enjoyed watching it

  • @michaelturner4457
    @michaelturner44573 ай бұрын

    That's one thing I never had was a minidisc. I already had a CD recorder and various players, so didn't see the need in getting another format. .

  • @dunnymonster
    @dunnymonster4 ай бұрын

    I loved the mini disc format myself, I've still got my portable one and a full size " hi fi " seperates model. I remember seeing a minidisc on the Keanu Reeves movie Jonny Mnemonic back in the mid 90's 🙂

  • @christopherfrost

    @christopherfrost

    4 ай бұрын

    There's an M-Z1 recorder in Last Action Hero, too :-)

  • @fabiancouture2590
    @fabiancouture25902 ай бұрын

    I use my MiniDisc player all the time. It's great for when I go to coffee shops to get some work done.

  • @clyth41
    @clyth418 күн бұрын

    I'll still use minidisc to this day, and you want to see the looks I get on the train... Haha it's hilarious.. Haha..

  • @danfarmer_photo
    @danfarmer_photo4 ай бұрын

    Nice one Chris! 👌👌👌👌

  • @boweandrew3
    @boweandrew33 ай бұрын

    Great documentary

  • @Stuart.87
    @Stuart.873 ай бұрын

    Other pro for minidisc players. They use less than a watt to operate so I use the DC plug directly on a small (40cm²) solar panel (with an appropritate voltage regulator module) and like that I have a solar powered audio player device. Perfect to listening to the music in the garden and chill with the benefits of the sun. No batteries, no waste etc...

  • @matthewjames4268
    @matthewjames4268Ай бұрын

    Just bought the MZR-50 on ebay japan. A few months ago I bought a double din nakamichi MD and CD for my 96 Landcruiser.

  • @ThatGuy-mn2gg

    @ThatGuy-mn2gg

    12 күн бұрын

    Dope

  • @sosomelodies659
    @sosomelodies6594 ай бұрын

    I still have three mini disc players in my collection. They were so cool back in the days.

  • @rricci

    @rricci

    3 ай бұрын

    I still think they ARE cool. Just because it's old tech doesn't make it less cool.

  • @admstudios7
    @admstudios74 ай бұрын

    Waoooo minidisk I remember when I got mine in the 90's there were so great ❤ love this vídeo, keep up the good work

  • @EA-58
    @EA-584 ай бұрын

    wow thats something different then lens reviews... always loved the MD.

  • @ofLahore
    @ofLahore4 ай бұрын

    Hi, you never did review on Nikon 16-80mm. what is your feedback about it?

  • @RossJaynes
    @RossJaynes4 ай бұрын

    Holy crap dude, memory unlocked lol 😊

  • @anielrivera7977
    @anielrivera79773 ай бұрын

    In the last 3 months i have been collecting and have about 15 models , also a onkyo mini stereo and a net md stereo

  • @ChristianKatja
    @ChristianKatja3 ай бұрын

    Love it!!!

  • @arghaatta4837
    @arghaatta48373 ай бұрын

    Hi Sir. Could you please make a video comparison between Tamron 17-70mm f/2.8 aps-c & Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 FE. As the FE lens has dropped its price, now it's less than the Aps-c in India.

  • @dg76
    @dg763 ай бұрын

    I love MiniDisc but unfortunately never use mine now simply down to the inconvenience; it's much easier just to listen to mp3 files on my computer. I have a Sony JA-20ES sitting there doing nothing these days but it was well used in the day. Unfortunately my favourite band, Dire Straits, had a sponsorship with Philips so their last album was released on DCC and I never bothered buying any pre-recorded material, but it's ideal for recording and editing.

  • @irishhawk1
    @irishhawk14 ай бұрын

    Excellent!

  • @Psilosemi
    @Psilosemi3 ай бұрын

    Oooooh what a lovely lovely video. Mini Disc 4 eva. Thanks so much for sharing your Love ♥♥♥♥🍄🙏🏻

  • @Badonicus
    @Badonicus4 ай бұрын

    Oh I'm so happy you made this I was an early and continue to be, advocate for this media. To buy blanks cost lots now on ebay. An album in the 100s. Great media tho

  • @astronaut2005drummer
    @astronaut2005drummer18 күн бұрын

    I got the Sony MZ-R55. :)

  • @drdolby1585
    @drdolby15853 ай бұрын

    There might be a business for making (fitting) pre-recorded MD shells ... 🤔

  • @Way_Out
    @Way_Out4 ай бұрын

    This is really interesting.

  • @ReneDelfgou
    @ReneDelfgou4 ай бұрын

    What did I see Divine on your playlist? That I didn’t expect 😂

  • @christopherfrost

    @christopherfrost

    4 ай бұрын

    Divine Comedy :-)

  • @c4_boom41
    @c4_boom414 ай бұрын

    Was just talking to my friend about these i still have mine!

  • @tee_m
    @tee_m4 ай бұрын

    Feels like you and techmoan would get on.

  • @FullaEels
    @FullaEelsАй бұрын

    When you said "make your own pre recorded" I thought you were just gonna plop a sticker on a RW, print off boxart and plop it into a case, not this insanity lol

  • @paulroach2538
    @paulroach25383 ай бұрын

    Hi Chris use mine all the time 'hot at least 500 mds at home i listen to a lot of audio books on LP4 ' music on LP2 .

  • @wudini
    @wudini3 ай бұрын

    I have bought and tested dozens of used minidiscs, only one was defective.

  • @subarusensei3685
    @subarusensei36854 ай бұрын

    I thought this was techmoan seeing the notifaction but nice see its you chirst I like when channels take side stories like this

  • @neeldeshmukh124
    @neeldeshmukh1242 ай бұрын

    Haha great video!

  • @martinhinge1462
    @martinhinge14624 ай бұрын

    You can clearly tell from the design of the disc that Sony was also the inventor of the 3.5” floppy disk. 🙂

  • @deejayiwan7
    @deejayiwan74 ай бұрын

    No mention of high end Sony ES MD devices?

  • @anielrivera7977
    @anielrivera79773 ай бұрын

    There is Googone to take off the stickers

  • @assistantto007
    @assistantto0072 ай бұрын

    I am having some difficulty how you have no difficulty showing yourself making counterfeit minidiscs

  • @seokinchung
    @seokinchung4 ай бұрын

    sony was really capable of manufacturing beautiful sleek looking portable devices! I wonder if it's true that Apple snatched lots of Sony's injection molding specialists on their plastic shell days. (I think I heard something like that some how)

  • @starbase218
    @starbase2184 ай бұрын

    MiniDisc is nice, I guess, but of course DCC is much better. ;) In the end though, both formats lost to the compact cassette. Chrome tapes recorded with Dolby B actually sounded more than good enough. And it was existing, cheap technology.

  • @stevenjohnson4283
    @stevenjohnson42833 ай бұрын

    I looked into mini disc a while ago because everyone was selling theirs off. Atrac and all the supposed better variations aren't very good compared to the original sound of a CD. I won't even listen to hi res MP3's because I can hear the difference. I've tried to move my CD's to MP3 and the highest resolution, and I can still tell its really bad. Someone gave me a whole bunch of MP3 files and the sound quality was abysmal, so I deleted all the files. Better off going out and buying actually CD's with the decent sounding original. Compact Disks have a bit rate of 1411 kilobytes per second, which is 4.5 times greater than the bit rate of the highest res MP3 files. Every audiophile source I researched about minidisc Atrac files said they were nowhere near as good as Compact Disc. Minidisc had their place as a way to record CD's with much better sound than cassette tape. Cassette tape was just terrible. CD's were always brilliant, but compressing the files left artifacts and missing sound quality. Minidisc is a dead technology, and CD is still on top. MP3 is still garbage compared to CD. Where its at is CD and SACD. You can burn CD's and listen to your music on that.

  • @RubenvanKuik
    @RubenvanKuik4 ай бұрын

    Like father like son :)

  • @ChaitanyaShukla2503
    @ChaitanyaShukla25033 ай бұрын

    That 14500 battery you are using is dangerous knock-off best to get rid of it before it starts a fire. Majority of 14500 batteries from reputed makers(Panasonic, Samsung, LG and Sony) top around 1100mAh and none are over 2000mAh.

  • @BigRantingSteve
    @BigRantingSteveАй бұрын

    I can't believe you destroyed those Suede discs, OMG! Do you know how much they are going for on ebay?? Suede fans will be horrified by this. Otherwise, not a bad video, up until that point. lol

  • @borislavatatchev
    @borislavatatchev3 ай бұрын

    Mini discs are totally unreliable I have been a technician for Denon Audio professional and mini discs appliances for radio stations for 8 years. ATRAC system is horrible for recording it cuts 4/5 of the sound information to only 140MB from 650MB on the CD.

  • @LeifES
    @LeifES4 ай бұрын

    Christopher Frost video! But MiniDisc? .... What?

  • @YannickKhong
    @YannickKhong3 ай бұрын

    Well mate, time for you to get into Mrwalkman powered Walkman portable music players 🤘 Wm-A55 and wm1a/wm1z

  • @att0987654321
    @att09876543212 күн бұрын

    Great vid!

  • @xray111xxx
    @xray111xxx4 ай бұрын

    Was always curious with this Minidisc but never bought one.