Quite possibly Sony’s last (MiniDisc-related) hurrah: The MZ-RH1 (if it’s for real, that is)
Any of you guys still remember MiniDisc (MD)? For those not in the know, Sony introduced it in 1992 as a digital recording format, and very ambitiously announced that they wanted it to replace cassette as the re-recordable medium of choice. Sad to say, despite a massive initial marketing effort and subsequent updates to the basic format, MD never really caught on with the buying public (although the format has remained popular with some groups). It’s the opinion of many that the soaring popularity of MP3s and MP3 players with very large built-in memory is the final nail in MD’s coffin.
If that’s the case, Sony’s MD division apparently hasn’t gotten the closure memo yet from the head office (either that, or they plan to go out with a bang). We’ve gotten wind of the company’s supposed plans to release a third-gen Hi-MD unit – in plain English, the latest version of the highest-capacity MiniDisc subformat to date. This new unit, go the rumors, will be known as the MZ-RH1 and is to be pitched mainly at live-recording enthusiasts. (Click on the link to know more about the unit.)
It’s obvious that MD is on its last legs; the format’s fallen off the radar screen of the general public; even the latest version of MD technology can’t hold a candle to MP3 players in terms of storage capacity, size and weight; and, most tellingly, Sony and the other companies that make MD equipment seem to be exerting less and less effort to market it, let alone develop new technology to keep it competitive or come up with new units. We think it’s really sad that the format is flatlining, but we guess it had to happen sometime – and sooner rather than later in the cutthroat, ultracompetitive world of consumer electronics.
It’s been nice knowing you, MD!
Any of you guys still remember MiniDisc (MD)? For those not in the know, Sony introduced it in 1992 as a digital recording format, and very ambitiously announced that they wanted it to replace cassette as the re-recordable medium of choice. Sad to say, despite a massive initial marketing effort and subsequent updates to the basic format, MD never really caught on with the buying public (although the format has remained popular with some groups). It’s the opinion of many that the soaring popularity of MP3s and MP3 players with very large built-in memory is the final nail in MD’s coffin.
If that’s the case, Sony’s MD division apparently hasn’t gotten the closure memo yet from the head office (either that, or they plan to go out with a bang). We’ve gotten wind of the company’s supposed plans to release a third-gen Hi-MD unit – in plain English, the latest version of the highest-capacity MiniDisc subformat to date. This new unit, go the rumors, will be known as the MZ-RH1 and is to be pitched mainly at live-recording enthusiasts. (Click on the link to know more about the unit.)
It’s obvious that MD is on its last legs; the format’s fallen off the radar screen of the general public; even the latest version of MD technology can’t hold a candle to MP3 players in terms of storage capacity, size and weight; and, most tellingly, Sony and the other companies that make MD equipment seem to be exerting less and less effort to market it, let alone develop new technology to keep it competitive or come up with new units. We think it’s really sad that the format is flatlining, but we guess it had to happen sometime – and sooner rather than later in the cutthroat, ultracompetitive world of consumer electronics.
It’s been nice knowing you, MD!
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