Table of Contents
Advertisement
About MD (Mini Disc)
The MD (Mini Disc) is a new digital audio medium using a disc with a diameter of 64 millimeters. In
spite of the small size, the MD has multiple functions, high audio quality and recording/playback
capabilities for up to 74 minutes.
Role of the cartridge
Two disc types
The MD (Mini Disc) includes two disc types, the recordable MD that can be recorded onto and the
playback-only MD that can exclusively be played back. Although both types of discs are played in the
same way, that is, by irradiating a laser beam on the disc and reading signals from the reflected light,
the ways they are recorded are completely different.
Sound Cruise
Playback-only MD
Recordable MD
The MD cartridge has a pocket size of 68 mm x 72 mm
Cartridge
with a thickness of 5 mm. The cartridge accommodates the
64 mm diameter disc for ease of transportation and
storage.
The internal disc is usually protected by the cartridge shells
Disc
and shutter so no dust, dirt, scratch or fingerprint is left on
the disc and the disc handling is easy.
Cartridge
Shutter
Playback-only MD
This type of disc is used in prerecorded MD software
marketed in music stores. It cannot be recorded by the user
and data is recorded in the same way as a CD, i.e.
according to the presence or absence of small holes called
pits. A disc recorded in this way is referred to as an "optical
disc".
Recordable MD
This type of disc records data using the magnetism to allow
repeated data recording operations. A disc recorded in this
way is referred to as an "MO (Magneto-Optical) disc".
51
XM-EX90
Advertisement
Table of Contents
