First announced by Sony in 1991 and released in 1992, the Mini Disc format bridged the gap between analog cassettes and digital compact discs. Sony's Mini Disc combined the two formats ingeniously, housing a miniature compact disc inside of a plastic case (much like floppy discs of the era). Today, the format has decreased in popularity due to the advent of digital audio players like the iPod. The Mini Disc format had limited success in North America, mainly as an alternative to recording onto antiquated cassette tapes. However, due to the expensive cost of both Mini Disc players and the media itself, the format failed to catch on outside of a niche group of audiophiles. The final nail in the format's coffin finally came when the cost of blank optical media dropped lower than the cost of a blank Mini Disc. However, during the format's heyday, it did have benefits over both cassettes and compact discs. For one, Mini Discs sounded better than cassette tapes. Also, it was possible to jump ahead to the beginning of a track effortlessly, much like choosing a song on a compact disc. In addition, Mini Discs weren't susceptible to skipping like most portable CD players of the time. This is attributed to the 10-second buffer which was required on all Mini Disc players, ensuring uninterrupted playback. Although Sony Mini Disc players and media are quickly disappearing off store shelves, the format is by no means dead. On eBay, Mini Disc aficionados routinely offer players, blank media, and pre-recorded Mini Discs for sale. Since many are abandoning the Mini Disc format in favor of MP3, it's now possible to purchase players and related items at costs far below their original price tags. |
