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Started by Izumi Ohzawa
Mon, 04 Jan 1993 02:43
Re: Sony to Create Mini-Disks for PC Storage
Author: Izumi Ohzawa
Date: Mon, 04 Jan 1993 02:43
Date: Mon, 04 Jan 1993 02:43
67 lines
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3440 bytes
I just came across this, and thought you might be interested. NeXT's original optical disk flopped, but this may be what everyone wanted all along with features: * 130MB re-writable storage * Cheap blank media ($12 now) which you can buy in any audio store * For mass distribution, pre-recorded (read-only) stamped format like CD-ROM is available. Will it be called MD-ROM? 2.8MB floppy is just too small for me. Can't even make a backup of one project directory. Hopefully, my OD drive will last until I can get one of these drives. [I have no connection with Sony.] --- Izumi Ohzawa [ $@Bg_78^=;(J ] USMail: University of California, 360 Minor Hall, Berkeley, CA 94720 Telephone: (510) 642-6440 Fax: (510) 642-3323 Internet: izumi@pinoko.berkeley.edu (NeXT Mail OK) ----------------------------------------------------------------- Newsgroups: clari.nb.trends,clari.nb.top,biz.clarinet.sample Subject: ****Sony to Create Mini-Disks for PC Storage 12/24/92 Keywords: Bureau-TYO Date: 25 Dec 92 03:15:34 GMT Message-ID: <NB921224.1@clarinet.com> Lines: 39 TOKYO, JAPAN, 1992 DEC 24 (NB) -- Sony is planning to develop a version of its Mini-Disk for use as a personal computer storage device. The tiny Mini-Disk was recently released as a next-generation digital audio music disk. Expected to be ready for commercial release in about two years, the Mini-Disk is smaller than a 3.5-inch floppy disk, but it can store 130 megabytes data, or about 130 times more than a regular 3.5-inch floppy disk. With these advantages, Sony is betting that the Mini-Disk will replace not only floppy disks but also the optical disc in the future. Sony's Mini-Disk was initially developed as a digital audio music recording and replaying medium. It is 6.4 cm in diameter, which is half the size of a compact disc. Up to 74 minutes of audio data can be recorded on this disk. The sound is comparable to that of a compact disk, but unlike the compact disc, it also can be used to record new sounds. Sony is currently selling hardware that runs the unit: a portable type Mini-Disk, a version with a radio, and a version for an automobile. According to a Sony spokesman, Sony has heavily invested in the development of the Mini-Disk, so much so that firm's finances will be in the red next year if the Mini-Disk does not catch on with the music industry. These high stakes have also prompted Sony to develop this disk for personal computers and to promote it as a future industry standard. Its licensees Hitachi and Toshiba are among 50 to 60 firms that have already been awarded the rights to develop Mini-Disk products, according to a Sony spokesman. Sony is also planning to release a ROM (read-only memory)-type Mini-Disk, which includes picture data, in the near future. (Masayuki "Massey" Miyazawa/19921224/Press Contact: Sony, +81-3- 3448-2200, Fax, +81-3-448-3061)
Re: Sony to Create Mini-Disks for PC Storage
Author: Garance A. Drosehn
Date: Fri, 08 Jan 1993 04:11
Date: Fri, 08 Jan 1993 04:11
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On Jan 3rd, izumi@pinoko.berkeley.edu (Izumi Ohzawa) writes: > I just came across this, and thought you might be interested. > > NeXT's original optical disk flopped, but this may be what everyone > wanted all along with features: > > * 130MB re-writable storage > * Cheap blank media ($12 now) which you can buy in any audio store > * For mass distribution, pre-recorded (read-only) stamped format > like CD-ROM is available. Will it be called MD-ROM? How fast is it? MO drives are getting close to hard drive speeds now, and can handle 256 meg cartridges (on 3.5" disks). You can't get the speed *and* the 256 meg size in the same drive (yet), but I'm sure that future drives will improve on current offerings. Me, I'd like something even larger than 130 meg for use on the NeXT (though 100meg would be fine for my Mac). > ----------------------------------------------------------------- > Newsgroups: clari.nb.trends,clari.nb.top,biz.clarinet.sample > Subject: ****Sony to Create Mini-Disks for PC Storage 12/24/92 > > Expected to be ready for commercial release in about two years, > the Mini-Disk is smaller than a 3.5-inch floppy disk, but it > can store 130 megabytes data, or about 130 times more than > a regular 3.5-inch floppy disk. With these advantages, Sony is > betting that the Mini-Disk will replace not only floppy disks > but also the optical disc in the future. If they don't expect commercial release of this for another two years, then they should realize that they shouldn't be comparing themselves with 1.4 meg floppy drives (gee, the NeXT has 2.8 already, and that doesn't count newer floptical or 3.5" MO drive technologies). If this was available *today* it could be a big hit, but two years from now the competition will be much different, I'm sure. -- Garance Alistair Drosehn = gad@eclipse.its.rpi.edu ITS Systems Programmer (handles NeXT-type mail) Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute; Troy NY USA
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