Mini Disc
<storage, music> A music medium designed by Sony as a portable
replacement for music Compact Discs. In 1994 Sony announced a data version which
can hold 140 MB or about 100 MB using error correction. These will be
competitive with 128 MB magneto-optical disks. Mini Discs may be either a
re-writable or mass-produced read-only type. Sony have also announced a standard
data format.
The transfer rate is similar to CD-ROM which is slow compared to the current
magneto-optical drives (which are similar to an old hard disk, with writing
noticeably slower than reading). Pre-recorded read-only Mini Discs can be mass
manufactured on a modified CD press - this and the standard format mean it could
take off as a software distribution medium.
An article in the December 1994 PCW quotes access times of about 300 ms and data
transfer rate of about 150 kb/s (i.e. about single spin CD rate).
(1994-12-13)
Nearby terms:
mind uploading « Minerva software « minicomputer «
Mini Disc » minifloppy » minimal automaton »
minimax
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