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Johan Bové

Upgraded my Minidisc set up to 2021 with a TX/RX Bluetooth dongle set with Spif in and out. Works pretty well for TX. Haven't tried recording from it yet.

Johan Bové

Anyone else also making album / playlists of the week with their MiniDisc recorders?

Johan Bové

New addition to the MiniDisc devices collection: Sony MZ-R70

1 min read

New addition to the MiniDisc player/recorder devices: a Sony MZ-R70 in near mint condition!

Sony MZ-R70 front

No remote included, but it's not a big loss since the original remote didn't have the LCD display anyway and all the functionality is also accessible on the device itself.

I went with this non-NetMD device for the following reasons:

  • Nice big LCD screen on the device itself
  • Powered by a single AA battery - no hard-to-find gumstick batteries - Also if you're using rechargeable AA batteries, they will (slowly) recharge within the device when you connect the device using the 3V power adapter
  • Sturdy housing and buttons
  • This one has a mic input
  • Two headphone outputs!
  • I like to record music real-time - call it nostalgia - but it's part of what I like about MiniDisc - it's back to time when things went a little more slowly
  • This one does not do MDLP - but as the point above - it's part of the charm having to deal with media limitations

Some issues:

  • Louder mechanical noises when recording and playing, especially when connected to the power adapter. But it's still acceptable.

Johan Bové

MDCP: Minidisc Related Patents

I have heard that a patent filing typically runs about US$50,000. Perhaps we can think of these documents then, with their obscure and redundant language, as the Sutras of our technological age. Assembled at great cost, impenetrable to the uninitiated, they hold the hard won secrets of the world's technical priesthood. May you read, digest, and be nourished.

Johan Bové

Actively listening to music through a minidisc player almost gives the same joy as listening to Vinyl records. To me, it's the next best experience and it's fully digital.

Johan Bové

Discovering the excellent German band "Die Ärzte" only today - I have been living here ten years - after finding a live album on one of the mini discs I got second hand.

Johan Bové

The Gadget We Miss: The Sony MiniDisc

Most gadgets don’t have a funeral. The closest they get is a small note on a web site saying that the manufacturer is no longer supporting it, or a final post in an obscure fan forum from a last, desperate fan. minidisc, music, syndicated, tech

Johan Bové

Johan Bové

Note to self: don't buy second hand Maxell Twinkle s. These are not made to withstand the test of time with a flimsy port cover and are made of very brittle plastic.

MiniDiscs that I haven't had issues with yet: Sony Neige, Emtec Maxima, Dark Blueish and Red Sony ones (I call these the BladeRunner themed ones)

Johan Bové

So effective to be able to listen to and record my favorite music using . And it works completely _offline_ too.

Johan Bové

Walkman SONY MZ R-500 tragbarer MiniDisc-Rekorder Silber | Neu + OVP | eBay

A rare find on Ebay Germany: a new sealed original packaging Sony MZ R-500 MiniDisc player! The auction ends in less than 2 hours and current bid stands at €95.

Johan Bové

Johan Bové

Süpersong: Im Nin’alu by Ofra Haza

Found this song by Ofra Haza on a recently obtained second hand MiniDisc as radio recording and got it stuck on repeat! Powerful stuff.

Johan Bové

Johan Bové

Enjoying recording my music to and listening to the music on my Sony MZ-R500 from 2001. The original iPod was released in 2003. Who is still listening to music on their first iPod devices today?

Johan Bové

Johan Bové

I'm enjoying listening to music on my re-discovered players. Pop in the disc, press play and listen to about 150 minutes of your own music in clear digital quality.

And it all works offline and no need for recurring subscriptions and disappearing tracks, when the streaming site decides to no renew their licenses.

Johan Bové

Tomorrows World 1992 - Philips DCC V Sony MiniDisc - YouTube

Love this comment by MGA X from 3 years ago:

> DCC wasn't the winner. Minidisc was for sure. Minidisc ended in 2013, 21 years after release. That's a long time for a digital format. DCC ended 4 years after it's release. I use MD now for recording and playing my vinyl records! Perfect for in home, combined with a good stereo! And it's good to have something different then your phone in home, for playing music! It's very relaxing offline music! Life can be so boring, doing everything on my phone!!

Johan Bové

Online auctions as a spectator sport

1 min read

Discovered an exciting new online spectator-sport: following Ebay auctions for rare(ish), yet popular devices.

The last auction I followed for a Sony MZ-RH1 player was a real nail-biter. Within the duration of the final 60 seconds four bidders competed with each other, with the bid going up from €188 to €289.

The winning bid went to someone who made a bid only 4 times for this item and only followed a single auction in the last period. They won against someone who, looking at their bidding history, is going through some effort finding the rare gem.

ps. I am not going to make this a regular report - just thought this last auction was particular and I was personally glad the winning bid was just a little bit more than what I offered for a similar device just last week.