The Sony MiniDisc was introduced in 1992. It was the first home optical/digital record & playback media. The discs can store up to 140MB of digital data which provides 74 minutes of compressed audio (compression over a standard CD is 5:1).

The MiniDisc system provides near CD audio quality in a small portable and very convenient format, the disks are just 70mm square (2.75") and 5mm thick.

The MiniDisc is the natural successor for the analogue cassette tape addressing many of the issues inherent with tape. MD would most likely have had a much firmer grip in the UK had it not been for public confusion that the Philips DCC caused when it was launched at the same time. It is now ironic that digital MP3 may now prevent the MD from a clear run as the cassette tape successor for portable audio!
In Japan MiniDisc sales are soring, but in the UK and Europe sales are growing more slowly with MD having just a projected 0.8% of all audio media sales in Europe by 2001.   

    MiniDisc players and recorders are now available at very affordable prices as the media war grows in this important market. Blank discs are now available from as little as ¤1, portable and home machines can be found from as little as ¤90.00!