Consider this - while Sony may drop MD, perhaps in the long run MD will be better off. Sony may have invented the format, but they have left it stunted and unnoticed by the general public. The vast majority of this thread bemoans the many, many, many ways Sony has mismanaged MD. Yet most post's assume Sony is the only possible maker for MD equipment. I hope Sony drops MD - it's time for MD to move on to greener pastures. If Sony no longer competes in the MD/HiMD markets, new innovators may take MD to new heights. It has happened before. The audio cassette was invented as a low-fi dictation format and Nakamichi made cassette recording an artform. Eastman Kodak only made 35mm film for studio motion picture cameras then Leitz developed the Leica and invented 35mm still photography. Edison invented the phonograph, yet over a 100 years later a new vinyl record played on a quality turntable is an audio wonder. The many inventors of the automobile are long gone and buried, but the car lives on AND continues to improve. MD won't die without Sony. There are still MD blanks from TDK and Maxell. Sharp already makes an excellent MD. Onkyo has a couple of HiMD models. New competitors will follow. MD may never be a mass market phenomenon, but it will survive. MD may even thrive. I suppose we should be a little sad when Sony pulls the plug. After all, they did invent MD. But then get over it and rejoice. MD will be better off without Sony's mismanagement. Tom
