Sony Hi-MD Disc | HMD1GL Blue

[The Low Volta]

Sony tried to disguise the fact that there is a CD inside, to try to push the 1GB portable DATA storage angle.

blueraj... I really enjoy your labels and also agree that the old style was rather 'blah' (not 'blue' )... but the statement I quoted above is pure gibberish IMHO!

I mean...it's not like they (or other MD-producing makes) had never made/sold opaque (= not 'see-through') discs before... so what this has to do with the 'data-ability' I'm really lost.

External removable HD's (like the syquest stuff) and zip-drives (which both were data-only, no portable music playback) look more like see-through MD's than the old-stye 1gb's, and floppys (the big bendable stuff) and diskettes (the most 'cool' ones were see-through as well) have a disclike centre as well, so why 'hide' it on the 1gb's?

but still, I like the crystal blue ones better as well

[theblueraja]

blueraj... I really enjoy your labels and also agree that the old style was rather 'blah' (not 'blue' )... but the statement I quoted above is pure gibberish IMHO!

I mean...it's not like they (or other MD-producing makes) had never made/sold opaque (= not 'see-through') discs before... so what this has to do with the 'data-ability' I'm really lost.

External removable HD's (like the syquest stuff) and zip-drives (which both were data-only, no portable music playback) look more like see-through MD's than the old-stye 1gb's, and floppys (the big bendable stuff) and diskettes (the most 'cool' ones were see-through as well) have a disclike centre as well, so why 'hide' it on the 1gb's?

but still, I like the crystal blue ones better as well

Hmmm... well, I guess I was going off of something I heard in one of these forums, so I suppose the whole 'data image' thing is not gospel truth. But you must admit, the 1st gen HiMD discs certainly had a more industrial, cold look, plus the BOLD "1 GB" that you just can't miss. At any rate, bottom line is I love the clear ones better.

[sebastianbf]

i'm planning to build my own minidisc storage box made in wood, but first I need to ask you guys something.... What is going to happen to the old HIMD purple discs? Still selling them or now it's just possible to find the new blue discs?

[theblueraja]

i'm planning to build my own minidisc storage box made in wood, but first I need to ask you guys something.... What is going to happen to the old HIMD purple discs? Still selling them or now it's just possible to find the new blue discs?

Are you asking this because your box will be designed to hold those long-box containers of the 1st gen HiMDs? If so, I'd give up on that size and go for standard. That way you can use regular MDs, 2nd gen HiMDs (crystal blue), and replace the long boxes of the HiMDs you own w/ standard MD jewel cases.

I have no idea who is still selling the purple-ish ones. I'm sure there are still plenty around though... especially on Ebay.

[tekdroid]

Are you asking this because your box will be designed to hold those long-box containers of the 1st gen HiMDs? If so, I'd give up on that size and go for standard. That way you can use regular MDs, 2nd gen HiMDs (crystal blue), and replace the long boxes of the HiMDs you own w/ standard MD jewel cases.

If I can just critique the blue discs for a second:

Things I dislike:

-fingerprints: check

-blue-coloured paper (in the protective case) for writing illegible titles on* (wtf?): check

-translucent kiddy design to let light through: check

-very small stickers to stick on the face of the MD: check

*one side only, but enough to ask: why? Colour co-ordination?

Another general note common to all(?) current disc cases

Oldskool MD cases, you know the protective case they slide in? Well, the part where you put your finger(s) to grab the disc, right? On the oldskook disc cases you'll notice the 'cut-out' wasn't so huge. I think this is advantageous, for the following reason:

All the current disc cases that I have seen (Color Collection, blue Hi-MD, etc) have a huge 'cut-out' area so you can grab the disc very easily to slide it out. This 'cut-out' area actually actually makes the 'sliding shutter' area of the MD far more susceptible to dust, since it's not covered completely by current MD cases. In the old MD cases, the shutter area was covered by the old cases, exposing this critical area of the discs to a LOT less dust. Dust and other foreign particles far more easily get on the sliding shutter part of MDs in more recent cases. If you leave your MDs laying about somewhere collecting dust, chances are some will fall in this sliding shutter area. Now guess what happens when you slide your disc in? The shutter slides open over that dusty area and dust and other particles very easily enter the disc when it closes. If you're not careful to inspect your discs for dust each time, there's a very high chance of dust getting into the disc cartridge - which isn't good, obviously.

Ever since MDs came out, I've wished for an (essentially) completely sealed protective case for them (must like old cassette cases or CD cases, preferably without the crackable plastic or easily-busted hinges). I haven't checked out or seen the 'huge-box' container of first-gen Hi-MDs, but if it's a completely sealed design, it can't be that bad (aside from the size).

Ideal discs for moi?

-leave no fingerprints (so don't have a gloss ultra-shiny surface)

-are non-translucent (honestly, I know there's a disc in there...)

-light-coloured (to not heat up in the sun so much)

-have old-skool protective cases with smaller "grab it" cut-outs (sealed cases would be ideal, though - and you could carry it in pockets and whatever and not worry about lint and other stuff getting in)

-have practical (and white) large disc stickers for writing on

-have paper inlays for writing on that are actually white on both sides, not printed blue

[theblueraja]

If I can just critique the blue discs for a second:

Things I dislike:

-fingerprints: check

-blue-coloured paper (in the protective case) for writing illegible titles on* (wtf?): check

-translucent kiddy design to let light through: check

-very small stickers to stick on the face of the MD: check

...

How do you really feel about them?

Anyway, I think you did raise 2 valid points (the labels and fingerprints). However, I could not let your "kiddy design" comment go, and I think many people will back me up. Some of the COOLEST MD designs show the disc, and are collectable to many. In fact, it's the COOLEST part that attracted me to MD in the first place (the look of them). In fact, I think Neo's (The Matrix) minidiscs had clear windows... hardly a kiddy thing for him to own.

Enough on that point, it all boils down to opinion (and some practicality). You HAVE seen the JEWEL-case type cases have you not? You can put those in your pocket & not have the discs exposed to lint, etc... however, they do tend to CRACK, just like regular CD jewel cases do. Which is why I like the sleeve-insert design, because they are virtually indestructable.

To each his own... too bad I didn't find you sooner; I threw out like 15 of those long-boxes that came w/ my original HiMD discs...

Oh, and ... CHECK!

Edited January 4, 2006 by theblueraja

[tekdroid]

How do you really feel about them?

Anyway, I think you did raise 2 valid points (the labels and fingerprints). However, I could not let your "kiddy design" comment go, and I think many people will back me up.

It's less critical of a point, but I still feel the discs are not as robust with translucent designs and the non-forgiving elements (heat, etc). I guess I favour practicality above all else. I'll give you this: it's easier to spot a foreign particle that has entered the case with a translucent design, so it ain't so bad, I guess

To each his own... too bad I didn't find you sooner; I threw out like 15 of those long-boxes that came w/ my original HiMD discs...

Oh, and ... CHECK!

If the cases are anything like the cases they used for pre-recorded MDs, perhaps I've seen 'em. But still, too big for practical portable use. Would be nice to have some small completely sealed cases. C'mon Sony, it's time

[The Low Volta]

Would be nice to have some small completely sealed cases. C'mon Sony, it's time

well, I've got 1...and only one! it looks like a very small CD-case (or audio-casette, it is kinda the same design) that fits one MD precisely (unlike the bigger, useless 1st gen HiMD-disc cases)

I literally found it while cleaning out the remains of the former user of my desk at work and it came with a 74min JVC MD (a completely uncolored translucent disc with JVC Dynamic Digital Sound MD74 on the uncolored metal shutter)

wish there were more cases like that!!

(PS, will try to add a pic tomorrow if I think of it... camera isn't available right now)

[theblueraja]

well, I've got 1...and only one! it looks like a very small CD-case (or audio-casette, it is kinda the same design) that fits one MD precisely (unlike the bigger, useless 1st gen HiMD-disc cases)

I literally found it while cleaning out the remains of the former user of my desk at work and it came with a 74min JVC MD (a completely uncolored translucent disc with JVC Dynamic Digital Sound MD74 on the uncolored metal shutter)

wish there were more cases like that!!

(PS, will try to add a pic tomorrow if I think of it... camera isn't available right now)

Do you mean THESE?

minidisc access jewel cases LINK

[The Low Volta]

yep, those are the ones...

[tekdroid]

nice. Never saw them before. Wish some discs came with those by default! Seems like a far more serious (dare I say 'pro' case to prevent dust.

[theblueraja]

nice. Never saw them before. Wish some discs came with those by default! Seems like a far more serious (dare I say 'pro' case to prevent dust.

Well, like I said they do tend to crack or break easier than the slip cases... plus they take a little longer to take in & out. But if you're careful with things, yeah, they are ideal.

There is also a color series out that has a tighter SNAP-close, if you will (these clear jewel cases swing open VERY easily... kinda loose). But most of the colors (green, purple) were so dark it was hard to see the MD inside the case (like to read it).

[tekdroid]

Well, like I said they do tend to crack or break easier than the slip cases... plus they take a little longer to take in & out. But if you're careful with things, yeah, they are ideal.

There is also a color series out that has a tighter SNAP-close, if you will (these clear jewel cases swing open VERY easily... kinda loose). But most of the colors (green, purple) were so dark it was hard to see the MD inside the case (like to read it).

To keep things fair, things I dislike with the hinged cases above:

*crackability

*scratchability

*gloss (fingerprints, etc)

Definitely hate those aspects of the plastic (assuming it's just like a CD/cassette case).

But I think they are a good compromise if you want to keep dust out and there should be some choice out there with the MDs we buy. That's what it's all about: just a bit of choice.

Ideally, the cases I'd like to see would be:

*made of the current 'softer' plastic the current MD cases use (far less susceptible to breakage/cracking), but in a hinged design.

*as above, but with possibly no hinges and a little side slider with spring to open and close one end of the box for disc insertion (but this probably wouldn't fly as it would raise the cost by 3 cents and increase production complexity.

But it would be a great thing to see out there as choice (even selling for a premium marketed under some Pro label, if they want, despite very little differentiation). Choice is really what it's all about, and I'd like to see more of it.

The lack of choice (particularly among Hi-MD discs), is a bit of a bummer.

Credit where it's due, I love:

*the smokyness and non-gloss and feel of current MD cases

*the fact that scratches are less pronounced because of the above (the gloss-finish hinged cases above likely aren't)

*the fact that handling isn't so "slippery" as it would be with a gloss texture

*the fact that I see no obvious fingerprints with the current plastic / texture (unless I load my fingers with oil, I would guess).

The texture feels right in the hand, and any scratches they get are far less pronounced, yet it still keeps adequate transparency for labels, etc. Now if only they combined it with the goodness of the sealed case

PS. I guess it's a bit of nitpickery, but we are discussing the finer details of design here, so that's to be expected And hey, MD is mature now (as far as basic design goes). Would be good to see more differentiation. And choice. Did I mention choice?

[theblueraja]

What really bothers me is how they don't SELL any of those non-gloss Sony slip sleeves separately!!

I'd be all over them if they did.

[poe]

Minidisc Access doesn't sell the colored flip cases anymore, I would really love to get ahold of them. I'm kinda of partial to the flip cases now, ironically I hate them for CDs, I just need to get around to ordering some. Of the ones I have now I favor the old clear front with the minimal grab cutouts and I really hate these new frosted semisoft sleeves, looks wise that is I like that they are less fragile.

I think that the first (grey, purple) HIMDs were in fashion with the minidisc units that came out with it. Exception being maybe the NH1 didn't quite fit in there, but they really go well with my NH600D though. I have to say that I still prefer the new clear blue HIMDs better though.

I seen where someone here or at the Audio TBoard switched out a HIMD into a regular MD, I really want to try this. I just want to get a fancy MD to try it with say like the ones with the airbrush graphics avaible from Minidisco. I just want to really make it worth the effort.POE

[SocDoc]

granted, i'm not as much into the asthetic of the disc as i am the quality/longevity so i'll bow out of that part of the thread but i just thought i'd pass on that the classic blues are available for US$3.99 over at musiciansfriend.com and they give free shipping on orders over US$99. i've never bought from them but the shop appears decent enough (and about 2 bucks cheaper than others).