MD media/discs

[maia]

Hello!

I've never jumped on the Hi-MD wagon mostly because Sony ditched Hi-MD on the decks. I'm a happy MD user with both a Recording Portable and a Deck. I plan on keeping both of the units, specially the Deck. I could probably add a used NetMD unit and maybe a Portable Player.

Anyway, my concern is about MD media. Will media simply disappear as is MD hardware disappearing? Will Sony discontinue disk production? What about the other brands? I'd love to continue using this format at home at least. Hell, VHS tapes are still around, I hope MDs will be for a loooonng time as well.

Best regards.

[brian10161]

Well from what I've seen around my area (I'm in the GTA of Canada) and it's getting hard to find MD's. I just got 2 packs of 5 MD's for Christmas and I actually intend on buying quite a few more before MD does go under. I really like having my MD unit mainly because the sound quality is amazing compared to MP3's and stuff, so I would much rather have my MD unit.

You can still get Minidiscs online though, there's still a lot of websites that have them. I don't buy anything online so thats why it's really hard for me to find MDs.

[ILoveMinidisc]

as previous stated Fuji (Axia in japan) has discontiued Minidisc media

and Other have heavely reduced Minidisc blanks to just around 3 models (like Tdk and maxell did recently)

now we talking about the japanesee marked.

Recently i got a confirmation from Fuji in japan that they will continue with Fuji MD in europe

but stop with them in japan.

I also got an email from HHB UK that HHB will continue with MD in 2007 and in the future.

VICTOR Japan by email told me They will continue with Minidisc blanks and release new minidisc in 2007

(Not sure if this change if Kenwood buyup jvc-victor )

Sony refuses to answer question about future so what Sony will do is a Mystery.

Tdk keep reducing the Minidisc line to their latest products but are still producing md.

From what i know this are the MD still in production

Japan:

- Aeon:TOPVALU (Not sure but think Aeon stores in japan still sell Topvalu MD for japanesee marked)

- Avox/primemedia (Acording primemedia AVOX Md will be sold and primemedia will be named avox later on)

- DAISO (Daiso 100yen stores still produce Daiso minidisc but fewer)

- VICTOR/JVC japan (Victor still produce minidisc)

- MAXELL JAPAN (still produce Minidisc)

-Panasonic (has some old-school Md blanks that they refuse to discontinue)

-SONY (has many minidisc blanks)

-TDK (Tdk stills sells many nice looking Minidisc like HO and WA)

Mostly is Maxell, Sony and TDK minidisc being sold in Japan

Europe:

Aiwa blanks (Sold in austria quite limited not sure if still produced)

BESTMEDIA (sold mainly in germany when stock is out it will be discontinued)

FUJI (Fuji Europe still produce Minidisc but they are old school, Fuji europe will continue with Minidisc)

HHB (HHB in uk will continue with Minidisc)

JVC (Rare this days but in countries like Spain or France still avaible)

LASER (Still avaible they are from australia)

MAXELL (Maxell europe still do Minidisc here in europe, Euro-twinkle is the one being sold)

-SONY (Still has Minidisc in europe)

-TDK (Has Euro-ho color minidisc in europe still producing)

- TNB France (STill produce Minidisc)

Mostly is Sony and TDK mindisc being sold in Europe

Usa:

MEMOREX: the one selling most MD in usa apart of Sony (still producing acording website)

SONY: Sony still sell md blanks in usa

NASHUA: Nashua still has MD in usa but they are rare.

Probaly mostly Sony or Memorex Minidisc sold in usa.

Taiwan:

RITEK still produce Mindisc

Sunny tech (CANDO shops in Japan still sells this taiwan made Minidisc)

Korea:

SAEHAN (samsung company) still produce Minidisc for Korea and japan

AS you can see there is still Some companies that produce Minidisc.

This list is ofcourse for 2006/2007 and one company can suddenly stop with Minidisc blanks

if is non-profit for them.

I do know atleast that HHB in europe and JVC-Victor in japan for sure will continue with Minidisc

for several years ahead.

but as always decision on a company can always change.

TDK europe use to make their change each year in August

Sony Europe/japan either on Spring or/and Autumn

and Tdk japan on the Winter.

Probaly some of the Marks on the list

will stop producing minidisc in 2007 (special the smale companies)

but i belive big companies like Sony, TDK and even also Maxell

will continue with Minidisc for many years ahead.

As for Hi-md blanks only Sony make them

and i doubt other company will do nowatdays

Edited December 26, 2006 by ILoveMinidisc