VDict mobile



storage, music A music medium designed by Sony as a
portable replacement for music Compact Discs. In 1994 Sony
announced a data version which can hold 140 MB or about 100 MB
using error correction. These will be competitive with 128
MB magneto-optical disks. Mini Discs may be either a
re-writable or mass-produced read-only type. Sony have also
announced a standard data format.
The transfer rate is similar to CD-ROM which is slow
compared to the current magneto-optical drives (which are
similar to an old hard disk, with writing noticeably slower
than reading). Pre-recorded read-only Mini Discs can be mass
manufactured on a modified CD press - this and the standard
format mean it could take off as a software distribution
medium.
An article in the December 1994 PCW quotes access times of
about 300 ms and data transfer rate of about 150 kb/s (i.e.
about single spin CD rate).
(1994-12-13)