JVC XM-EX90 manual About MD Mini Disc, Role of the cartridge, Two disc types, Playback-only MD

About MD (Mini Disc)

The MD (Mini Disc) is a new digital audio medium using a disc with a diameter of 64 millimeters. In spite of the small size, the MD has multiple functions, high audio quality and recording/playback capabilities for up to 74 minutes.

Role of the cartridge

Cartridge

Disc

Cartridge

The MD cartridge has a pocket size of 68 mm x 72 mm with a thickness of 5 mm. The cartridge accommodates the 64 mm diameter disc for ease of transportation and storage.

The internal disc is usually protected by the cartridge shells and shutter so no dust, dirt, scratch or fingerprint is left on the disc and the disc handling is easy.

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Shutter

Two disc types

The MD (Mini Disc) includes two disc types, the recordable MD that can be recorded onto and the playback-only MD that can exclusively be played back. Although both types of discs are played in the same way, that is, by irradiating a laser beam on the disc and reading signals from the reflected light, the ways they are recorded are completely different.

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Sound Cruise

Playback-only MD

Playback-only MD

This type of disc is used in prerecorded MD software marketed in music stores. It cannot be recorded by the user and data is recorded in the same way as a CD, i.e. according to the presence or absence of small holes called pits. A disc recorded in this way is referred to as an “optical disc”.

Recordable MD

This type of disc records data using the magnetism to allow repeated data recording operations. A disc recorded in this way is referred to as an “MO (Magneto-Optical) disc”.

Recordable MD

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