1. What are Miyadiscs?

They are normal 80m59s MiniDiscs with a special User Table of Contents ("UTOC") that places every last block of contiguous recordable area on the disc into the free list. Total capacity is 86m28s.
2. Will they work in my machine?

They have limited compatibility. We are using the beta test period to determine how well they work in various machines (watch this page). Generally they do not work past 82 minutes in Sony portables prior to the MZ-R900 series. Wolfgang Buresch, who pioneered this technique, has compiled a [slightly dated] compatibility list.

Machine	Play okay?	Overwrite Record okay?	Erase + Record okay?	Comments
Sharp MD-MS702	Yes			Some strange noises at very end
Sony MZ-R900	Yes	Recording proceeds normally, however the effective recording capacity is not 345 minutes in LP4 but rather closer to 326 minutes	No, free space returns to 80:59 after track delete
Sony Portables prior to MZ-R900 series	No
Aiwa AM-F70 Aiwa AM-F3	Yes	No, unit lacks overwrite-record function	No, free space returns to 80:59 after track delete
Sony MDX-C7900	Yes	N/A		Has some trouble past leadout with fast search forward and reverse
Aiwa XR-MD100	Partial	?		Played to within 1m40s of very end, then stopped
Sony MDS-JE320 Sony MDS-JE500 Sony MDS-JE510 (N. American model)	No	?		Won't play track #3 of beta disc
Sony MDS-JE520	Partial	?		Played track #3 part way through, then stopped
Sony MDS-JE330 Sony MDS-JE530	Yes	?	?
Sony MDS-W1 Sony MDS-JB930	Yes	Yes	No, free space returns to 80:59 after track delete	MDS-JB930 will not time-stamp the Miyadisc
Kenwood DM-5090	Partial	No, unit lacks overwrite-record function	No, free space returns to 80:59 after track delete	Unit hiccupped once during playback of track #3, but completed playing it

These results are based upon experience with the beta disc, (see information for beta testers for a description of the disc).
3. You mention ``unusual mechanical noises'' in your letter to the beta testers. Will these discs damage my machine?

Recording into the area beyond leadout can cause some optical assemblies to be run up against internal stops, or the machine housing. We don't know if this is harmful. Hopefully the beta test period will help us understand this.
4. Will these discs void my machine's warranty?

Unknown at this time. We hope to hear from manufacturers about their policy on these discs.
5. What will the discs cost?

We anticipate the price will be $10 each (including shipping), though somewhat lower if you cannot clone them and need them in quantity.
6. You mean I can clone them?

Yes, if you have a machine capable of TOC cloning. We have no quibble with this, or with giving clones to your friends. Please don't set up a business selling your clones though, we went through considerable effort to make these discs.
7. Which brand 80 minute blanks do you start with?

Various brands. Currently Hi-Space and Sony.
8. How do you make the discs?

With a normal Sony MDH-10 MD Data drive and a special program.
9. How did you figure out the UTOC format?

By experimentation, and frequent glances at Wolfgang Buresch's MiniDisc Secrets and MiniDisc Analyzer pages. We eventually made a page describing the UTOC data structures we found
10. How can I order them?

After the beta test completes, an order form will appear on the Miyadisc Page.
11. I notice the URL for Miyadisc is under the MiniDisc.org page, what's the relationship?

Miyadisc is an experimental business run by Toshi, the MDCP editor's son (albeit with considerable help from his dad).
12. Who's Miya?

The family cat.

[email protected]
 

Return to Miyadisc Home