Panasonic Players

Features:

• Digital amp.
• Normal, X-bass1, X-bass2, and Train modes can be combined with Surround-1, Surround-2, Surround-3 and unsurrounded modes giving 16 DSP modes in all.
• "Intro-scan" plays first 10 seconds of each track.
• "Favorite-track memory" remembers up to 16 favorite tracks from several MDs (how many?) and unit can be set to play only those.
• Backlit "skinny" design LCD remote.
• "Eco" (economy) mode turns LCD off.
• MDLP and Group mode support.

Variants:

• SJ-MJ18 available in 20 different front panel patterns (limited sales reservation period [16 June - 25 July])
• SJ-MJ17 has "Chess Board" motif front panel with 2 different button layouts.
• Fall 2003 update: Panasonic adds 10 more designs for fall and winter ("ZK11 through ZK20"), sales reservation period: 16 Sep - 8 Dec 2003.

Included Accessories: Backlit LCD remote, earphones, NiMH cell, recharging stand, AA cell battery case, carrying case, instruction manual, warranty card

Links:

• Panasonic SJ-MJ18 page (Japan)
• Panasonic official SJ-MJ18 page.
• Panasonic official SJ-MJ17 page.
• Minidisc T-Station SJ-MJ18 page.
• Minidisc T-Station SJ-MJ17 page.
• Chinese tech news article on the unit.

Specs: headphone amp: 3.5mW+3.5mW

Reviews:

Features: Mind-blowing 193 hour battery life. LED indicator on body shows SP/LP2/LP4 playback mode. Charging cradle with LED indicator. Backlit "one finger" remote with battery level indicator. "Train" setting to reduce headphone noise that disturbs those nearby on the train. S-XBS (2 step bass boost). 1-track/all-track repeat and shuffle play modes. Intro-scan memory playback (plays first few seconds of each song). Couples to Panasonic "MD Network" components for label printing and [analog] audio transfer. Earbuds constructed with anti-bacterial material. Available in silver, blue, pink and yellow.

Links:

• Panasonic's page for the unit (mech. trans.)
• Minidisc T-Station coverage.

Specs: Headphone amp: 3mW+3mW

Reviews:

User Manual: J/E

Features: MDLP and Group function support, compatible with Panasonic's MD Network interconnection system. Anti-shock memory of 160 seconds in LP4 mode. Charging cradle is equipped with speakers. Slot-in loading mechanism with internal LED glow to help disc loading in low light conditions (?). Track scan plays only the first ten seconds of each track.

Links: Panasonic's official Japanese press release (trans) for the SJ-MJ50.

Specs: 3.5mW+3.5mW output.

Reviews:

User Manuals: SJ-MJ50, J

Service Manual: SJ-MJ50

Features: MDLP and Group function support, MD Network compatible. Anti-shock memory of 160 seconds in LP4 mode. Track scan plays only the first ten seconds of each track. Two-level bass boost, magnesium body.

Links: Panasonic's official Japanese press release (translation) for the SJ-MJ90.

Specs: 3.5mW+3.5mW output.

Reviews:

Features: World's longest battery life as of Aug 2001 at up to 147 hours using LP4 and and add-on AA battery. MDLP and Group function support. S-XBS bass boost circuit, Up to 160 Seconds anti shock system, Large Two Line Display 12 X 2, FL Backlit Stick LCD Remote with iterchangeable covers, Charging Stand supplied.

Links: Panasonic's original Japanese press release announcing the SJ-MJ10. AV-Land (UK) posts photos and information on the SJ-MJ10.

Specs: 3.5mW+3.5mW output. Dynamic range: 20Hz-20,000Hz (+0dB~-6dB)

Reviews:

User Manual: J/E

Features: Panasonic's first MDLP unit. World record breaking 104 hour battery life. Power cut alarm signals "pi-pi-pi-pi" for 2 seconds, 3 times, before power goes out.

Announcement commentary: (courtesy Leon) Audio section has identical spec to all Panasonic portables since the MR200 (3.5+3.5mW, 2-step S-XBS). Size is identical to the earlier MJ80 (12.7mm thick). Like the MJ80, it is possible to attach a hand strap to the MJ78. The MJ78 also has "smart change" (draws in disc when the lid is pushed closed, and one-touch eject). It seems that the MJ78 doesn't come with the charging stand - the specs say you need a separate adaptor in order to use AC power.

Links: Panasonic's Japanese press release for the unit (machine translation).

Specs: 3.5+3.5mW headphone amp.

Reviews:

User Manual: J

Features: Not MDLP compatible. 2-step bass boost, 40 second anti-shock protection, battery recharged by placing unit in charge stand. Unit includes hand strap. Available in three colors (blue, white, pink).

Links: Panasonic's official Japanese page for the SJ-MJ80 (more details, English translation).

Reviews:

Features: Lightest, smallest, and longest-playing MD portable as of it's release (November 2000). Does not have MDLP compatibility, recharges in charge stand, 40-second anti-shock protection, S-XBS two-level bass boost, audible low-battery alarm,

Links: Panasonic's Japanese press release for the SJ-MJ88. The MD T-Station has a page on the SJ-MJ88.

Reviews:

User Manual: J/E

Service Manual: SJ-MJ88

Features: Redesigned SJ-MJ35 unit. LCD backlit remote (w/ 9 character display, 7.7mm thin), One Push eject, "MD Network" support, Train mode, 2-level bass boost, 20 second anti-shock protection.

Links: Panasonic's official Japanese page for the SJ-MJ33. A second Panasonic Japanese page on the SJ-MJ33.

Reviews:

User Manual: J

Features: World's smallest size (71.3cc) and weight (60g) as of May 2000. Available in silver, blue, white, or red.

Variants: ``Will-MD'' SJ-MW1/2/3 portables are Panasonic SJ-MJ77 variants with frames on their lids so that stickers and photos can be inserted (different from the Panasonic, they come w/o a drycell case).

Links: Panasonic's Japanese announcement (and English machine translation) for this unit. T's MiniDisc Comparison Table has further information and photos on this unit.

Specs: Headphone output of 3.5mW+3.5mw,

Reviews:

User Manual: J

Features: "MD Network" capable. Magnesium alloy body, "Magic Mirror" feature to indicate presence of disk in player, 2-step bass boost, 20-second anti-shock memory.

Links: Panasonic's Japanese announcement for the release of this unit. The T-Station has information on this unit.

Specs: Nickel-Hydrogen battery.

Reviews:

User Manual: J

Features: One of the lightest portable MD players, weighing in at 61g (without battery). Entire unit body made of magnesium alloy, allows title information to be copied from it when coupled to an "MD Network" equipped Panasonic MD deck. 20 second shock memory (according to ZDNews)

Links: A Japanese news announcemnt for this unit. Leon Kuo writes favorable Panasonic SJ-MJ75 review. Tony Wang sends in a substantial Panasonic SJ-MJ75 vs. JVC XM-PX5 comparison gallery. ZDnet discusses the SJ-MJ75 versus an MP3 player.

User Comments: See user comments under the SJ-MJ30 entry.

Reviews:

User Manuals: SJ-MJ75, J

Service Manual: SJ-MJ75

Features: The second release in the Panasonic "Shockwave" line of portable MD players. Has unique headphone design where the standard around-the-head strap is replaced by individual parts which clip to your ears. Made of pure titanium (about four times the hardness of aluminum). Uses previous MD technology, enhanced to reduce weight of the unit by 20% and dimensions by 15%. Unit does not accept external AA cell case.

Links: A Japanese news page announcing the approaching release of the unit. A Japanese press release for the unit. Another Japanese press release for this unit. Minidisco has a rotatable 3-D spinning image of this unit.

Specs: Headphone amp: 13mW+13mW

Reviews:

User Manual: J

Features: Was world's smallest, lightest MD player in January '99 (first player under 100g), employing Panasonic's newly developed thin-type optical pickup. Magnesium alloy body, 8.1mm thick EL back-lit remote. 40 second shock memory. Window on body reflects blue when no disc is inserted, or becomes see through when disc is present (using "magic mirror" technique).

Links:

• Panasonic's Japanese SJ-MJ70 press release.
• Asahi Net summary for the unit, in Japanese.
• MiniDisc World has a review for this unit.
• Sunday Times (UK) has a review for this unit.
• Minidisco has a rotatable 3-D spinning image of this unit.
• MiniDiscussion has collected user reviews for this unit.
• A user writes a comparison review between the Sony MZ-E35 and Panasonic SJ-MJ70.

Specs: Freq. Resp: 20-20kHz +0/-6dB. Headphone amp: 6mW+6mW

Reviews:

User Manual: J

Features: Unusual disc loading mechanism in which top cabinet lifts up during disc insertion and removal (effectively a slot-in/clamshell hybrid). 10 second shock memory. Had world's smallest EL backlit LCD remote (8.1mm) in Oct '98. Remaining battery power indicator function on remote. X-Bass and "train" tone settings. Repeat 1/all, shuffle play modes. Battery life: NiMH gumpack: 12 hr, AAx1: 19 hr, both: 34 hr. Accesories: earbuds, remote, cord-clip, AA cell, battery case, carrying case, battery charger, NiMH cell, NiMH case. Optional accesories: car adapter RP-AK15 (¥3800), DC IN adapter RP-WA10 (¥1500), AC adapter RP-AC11B (¥2700), cassette adapter SH-CDM10A (¥3700). (Note: When using car adapter or AC adapter, the DC IN adapter is necessary).

Links: Panasonic's Japanese announcement with photos. Sankei Japanese announcement of Panasonic's SJ-MJ30 portable player.

Specs: Headphone: 6mW+6mW. Freq. resp: 20-20kHz +0/-6dB

User Comments: I've taken apart my Panasonic MJ30 and MJ75 and was able to dig up some info on the web about the chips I saw. On each of these units, there's a Sanyo chip set (decode-only ATRAC chip and "RF head amp", as listed on press releases), and a Panasonic chip (listed simply as microcomputer). The first Sanyo chip set documented online has ATRAC chip LC89640, and was announced in November 97. The set that has LC89641 was announced in September 98. While the older set consumes 120mW when in use, the newer set only consumes 46mW. These Sanyo chips all incorporate digital bass boost. However, they don't include the DRAM for shock-resistant purposes. Instead, they support external DRAMs. The MJ30 has the LC89641 set. The MJ75, meanwhile, has a LC89642 set. Info about the MJ75's chip was not found online, but it's probably another evolution. The specifications for the microcomputers have also been found. The MJ30 uses MN101C15C, which has RAM 2048(x8bit) and ROM 48K(x8bit). The MJ75 uses MN101C28D, which has RAM 2048(x8bit) and ROM 64K(x8bit). I'd like to mention that the MJ75 takes apart really nicely. Remove the screws that hold the bottom cabinet, then the unit can be split into three parts: bottom cabinet, chassis, top lid + disc holder. No small bits and pieces to worry about. The circuitry/mechanism is also uncluttered, almost elegant. -Leon

The Panasonic NiCd 1.2V 600mAh which came with the UK version of Panasonic SJMJ-75 and the Panasonic NiMH 1.2V 1400mAh that came with the Panasonic SJMJ-70 are compatible with the Sony MZ-R/E900. Both can be recharged on Sony's charger and vice versa. Sony's own NiMH 1.2V 1350mAh battery can be used on Panasonic models and charger. Jon Choo

Reviews:

User Manual: J

Features: Titanium case with rubber protector and buckle lock closure. New headphones with VMSS ("virtual motion sound system") (x-bass like feature). Comes with elastic armband attachment strap. Apparently an evolution of (or internally identical to) SJ-MJ7 design. Battery life: AA alkaline cell: 8hr, NiMH rechargeable: 6hr, both together: 15hr. 15mw+15mw headphone amp. EL backlit LCD on remote. Included accessories: phones, AA cell, AA battery case, NiMH gumpack rechargeable battery, rechargeable battery case, NiMH battery charger, and carrying case.

Links: Panasonic's Japanese page for this unit. A Japanese page covering the Panasonic SJ-SW9MD portable MD player.

Reviews:

Features: Panasonic's first MD player. Player is ``MD Jacket'' size and the thickness of 2 MD cases stacked together. Magnesium case. EL backlit LCD on remote and main body lights up for 3 seconds when buttons are operated (up to 10 seconds when disc and track name are scrolled), displaying up to 10 characters with a 60 degree viewing angle. Cross shaped control key allows one finger operation. Skip, search, track select controls on remote and main unit. Repeat mode, random play mode, and bass boost on remote. "Inside phone" ear buds with flexible joint. Playback time 6 hours on NiMH gumpack rechargeable, 8 hours on AA cell, 15 hours on AA and rechargeable together. Included accessories: phones, AA cell, AA battery case, NiMH gumpack rechargeable battery and NiMH battery charger, carrying case. Headphone amp: 10mw + 10mw.

Links: Panasonic's English SJ-MJ7 page. Cosmo's Japanese announcement of this unit. Panasonic's official page for this unit. Peter Cho's brief review of the Panasonic SJ-MJ7. Tom Kroh's brief review of the unit. Tony Wang contributes a helpful Panasonic SJ-MJ75 player review.

Comments: The MJ5 has a matt finish front, similar to the Sony MZ-E30/E35. The MJ7 has a special finish, made by engraving many narrow concentric grooves (some frying pans have this circular groove design on their bottom), then coating it. However, having the MJ7 I wish I'd gone for the MJ5, as the coating is now a mass of scratches and dull patches (despite keeping the MJ7 in the protective neoprene bag). It looks like someone's been ice skating on it! The back of the MJ7 is the 'matt' style finish (same as the MJ5 I'd guess). -Martin Clinton

Reviews:

User Manual: J

Reviews:

User Manual: J/E

Service Manual: SJ-MJ55

Reviews:

User Manual: J/E