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March 25, 1999
Tokyo, Japan - Sony Corporation today announced plans to launch a MiniDisc player/recorder, model name [MDS-DL1], that can download music distributed over SkyPerfecTV!, a Communication Satellite (CS) digital broadcasting service in Japan. Equipped with an "i.LINK&trade"*1 interface, the new recorder will be introduced in the Japanese market this June.
| Model | Introduction Date | MSRP* | Initial Production |
|---|---|---|---|
| MD Player/Recorder [MDS-DL1] | June 21, 1999 (in Japan) | 59,000 yen | 2,500 units per month |
By connecting the MiniDisc recorder to the [DST-MS9] CS digital broadcasting receiver via "i.LINK", SkyPerfecTV! subscribers can download music from a new data broadcast channel*2 called "MusicLink," which begins transmission in Japan this May. The DST-MS9 receiver will be available in Japan May 20. (For further details, please refer to a separate press release issued today on the DST-MS9 receiver.)
Because music is distributed in ATRAC*3 (Adaptive Transform Acoustic Coding) compressed format, and transferred at high speed to the MD recorder through the "i.LINK" interface, recording time is a quarter of the normal recording time. In addition, by installing "MDclip Editor"*4 on a personal computer, such as a VAIO*5 PC equipped with an "i.LINK" interface, users can operate the MD recorder through a computer. Furthermore, because the recorder complies with the "MDclip"*6 standard, users can add still images (JPEG)*7 and text data on the MD and view them on a PC monitor.
The MDS-DL1 recorder employs basic MD features to produce high level sound quality. These include an ATRAC "Type-R" digital signal processor, which enables users to record music in a quality that is close to the source, and wide bit stream technology that records and plays music in a 20-bit dynamic range. The MDS-DL1 model has a compact design, with a width of 150mm.
1. Equipped with two "i.LINK" interfaces, allowing users to connect it with a CS digital broadcast receiver, model [DST-MS9], and a personal computer
Connecting the MD recorder to the CS digital broadcast receiver:
By connecting the MD recorder and the receiver via "i.LINK", users can download music from "MusicLink," a new data broadcast channel that will be offered by SkyPerfecTV! from this May. Because music is distributed in ATRAC compressed format and transferred at high speed to the MD recorder through i.LINK, recording time is a quarter of the normal recording time.
By installing "MDclip Editor" on a computer such as a VAIO PC equipped with i.LINK port, users can operate the MD recorder through their PC.
In addition, since the MDS-DL1 model complies with the "MDclip" optional expansion standard for music MD, users can add still images (JPEG) and text data on their MD with the use of "MDclip Editor." Users can also program these images and text to appear in sync with the music and view them on a computer monitor.
"MDclip" is a new optional expansion standard for music MD that expands the buffer area of a music MD. This enables users to record 2.7MB worth of still images (JPEG) and text data on their MD, without affecting the quality of the recording or space for music. These images and text can be programmed so that they appear with certain tracks.
ATRAC "TYPE-R" digital signal processor: In addition to improved calculation precision, by re-analyzing music data and reallocating bits, high quality music recording is possible.
Wide bit stream: Through 24-bit input and output, expanded calculation width and block floating calculation, 20-bit dynamic range recording and playback is achieved.
| Reception format | Magnetic-modulation overwrite format |
| Playback pick-up | Optical pick-up |
| Rotation frequency | Approx. 800rpm to 1800rpm |
| Error Correction format | ACIRC (Advanced Cross Interleave Reed-Solomon Code) |
| Sampling frequency | 44.1kHz |
| Audio compression format | ATRAC (Adaptive Transform Acoustic Cording) |
| Modulation format | EFM (Eight to Fourteen Modulation) |
| Frequency characteristics | 10Hz to 20,000Hz ±0.3dB |
| S/N ratio | 95dB or more at playback |
| Wow & flutter | Measuring Capacity (±0.001% W. PEAK) or less |
| I/O | i.LINK S200 (four pins) x2 |
| Input | Digital optical (small optics) or analog (stereo mini) x1 |
| Output | Line (stereo mini) x1 Headphone x1 |
| Power supply (voltage) | AC adaptor (DC9V) |
| Power consumption | 5W (when using AC adaptor) |
| External dimensions W/H/D | 150 x 65 x 245 mm |
| Unit weight | Approx. 1.3kg |
| Supplied accessories | AC adaptor (AC-96N) Remote controller (RM-D32M) i.LINK cable Application software "MDclip Editor" |
Sony Corporation is a leading manufacturer of audio, video, communications and information technology products for the consumer and professional markets. Its music, pictures and computer entertainment operations make Sony one of the most comprehensive entertainment companies in the world. Sony recorded consolidated annual sales of over $51 billion for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1998, and it employs approximately 170,000 people worldwide.
"MusicLink" is a data broadcast channel that will be offered in Japan by Digital Media Entertainment Corporation on SkyPerfecTV! For more information on the channel, please contact Digital Media Entertainment Corporation:
