March 25, 1999

Sony Launches New MiniDisc Recorder for Downloading Music
From New SkyPerfecTV! Channel

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^TM"¹ interface, the new recorder will be introduced in the Japanese market this June.

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 channel² 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 ATRAC³ (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 VAIO⁵ 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.

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.
Sony's Home Page URL: http://www.sony.co.jp/

Notes: 1	i.LINKTM, a trademark of Sony Corporation, refers to the IEEE1394-1995 specification and related expansion specifications.
2	Services offered on the data broadcast channel may expand in the future.
3	ATRAC (Adaptive Transform Acoustic Coding) is the audio compression technology for music MD.
4	"MDclip Editor" that comes bundled with the early model is not compatible with the "MDclip" feature. Regional customers who purchase the earlier model will receive a CD-ROM in July to upgrade their "MDclip Editor."
5	Only certain VAIO PCs are compatible at this time. Please check which models that are compatible first.
6	"MDclip" is a new optional expansion standard for music MD that expands the buffer area of an MD and enables users to record 2.7MB worth of still images (JPEG) and text data.
7	JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) is the standard compression format for encoding still images.

"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:
Tel: 81-3-5210-3740
Fax: 81-3-5210-3963