MiniDisc, We Barely Knew You.

It might surprise the average iPod and iPhone user to learn that Sony’s 20 year-old MiniDisc format is was still in production.

That all ended this week, with the announcement that production of the discs has come to a close. And, in fact, sales of Sony’s MiniDisc player range ended in 2011.

While it had its fans here, including myself, the format never really took off in Australia. Of course, if MP3 players didn’t show up, MD would likely have become a household concept.

I adored MiniDisc. As far as portable music tech goes, it felt more to me like ‘the future’ than the iPod ever has.

Of course, that’s thanks mostly to science fiction, especially shows like Seaquest DSV -Jonathan Brandis’ character could always be seen toting an MD-like handheld player.

Those little plastic-encased discs, the clickety clack of the dual-hinged door opening and shutting… loved it.

The recording process sucked before they brought in the faster models, but apart from that… very fond memories.

Goodbye, MiniDisc. We barely knew ye.