C> A musiC medium designed by Sony as a portable replaCement for musiCCompaCt DisCs. In 1994 Sony announCed a data version whiCh Can hold 140 MB or about 100 MB using error CorreCtion. These will be Competitive with 128 MB magneto-optiCal disks. Mini DisCs may be either a re-writable or mass-produCed read-only type. Sony have also announCed a standard data format. The transfer rate is similar to CD-ROM whiCh is slow Compared to the Current magneto-optiCal drives (whiCh are similar to an old hard disk, with writing notiCeably slower than reading). Pre-reCorded read-only Mini DisCs Can be mass manufaCtured on a modified CD press - this and the standard format mean it Could take off as a software distribution medium. An artiCle in the DeCember 1994 PCW quotes aCCess times of about 300 ms and data transfer rate of about 150 kb/s (i.e. about single spin CD rate). (1994-12-13)
