I have never had a problem with dirt on minidiscs and have been using them since they were hopefully going to replace cassettes. I keep them in their cases (mostly!) or in machines. I can see that the cases aren't sealed and dust can get in, but so far that has not been a problem. The protection of the case and the built in error protection in the players seem to be more than enough to keep things working and not affect the sound. I don't know about HD discs, they must be more sensitiv, I only have three and don't use them because they are not compatible with my minidisc decks, which I use far more than the walkmen player/recorders.
I cleaned the top side of a couple of my minidiscs with a microfibre cloth and it appeared to clean them up really well to a good shine. However, it seems there really is a lubricating layer for the record head to glide over when recording which I appear to have cleaned off. Now when I record on those discs it works but afterwards you can see light scratches going around the disc under a strong light, so the record head must be rubbing the top of the disc a little. Not sure what the long term effect would be to the disc or heads after multiple re-recording due to this wear. Just a heads up if anyone’s thinking of doing this, as is also warned about in the video.
There is a case also for protection, and the disc is not cd it have a plastic over it, the video is how you destroy your md collection with magnet , brush, and knife
Es gibt doch so kleine USB-Staubsauger,oder normaler Staubsauger mit Fugendüsenaufsatz. Für festsitzende Popel : Es gibt Tonkopfreinigungskitts mit gebogenen plastikstielen und Filzaufsatz ,sowie Reinigungsspray.
Hi, I have a Sharp MD-MT20 MiniDisc that has issues recording music onto a MD. 😕 When I try to record music onto a recordable MiniDisc I get errors like "Can't REC" & "DEFECT!". This happens after about 10s of recording. It says then "Writing!" followed by a "READ ERROR". During this I can hear the Read Head going up & down. 😕 Is the Write Head dead perhaps ? I had a look at the MiniDisc & the surface looks fine. I also cleaned the write head & lense of the read head with a cotton cue tip. 😕🙄 Any ideas anyone ? Thanks ! Best Regards,
You can actually crack the case open on the corner and open it without destroying it you just have to use a screwdriver on the opposite end where there’s a groove and just pry on it just a little bit and will pop open and you can slipped a disc right out of it and then use isopropyl alcohol and a micro wipe and clean it that way and then slipped a disc back into the case it’s basically the same way as the older DVD ram disks were in cartridges you can take those discs out as well as the same way just pop it open
Not really. The two parts of a minidisc cartridge are welded together just like the two parts or a compact cassette. wether or not you can pry it open depends on how well it's been welded together and what kind of plastic they used. Some cartridges are a bit thiner or more flexible than others. So sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. As for the DVD-RAM there have been different types and only the type IV DVD-RAM's were designed to be removed from the cartridge.
@@freund333 Well all I can say is I’ve been doing it for years cracking open the mini disc case and opening it up and slipping the disc out you don’t split it in two pieces you just it’s like clamshell it open on the opposite end of where the read protect tab is on the front of the disk where is a slit is in facing forward there is that little Slot where you put a small screwdriver and you can ease pry it open and I’ll pop open like I said I’ve been doing it for years never had any Diskit destroyed or anything like that because I’ve cleaned my discs like that pried open a little bit the disco slip out and then you could put it in a micro soft rag with some isopropyl and polish that thing like new and it’s no joke I’ve been doing it for years because I have a massive collection of md disks just don’t have no pre-recorded ones with albums. And today if you wanna buy one be prepared to shell out a lot of money.😳
@@SuperAgentman007 I have to put some serious doubt on this one. The cartridge of a MD i welted together on all 4 sides. Also there is no READ protect tab on a MD it's a REC protect tab that is preventing you from erasing or recording anything. Also how do you close it afterwards?
@@freund333 Yes they’re normally sonic welded together only the super high end md disks have screws this was for Sony to cut cost on the low cost MDs The only way I do it is I don’t break it completely apart I just crack it open enough to slip the CD out it isn’t damaged the record tab is still in place it’s just enough room so that you’re slipping a disc out of the corner I’ve done this many many of times I’m not trying to trick people on trying it and possibly damaging their MD discs. I’m just saying that’s what I do to clean them as you stated once before dirt does get into them through the opening on the bottom I had mine in a box and Dustin that eventually did get into it and gunked it up it wouldn’t read any of the discs so I had to crack them open the first time I did it I was nervous I didn’t wanna damage it but I studied it looked at ways that I could reach it without wrecking it and you can glue the corner back together but normally I don’t because it’s just basically still held together and sometimes you can get lucky in the corner legs will still be there and they’ll just push right back in but not always. The matter fact I just cleaned one today I wish I could make a video of it but I don’t have a camera that would be suitable to do it. I could take pictures and upload them somewhere to show how it’s done.
@@freund333 do you know how to fix a disc if the TOC is corrupted? The whole album plays if ya hold down fast forward but at normal speed itll play 20 odd secs then stick then ya hold FF and itll play a bit more and again and again can do the same - audio crystal clear just wont play 😢 Its a very important recording i kept safe in a box for over 15 years , i dont know if its recoverable? If i break it open will a CDROM/DVD drive read it like a mini CDR? Thanks for ya help n good videos on cleaning them 💪
Cleaning the top of the disc means nothing since the only laser that is there is the heating laser for recording. If you’re having playback issues then you should clean the back side of the disc since that’s where the playback laser is located
There is no laser on the top of the minidisc. The top needs to be clean because the is where the magnetic record-head touches the disc during the recording process.
@@jimjones5419 yeah but a cotton stick is better and softer to clean a lense. The best way is with air. Look at the photography how they clean a lense. The clean disc has most time only brush to clean
Using a magnet to turn the disc is probably not a good idea when dealing with a recorded MD, the magnet could remove the table of content (TOC) and render it blank.
No it could not because Minidiscs are magneto-optical discs. Nothing on this disc can be erased with a magnet (no matter how strong) as long as there isn't a laser heating up the disc to 185 °C.
@@freund333 the TOC is written on the magnetic strip on the topside close to the center, the optical is on the bottom throughout the entire surface. Music on the bottom data on top.
@@nonyabiz62 Wrong. You don't seem to understand how a magneto-optical disc works. During recording the laser at the bottom is heating up the disc to 185°C. ONLY THIS allows the magnetic head at the top to write the infos AND the music onto the disc. I've been using minidiscs for over 20 years so i know how they work.
@@freund333 so you're saying heat is needed to record magnetic data? The reader head just doesn't read, it also writes, it writes after the digital burn not during. You're probably right, I've only used Minidiscs since it's birth, I have over 400 recorded MDS and 600 nos mds plus I worked at Sony's service center in overland park before it's closure. An MD without toc might as well be blank as no MD player will be able to read. Toc is always written after the digital burn on the top side. Do an edit and it will update the TOC, not the actual recording without engaging the Lazer.
@@nonyabiz62 Yes. Heat is needed to record the magnetic date. And no the optical head or laser doesn't write anything. The writing is only done by the magnetic head. But if you don't believe me you can watch this store demo video that explains in detail how minidiscs work. The part that is important for you starts at 2 minutes and 32 seconds. ruclips.net/video/ITiaGzNpH7o/видео.html
Minidiscs shouldn't get dusty as that what the latch is for to prevent dust entering the enclosure... If you open close the disc all the time without putting it in a player it will get dusty...ive NEVER had a dusty minidisc
A minidisc isn't sealed. There is this hole at the bottom of the disc where the spinner sits. If you store your discs without the case (there are minidisc bags where the discs only fit without the case) you will get dust inside the disc. Some people also let there discs laying around without the case or even worse upside down so that dust can fall inside. Yes you can minimize those problems by keeping the disc inside the cases and only take them out if you want to use them.
freund - THANK YOU SOOOOOO much for this clip. I had no idea MDs could gather dust, opened a disc that I made years ago of a mixtape I made for someone that wouldnt play [TOC ERROR], low and behold, used some ear buds gently, brushed away dust off both dises of the disc and as if by magic, it works perfectly. THANK YOU SOOOOOO !!!
@@freund333 I've just bought my first MD player (Denon DMD-1800AL) and some MD's in those plastic sleeve cases. They skipped badly, so I asked the seller about it. I ruled out laser problems, as it was freshly replaced by a professional. The guy also said that MD's never get dirty, they must be broken. Then I did a quick search and ended up here. Pried the floppy open with a nib, took a cloth and got rid of the dust. It works perfectly now, absolutely no skipping whatsoever. I also found some light spots already there, so they probably got dusty even back in the time their previous owner used to record them. That magnet trick is also pretty dope. Thanks so much! 😊
The latch just protects the surface. Dust can easily get into a minidisc disc. I've been through all mine and the ones that weren't in their protective case all have dust inside. Dust will find itself into almost anything unless it's well sealed.
Genius, you just made me able to clean my beloved Merle Haggard minidisc!
I have never had a problem with dirt on minidiscs and have been using them since they were hopefully going to replace cassettes. I keep them in their cases (mostly!) or in machines. I can see that the cases aren't sealed and dust can get in, but so far that has not been a problem. The protection of the case and the built in error protection in the players seem to be more than enough to keep things working and not affect the sound. I don't know about HD discs, they must be more sensitiv, I only have three and don't use them because they are not compatible with my minidisc decks, which I use far more than the walkmen player/recorders.
I cleaned the top side of a couple of my minidiscs with a microfibre cloth and it appeared to clean them up really well to a good shine. However, it seems there really is a lubricating layer for the record head to glide over when recording which I appear to have cleaned off. Now when I record on those discs it works but afterwards you can see light scratches going around the disc under a strong light, so the record head must be rubbing the top of the disc a little. Not sure what the long term effect would be to the disc or heads after multiple re-recording due to this wear. Just a heads up if anyone’s thinking of doing this, as is also warned about in the video.
round scratches at the top because of dust ... something that I see a lot ... always clean them before you start recording. nice video
Brilliant! Thanks for the tip.
There is a case also for protection, and the disc is not cd it have a plastic over it, the video is how you destroy your md collection with magnet , brush, and knife
Is there a easy way to make minidisc labels
Es gibt doch so kleine USB-Staubsauger,oder normaler Staubsauger mit Fugendüsenaufsatz. Für festsitzende Popel : Es gibt Tonkopfreinigungskitts mit gebogenen plastikstielen und Filzaufsatz ,sowie Reinigungsspray.
Gracias por la ayuda.
Hi,
I have a Sharp MD-MT20 MiniDisc that has issues recording music onto a MD. 😕
When I try to record music onto a recordable MiniDisc I get errors like "Can't REC" & "DEFECT!". This happens after about 10s of recording. It says then "Writing!" followed by a "READ ERROR". During this I can hear the Read Head going up & down. 😕
Is the Write Head dead perhaps ? I had a look at the MiniDisc & the surface looks fine. I also cleaned the write head & lense of the read head with a cotton cue tip. 😕🙄
Any ideas anyone ?
Thanks !
Best Regards,
You can actually crack the case open on the corner and open it without destroying it you just have to use a screwdriver on the opposite end where there’s a groove and just pry on it just a little bit and will pop open and you can slipped a disc right out of it and then use isopropyl alcohol and a micro wipe and clean it that way and then slipped a disc back into the case it’s basically the same way as the older DVD ram disks were in cartridges you can take those discs out as well as the same way just pop it open
Not really. The two parts of a minidisc cartridge are welded together just like the two parts or a compact cassette. wether or not you can pry it open depends on how well it's been welded together and what kind of plastic they used. Some cartridges are a bit thiner or more flexible than others. So sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. As for the DVD-RAM there have been different types and only the type IV DVD-RAM's were designed to be removed from the cartridge.
@@freund333 Well all I can say is I’ve been doing it for years cracking open the mini disc case and opening it up and slipping the disc out you don’t split it in two pieces you just it’s like clamshell it open on the opposite end of where the read protect tab is on the front of the disk where is a slit is in facing forward there is that little Slot where you put a small screwdriver and you can ease pry it open and I’ll pop open like I said I’ve been doing it for years never had any Diskit destroyed or anything like that because I’ve cleaned my discs like that pried open a little bit the disco slip out and then you could put it in a micro soft rag with some isopropyl and polish that thing like new and it’s no joke I’ve been doing it for years because I have a massive collection of md disks just don’t have no pre-recorded ones with albums. And today if you wanna buy one be prepared to shell out a lot of money.😳
@@SuperAgentman007 I have to put some serious doubt on this one. The cartridge of a MD i welted together on all 4 sides. Also there is no READ protect tab on a MD it's a REC protect tab that is preventing you from erasing or recording anything. Also how do you close it afterwards?
@@freund333 Yes they’re normally sonic welded together only the super high end md disks have screws this was for Sony to cut cost on the low cost MDs The only way I do it is I don’t break it completely apart I just crack it open enough to slip the CD out it isn’t damaged the record tab is still in place it’s just enough room so that you’re slipping a disc out of the corner I’ve done this many many of times I’m not trying to trick people on trying it and possibly damaging their MD discs. I’m just saying that’s what I do to clean them as you stated once before dirt does get into them through the opening on the bottom I had mine in a box and Dustin that eventually did get into it and gunked it up it wouldn’t read any of the discs so I had to crack them open the first time I did it I was nervous I didn’t wanna damage it but I studied it looked at ways that I could reach it without wrecking it and you can glue the corner back together but normally I don’t because it’s just basically still held together and sometimes you can get lucky in the corner legs will still be there and they’ll just push right back in but not always. The matter fact I just cleaned one today I wish I could make a video of it but I don’t have a camera that would be suitable to do it. I could take pictures and upload them somewhere to show how it’s done.
Microfiber cloth like you use on eyeglasses
they record on underside of the disc ?
Well the laser on the bottom is heating up the disc and the magnetic head on the top is writing the information.
@@freund333 THX BRO
@@freund333 do you know how to fix a disc if the TOC is corrupted? The whole album plays if ya hold down fast forward but at normal speed itll play 20 odd secs then stick then ya hold FF and itll play a bit more and again and again can do the same - audio crystal clear just wont play 😢
Its a very important recording i kept safe in a box for over 15 years , i dont know if its recoverable?
If i break it open will a CDROM/DVD drive read it like a mini CDR?
Thanks for ya help n good videos on cleaning them 💪
Clever !
Cleaning the top of the disc means nothing since the only laser that is there is the heating laser for recording. If you’re having playback issues then you should clean the back side of the disc since that’s where the playback laser is located
There is no laser on the top of the minidisc. The top needs to be clean because the is where the magnetic record-head touches the disc during the recording process.
Mmh I use since 20 years a glasses cleaning cloth or a lens cleaning tool
@@jimjones5419 yeah but a cotton stick is better and softer to clean a lense.
The best way is with air.
Look at the photography how they clean a lense.
The clean disc has most time only brush to clean
How do I erase a mini disc on a mz n707 r? Thanks
Can't you push the Menu button and select "erase all"?
@@freund333 Hey freund, I just found the instructions manual online, but thanks so much for the response!
How annoying; Is there no way to actually open the case of a Minidisc without destroying it?
Using a magnet to turn the disc is probably not a good idea when dealing with a recorded MD, the magnet could remove the table of content (TOC) and render it blank.
No it could not because Minidiscs are magneto-optical discs. Nothing on this disc can be erased with a magnet (no matter how strong) as long as there isn't a laser heating up the disc to 185 °C.
@@freund333 the TOC is written on the magnetic strip on the topside close to the center, the optical is on the bottom throughout the entire surface. Music on the bottom data on top.
@@nonyabiz62 Wrong. You don't seem to understand how a magneto-optical disc works. During recording the laser at the bottom is heating up the disc to 185°C. ONLY THIS allows the magnetic head at the top to write the infos AND the music onto the disc. I've been using minidiscs for over 20 years so i know how they work.
@@freund333 so you're saying heat is needed to record magnetic data? The reader head just doesn't read, it also writes, it writes after the digital burn not during.
You're probably right, I've only used Minidiscs since it's birth, I have over 400 recorded MDS and 600 nos mds plus I worked at Sony's service center in overland park before it's closure. An MD without toc might as well be blank as no MD player will be able to read. Toc is always written after the digital burn on the top side. Do an edit and it will update the TOC, not the actual recording without engaging the Lazer.
@@nonyabiz62 Yes. Heat is needed to record the magnetic date. And no the optical head or laser doesn't write anything. The writing is only done by the magnetic head. But if you don't believe me you can watch this store demo video that explains in detail how minidiscs work. The part that is important for you starts at 2 minutes and 32 seconds. ruclips.net/video/ITiaGzNpH7o/видео.html
Minidiscs shouldn't get dusty as that what the latch is for to prevent dust entering the enclosure... If you open close the disc all the time without putting it in a player it will get dusty...ive NEVER had a dusty minidisc
A minidisc isn't sealed. There is this hole at the bottom of the disc where the spinner sits. If you store your discs without the case (there are minidisc bags where the discs only fit without the case) you will get dust inside the disc. Some people also let there discs laying around without the case or even worse upside down so that dust can fall inside. Yes you can minimize those problems by keeping the disc inside the cases and only take them out if you want to use them.
freund - THANK YOU SOOOOOO much for this clip. I had no idea MDs could gather dust, opened a disc that I made years ago of a mixtape I made for someone that wouldnt play [TOC ERROR], low and behold, used some ear buds gently, brushed away dust off both dises of the disc and as if by magic, it works perfectly. THANK YOU SOOOOOO !!!
@@freund333 I've just bought my first MD player (Denon DMD-1800AL) and some MD's in those plastic sleeve cases. They skipped badly, so I asked the seller about it. I ruled out laser problems, as it was freshly replaced by a professional. The guy also said that MD's never get dirty, they must be broken. Then I did a quick search and ended up here. Pried the floppy open with a nib, took a cloth and got rid of the dust. It works perfectly now, absolutely no skipping whatsoever. I also found some light spots already there, so they probably got dusty even back in the time their previous owner used to record them. That magnet trick is also pretty dope. Thanks so much! 😊
The latch just protects the surface. Dust can easily get into a minidisc disc. I've been through all mine and the ones that weren't in their protective case all have dust inside. Dust will find itself into almost anything unless it's well sealed.