Too Many Minidisc Machines - Mega Unwrapping
There’s an old phrase - ‘You can’t make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear.’ However I think I may have managed to make a very small purse out of a very big ear.
A couple of weeks ago I mentioned that I’d imported a random bundle of untested Minidisc players from Japan. Naturally, like myself, many were curious to see what exactly I’d bought.
I had one big concern about making an ‘unboxing’ video though - I thought that watching someone unwrap and talk about dozens of similar items might not make for the most riveting content.
After editing it together - I realised my my concern was justified. The video was well over an hour long and takes ‘niche interest’ to a whole new level.
In order to rescue things I decided to do a hatchet job and edit out as much as I could.
I then ended up with a 2min 41sec version. While that’s a bit silly - I prefer this one to the original.
So in an attempt to keep everyone happy - there’s now a choice. A choose your own adventure, from a video that’s far too short or one that’s way too long.
The abridged version is embedded and linked to above, while the Version Longue - Un-specially extended Directors Cut is available from the youtube video description or via this link: https://youtu.be/RPWkrwvAT0M
Comments (126)
This is what brought me here!! did you ever do a follow up on this? also the big green plugged sony remotes were for the Cassette walkmans and can be quite expensive to replace, do you still have any of them for sale? I'm mainly interested in the headphone remotes... broken ones will do.. :D
I haven’t done a follow up - I’m not sure what I’d do in it other than doing the same thing again. I do still have those remotes. When I find them again I’ll send you a picture and you can tell me which one you’re in need of.
I'm looking to buy a rh1 and a deck with keyboard input. Omg they are expensive and hard to find something 240v. I'm bidding on one via buyee
That was fun! 😀
I watched the short one, then started the long one expecting to only watch a bit but couldn't stop. It was very soothing, and the perfect lockdown hangover cure!
Mat - I watched the video (almost) in it's entirety when first posted to Patreon but predictably, fell asleep about 2/3 of the way through. To be taken as a compliment really, since your videos have soothed me to sleep through some really difficult times. Anyhow. I've just sat down properly to watch following the YouTube upload a couple of days ago. It's a really great video and massively interesting on all sorts of levels. Apart from anything else your comment about the designers "last flourish" (for want of a better description) really hits home. Even though there are some skanky/janky units there and possibly the bottom of the barrel what really shines through is that each and every machine there is wonderful and aesthetically pleasing in it's own right - whether scuffed or otherwise. As you allude to - each one probably tells it's own story, lost or otherwise. Particularly loved the coda to the video where the content of some of the discs was revealed. I did wonder half way through whether there'd be a follow up revealing the contents..but my curiosity was more than satiated. Also, it has to be said that Panasonic seemed to have made some lovely devices. My experience of MD portables was mainly Sony so it's great to see others. Overall - a great overview of MD players and a collection that the National Science and Media Museum would surely pay more than a pony for unless you plan on stashing them under the mattress. (and no I don't work for them, but it occurred to me that a large collection of junk would be right up their street!) Thanks very much for not at all wasting 73 minutes of my time. I'm just off to record the audio to MD - to be labelled "Insomnia" - so kind of you to keep it to one disc ha ha!!
I’m glad you liked it - there are more than a few technical issues with the video - but it seems to have generally been surprisingly well received. I think despite the abridged version being less liked, it 100% achieved the aim of preventing the usual barrage of complaints about videos being too long. It was a deliberate failure - to protect the main one, like a video crumple zone. I think it’s a tactic I’ll employ again.
This is the video that made me sign up for patreon, simply because I believe that I know what device that dock is for; the Sony MZ-E810SP
You're right it is - a couple of people have mentioned this, but unfortunately the dock and 810SP were sold as a bundle, so there aren't many loose players around. It's not a concern though as I've got more than enough devices without having the complete set for this one. Thanks for signing up and I hope you hang around.
I can't believe I watched the whole thing... But it made me finally click the Patreon link and start sponsoring! Really enjoy Mat's content. The dry English wit always keeps me coming back for more.
Thanks for joining - now that you're here there's a lot more where that came from, often just as rambling.
I like long vids like this, I did this a few times with PDAs, kind of similar result although more worked than didn't but the condition was very similar to your results.
Enjoying long version, it's like a driving force, I have to know what you have, if I don't see every single one of these players I won't be satisfied haha
It was a wonderful video. The hour and 13 minutes actually flew by despite your unusually doubtful outro. Having only owned US Sony MD units, it was a pleasure to see all the stylish models.
Great Video, that mystery Panasonic remote is actually from a cassette player - namely the RQ-SX 75, a fantastic piece of engineering that happened to be thin enough to fit into the pocket of a school blazer entirely without being detected by a teacher,.
This was a fun video. Lots of neat things to see. 😀
That was hilarious, great stuff Mat.
Mat, thanks so much for the video. I know it felt like it took forever for you, but I think for a lot of people who like me are stuck at home, it felt like having a friend over. Great stuff, as always. One thing about that weird one without buttons. It seems to have a lid on the side opposite to the battery, separate from the disc tray lid. Maybe the final cut just didn't show you opening it, but I had a strong hunch it could have had the controls hidden there?
It’s a Sharp MD-S10, the controls are only on the remote - here’s a listing for it on Minidisc.org http://www.minidisc.org/part_Sharp_MD-S10.html
Just going to add my likely devalued two cents, but like many others I too enjoyed the long video. It felt more like a video podcast or hanging out, and it was a lot of fun. If they're not terribly consuming on your end, I'd love to see more :)
Per minute the longer videos take considerably less time to make than the shorter ones - if that makes any sense. I can spend a week on a ten minute video, but a one hour one might only take two days. That said though, there’s got to be something that’s worth talking about for an hour...that’s the big sticking point on making more of them.
Keep the longer videos coming! It’s like hanging out with an old friend after a long day of work. 👍
Sorry to be late to the party, but I figure I'd let you know about a "neat trick" (it's not a trick, but hopefully it's at least neat). Katakana is a Japanese character set that is typically used for foreign words. So some things are legible to me not knowing enough Japanese for any real purpose. Whether or not this tip is just generated because of the internal screaming when you described one of the funnier shaped batteries to likely be some NiCad when the thing said リチウムイオン which is "ri chi u mu i o n" - literally is "lithium ion". Not that learning it is a quick thing, but it can add some context and maybe make sense of an otherwise incomprehensible blur :P
I am reliably informed that the hand written label on the minidisc says the following: His orchestra 1 Better not to do Volume 2 Songs collection
Hey Mat, in case you weren't aware CD rental was (and is to some extent) very common in Japan. It was very normal to rent a CD for a few hundred yen rather than pay 2000-3000+yen, then just dub it over to an MD at home. And it was all legal, MDs were even sold in rental shops, the CDs for rent had a licensing fee attached to them. This is likely the main reason they were so much more successful in Japan than anywhere else, the whole music ecosystem was set up for copying music, and getting pretty close to perfect copies of them made a lot of sense.
It’s mentioned somewhere in the long version of the video - where, I can’t say...but it’s in there. It was also one of the issues that was making Stanley Gortikov lose his mind over DAT - https://youtu.be/F4K1QKKPX_g?t=254 Minidisc also failed in the US because of the pressure from the RIAA to bury it. Many people in the US just thought it was just market apathy that sealed the fate of the Minidisc over there. But they never stop to consider why MD was a success in the UK - a roughly similar music landscape, The difference was that in the UK the Government wasn’t being lobbied by the recording industry to shut down and kill off the technology. The RIAA killed any chance of DAT, DCC and MD being a success in the US. They didn’t want recordable CDs either - but couldn’t control the PC side of that. However home CD audio recorders were also feared and buried.
Came here after I heard your "crime scene/corpse minidisc players" comment. I love your sense of humor. Since I probably won't be able to have a drink at the pub, you talking for an hour is a great alternative. So obviously I've signed up for the long one. Thanks again for making it available, and for all these fun videos.
Well thanks for signing up, it’s appreciated. Both versions of the video will be available to all and sundry on Saturday...I just thought with it being such a long video, not many people will have the spare time mid-week.
Are you planning to release both of these for the great unwashed? I can see the usual Statler and Waldorf brigade "THIS VIDIO IS TO SHORT U SUK" and "THIS VIDIO IS TO LONG I DUNT HAVE THE TIME 2 WACH IT ALL" . No pleasing them whatever you do...
It’s being released in the same way as here - the short one will go into the subscriber feed and the long one will be in the links. In fact it’s all set up and ready to go - the information is in the video descriptions of both, but I’ll put it out on Saturday.
I always love your replies to negative youtube comments!
Mat - the 73 minutes version was totally awesome. As some others have said - making this 74 minutes would have been totally MD appropriate. I know you think the quality of this one was rubbish - but I found myself genuinely rooting for you and laughing out loud every time you stuck a battery in a player to see if it would work and also when you found the mystery discs inside of some players. The suspense and resulting humor was great! You definitely nailed this. It was a huge amount of fun to watch. It was also fascinating to see the number of cool and different players in the bundle - working or not. Thanks for sharing the experience with us.
Thanks - you’re very kind.
I very much enjoyed the long version! So thank you for posting it, it was very entertaining all the way through. Since we can’t be out visiting thrift stores this was the next best thing, and much easier on the wallet! Some of those designs are very nice. I like the 70s/80s look of the orange Panasonic unit. I’ll have to see if I can spot the model number of it. I also spotted a familiar Kenwood model (silver with a cut out / stripe on the left), I actually picked up that model while thrifting in Japan, with its matching speaker dock Very interesting you got two matching pieces between lots, what are the odds of that? Take care and thanks for the lovely MD video.
Mostly I now really want to listen to the MDs you found in the units.
Yep, loved the long version. Carried me all the way through the washing-up (including my new ‘The Moans’ mug) and into bed. Thanks!
I liked both versions. The short one worked as a great trailer for the long one! I had a Sony MZR30 when they came out and was great for taking on holiday with a small speaker for the room. Not sure what happened to it but it stopped charging the battery which I believe was a common fault.
Hi Mat, I enjoyed the long version! I've never owned a Minidisc player myself, but I've always been fascinated by their function and how small they got towards the end. And even if it didn't pay off in terms of value for money, we Patreons are grateful for your videos... or else we wouldn't be here. I hope it pays off for you in the end. Thanks for the long journey together, maybe there will be a video about a player reprocessing. Would be nice... :)
I think I may take another look at a few of the models that looked smart but didn’t work, just to satisfy my own curiosity as to whether a poke around inside with a cotton bud and some IPA or grease would help. It can’t make things worse.
Finally set aside 73 minutes to watch this. Mat could read the telephone directory and I'd still sit through it. I'm talking as someone who sat through all of that review of 2018 in one go!
So many different designs. I was thinking that the coolest dozen would look nice hanging on the wall, glued into a shadowbox in a 3x4 grid.
That definitely seems to be the way to go with them.
I enjoyed the long version better than the short, but the short was fun too. I like exploring the differences in similar objects and that was what the long video was all about. Also your voice is a great narration voice in the style of Micheal Palin. (That is meant to be a compliment and not sarcastic). Somethings are rubbish and you call 'em as you see 'em as we say in the USA. Now if you could bulk buy 20 different Tefifon players I would definitely watch that video!
I'm sure you've already solved it, but in case you haven't! I recognized that Sony Speaker System dock you had, and immediately sent a screenshot to a friend who told me it matched the one he has for his MZ-E810SP player! Apparently at the shops in Japan when he visited they had them in half a dozen colors or so, and the quality is top notch! He told me he would take the entire speaker with player docked inside to work ( as you could listen to it with headphones, even whilst docked ) and then use it to listen at his desk after-hours once his floor-mates had left. Neat find!
Thanks for the info. Unfortunately all the models I can find at the moment come with the speakers included and they’ll only ship speakers by ‘Special Parcel Services’ - so I’ll keep my eye open for a loose player.
It's interesting to see the ones with optical connections. I have an old (well, 1997) Sony Hi-Fi that supports an optical connection to a Minidisc deck but I've never used it. The manual indicates that either digital or analogue recording from a CD is possible, though digital recording was apparently not available on US models, presumably thanks to the US recording industry.
An hour long version? Must be Christmas. Great as always, Mat.
Went straight to the long video. I liked some designs even if the players did not work. What model is that Fujitsu mp3? and dit it work in the end after you found the remote?
I’m out in the back garden so can’t look at the moment - it doesn’t power on and uses a proprietary connector. However it does still have two SD cards in, but I haven’t examined them yet.
Three things I've learnt from this, Mat: (1) You're a jerk! (2) Don't ever study English (3) Don't touch your face!
Today someone posted ‘You’re Gay’ under the latest video. It’s a bit late in life to find this out.
Hmm... a choice of a long or short version of one of Matt's videos; long version always! Thanks for giving us the choice. Never underestimate the appeal of what you may consider one of your rambles, they are always entertaining!
I watched the full version earlier: great stuff! For lots of those, you can see why they weren't sold outside of Japan: they seem to like 'cutesy' things which look a bit girly and/or naff to western eyes. I think you did the right thing bidding on the lower-priced lot though. I reckon with the more expensive lots you'd possibly get higher spec models but no better a ratio of duds-to-goods, unless they've sorted them that way? On an entirely different note: did you get that orange-handled knife in Lidl or Aldi perchance?
I’m not sure. I thought I’d bought it at a DIY shop.
Holy crap ... a Techmoan unboxing video that runs for about the same length as a CD *and* an extra long video from Bad Obsession Motorsport dropping within an hour of each other? What a time to be alive.
Sat through the long form and absolutely loved it! Classic Moan!
Looking at the Patreon credits, I had no idea there were so many Matthews on there. But, as I'm sure you well know, it was one of the most popular names in the early/mid 1970s. Pretty much your audience.
Either that or Matthews are particularly generous people. Not a single Elon on the list.
Please please gimme the 10 hour version of the unboxing including samples of each, I am game LOL content match be dammed!
Obviously I went straight for the long one! This may just be the lockdown isolation talking, but it was a nice cosy one, like sitting with a mate going through the bags and having a chuckle at it all - it's a really good format. I know you were only joking when you asked if anyone wanted a broken MD player, but that blue 3D effect Victor machine from the second bag really caught my eye, if you need to make space around the house I'd gladly buy it from you. I've been a viewer long enough to know you don't generally do that, but this time you did offer, and shy bairns get nowt!
Maybe when it’s safe to leave the house I’ll figure out a way to get a few of these to patrons. However please don’t hold your breath on that - I can’t see anything happening until 2021.
Mat, you took us on a long, fun ride--Thanks!
Thanks for editing the long video down to a shorter version. Now I have two videos to watch! Just kidding. Thanks for posting! That must have been a crapload of work to edit.
This one was surprisingly easy. The different colours and designs of machines helped immensely, Every time I saw a new machine in the video thumbnail, I made an edit. Took a day to do.
Moving on to the longer version, but the highly caffeinated short-attention-span edition was delightful...for reasons I couldn't explain. It made my day.
Watched every minute. Not a single one with an ugly AA battery bulge that a lot of the later cheaper portables had. Was that not a thing in Japan, or did only Sony do it?
Most of these could accommodate a AA battery pack - like the Sony models.
For the record, I watched the entire full length video and I really enjoyed it. It was like watching a treasure hunt. I was pulling for you to get a few gems out of the lot. I am sure some people enjoyed the short version but I came for the whole Techmoan experience. No really, it was fun and thanks for posting the full video ( I appreciate the MD format, so that helps).
Loving the long video, Mat. You mention your amusing plan to gift a MD player if you were ID'd by a fan. Just out of interest: have you ever been stopped by a viewer on the street?
I din't know that so many companies made Minidisc. It makes me wonder if Sony had committed so much money to the format that they may have made Minidisc machines for other companies. This happened with El-cassette and you saw many companies selling machines made by Sony and just marginally restyled. Sony used to own Aiwa and often used the as a signpost to the market. Good information Matt. I don't mind the longer version.
Given that Sony ones seem to be the only ones to last I doubt they were manufacturing for the others.
Personally I can never have enough of a Mat ramble, so thank you for the directors cut!
Just had to... podcast version on appropriate device anyone? 😁 https://youtu.be/70nN3QQLGSI
This video inspired me to dig out my old JVC player, which I didn't see among your freshly imported MD player graveyard. Unfortunately, it belongs there. I only have one disc anymore, but it's pre-recorded, and it'll only play the first track. Those Victor/JVC players really were garbage I guess.
I’m guessing they got a batch of lasers with a very limited life.
It's so disappointing, that only one of the Victor ones is working. They looked so cool, I almost wanted to get one of them. But I must not get another one. I have already 3 Sony MZ-N710, 2 of them was sold as parts only, all of them working, but only one works with gumstick, the others' battery door aren't closing well, and only have one AA battery cradle. This model doesn't looks like those you unpacked, but already owning 3 working NetMD recorder is enough reason to not buy another stylish one. Especially when working non-MDLP players usually costs twice as much with the shipping price as the device without the shipping cost.
I enjoyed the long version a lot, time flew by.
Watched the directors cut, not a minute too long!
This wasn't too long Mat, really enjoyed seeing all the different designs👍💽
Of course I watched the long version, the English humour is good for me ;-) I'll stick with my Sony MZ-R501 recorder, although I mostly use it as something to play with when I watch YouTube videos, because it's lying on my desk... (no remote to open the battery lid, get out the batteries, put the batteries back, close the battery lid again...)
Heh, long version has more views than the short one, that's how it should be! Watched it while... browsing Japanese MD auctions 😂 Have my eyes on a couple of interesting lots, will try Jauce this time if it goes through, I've used aleado before but for 3kg they'd be 1.5x more expensive in shipping, and jauce is just more convenient with a watchlist etc... A few really nice units you've got there, and interesting that Sonys are basically the only ones to stand the test of time!
Hahah.. Yeah, that was definitely too short. There were several times you said something and I was like "Wait, what?" but then it moved on. For example, the one that you said "this isn't even a minidisc player". I was like "Well, what is it, then?!"
You need to watch the "Extended Version" with 70 minutes of never-before-seen footage.
Having worked on a fair few mini disk repairs in my time I bet a fair few ( providing they look good) would come to life after a degreased , bit any of the damaged ones , well if it looks like shit it often is
This would be a killer giveaway source for your Patreons :D Just kidding, I'm not wishing anyone the manual labor of sending so many packages one by one, that would be a nightmare. Especially in the current situation.
That red Kenwood looks really modern and attractive and not from 2002. If you would ask me what is was from a distance, I would say it was a portable HDD or SSD. Quite ahead of its time.
I'm sorry, Mat, but I watched the long version and enjoyed it. The very end might have been the best part but you really have to watch it all to "get" the end. I admit, I had the thought of "well, you know, you could take the best of them and eBay them. And someone may need parts so you could even sell the broken ones." Then I snapped out of it.
Just watched the abridged version. It made me smile and reminded me of that famous Marty Feldman Lightning Coach Tours sketch! I'll be watching the full version either later or tomorrow :)
"Everybody back on the coach!" "Wait for me!"
Love the short edit, now on to the MaxiMiniDiscMoment!
I'm saving the long version for a drink later. That's how I rock on a Friday night.
The 2020 version of a 1990s rave in a warehouse.
Curious if there’s anything interesting on the MDs you found? Bit of a time capsule.
Watch the long video, he talks about the MD content in the end.
Under a corpse at a crime scene. Classic!
I totally enjoyed the long version. I like the fact that I didn't have to spend any money but got to look at a whole bunch of players. You do make me laugh. Thanks.
P.S. It's very well edited actually.
It's always easier to take things out.
That was brilliant, with several genuine LOLs. "That one looks like it was found under a corpse at a crime scene". One of your best lines ever, Mat! I might watch the long version but this was so good, I might just leave it at that. I predict this one will go viral.
I'm almost through the 72-min version. It was a nice diversion, actually. And I believe you accidentally stumbled on a little nugget of MD ephemera... "Daiso" is a discount store chain, basically Japanese Poundland! A little bit surprising to see that they had a store brand of disc. I wish copyright matches weren't a thing, because I think Techmoan Discovers Mid-2000s J-pop would be quite entertaining.
One of the female singers 'Best Of' albums ( I think it was Kumi Koda) sounded very good from the small sample I’ve listened too. I plan to listen to the whole thing soon.
Maybe it's intentional, but it seems like the FAQ in the description of the Abridged version is talking about the long version. In general this sentence: I only put the notification on the abridged version, this one is linked to from that.
Thanks for spotting that - one copy and paste too many.
Like others ... started on the short and within 10s realized I want the long one; just have to find an hour now :)
Post the short video on YouTube and link to the longer one in comments? People who aren’t the target audience will watch short while enthusiasts get the full meal. Even though the format wasn’t successful, I still remember getting my Sony MZ-R3 in Akihabara and loving it. Still in my drawer (I’m sure it works, though it’s gathering dust in the zip case)
Yes, that’s exactly what I’m doing. Hopefully this will generate less complaints than just the full length version on its own.
Hour and 12 minutes of Techmoan? Is this heaven?
I think it might be the other place.
Finally! The feature lengths minidisk video I was looking for!! Cheers Mat!
Great video look forward to settling down with long version later.
Amazing to see the diversity of designs, even if just differences in visual appearance, produced by the Japanese consumer electronics world of that era. Especially when compared to things like phones and laptops today - I bought a new MacBook Pro, to replace a 7 year old one, and at first glance could barely tell them apart. As always, thanks Mat!
2 months into a quarantine and a 73 minute unboxing video is equal to an Academy Award Winner for Best Picture of the Year.
Do not underestimate the value of a 73-minute long video of a man unwrapping an assortment of MD players. That sounds like something I'd be looking forward to watch under any kind of circumstances, but even more so during the current ones :D
If it had been 74 minutes it would have been more appropriate.
Love the teaser video and since I have some extra time on my hands will be viewing the full video later today. Still love my minidisc and was amazed to see the variety of manufacturers products still out there.
Dr. Techmoan, MD.
™MD
That was properly funny. I don't know why, but I couldn't stop laughing.
Thank you for adding the long version. As I was reading your description I was just hoping you’d say both versions were available. I have no interest in a 2 min techmoan video and I’d watch a 10 disc box set of techmoan videos, and pay for them. Saving this for tomorrow morning as I drink my coffee. Can’t wait. Thank you as always for your hard work, if my financial contributions don’t remind you of that I hope this comment does!
No, thank you for enabling this nonsense to continue. The long version is definitely to be saved for an occasion when there's nothing else left to do.
Hahaha... that was a fun one! I actually have time to make dinner now! (Also.. are there any more MD players out there now that you bought the whole lot? ^_^)
Thanks to Mat, all that's left in the market are actually the proper Sony ones that actually work. So kudos to him.
Brilliant ! Very entertaining, do let us other MD nerds know if you’re looking to offload any of these units, would also be curious if you found anything interesting on the stowaway Discs :)
There's a section on what was on the discs (and why the discs were still in them) in the overlong version.
Nice editing. Your recycling bin will me interesting this week!
I understand this problem very well :-) But i think that you can make anything interesting, so don't worry!