Feature Comparison Chart for Sony MiniDisc Recorders

Technologies MDS-PC3 MXD-D40 MDS-JE470
Wide Bit Stream Technology 1 x x x
ATRAC Circuitry 2 Type R V. 4.5 Type R
MD Long Play (MDLP) Modes 3 x x x
8X Digital Filter 4 x x x
Hybrid Pulse D/A Converter 5 x x x
A/D Converter 6 24-bit 20-bit 24-bit
Transformer 7 R-Core EI Core EI Core
Off-center Insulator Feet 8     x
Gold-Plated Inputs/Outputs   x x
Sampling Rate Converter 9 x x x
Features MDS-PC3 MXD-D40 MDS-JE470
Integrated CD player 10   x  
High-Speed (4X) CD-to-MD Dubbing 11   x  
Large, Twin-Line Display 12   x  
Control A-1 II Interface 13 x    
PC Link Terminal 14 x x x
PC Link Kit Supplied 15 x    
Scale Factor Edit 16 x x  
Jog Dial 17 x x x
Shuffle Play/Program Play 18 x x x
Repeat Modes 19 (1/All/A-B) x 1/All x
Name Disc/Track 20 x x x
Features MDS-PC3 MXD-D40 MDS-JE470
Time Machine Recording 21 6 sec. 6 sec. 6 sec.
Smart Space Recording 22 x x x
Auto Cut 23 x x x
CD Synchro Record 24 x x x
CD Text Display 25   x  
Date/Time Stamp 26 x    
Analog Record Volume x x x
Digital Record Volume x x x
Digital Peak Meters 27 x x x
Monaural Recording 28 x x x
Playback Pitch Control 29   x  
Remote Commander® Unit 30 x x x
Editing MDS-PC3 MXD-D40 MDS-JE470
Powerful Editing Modes 31 x x x
Divide Tracks x x x
Combine Tracks x x x
Move Tracks x x x
A-B Erase x x x
Erase Track x x x
Erase Disc x x x
Un-Do Last Edit x x x
Rehearsal x x x
Specifications MDS-PC3 MXD-D40 MDS-JE470
Record/Playback Time: Stereo SP Mode 80 min. 80 min. 80 min.
Record/Playback Time: Stereo LP2 Mode 160 min. 160 min. 160 min.
Record/Playback Time: Stereo LP4 Mode 320 min. 320 min. 320 min.
Record/Playback Time: Monaural 160 min. 160 min. 160 min.
Sampling Frequency 44.1 kHz 44.1 kHz 44.1 kHz
Frequency Response ±0.3dB 5-20,000 Hz,
±0.3 dB		 5-20,000 Hz,
±0.5 dB		 5-20,000 Hz,
±0.3 dB
Dynamic Range (playback) >94dB >96dB >94dB
S/N Ratio (playback) >94dB >98dB >96dB
Harmonic Distortion (playback) <0.01% <0.005% <0.01%
Wow & Flutter Unmeasurable Unmeasurable Unmeasurable
Line Input Jacks L/R L/R L/R
Optical Inputs 2 1 1
Line Output Jacks L/R L/R L/R
Optical Output 1    
Headphone Output Jack Mini Phone  
Power Consumption 14 w 22 w 15 w
Dimensions 6" x 2-5/8" x 11" 17"x 4¾" x 11½" 17" x 3¾" x 11¼"
Weight 4 lbs. 7 oz. 10 lbs. 6 oz. 6 lbs. 10 oz.


MiniDisc Player Feature Explanations:

  1. Wide Bit Stream Technology -- This technology maintains 20-bit precision through the recording process, for clearer reproduction of delicate, low-level music.

  2. ATRAC Generation -- At the heart of MiniDisc audio technology is Adaptive Transform Acoustic Coding, or ATRAC. It's the process that enables Sony to put 80 minutes of digital stereo sound on a minuscule 2½-inch disc! Sony's ATRAC DSP Type "R" uses an added stage that checks the accuracy of bit allocation. Bits are then re-allocated to refine the coding. Together with superb processing accuracy, the bit-reallocation yields music that's even more faithful to the original. You'll hear smoother, better-articulated, more clearly delineated sound.

  3. MDLP (Long Time Stereo Recording) - LP2/LP4 -- First, Sony upgraded the recordable MiniDiscs from 74 minutes to 80. Now they've gone overboard. Sony's Long Play mode enables you to capture up to four times as much stereo music on one disc! That's over 5 hours of music on one 80-minute MD. And the discs play back on any Long Play capable MD player. The LP2 mode captures up to 2 hours, 40 minutes on a single, miniature MiniDisc. LP4 mode captures up to 5 hours and 20 minutes of Techno, Hip-Hop, Blues or Pop! It's perfect for parties. And it's ideal for music you've downloaded from the Internet -- or for archiving your LPs. LP2 is stereo encoded (each channel is independent), LP4 is joint-stereo (both channels are coded simultaneously).

  4. 8X Digital Filter -- Circuit that combines excellent phase linearity with superb suppression of aliasing noise. Yields better stereo imaging.

  5. Hybrid Pulse Digital to Analog Converter -- Design places the digital filter and D/A converter on a single integrated circuit for shorter signal paths, reduced interference. Minimizes zero-cross distortion, considered by researchers to be the most audible distortion in digital playback. The result is remarkably smooth, open sound - even during delicate quiet passages.

  6. 24-Bit Analog-to-Digital Converter - Establishes high precision in the record mode, with far wider dynamic range than conventional 16-bit circuitry. Forms the input for Sony's Wide Bit Stream technology.

  7. R-Core Power Transformer -- All hi-fi components use power transformers that can potentially radiate audible hum into the signal. The R-core design is an expensive, refined approach that vastly reduces radiated hum.

  8. Off-center Insulator Feet - These protect the recorder from shelf-borne vibration. Insulator feet reduce the harmful effects of resonance on analog circuitry and the laser servo. Off-center screw holes help to diffuse modes of vibration.

  9. Sampling Rate Converter -- MiniDisc records at 44.1 kHz. But these decks also accept digital-to-digital inputs at the DAT sampling rates of 32 and 48 kHz.
  10. Integrated CD Player -- The MXD-D40 features an integrated CD player for CD to MD dubbing.

  11. High-Speed (4X) CD-to-MD Dubbing -- If you like simplicity, you'll appreciate recording music from CD to MD. And if you like speed, you'll love Sony's high-speed CD player/MD recorder. Just load the CD into one slot. Load the MD into another and hit Record. Your music zips onto MiniDisc at 4X normal speed!* You'll record a three-minute song in just 45 seconds. Or a 74-minute CD in less than 20 minutes! It's fast, it's easy and it's oh-so-cool. And if you prefer to listen to your music as you record it, real-time recording is also an option.

    * Compact disc condition may hinder high-speed dubbing capability.

  12. Large, Twin-Line Display -- Shows titling information for both CD and MD.

  13. Control A-1 II Interface -- A communications protocol between audio components with Control A-1 II. Allows for commands and data to be transferred through Sony components linked together. It also enables automatic transfer of CD Text and Custom File information as you record to MD.

    Supplied PCLK-MN10 PC Link Kit

  14. PC Link Terminal -- Download songs from the Internet. Rip your CDs. Then drag and drop the results to MiniDisc! Sony enables you to perform point-and-click editing. And add titles from the comfort of your PC keyboard. Simply create your playlist, press Record and come back later to enjoy your MD! Sony's PCLK-MN10 PC Link Kit brings these capabilities to Windows® PCs and compatible Sony MD recorders. Or choose Sony's MDS-PC3, with the PC Link Kit included!

  15. PC Link Kit Supplied -- (MDS-PC3)

    * MiniDisc, DAT and CD-R/RW recorders sold by manufacturer-authorized outlets incorporate the Serial Copy Management System, which will not prevent you from making a direct digital-to-digital copy from a digital source, but from such copies will prevent a second direct digital-to-digital copy from being made.

  16. Scale Factor Edit -- Suppose you have a mix of tracks recorded from CD and FM. And suppose you mistakenly recorded the FM tracks too loud. Scale Factor Edit lets you adjust the volume of a track, without touching the music itself. It makes for much more professional results. You can also use Scale Factor Edit to create professional-sounding fade-outs and fade-ins -- even after you've made a recording. This post-record edit capability is only available on MiniDisc recorders!

  17. Jog Dial -- Turn this convenient control for split-second track access and also for text entry.

  18. Shuffle Play, Program Play -- Like CD, MiniDisc gives you split-second ccess to any song. So MD is perfect for track programming, the feature that lets you listen to your music in your sequence.

  19. Repeat Modes -- Repeat a single track or an entire disc, for the continuous music of your choice.

  20. Name Disc/Track -- MiniDiscs can save disc name, track names and artist names! Selected models enable you to plug in a PC keyboard and type in your names. Scrolling displays mean your names aren't limited to just a few characters. And with CD TEXT -- and Custom File -- transfer, this information is automatically imported from compatible Sony CD players.

  21. Time Machine Recording -- Suppose you're listening to the radio and a hot new song comes on. With Time Machine recording, you can hit the Record button up to six seconds late and still capture every note! The secret? The recorder stores the last six seconds of music in buffer memory.

  22. Smart Space Recording -- Provides a uniform three-second spacing between all songs.

  23. Auto Cut -- Places deck in Record Pause mode after recording 30 seconds of silence.

  24. CD Synchro Record -- Simplifies making tapes from Compact Disc by releasing from Record/Pause mode when the CD Player goes into Play. Requires a compatible Sony CD Player.

  25. CD Text Display -- The remarkable system that automatically displays disc and track names with a new generation of compatible CDs. In addition, disc names automatically enter Custom File memory -- no typing required.

  26. Date/Time Stamp -- Saves the date and time of recording as subcode data on the disc. The stamp is available for display during playback. It's a handy reference, particularly for live and off-the-air recordings.

    Basic Control Function
    Basic Control Function
    click image to enlarge
    Edit Function
    Edit Function
    click image to enlarge

  27. Digital Peak Meters -- Display recording levels with ultra precision.

  28. Monaural Recording -- Enables extended time recording up to 160 minutes (mono), on an MDW-80.

  29. Playback Pitch Control -- If you play a musical instrument, listen up. This control enables you to "tune" MiniDisc playback sharper or flatter, to match your instrument!

  30. Remote Commander® Unit -- A handy remote control unit with 25-key Direct Access™ track selection, title input and power on/off.

  31. Powerful Editing Modes -- Editing personalizes your music. With MiniDisc, you can Move, Divide and Combine tracks -- shaping your music even after you've recorded it. Thanks to non-linear recording and playback, you're free to combine Track 1 with Track 5, for example, for seamless, uninterrupted play. You can also perform true editing functions like A-B Erase. There's even an Un-Do Edit that lets you change your last decision!
    A-B Erase
    A-B Erase    		 Combine Tracks
    Combine Tracks    		 Move
    Move