View source for Hi-MD

{{Short description|Data storage format}}
{{multiple issues|
{{Refimprove|date=November 2011}}
{{primary source|date=August 2021}}
{{original research|date=August 2021}}
{{notability|date=August 2021}}
}}
{{Infobox storage medium
| name          = Hi-MD
| logo          = Hi-MD_logo.png{{!}}class=skin-invert
| image         = Sony Hi-MD front.jpg
| caption       = Front view
| type          = [[Magneto-optical drive|Magneto-optical disc]]
| encoding      = Linear PCM
| capacity      = 1&nbsp;[[Gigabyte|GB]]
| read          = 780 nm semiconductor laser diode
| write         = Magnetic field modulation
| standard      =
| owner         = [[Sony]]
| use           = Audio and data storage
| released      = January 2004
| extended from =[[MiniDisc]]<br>[[MD Data]]
| extended to   =
}}
{{optical disc authoring}}
[[File:Sony Hi-MD back.jpg|right|thumb|Rear view]]

'''Hi-MD''' is a [[Magneto-optical drive|magneto-optical]] disc-based [[data storage device|data storage]] format. It was a further development of the [[MiniDisc]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sony.net/SonyInfo/News/Press_Archive/200401/04-001E/|title=Sony Global - Press Release - "Hi-MD" Format Established|date=April 27, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060427131307/https://www.sony.net/SonyInfo/News/Press_Archive/200401/04-001E/ |archive-date=2006-04-27 }}</ref> With its release in late 2004,<ref name="test-2004-12">[https://www.test.de/Test-Hi-MD-Player-von-Sony-Die-Rueckkehr-der-Mini-Disc-1232835-0/ test.de 22 Dezember 2004, ''Die Rückkehr der Mini-Disc''], German, retrieved 30 May 2020.</ref> came the ability to use newly developed, high-capacity 1 gigabyte Hi-MD discs, in the same dimensions as MiniDisc.<ref name="test-2004-12"/>  The last recorder and player was discontinued in 2011.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20110711122254/http://e.nikkei.com/e/fr/tnks/Nni20110707D07JFN01.htm Nikkei.com: „Sony To Wind Up MiniDisc Walkman Shipments“], 7. Juli 2011 (archive)</ref> Blank discs stopped production in September 2012.

== Overview ==
[[File:Sony MZ-NH1 Hi-MD Walkman and Hi-MD disc.jpg|thumb|Hi-MD Walkman MZ-NH1 with blank Hi-MD]]
Hi-MD has several Walkman-selectable audio recording codecs, in order of quality: PCM, Hi-SP, and Hi-LP. Hi-MD Walkmans are backward compatible with MiniDisc playback and most can record. Hi-MD can store computer files and audio data. A bus-powered Hi-MD [[Walkman]] is seen as standard [[usb mass storage|USB Mass Storage]] device<ref name="test-2004-12"/> with a [[file allocation table|FAT]] filesystem.

Since the release of Sony's music management program, [[SonicStage]] 3.4, virtually all [[digital rights management]] was removed for compatible Hi-MD machines.

In 2005, Sony released its second-generation Hi-MD devices offering native [[MP3]] support.

In 2005, Sony announced Hi-MD Photo.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sony.com/en/SonyInfo/News/Press/200503/05-013E/index.html|title=SONY EXPANDS Hi-MD FORMAT BY ADOPTING DIRECT MP3 PLAYBACK AND PICTURE CAPTURING CAPABILTITY|website=Sony Group Portal - Sony Global Headquarters}}</ref> The Sony MZ-DH10P Walkman was released to showcase the format with a 1.3&nbsp;megapixel digital camera.

In March 2006, Sony released the MZ-RH1 Hi-MD Walkman in Japan, which was later followed in other regions. With this unit, Sony enabled faster-than-real time transfers from MiniDisc to computers. Sony made tangible speed improvements to the device over previous generations of Hi-MD recorders. The result being that the transfer times to and from computer are—under certain circumstances—cut in half over previous models, but still noticeably slower than flash memory and hard drive-based portables, because of the nature of the Hi-MD magneto-optical system.

== Marketing ==
In 2006, Sony positioned Hi-MD as a [[Digital Audio Tape|Digital Audio Tape (DAT)]] alternative after discontinuing the format the year before, placing the MZ-RH1 Hi-MD Walkman under the Pro Audio section of its "Broadcast & Business Solutions Company" website, alongside its [[flash memory]]-based recorder, the PCM-D1. DAT is a high-quality digital tape format that found a niche with musicians and studios. DAT portables have commonly been used for field recording, but have gradually been replaced by solid-state and hard drive-based units like the [[Aaton Digital#Sound Recorders|Aaton Cantar]], the Zaxcom Deva, and similar units from [[Fostex]] and [[Sound Devices]].
[[File:Sony mz rh1.jpg|thumb|Sony MZ-RH1, the last Hi-MD Walkman by Sony]]
The MZ-M200 Walkman is Sony's MZ-RH1 with a stereo microphone included. The MZ-RH1 was targeted to a more general customer on Sony's consumer electronics sites and comes with no microphone bundle. The microphone was included to enable Hi-MD as a field recorder, and the higher price reflects the added value of the microphone.

MD had success in [[Asia]] (particularly in [[Japan]] and [[Hong Kong]]), but North America and Europe leaned toward either flash or hard drive-based systems. For professional recording, many offer features such as professional [[XLR connector|XLR]] microphone inputs, among other pro-centric features. These units were typically significantly larger and heavier than a Hi-MD Walkman, often with reduced battery life and higher prices. Hi-MD and MiniDisc recorders are no longer being manufactured, but their role has been taken over by relatively inexpensive flash memory based portable field recorders such as the Edirol R-09HR and the Olympus LS-10.

== See also ==
*[[OpenMG]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Audio formats}}
{{Optical storage media}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Hi-MD}}
[[Category:Audiovisual introductions in 2004]]
[[Category:Sony products]]
[[Category:Audio storage]]
[[Category:Digital audio]]
[[Category:Optical computer storage]]