In 1998, Sony enhanced its design to improve operability and portability. The equipment has been miniaturized and designed to accommodate operating speed and ease of use.
MZ-E33
The MZ-E33 is a model that can be operated without an external battery case, as it supports both gum-type rechargeable batteries and rechargeable AA batteries. The controls are concentrated on the back, and basic operations and display are performed via the remote control, but there is no backlight. Vibration resistance relies on a short buffer memory, and the functions are limited to a practical range.
MZ-R35
The MZ-R35 is a MiniDisc recorder that inherits the design of the MZ-R30 series while prioritizing the continuation of the existing platform over new features. Optical and analog recording share a single input, and a sampling rate converter supports digital recording from multiple source formats. The control system is centered around a vertical jog dial, allowing for a consistent workflow for editing, title input, and navigation. In addition to manual and automatic recording level adjustment, it also features standard editing functions such as splitting, merging, moving, and deleting. The recording performance and operation itself have not changed significantly from the previous model, with the main changes being limited to firmware revisions and differences in exterior finish.
MZ-E44
The MZ-E44 was a MiniDisc player that prioritized a balance between portability and ease of use. It featured a curved control surface and buttons positioned along the body's contours, resulting in a user-friendly interface even while holding the device. Playback functions were standard, including basic anti-skip features. The backlit remote control displayed track information and supported various operations. Power was primarily supplied by a gum-type rechargeable battery, and AA batteries were also supported when using the external case.
MZ-E45
The MZ-E45 inherited the operating style of its predecessor while incorporating subtle improvements for everyday use. While retaining the curved control layout, its vibration resistance and playback behavior remain largely unchanged from its sibling models. Sound quality adjustments are centered around basic presets, and standard playback functions are also maintained. It continues to use a gum-type rechargeable battery, with optional AA battery expansion. The main differences lie in the appearance, manifesting as variations in color and finish.
MZ-E55
The MZ-E55 was a MiniDisc player that took the E series in a direction of becoming smaller and lighter. By adopting a magnesium body, both the size and weight were reduced, further advancing the trend towards miniaturization. The large-capacity buffer enhanced the anti-skip function and improved playback stability. It supported operation and display via a backlit remote control, and the power supply was based on a gum-type rechargeable battery, but also supported external AA batteries. The internal design was also revised for efficiency.
MZ-R55
The MZ-R55 is a MiniDisc recorder that maintains the basic configuration of a recording device while achieving miniaturization and power saving. Optical and analog recording use a common input, and it also supports voice recording via a dedicated microphone input. The miniaturized chassis and low power consumption design improve efficiency while maintaining functionality, and playback stability is ensured by an anti-skip buffer. A backlit remote control supports title input, editing, and playback operations. It uses a gum-type rechargeable battery and is designed with portability in mind.
By 1998, MiniDisc had achieved a stable structure suitable for everyday use. This structure was subsequently applied to subsequent product developments.
