Sony announced the development of "Hi-MD," marking an evolution of the music recording MD format into a versatile recording media that also delivers PC data such as images and text file recording capabilities, while maintaining playback compatibility with the current MD products and ensuring copyright security.

With the introduction of "Hi-MD," Sony is poised to meet the demands of a growing broadband era with a versatile media capable of recording a variety of content, such as music and images, while maintaining high quality sound and resolution.

High capacity:

By formatting an existing MD into the "Hi-MD" format, its density can be increased to almost double the current maximum capacity. In addition, a 1GB (gigabyte) "Hi-MD" disc has been newly developed, realizing a maximum recording time of up to approximately 45 hours of music by incorporating the first Domain Wall

Displacement Detection (DWDD) technology

Since "Hi-MD" products will be compatible with current MD format discs, users will also be able to play back their existing MDs.

High quality sound:

"Hi-MD" uses ATRAC3plus audio compression technology, which delivers high data compression while maintaining quality of sound. "Hi-MD" also enables linear PCM recordings, resulting in the recording and playback of CD quality sound.

Versatile recording media:

"Hi-MD" uses the File Allocation Table (FAT) system, which enables the recording of music and other PC data files such as images and text.

Copyright protection technology:

"Hi-MD" incorporates OpenMG and MagicGate copy protection technology. In addition, "Hi-MD" music recordings preserve encryptions contained within the original source.

"Hi-MD" users will be able to record various content, such as images and text files in addition to music, to a single disc and replay it on the go, at any time and any place. This makes it possible, for instance, for users to record their favorite music from their home PC to disc, play it back with their "Hi-MD" player while commuting to work, and to then connect it to a PC at work to upload stored content such as text files