Walkman? Creator Kicks Off 20th Anniversary with Colorful, Sleek MD Portable Stereos and Mini HiFi System

LAS VEGAS, CES Booth N109. Jan. 7, 1999 - Sony is taking portable audio into the digital age with the introduction of futuristic, colorful MiniDisc portable recorders and players. Available in metallic silver, blue, champagne gold and black, in select models, the new line features the world?s smallest MD recorder/player (MZ-R55), at a mere 3 1/8 x 3/4 x 3 3/8 inches, as well as a new MD mini HiFi system.

The new MD lineup is being launched as the company is celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Walkman? stereo, which established the portable audio market in 1979.

"This year?s line of MiniDisc portable stereos takes the Walkman legacy into the future," said Mark Viken, senior vice president of personal audio/video marketing for Sony Electronics. "The success of the Walkman has been based on giving consumers their music when and where they want it. The MD Walkman is carrying this tradition forward for the digital generation."

Sony?s new portable MD Walkman models have been designed with sleek contours and bright colors. The MZ-R55 recorder/player is available in champagne gold and blue, while the MZ-R37 is available in champagne gold. Both units feature a "smart" remote control that allows you to move and title songs while recording with a character titler. A digital connection cable and rechargeable batteries are supplied.

Designed for the active person, the MZ-E44 player has an easy-grip, rubber-like edging and carrying strap with two-tone coloring. The unit comes with a fashionable see-through remote control for viewing or selecting music tracks without having to remove the player from a purse, pocket or briefcase. It is available in metallic silver and blue.

All new MD Walkman portables come with a three-position switch to control digital Mega BassŪ that lets listeners "pump up" the bass, and with foldable headphones for compact storage.

Sony?s MD Walkman stereos offer on-the-go listeners uninterrupted, virtually skip-free playback. The MZ-R55 and MZ-R37 recorder/players and MZ-E55 players have 40-second shock resistant memory to minimize interruptions or mistracking when the units are jostled or bumped. The players (MZ-E44 and MZ-E33) feature up to 10-second shock resistant memory.

"With MD portable stereos, you can listen to your music without missing a beat," Viken noted.

No matter where you are traveling, you can listen to the MZ-E55 player for up to twenty hours with a single AA battery and the supplied rechargeable battery ? nearly four hours longer than its predecessor, the MZ-E35.

The MZ-E33 player also requires a single AA battery, while the MZ-R37 recorder/player uses the supplied AA Nickel-Cadmium (NC) rechargeable battery. The MZ-R55, MZ-E55 and MZ-E44 use a gumstick nickel metal hydride (NiMH) rechargeable battery and a supplied optional AA battery case for long hours of recording digital mixes.

With a slim AA battery or fully charged NiMH battery in the MD unit, music lovers do not have to take along an external battery case anymore. They will have up to seven and a half hours of uninterrupted music enjoyment. All units except the entry level MZ-E33 offer supplied rechargeable batteries.

Availability and suggested retail pricing for the MD portable products are: MZ-R55, later this month for $399.95; MZ-E55, later this month for $449.95; MZ-E44, later this month for $299.95; MZ-R37, February for $349.95; and MZ-E33, March for $249.99.

Sony also announces a mini HiFi component system (DHC-MD555) with MiniDisc recording and playback capability that features a five-disc MD changer recorder/player and five-disc CD changer. This sleekly designed system also houses Direct Touch Editor for one-touch MD recording.

The DHC-MD555 can be connected to a computer via an optional PCLK-PX1 connection kit. The computer connection kit includes Media Communicator Software that lets users control stereo functions from their PCs.

Functions including start/stop, recording, editing and MD text input (such as artist and album names) are controlled by using your computer keyboard. The DHC-MD555 will be available this spring for a suggested retail price of $800. The PCLK-PX1 is available for sale directly from Sony for $149.

Additionally, recordable MiniDiscs have become more affordable with suggested retail prices starting at $4.49 (74 minutes) and $2.99 (60 minutes) for a single pack; $8.99 for a 74-minute two-pack; $11.99 for a three-pack; $24.99 for a five-pack of MD-ES; and $29.99 for a ten-pack.