Sony MiniDisc – No Audio – Plays Silent

By | 10th September 2017

Sony MiniDiscs were a robust and reliable digital audio recording format. However, some recordings were not fully compatible with all MiniDisc players resulting in silence when played back. The track listing information shows up, the counter runs but there is no audio. Here’s why.

Red Sony MiniDisc with remote control

The original MiniDisc format was launched by Sony in 1992. It could initially record 74 minutes of stereo digital audio on a disc. A few years later 80 minute discs were made available. However, in 2000 Sony released MDLP which stood for MiniDisc Long Play. This was an extension of the MiniDisc format using compression to increase the recording time available on a MiniDisc.

MiniDisc player by Sony

The MZ-R55 Walkman player shown above pre-dates the MDLP format extension. MDLP mode discs play as silent in early non-MDLP MiniDisc players. The track information and counter shows but the disc plays no audio. If you’re having problems playing a MiniDisc it could be worth checking that the player you’re using is compatible with MDLP.

Manchester Video transfer standard MiniDisc and MDLP recordings to either digital file or CD Audio.

5 thoughts on “Sony MiniDisc – No Audio – Plays Silent

  1. David Fitzgerald

    Thank you so much for that information. Was having that exact problem on a Panasonic SJ-MJ75. Your site is the first place I found the solution

    Reply
  2. Ignacio Lopez

    I bought a minidisc player sony MDS-JE330 and it gave me the same problem, it played the minidisc without problems but it had no audio, until I looked for and found your page and it gave me the solution, thanks.

    Reply
    1. admin Post author

      Thanks for your comment – really good to know it was helpful.

      Gavin

      Reply
  3. Sonny H.

    I recently purchased the MDS-JE500 via used via Ebay. Wanted to play my “archives” of recorded discs only to find out what your site gave me the answer! The LP prompt on the player and it reads it but no audio. I wish I had done a little more research. I suppose there is no work around other than to go back on the hunt for a used player that is compatible with all of these long plays. Do you have any suggestions??

    Thanks again!

    Reply
    1. admin Post author

      The older units didn’t support LP.

      If you can find a NetMD device then they may be worth a look.

      Check out TechMoan channel on YouTube. Matt is a big MD Guru and features a lot of Minidisc kit.

      Reply

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