LGR - The Sony Vaio MiniDisc PC (Patreon)

https://youtu.be/UQSKWOw-sZc

Greetings, folks! Here's a project I've had going in the background pretty much all year at this point. And finally, after importing all the right parts and peripherals I needed about a month ago, I was able to start assembling a video. So here it is!

We're taking a look at the Sony Vaio PCV-MX2 — a multimedia PC sold in Japan in the year 2000. And it's a beautiful silver hi-fi beast of a thing! Not only is it a Windows 98 desktop computer, but it's packing a built-in amplifier, CD/DVD player, FM radio, and a MiniDisc drive, all usable via remote control.

Really it's that MiniDisc drive that got my attention. I mean, how often do you see one of those mounted inside a 5.25" drive bay? And it's not MD Data either, this is just your bog standard Sony MD recorder slapped inside a drive cage and plugged into the PC using a proprietary interface board. It's usable on its own without the PC powered on, but it can also communicate with Sony's Windows applications for some classy MiniDisc authoring through software! Neat. Luckily, I was able to find a machine that hadn't been wiped and still had all the programs and data intact, otherwise there wouldn't have been much to show here. Still don't have the original Sony Vaio restoration discs, but perhaps they'll surface once this video is released into the wild. Fingers crossed!

So yep, that's that. It's a pretty information-heavy video in the first portion, but it turns into a relaxing browse through Japanese Sony software and random 90s PC games later on, so ideally there's something for everyone. I hope you enjoy, and have a good week!