Hi, guys ... I'm a merchandiser at Best Buy and have been on the list since 1996. I usually don't post unless I have something substantive to say, and unfortunately, I do have something worth posting about today. I say 'unfortunately' because it appears that many listmembers' fears about Best Buy dumping minidisc may indeed be true, if only partially. This past week, both of our MD component deck models (the MDS-JE440 and the MX-D3) have gone closeout, and a search of our sku list has not come up with any models that may replace them. I did, however, find two new portable models that will be introduced in May: the MZR500PC (SKU# 4118369) and MZR700DPC (SKU# 4118387), both of which are described as "MD Walkman Player/Recorder PC Bundles", at least one of which the Community Page reveals will include a USB-optical cable. (The 500PC will retail for US$179.99; the 700DPC, for US$249.99.) With the addition of a new Sony CD-R/RW component deck to our digital recorders mix, as well as the elimination of our two current MD component models, it does appear that Best Buy will be phasing out MD component decks. Best Buy will continue to sell MD portables for some time to come, but stupidly, they have chosen to keep these models in the portable audio department, depriving MD of wider exposure in the computer department. Best Buy could save this format if it wants to -- I can only hope that it takes decisive action to move the MD portables to PC/Home Office ASAP. Only with its repositioning as a competitor to solid state MP3 technology, can MD have any chance of surviving in this post-modern world of consumer electronics. Daryl ----------------------------------------------------------------- To stop getting this list send a message containing just the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
