MiniDiscs are small, portable storage devices that were introduced in the early 1990s by Sony. They resemble a compact disc but are encased in a protective plastic shell, making them more durable. MiniDiscs can hold up to 1 GB of data, allowing users to store music, voice recordings, and other audio files. They were popular for their ability to be re-recorded and edited easily. The format was widely used in the late 1990s and early 2000s, especially among musicians and audiophiles. However, with the rise of digital music downloads and streaming services, MiniDiscs gradually fell out of favor. Despite this, they still have a dedicated fan base and are appreciated for their unique qualities.