Sony Sidecar Compatibility
This list may not be complete. The prefix “EBP” ostensibly refers to “External Battery Pack”.
The abbreviation IPN shall also be used to refer to “Internal Part Number” , the code used by Sony internally and in their service manuals, to designate different sidecars.
EBP-MZR2 (IPN: 1-528-501-11)
Battery: 2x AA
Models: MZ-R2
EBP-MZE2 (IPN: 1-528-506-11)
Battery: 3x AA
Models: MZ-E2
EBP-MZ3 (IPN: 1-759-048-11 / 1-759-048-21 / 1-528-533-11)
Battery: LIP-12
EBP-MZR4 (IPN: 1-759-277-21)
Battery: 2x AA
Models: MZ-R30, MZ-R35, MZ-R50, MZ-R4ST, MZ-R5ST
EBP-MZR55 (IPN: 1-759-693-11)
Battery: 2x AA
Models: MZ-R55
EBP-MZE44 (IPN: 1-759-628-11 / 1-759-628-21)
Battery: 1x AA
Models: MZ-E44/E45, MZ-E75, MZ-E80, MZ-E95
EBP-N10 (IPN: 1-417-304-11)
Battery: 1x AA
Input Voltage: DC In 6V
Models: MZ-N10
EBP-RH10 (IPN: 1-417-577-11)
Battery: 1x AA
EBP-MZW1 (IPN: Undetermined)
Battery: 1x AA
Models: MZ-E7W
Model Number Unknown
A variant of the MiniDisc sidecar that was never officially named by Sony. Within Sony's service manuals and internal parts list, this type of battery case was assigned the following IPNs:
- 1-251-895-11 / 1-251-895-21 (Most common IPN , frequently used nomenclature on Japanese auction sites)
Most late era devices shipped with this battery case. Most devices come with a basic sidecar. Some ship with a sidecar that has a DC Charge port. There seem to be at least two versions of it, one rated for 1.5v in (MZ-E900), and the other for 3v in(MZ-N10). Using a charger with this sidecar may cause issues with some devices they didn't ship with. Manual specifies multiple times they are only intended for use with their matching device.
It is also not known whether the various IPNs had any role in differentiating models with a DC Charge Port from those without. Further inspection is required.
Battery: 1x AA
Models (Sony, non-NetMD):
MZ-E50, MZ-E30, MZ-E35, MZ-E55, MZ-E70, MZ-E90, MZ-E77, MZ-E800, MZ-E900, MZ-E700, MZ-E500, MZ-E501, MZ-E909, MZ-E707, MZ-E505, MZ-E710, MZ-E510, MZ-E720, MZ-E630, MZ-E730, MZ-R90 / R91, MZ-R900, MZ-R909, MZ-R910
Models (Sony, NetMD): MZ-N1, MZ-N710, MZ-N910, MZ-NF810, MZ-NE810, MZ-N920
Models (Sony, Hi-MD): MZ-EH50, MZ-EH70, MZ-EH930, MZ-NH900
Models (AIWA): AM-NX1
The sidecar itself also houses a 1000uF capacitor in-line with the terminals, which is speculated to help reduce battery-related spontaneous shutdowns while jostling the device, such as while exercising or dancing.
Models Without Sidecar Compatibility
The list below was determined via cross referencing service manuals and visually checking for the absence of sidecar contact pins on the sides of MiniDisc models.
These models have the following characteristics:
- The player / recorder runs on AA batteries natively or by default (e.g. MZ-NE410)
- The player / recorder runs on a LIP4WM gumstick battery and can be charged by its own cradle (e.g. MZ-EH1)
- The player / recorder runs on a LIP4WM gumstick battery and can be charged by a USB Mini-B cable (e.g. MZ-RH1)
Models (Sony, Non-NetMD):
MZ-2P, MZ-E40, MZ-EP10, MZ-E25, MZ-E33, MZ-E60, MZ-E300, MZ-E10, MZ-E310, MZ-F40, Q017-MD1, MZ-1, MZ-B50, MZ-B100, MZ-B10, MZ-DN430, MZ-G750, MZ-G755, MZ-R37, MZ-R70, MZ-R700, MZ-R500, MZ-R501, MZ-R701, MZ-R410, MZ-S1
Models (Sony, NetMD): MZ-N505, MZ-N707, MZ-N510, MZ-NE410, MZ-NF610, MZ-N520, MZ-N420D, MZ-NF520, MZ-NF520D
Models (Sony, Hi-MD): MZ-DH10P, MZ-EH1, MZ-NH600D, MZ-NH700, MZ-NH1, MZ-NH3D, MZ-RH710, MZ-RH1
Content Adapted From: NeoG_'s Reddit Post [*], All Sony Portable Service Manuals