Hey all

Just came across this Ebay listing (ended) and see some incredible similarities between this portable CD player and the Sony D-5

Was there a licensing agreement between Sony and Pioneer? They look identical and even the layout of the controls/ power buttons are the same.

Compare...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Portable-CD-Player-Pioneer-PD-C7-with-OR-C300-Battery-Case-MINT-/321088135147?nma=true&si=S8H6qPCFn8HPorUO3K6DQpppJhM%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

and the Sony D5

Thoughts?

The Pioneer

Pioneer came out with the first boomboxes with Detachable CD player in 1984 or so - the CK-W700 and CK-R500. 

(Pl. see my first post. http://REPLACEMENT ERROR/topic...y=298952635272830473)

The PD-C7 was re-badged D-5, manufactured by Sony for Pioneer.

The Pioneer CK-R500 and CK-W700 had a dock on top to fit in the CD player, pretty much like today's docks for every kind of gadgets. PD-C7 was also available for stand alone use (the first walkman cd?) with a detachable rechargeable battery pack and pouch for carrying.

See a News paper clipping from that era.

Thanks AE, this was really informative. I'd never seen this model before

The big question is why would Sony want to assist Pioneer(competition) in developing their portable CD. I understand a boatload of money may have changed hands but the portable CD was in it's infancy. I'd think that Sony would want to hang on to the market as long as possible..

There must have been cooperation between the giants in those days as well. If you open up any box, you will see ICs of all brands used in every box. (You know, Samsung used to make LCD panels for Sony Bravia! To my knowledge Sony had not set up a LCD plant).

CD was developed jointly by Philips and Sony. So Sony had an edge over CD technology and it would have been easier for Pioneer to outsource the first CD player from Sony than to develop themselves from scratch.

As far as the money is considered the news paper clip speaks it.

The PD-C7 costs $349.95 whereas the top of the line Pioneer CK-W700 costs only $314.95, in 1986.