A series offering recording times suited to compact discs.
Normal / High Position / Metal. Since 1988.
Generation 1 (I 1988 / II 1989 / IV 1990)
The first generation of each type. The Normal cassette, released earlier, had no I in its name. Its dark transparent shell had a distinctive DC (デジタルカット, Digital Cut) pattern and black hubs. II used a transparent SWハーフ (SW Half) shell with stripes in the centre. The first IV, introduced in 1990, had restrained packaging.
Explanatory Note
As the CD in the name indicates, the series offered a wide choice of lengths so that CDs could be recorded without wasting tape.
The Normal CDix was first released on its own in 1988. There were five lengths: 20, 40, 50, 70 and 110 minutes. As its tape was equivalent to HF-S, the lengths other than 50 minutes were chosen not to overlap with HF-S.
In 1989 the High Position CDix II appeared with the same tape as UX, beginning the development of the series. II offered ten lengths.
The metal CDix IV joined in 1990, one generation later. Its price was even lower than METAL-XR, which had attracted attention for its low cost, and it offered a wide choice of nine lengths.
Although the products belonged to the same CDix series, package and shell designs differed completely by type. Apparently this took their respective customer groups into account and also served to prevent purchases.
Generation 2 (I & II 1990 / IV 1991)
I and II were released simultaneously. Although part of one series, their packages had completely different designs. They used tape equivalent to HF-S and UX respectively. The 14 mm plastic ハイスリムパッケージ (High Slim Package) case was 20% thinner than before. IV appeared in 1991 with a distinctive package closer in style to I and II. Its tape used Fine Dynametal magnetic material.
Generation 3 (I & II 1991 / IV 1993)
The package designs changed: I used stripe patterns that varied by recording time, II used a different base colour for each time, and IV featured large stylized METAL lettering. The screwless welded shell had special printing on its upper half, a ピクチャーハーフ (Picture Half) design matching the package.
Generation 4 (I & II 1993 / IV 1994)
I boldly printed the product barcode on the front of the package; the design was reportedly aimed at music-loving, fashion-conscious young women. II was intended for pop listeners, particularly young people with an energetic musical life. IV made its duration immediately visible and emphasized Metal. The cassette used an integral ワンピースリジッドシェル (One Piece Rigid Shell) shell with a ピクチャーハーフ (Picture Half) design.
Generation 5 (I & II 1994 / IV 1995)
Large stylized numbers made the recording time visible at a glance. The cassette used an ultrasonically welded ワンピースリジッドシェル (One Piece Rigid Shell) shell to suppress vibration. Its ピクチャーハーフ (Picture Half) design was as colourful as the package. I offered 10 lengths from 10 to 120 minutes, II 10 lengths from 20 to 80 minutes, and IV eight lengths from 46 to 80 minutes.
Generation 6 (I & II 1995 / IV 1996)
The エブリタイムCDix (Everytime CDix) series (for IV, from its fifth generation). Sides A and B of the shell received different designs, making them easy to distinguish at a glance. IV incorporated a battery-saving BS mechanism. I gained 64-, 74-, 90- and 150-minute versions, and II gained 90- and 120-minute versions. A short leader and tape resistant to repeated use were adopted.
Generation 7 (I & II 1996 / IV 1997)
BSM, a battery-saving mechanism, minimized friction inside the cassette and the load on the player’s motor to reduce power consumption and extend battery life. Versions of 90 minutes or less used a short leader with a cleaning effect. I received a milky-white shell. This was the final generation of IV and Sony’s last metal cassette.
Generation 8 (1997)
The eighth generation appeared in 1997. See-through packaging revealed the cassette shell. I had a soft form, clear-white shell and a ドデカタイトルインデックスカード index card with space for a large title. II had a sharper form, clear-grey shell with a two-sided design and a View-Scale display showing the remaining tape. Both models used BSM and a short leader.
Generation 9 (1998)
The ninth generation appeared in 1998, and II also received a milky-white shell. It used a fully printed two-sided picture shell, a ラウンドエッジデザイン (Round Edge Design) with subtly rounded right-angled edges, and a ソフトオープンスリムケース (Soft Open Slim Case) whose lid used a special resin for smooth opening and closing. I offered 12 lengths from 10 to 150 minutes; II offered 11 from 10 to 120 minutes.
Generation 10 (1999(?))
A semi-soft slide-in plastic case accepted the cassette either way up. I used a two-sided キララ・ホワイトハーフ (Kirara White) shell, while II used a two-sided picture shell with a shiny pearl finish. The country of origin became Thailand.
Generation 11 (2000(?))
The eleventh generation’s theme was harmony of pop rhythm and tone colours. I was described as my own cuteness, a cute shell design; II as a new pleasant feeling, a beautiful picture shell. I originated in Thailand; II used Japanese-made tape and was assembled in Thailand.
Generation 12 (2002(?))
I featured a cute shell design and II a beautiful picture shell; both used twin-colour slim cases. I’s tape was made in the United States and II’s in Korea, with both assembled in Thailand. This was also Sony’s final music-use LH product.