An early milestone
Sony’s personal-audio timeline places the D-50 portable CD player in 1984. It gives a useful starting point for exploring the Discman era without assuming that every later portable player has the same controls or capabilities.
Read the labels
A model name printed on the lid may be abbreviated compared with the product label. Copy the complete identifier into your notes and use the corresponding manual to check supported media, controls and power requirements.
Record the whole set
A carrying case, remote, headphones or car accessory can be part of the story of a particular player. Photograph each item separately and record its own identifier. Being found in the same box does not establish that every accessory originally belonged to the player.