300GB disc set to challenge Blu-ray and HD-DVD.

[Smokey]

While Sony and Toshiba are battling out to decide on the standards for the next generation DVD format, there is a new format of storage called Holographic memory discs which offers capacities much more than what these new formats promises us in a years time.

A computer disc about the size of a DVD that can hold 60 times more data will go on sale in 2006, according to its American developer InPhase Technologies. The discs, holding 300GB each, use so-called Tapestry holographic memory technology to store data by interference of light. InPhase Technologies along with their partners Hitachi Maxell would start delivering the discs and compatible drives by the end of next year in the retail market.

New discs can store more than 26 hours of broadcast-quality high-definition video on a single 300GB disk, recorded at a data rate of 160Mbps. The discs are 13cm in diameter and a little wider and thicker than conventional DVDs.

Unlike other technologies (such as DVD/Bluray/DVD-HD) that record one data bit at a time, holography allows a million bits of data to be written and read in parallel with a single flash of light. This enables transfer rates significantly higher than current optical storage device.This enables transfer rates significantly higher than current optical storage device.

Looks like Blu-ray and HD-DVD will have competiton even before they get started

http://www.newscientist.com/article....ine-news_rss20

[Kam]

so........................... peter jackson could put the entire extended lotr trilogy on only TWO discs now.... hehehe.

[GMichael]

Very interesting. What will be next?

[Smokey]

Very interesting. What will be next?

Probably find enought content to fill 300Gb space. I think 2 hr HD movie with soudtrack and extra will only fill like around 50GB or 60 GB of space on a disc (or may be little more). May be as Kam siad, we could put whole trilogy of an artist on one disc

But usually one problem associate with brand new format such as this is that it might make previous format obselete and it won't be backward compatible. So we have to throw away all of DVDs and DVD player we have.

[GMichael]

Probably find enought content to fill 300Gb space. I think 2 hr HD movie with soudtrack and extra will only fill like around 50GB or 60 GB of space on a disc (or may be little more). May be as Kam siad, we could put whole trilogy of an artist on one disc

But usually one problem associate with brand new format such as this is that it might make previous format obselete and it won't be backward compatible. So we have to throw away all of DVDs and DVD player we have.

Throw away? Huh? I still haven't thrown away my old 8-tracks.

[Smokey]

Throw away? Huh? I still haven't thrown away my old 8-tracks.

Well, then this might be your big chance to get rid them all for good LOL

[kexodusc]

What will be next?

I think eventually we will see the end of these tangible storage device formats. People are just starting to get use to paying to download music files. Perhaps each home will have its own server/hard drive/HDTV interface/PC device that handles all of this.
Then it's just a matter of buying the movie from the website and storing it however you prefer. Probably with backup. If it's all in 1's and 0's, stored on your hard-drive, playable by the OS, then we don't need these constant format wars...lower cost to the consumer, and lower cost to the manufacturer...in fact, from the studio's perspective, you're taking them right out of the equation.


The big obstacle here will waiting for the studios to overcome their fears. I can't see them supporting this with their current mindset. They're so afraid of piracy (and for good reason) that a completely format-less format probably scares the hell out of them...all their property is exposed to some clever hacker being able to share it online.

But in the end, I think if they believe they could sell a movie for $15-$20, just for the data, and take out the production costs, the distribution costs, and all the middle-man companies profits along the way to put in their own pockets, they'll do it.

And if it puts an end to format wars and compatibility fears, I'm all for it.

[GMichael]

I think eventually we will see the end of these tangible storage device formats. People are just starting to get use to paying to download music files. Perhaps each home will have its own server/hard drive/HDTV interface/PC device that handles all of this.
Then it's just a matter of buying the movie from the website and storing it however you prefer. Probably with backup. If it's all in 1's and 0's, stored on your hard-drive, playable by the OS, then we don't need these constant format wars...lower cost to the consumer, and lower cost to the manufacturer...in fact, from the studio's perspective, you're taking them right out of the equation.


The big obstacle here will waiting for the studios to overcome their fears. I can't see them supporting this with their current mindset. They're so afraid of piracy (and for good reason) that a completely format-less format probably scares the hell out of them...all their property is exposed to some clever hacker being able to share it online.

But in the end, I think if they believe they could sell a movie for $15-$20, just for the data, and take out the production costs, the distribution costs, and all the middle-man companies profits along the way to put in their own pockets, they'll do it.

And if it puts an end to format wars and compatibility fears, I'm all for it.

I agree to a point. Now there will be hard drive storage wars. New ways to store 1's and 0's that make hard drives obsolete. And the cycle continues down a new road.

Costs for downloading will increase. Pirate software to beat the system will abound. New ways to spend money are around the corner I think.

But still, I think there will be advanages for us, the consumer. Just don't think that saving money will be one of them.

[Smokey]

I think eventually we will see the end of these tangible storage device formats. People are just starting to get use to paying to download music files. Perhaps each home will have its own server/hard drive/HDTV interface/PC device that handles all of this.

That will probably be true, but it might be 15 or 20 years down the road when everybody have high bandwidth connection. I have 1.5 Mb internet connection, and it takes me about 4 hrs to download 1 GB worth of data. With 50 GB of data for HD movie, it will take 200 hrs or about 10 days. Even if we have 15 GB internet bandwidth connection, it will take 20 hrs to down load a HD movie.

So I imagine storage formats will still be with use for a while

Nooooooooooo! Can't do that. What will I play in my 8-track player? Yes, it still playes. It's out in the shed, but it works.

I would leave it where its at. You don't make Rats and cockroaches homeless heheheh

[Geoffcin]

When it comes to the format war, all the talk has been about Blu-ray and HD DVD, but another more advanced technology could actually replace both before they even really have a chance to make their respective marks. Holographic disks can store a ton of data and can read and write data faster as well.

Full Story;

http://biz.gamedaily.com/features.as...=11193&filter=

[GMichael]

When it comes to the format war, all the talk has been about Blu-ray and HD DVD, but another more advanced technology could actually replace both before they even really have a chance to make their respective marks. Holographic disks can store a ton of data and can read and write data faster as well.

Full Story;

http://biz.gamedaily.com/features.as...=11193&filter=

This seems to be getting around fast. Did you see Smokey's thread? 300GB disc set to challenge Blu-ray and HD-DVD.

Looks like the same thing by a different writer.