Quantcast

Don't have an account? Register Now! Forgot password?

Related Articles
Maximum IT
SEE MORE MAXIMUM IT
News

Current Blu-Ray Players Can Only Handle 50GB of Data

Posted 10/14/09 at 02:55:02 PM  by Bart Salisbury

comment Commentsprint Printemail EmailDeliciousDiggStumbleUponRedditFacebookSlashdot

 

 Sharp and TDK are doubling down on Blu-ray disc storage capacity, each introducing a prototype capable of storing up to 100GB of data, up from the current standard of 50GB.  The prototypes make use of a four-layer disc, up from the present maximum of two, and are capable of recording data at 72Mbps, again double the current level of 32Mbps.

While TDK hasn’t disclosed its underlying technology, Sharp’s advancements come from the substitution of dielectric film used for recording data on a Blu-ray disc with aluminum oxynitride. Sharp also makes use of a pulse operated blue-violet semiconductor laser with an optical output as high as 500mW. The laser’s oscillation wavelength of 405nm is capable of writing at 8x speed on three- and four-layered Blu-ray discs.

While the prototype technology holds promise it’s speculative at this point. The Blu-ray Disc Association, which sets the standards for Blu-ray discs, has specifications only for single- and dual-layer discs. Without an adjustment to the standards it doesn’t make economic sense for Sharp or TDK to move beyond the prototype stage. And even if they did the sad fact is current Blu-ray players aren’t able to handle anything over 50GB.

 

Image Credit: Blue-ray Disc Association

COMMENTS:1
TAGS: Blu-ray, hardware, consumer electronics, sharp, tdk
COMMENTS
avatarsize needs

Submitted by ocnier on Wed, 10/14/2009 - 1:59pm

Just assuming that the only reason for bluray in current form is HD programming (which is blatantly not true), does the HD industry need the extra space and should it get it?  I mean look at HDDVD (yes i know the format war is over) which was at a 30gb limit, but still more than adequate for the main task of HD movies.   Does this also lead to more sloppy compresssion?  Money drives the train but so does necessity.  I just don't see how if the movie industry is the main economic driver for this activity, how the desire to "upgrade" the tech will be feasible. A single dual layer blue ray disc has more than enough capacity for any single HD movie.  Unless your trying to pack the entire LOTR trilogy or starwars on one disc, what is the point?  If you come at this from the angle of storage, hard drive storage more than outpaces this point by leaps and bounds for less money and with the advent of enough "power" for HTPC's and home servers with declining price structures appearing, then how does this help you for products sales?  Also in the coming years with the promise of internet streaming HD/mass amounts of data (a facet that is only held back by an infrastructure backbone incompatablility in this country), how does this play out?  I mean if the average home user can get a true 20mb/second download (a fact that is pretty much only experienced by lucky few in select FIOS areas) then the drive/argument is moot.......

Login or register to post comments

This Month's Issue
Maximum PC
SUBSCRIBE NOW
AND SAVE!
FEATURE How to Get FREE Programs, Services, Software & MoreFEATURE Digital Photo Printer RoundupHOW TOBuild a 3D CameraFEATUREDIY Arcade PCWHITE PAPERHow TRIM Works