Hitachi to produce 200GB Blu-ray disc in 2009
by Ben Drawbaugh 
posted May 19th 2007 at 8:03PM
The HD movie format war aside, there will almost certainly always be a need for a disc medium to backup our computer files with, and Blu-ray has been trying to fill that need since its release. Unlike the other format, Blu-ray burners hit the market before the movie players did, and gave computer users the ability to backup more data than ever before on a 80mm disc. Even if both formats are replaced by downloadable content, there will still be a need for big optical discs to store those movies, and Hitachi plans to offer an 8-layer Blu-ray disc capable of storing 200GB of data. While this seems like a lot today, by the time it hits the market in 2009 it might not seem like much at the rate hard discs capacity is increasing.Read - Subscription required
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Asterra @ May 19th 2007 8:22PM
2009, huh. With 600GB holographic media coming out this year, by 2009 they'll probably be roughly the same price as the 200GB Bluray discs.
hmurchison @ May 19th 2007 8:47PM
I'm old school. I've listened to optical vendors talk big dreams for over a decade and the end result is always the same. They're always late and more expensive.
So I bet you see this not shipping in quantity until 2010 and at pricing that is significantly higher that HDD and flash storage.
By 2009-2010 a 64GB flash drive is likely $80 tops. There comes a point where you really only need to carry so much data around at one time.
Companies with significant backup needs will likely continue to promote backup to HDD and archiving to tape which is the cheapest solution. I'm waiting for a justification for large optical discs.
LJ @ May 19th 2007 9:37PM
will holographic disk really come out this year? doubtful
SimbaDogg @ May 20th 2007 8:12AM
you said doubtful...i stand by you, but a lil more firm...HELL NO
Xyzzy @ May 20th 2007 10:25AM
Actually, the first holographic disks/drives are supposed to come out this fall:
http://hardware.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=07/05/18/0546244
Not for end users yet, but they're coming.
As for using BD as storage, I don't think that will ever happen (at least not more than one layer). Dual-layer DVD-R have been outforever, but does anyone actually use them? They cost more than two individual single-layer DVDs and are slower to burn. I'm guessing multi-layer BD disks will be the same for home users - not used.
grey eminence @ May 20th 2007 12:35AM
Spintronic optical data storage will be a new
player on the data storage market.
Dave @ May 20th 2007 6:49AM
If 600GB holographic media comes before that @ cheaper price Blu-ray wont win, but i doubt it. Until i see it with my own eyes its Blu-ray all the way.
bootsielon @ May 20th 2007 8:56AM
Yeah, I see every home having a "Holographic Storage" set below their TV sets, Personal Computers, and game consoles, and of course, software coming on Holographic discs, so that would definitely be an issue for Blu-ray. It's the marketshare! Oh wait.
Leo Lee @ May 22nd 2007 5:51AM
Now will these multilayer disks be compatible with hardware today?
RickWilson @ May 26th 2007 1:42PM
Actually I work with companies that deal with holographic disc, and its not trying to caputre the same market as blu-ray.
you can buy a blu-ray burner for a few hundred that can burn these 200GB discs when they come out, and holographic will still be a $3k machine focused on industry archiving, not personal storage.
Feel free to copmare the two, but only if you are in a position to use either one, not if you're a consumer or prosumer.