Japanese Researchers Discover Way To Squeeze 42 GB Onto A DVD
A team of Japanese researchers have discovered a way to store 42 GB of data on one disc. Well, at least that’s what they claim.
When DVDs first came onto the scene, able to store roughly six times the amount of data that a CD could, it seemed like a pretty cool discovery. CDs and DVDs both have pits (really slight impressions) on the surface of the disc. The pits on DVDs are smaller and aside from that, the space between the pits, the track-spacing, is a lot tighter. DVDs can also have up to 4 layers of information, with 2 layers on either side. All of this means that DVDs can store more a lot data than CDs.
Now a team of researchers at the Tohoku University have discovered a new way of storing the data on a DVD, which enables us to store what amounts to nearly nine discs of data on just one. They say a V-shaped pit can hold as much data as 2^9 flat pits, which means there’s the potential for a disc that can store up to 42 GB of data.
According to CrunchGear the format has two major drawbacks. First of all, the researchers say it cannot be applied to Blu-ray discs, also, the discs are not compatible with regular DVD drives. Given these factors, it’s likely they won’t ever see maintstream production.
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Well thanks for nothing!
Sounds like a multi-million investment from Toshiba is in order.
Followed months later by a multi-billion dollar loss and abandonment of researched technology.
It seems like they could have thought of this earlier when it actually would have been useful. I mean, I don't know that much about it, but I would think they would try to get as much out of the DVD as soon as possible, and this advancement doesn't really seem like it would have taken that long to figure out.
Leave it to the Japanese to take something and make it better
I wonder why they just do not refine the technology and use it for holographic storage disks.... supposedly those can already store close to 1 TB... (unless the tech is made obsolete by HG storage)
When Thomas Edison was busy trying to invent the light bulb he came up with the vacuum tube which didn't work as a light bulb but was later discovered to have a different purpose.
Still, it's a cool discovery by the Japanese researchers and maybe someday it'll have a purpose.
"pits(really slight impressions) on the surface of the dics"
I had that on my dic once, burned like fire! Hey I'll proofread for you Tom's!
Toshiba isnt hurting for cash considering they own the majority stake
of Samsungs DVD buisness wich includes Blu-Ray.
Its a win, win for them either ways. One way would have just gave them
more profits.
Plus they are making tons off of pantents for DVD's.
If they put more R&D on this one. It would be worth the expense after they prove the technology is working.
HD DVD died... so is this. If that technology is ten times better than blu-ray perhaps that would kill it.
Leave it to the Japanese to take something and make it better
Are you japanese?
Us stinking Americans can do stuff too
Pretty cool, but like Yadge said, it would have been more useful if it came out earlier.
Where the hell are the DVD+QL then?!?! >__>
Well thanks for nothing!
I like reading comments for the lulz!
How about the susceptability to scratch?
I think the tech industry should try another take on flourescing dyes. I know, there already is Fluorescent Multilayer Disc. Unfortunately, its been hoarded up to be inaccessible to consumers. It's just such a waste given its benefits:
- can hold terabytes of data
- very resistant to scratches
- already rewritable when first developed.
Sigh. The things we could have had
this development in japan seems similar to their md3grape where it was incompatible with current software/hardware
So this cant be applied to blu-ray but what about HDDVD? Wouldn't that be for a odd revival.