Back in May 2005, TDK announced a Quad-Layer Blu-ray prototype that features double the capacity of dual layer Blu-ray media. Since then, they have worked on their prototype to the point where it will support a minimum write speed of 2x (72Mbps) and have improved its stability to the point to achieve recording speeds of up to 6x (216Mbps) using this prototype. The current Blu-ray disc specification specifies a minimum recording rate of 36Mbps (1x) and a capacity of either 25GB for single layer Blu-ray media or 50GB for dual layer Blu-ray media.
TDK also has the advantage of being the only media company that is a founding member of the Blu-ray Disc Association as well as the company behind the DURABIS hard coating technology for Blu-ray media to eliminate the need for cartridges. While DURABIS claims to make the disc surface 100 times more scratch resistant than a regular DVD surface, high scratch resistance is essential due to the thin 0.1mm layer covering the recording surface.
TDK will showcase its line of innovative Blu-ray products along with this 100GB recordable Blu-ray disc prototype at the CES. While this media features a ~9 hour high definition video recording capacity, it will be targeted at professional use, such as data backup due it is high transfer rate and random access capability in an aim to compete with tape.
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Blu-ray is the ultimate solution for archiving and distributing high-definition video projects. It's an economical data backup solution boasting the power of random data access and ultra-fast transfer rates combined with the highest resolution HD capabilities. By far the most advanced optical media ever developed, the prototype 100GB bare Blu-ray Disc doubles both the capacity and recording speed of the current Blu-ray Disc specification. Blu-ray's industry-leading capacity means a single disc can store a vast assortment of content without making quality compromises. A single, prototype 100GB Blu-ray Disc can store approximately 9 hours of high definition video on a single side. TDK's prototype Blu-ray Disc records data at 72 megabits per second, double the 36Mbps rate of the current Blu-ray Disc specification. The initial Blu-ray Disc standard allows for 25GB single layer Blu-ray Discs and 50GB dual layer Blu-ray Discs. To achieve 100GB capacity, the prototype Blu-ray Disc incorporates four 25GB layers. |
As both DVD+R DL and DVD-R DL media are very expensive compared with the single layer version, chances are that quad-layer Blu-ray media will be well out of most consumer's price range, particularly since it will be expensive enough to produce single layer Blu-ray media at least to start with. It is also unclear if the initial Blu-ray drives will even support Quad-Layer Blu-ray media. Finally, with the recent launch of InPhase's 300GB holographic media and devices, there is also a chance that quad-layer (or more layer) media will not be cost effective either by the time it does launch, never mind the 300GB holographic version featuring 3x the capacity.
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Source: PhysOrg News
