Holographic-memory discs may put DVDs to shame

Iria · Nov 26, 2005, 04:30 PM

A computer disc about the size of a DVD that can hold 60 times more data is set to go on sale in 2006. The disc stores information through the interference of light – a technique known as holographic memory.

The discs, developed by InPhase Technologies, based in Colorado, US, hold 300 gigabytes of data and can be used to read and write data 10 times faster than a normal DVD. The company, along with Japanese partner Hitachi Maxell announced earlier in November that they would start selling the discs and compatible drives from the end of 2006.

"Unlike other technologies, 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," says Liz Murphy, of InPhase Technologies. "This enables transfer rates significantly higher than current optical storage devices."

The discs, at 13 centimetres across, are a little wider than conventional DVDs, and slightly thicker. Normal DVDs record data by measuring microscopic ridges on the surface of a spinning disc. Two competing successors to the DVD format – Blu-ray and HD-DVD – use the same technique but exploit shorter wavelengths of light to cram more information onto a surface.
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Read More / Source: New Scientist

The_Neon_Cowboy · Nov 26, 2005, 05:07 PM

they will probubly cost and arm and a leg! I'm suprised to see this stuff at
all this early as a few year ago they where talking about disks that can hold
up to a terrabyte. But I don't thank many can or would be able to make use of
this much storge

Master Shake · Nov 26, 2005, 05:10 PM

I'm sure people in broadcasting and the medical and scientific fields could take advantage of this.

**dj_stick** · Nov 26, 2005, 11:30 PM

aswell as large companies, perfect backup medium imo

depending in the read/write speed - it would be interesting to see HDD use this sort of technology, parallel data means a disk doesn't need to spin as fast, yet have enormous access speeds

Nov 26, 2005, 04:30 PM	#1
Iria DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 7,275 Rep Power: 89	Holographic-memory discs may put DVDs to shame A computer disc about the size of a DVD that can hold 60 times more data is set to go on sale in 2006. The disc stores information through the interference of light – a technique known as holographic memory. The discs, developed by InPhase Technologies, based in Colorado, US, hold 300 gigabytes of data and can be used to read and write data 10 times faster than a normal DVD. The company, along with Japanese partner Hitachi Maxell announced earlier in November that they would start selling the discs and compatible drives from the end of 2006. "Unlike other technologies, 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," says Liz Murphy, of InPhase Technologies. "This enables transfer rates significantly higher than current optical storage devices." The discs, at 13 centimetres across, are a little wider than conventional DVDs, and slightly thicker. Normal DVDs record data by measuring microscopic ridges on the surface of a spinning disc. Two competing successors to the DVD format – Blu-ray and HD-DVD – use the same technique but exploit shorter wavelengths of light to cram more information onto a surface. __________ Read More / Source: New Scientist

Nov 26, 2005, 05:07 PM	#2
The_Neon_Cowboy HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: U.S.A. Posts: 16,009 Rep Power: 92 System Specs	they will probubly cost and arm and a leg! I'm suprised to see this stuff at all this early as a few year ago they where talking about disks that can hold up to a terrabyte. But I don't thank many can or would be able to make use of this much storge __________________ Last edited by The_Neon_Cowboy; Nov 26, 2005 at 09:40 PM.

Nov 26, 2005, 05:10 PM	#3
Master Shake DriverHeaven Addict Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 310 Rep Power: 0	I'm sure people in broadcasting and the medical and scientific fields could take advantage of this.