Mid-2000 release for 9.1GB drive
Mid-2000 release for 9.1GB drive
Sony has announced new developments in its next generation of 5.25 inch MO drives and disk technology, which is expected to increase capacity to 9.1GB.
Due for release in the middle of next year, this will nearly double the capacity of the current 5.2GB offering and will also offer 14 times the capacity of the first generation 650MB MO drives and media.
Backward read compatibility will be maintained for all four previous generations of media.
According to Sony, the major manufacturer of MO drives that are used in other vendor's jukeboxes, the key to achieving the increased capacity is the use of magnetically induced Super Resolution known as MSR technology.
MSR allows optical drives to read recorded marks on the disk that are smaller than the laser beam spot size, while reducing the potential for 'cross-talk' from adjacent tracks. This technique allows for a significant increase in track density, while maintaining data integrity.
With this next-generation MO technology, Sony has also incorporated new technology known as Land and Groove Recording which allows data to be recorded on both the surface space of the recording layer (Land) and the deeper spiral track (Groove).
According to Sony, this technology allows for a narrower track pitch, resulting in more efficient use of the total recording surface of the disk.
Hewlett-Packard has been working in cooperation with Sony to develop the advancement in MO technology and plans to offer full support and integration with future HP MO jukebox products.
Jukebox manufacturer Plasmon, and jukebox vendor Disc have also expressed an intention to support the 14x technology.
Sony plans to introduce 14X MO drives and media in mid 2000.