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Philip's SFFO 3cm 4Gig Optical Discs

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the can-i-use-it-in-vending-machines dept.

JL writes "New Scientist reports that Philips has a demonstration in Japan recently of a 3cm rewritable optical disc that can store four gigabytes. The drive is small too!" Interesting that they note that 4 gigs can store 5 2 hour movies on the thing :)

7 of 200 comments (clear)

  1. Pics by thebudda · · Score: 5, Informative

    found a Japanese site with pics http://www.zdnet.co.jp/news/0210/04/nj00_sffo.html

    1. Re:Pics by Alsee · · Score: 5, Informative

      Direct links to large version of images.

      3 cm discs and cases, CDs show scale. They are tiny!

      Close-up of drives.

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  2. Ah, I see... by Jugalator · · Score: 5, Informative

    First versions of the disc will be:

    a) Ready for sale in two years.
    b) Store only 1 Gb.
    c) Expected to cost £70 / drive.

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  3. Pictures to look at by terrencefw · · Score: 3, Informative

    There are some nice pictures at: http://www.zdnet.co.jp/mobile/0210/04/n_sffo.html James

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  4. Re:nice tech but when will it be available? by fishman · · Score: 2, Informative

    Wayne Fletcher at Philips's Southampton lab says SFFO will be ready for sale in two years. Chris Buma, who heads Philips's optical division at Eindhoven in the Netherlands, says discs can be made for "a few cents". The drives will initially cost around £70 but this is expected to fall.

    Did you not read the next sentance?

  5. Philips has been ok'ish in that regard by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Informative

    I think IF there is no legal obligation for DRM mechanisms they will license the technology for players of open standards. They have been pretty consistent in argueing against mandatory DRM lately.

    Of course that might have something to do with them ditching their media production divisions a long time ago and having little commercial interest in DRM.

    If Disney buys enough senators to get what they want it will hardly be Philips's choice of course ... and you will have to go to Europe and Asia for your player. Until globalism and corporate dictatorship spreads their laws beyond US borders (EU will fall first, rest will follow).

  6. Re:nice tech but when will it be available? by PinkStainlessTail · · Score: 3, Informative

    Fletcher at Philips's Southampton lab says SFFO will be ready for sale in two years.
    Didn't Duke Nukem Forever have a relase date at one point? My rule of thumb is that until you can actually buy it, it's just a concept.

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