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Blu-ray Capacity Increase Via Firmware

Posted by timothy on from the best-stuff-happens-in-software dept.

LordofEntropy writes "Blu-ray.com reports that Sony and Panasonic have announced a new optical disc evaluation technology that increases capacity from 25GB to 33.4GB. The tech uses existing Blu-ray diodes and is accomplished via firmware upgrade. The article says it is not known if and when the upgrade will be adopted into the Blu-ray spec. However, given that Sony and Panasonic are behind it, 'it will likely happen later this year.'"

9 of 232 comments (clear)

  1. The diodes can stay, but the processor's gotta go! by LostCluster · · Score: 5, Informative

    There's a little more than just a firmware upgrade involved here. This is a computationally-intensive process, which means the PS3 might be able to handle this, but the $100 player you got at Wal-Mart most certainly won't. Moore's Law means that this will become practical in the future, but this tech is definitely ahead of it's time.

  2. Per layer by elrous0 · · Score: 5, Informative

    It should be noted that this is an increase of 25GB to 33.4GB per layer. Double layer blu-rays are already capable of storing 50 GB.

    --
    SJW: Someone who has run out of real oppression, and has to fake it.
  3. Also announced new encryption that needs it by noidentity · · Score: 4, Informative

    new optical disc evaluation technology that increases capacity from 25GB to 33.4GB

    Unfortunately, they also announced that this 33% space increase will be used by their new DECE encryption, "delivering greater flexibility, value, and security to consumers, without any extra cost, just a free firmware upgrade".

  4. Re:Ps3 is the only reasonable player out by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Informative

    The diode is purple.
    Next step would be UV...

  5. Re:The diodes can stay, but the processor's gotta by quantumplacet · · Score: 3, Informative

    This:
    http://www.google.com/products/catalog?hl=en&source=hp&q=logitech+ps3+adapter&um=1&ie=UTF-8&cid=18080916205225775435&ei=vARFS4-7M5PT8AaiqoGEBQ&sa=X&oi=product_catalog_result&ct=result&resnum=3&ved=0CB0Q8wIwAg#ps-sellers

    will let you use pretty much any harmony with it.

  6. Re:Pushing the spec... by faragon · · Score: 4, Informative

    Already done, see the Sega Dreamcast discs: GD-ROM.

  7. Re:The diodes can stay, but the processor's gotta by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Informative

    Thankfully that banning isn't world wide last I checked.

    - A Non American

  8. Re:The diodes can stay, but the processor's gotta by amRadioHed · · Score: 3, Informative

    Exactly. DVDs are a stable format that do exactly what they need to.

    --
    We hope your rules and wisdom choke you / Now we are one in everlasting peace
  9. Re:The diodes can stay, but the processor's gotta by squiggleslash · · Score: 2, Informative

    I think you've hit upon why Blu-ray sucks.

    The entire point of a standard is that it's supposed to be, you know, standard, not subject to upgrades every year or two that destroy a significant chunk of your investment.

    --
    You are not alone. This is not normal. None of this is normal.