Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

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.'"

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

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