Blu-ray Capacity Increase Via Firmware

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.'"

Comments

Re:The diodes can stay, but the processor's gotta

[Nick Ives]

Which would be great it electronic devices weren't banned in planes.

Encryption updates?

[ArundelCastle]

Any chance this firmware update is first in an ongoing ploy to keep the encryption methods overhauled?
Promising to increase size and compatibility, even when the majority of people won't benefit from it, is a pretty big carrot to get Joe Consumer to flash an entertainment device. These days even my grandparents understand that having a higher version number means something good.

Waiting for the "oh sorry, your player is not compatible with this update, here's a $50 coupon towards a new one (.*.that won't read burned discs.*.)" message.

Re:The diodes can stay, but the processor's gotta

[Khyber]

"You could build a capable HTPC for much less than the cost of a PS3.

Wrong."

Hah! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Oh man you're so full of shit. My CURRENT system can work as an HTPC, with medium gaming capability, and it only cost me $150 to build.

Capable of 1080p HD? Shit, my PENTIUM FOUR is capable of doing that, at 2.0 GHz, with 512MB RAM and a proper video player. That machine is probably worth.. $75 now?