Check this out! 7.5GB Mini Blu-ray Discs...

[Excalibur-king]

Verbatim will be the first to manufacture the discs in their miniature three-inch form factor, which will hold 7.5GB.

A Blu-ray’s disc’s full 50GB capacity may be rarely used for movie releases, but the density of data that can be packed onto the discs means that smaller incarnations can still store useful amounts of data. Verbatim launched the very first Mini Blu-ray Recordable/Rewritable discs on Thursday, which measure only three inches across but can carry 7.5GB of data.

That translates to about an hour’s worth of 1920x1081i high-def video, or two hours if the lower resolution 1440x1080i standard is used. When used in HD camcorders, that makes the discs comparable in video storage length to the VHS tapes of yesterday.

Although there currently aren’t any HD camcorders using Mini BD stateside, Hitachi has already released such a camcorder in Japan, where Verbatim’s discs will be launched first in August. Hitachi is bringing those camcorders to the U.S. in October; Verbatim plans to bring the Mini BD discs to North America at the same time.

The discs will feature the same proprietary hard coat as Verbatim’s larger discs, as well as a manufacturing process which the company claims guards against deterioration. Verbatim did not announced what the discs will cost when they reach the market.

http://news.digitaltrends.com/news/s...ve_up_hd_to_go

They are only three-inch anyone how long are the UMDs in the PSP ???
Sound awesome eh maybe for the next PSP and Sony should pack a Cell in there too hopefully they will make them compatible with UMDs.

[j_rocca42]

That'd be cool, but i think the umd's for the psp are way smaller than 3in. there's gotta be only about an inch of writable space on them.

[jorg]

are thos disc 3 inch diamiter or 3 inch radious? sony alredy said cell sucks back way too much power for psp it around 70 watts

[McBain]

Originally Posted by shaka

They are only three-inch anyone how long are the UMDs in the PSP ???
Sound awesome eh maybe for the next PSP and Sony should pack a Cell in there too hopefully they will make them compatible with UMDs.

Mini BD discs have a diameter of 80 mm. UMDs are 60 mm.

[tron3]

So who else here recalls me saying 3" will be the future any number of times? Please raise your hand.

Yes, I know it is not replacing BD but that is not we want, now do we. It is a step in the right direction. There is no reason why existing players could not play a 3" disk.

[Jim L]

Originally Posted by tron3

. . .There is no reason why existing players could not play a 3" disk.

Tron, it is a good statement. But I think it would be a problem for the PS3 and any other slot-loading disc player.

The tray-loading standalones and laptops would probably not have any problem though.

This could be a very good thing for cameras/camcorders, PSP, laptops or anything else where a more compact disc size is appreciated.

[tron3]

Originally Posted by Jim L

Tron, it is a good statement. But I think it would be a problem for the PS3 and any other slot-loading disc player.

The tray-loading standalones and laptops would probably not have any problem though.

....

Ahh, did not occur to me. Thanks. On the other hand, it is POSSIBLE the slot loading device can already handle both. Just no one had the nerve to try it.

Slot-loading looks all sleek and cool, but do I really want my disc getting rubbed to be fed in the player? Not if I can help it. Give me tray loaded any day.

[cathexist]

Originally Posted by tron3

Ahh, did not occur to me. Thanks. On the other hand, it is POSSIBLE the slot loading device can already handle both. Just no one had the nerve to try it.

Slot-loading looks all sleek and cool, but do I really want my disc getting rubbed to be fed in the player? Not if I can help it. Give me tray loaded any day.

Not many slot loading devices can do the smaller discs...the only one I know of is the Wii (which has a cool little contraption to slot-load the older GameCube games).

Both systems have their advantages, one of my cats has a habbit of attacking tray loading systems...so it's a good thing my PS3 is my blu-ray player.

3" discs should be a nice addition for anyone who's simply backing up data onto a smaller medium...and definitely opens up the way for more blu-ray camcorders.

[Lucy Diamond]

This is awesome!!!

I remember...waaaaaaaay back when (the 80's) we had 3-inch cd singles.

I still have The Bangles Be With You on 3"

They never did stop making that little 3" sub hole in the cd trays!!

[ps3andlovinit]

Originally Posted by Jim L

Tron, it is a good statement. But I think it would be a problem for the PS3 and any other slot-loading disc player.

The PS3 can play 8cm (3") discs. It's in the specs/manuals. No adaptor needed.

[stockstar1138]

anybody else think this would be perfect for a PSP2?

[Sonny]

It was a year back or so when there was somthing about these 3" BD's on the main pg. The were gunna be for camcorders, or what ever else...I like the PSP2 idea! & Thats really cool if/that the PS3 can read them too, or all BD slot drives...?

[CptGreedle]

The Wii can play Gamecube games, which are on 3" discs. I have software for various hardware devices (like mice) that came on a 3" disc since it didn't need to take up a whole CD.
While this has potential, 3" technology has never really caught on yet. I am not convinced this will catch on either, but I hope it does.

[maxmcleod]

Originally Posted by Jim L

Tron, it is a good statement. But I think it would be a problem for the PS3 and any other slot-loading disc player.

The tray-loading standalones and laptops would probably not have any problem though.

This could be a very good thing for cameras/camcorders, PSP, laptops or anything else where a more compact disc size is appreciated.

the wii has no problem slot loading a 3 inch gamecube game... you mean to tell me that the ps3 can't handle it?

[cathexist]

Originally Posted by Lucy Diamond

This is awesome!!!

I remember...waaaaaaaay back when (the 80's) we had 3-inch cd singles.

I still have The Bangles Be With You on 3"

They never did stop making that little 3" sub hole in the cd trays!!

Japanese singles are still released on the 3" cds

[cathexist]

Originally Posted by stockstar1138

anybody else think this would be perfect for a PSP2?

They'd have to do some major work on the battery first.

[Jimbo976]

My Dell M1530 notebook has a slot load Blu-ray Burner. I should try it with a mini-CD or DVD - I think I have one at home.

I don't really see the point of the 7.5GB discs though - just bring down the prices of the 25GB and 50GB ones.

[ps3andlovinit]

Originally Posted by maxmcleod

you mean to tell me that the ps3 can't handle it?

As previously posted ...

Originally Posted by ps3andlovinit

The PS3 can play 8cm (3") discs. It's in the specs/manuals. No adaptor needed.

[dadkins]

I remember the 3" "Business Card" discs.
http://www.businesscardsondisc.com/

3" BDs? Cool!

[blu-rayfan101]

Originally Posted by Jim L

Tron, it is a good statement. But I think it would be a problem for the PS3 and any other slot-loading disc player.

The tray-loading standalones and laptops would probably not have any problem though.

This could be a very good thing for cameras/camcorders, PSP, laptops or anything else where a more compact disc size is appreciated.

The Wii does it with Gamecube games.