Pioneer shows off 16-layer 400GB Blu-ray Disc, affirms compatibility with current players

[jamclaur]

I'd like to see a game stuck on one of those! HD FF7 REMAKE anyone? Single disk!

[amillians]

Originally Posted by dialog_gvf

This is a recordable, which would mean a studio would have to duplicate to use it.

Pioneer's 16/20 layer discs are indeed ROMs.

As some have noted, the replication challenges presented by this new disc format are formidable (e.g., different materials, stacked heterogeneous spacer layers between data layers, etc.) and will almost certainly limit its application to ISOM/ODS events.

As an aside, Pioneer never said these discs were (backwards) compatible with BD-ROM. Pioneer said maintaining compatibility is possible, based on the shared lens specs. The interwebs got a bit carried away with the story, neglecting to note that the readout demo utilized a hardware/firmware modified current gen deck.

EDIT: PR link added for veracity: http://pioneer.jp/press-e/2008/0707-1.html

[Anthony P]

Flash memory is never going to get to the low price levels in cost per GB as optical discs. It's always going to be cheaper to replicate discs on a massive scale than sell movies stored on flash based media.

yup, much much more, but this is what happens guy looks at large USB stick that costs less then an expensive BD movie and says "wow one day it will be solid state" and misses that it will never be cheaper then 1$ (which it would need to be interesting) and since the data would need to be DL later the time to fill up that data to the drive would cost a lot, while disk replication creates the data and disk at the same time. That is why duplication (DVD-R) is much more expensive and only for small numbers.

[McBain]

Originally Posted by xtop

http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/02/p...rms-compatibi/

When Pioneer first introduced its unicorn-like 16-layer 400GB Blu-ray Disc, we weren't sure if the thing would make it beyond the drawing board, let alone be compatible with existing BD decks. Over at the IT Month Fair in Taipei, Pioneer showed up to showcase the capacious disc, and better still, a DigiTimes report asserts that these are indeed compatible with Blu-ray readers already on the market. Currently, the 400GB disc is slated to hit mass production sometime between now and 2010, while rewritable versions won't hit until 2010 to 2012. Not like it really matters though -- a 1TB disc is on track for 2013, and you know you'll be waiting for the latest and greatest.

These discs won’t be compatible with existing players. Read:

http://www.emedialive.com/articles/r...leid=11420#ivc

[saljr]

For 2160P movies?

[WriteSimply]

Originally Posted by McBain

These discs won’t be compatible with existing players.

You do realize that the FAQ you quoted was written in 2006, right?

I don't know anything about future compatibility. I hope the OPU/S will be compatible and the studios will include the firmware updates for all the players with each of the BD400 they make.


fuad

[McBain]

Originally Posted by WriteSimply

You do realize that the FAQ you quoted was written in 2006, right?

I don't know anything about future compatibility. I hope the OPU/S will be compatible and the studios will include the firmware updates for all the players with each of the BD400 they make.


fuad

Started in 2006 and updated regularly ever since. Read:

http://www.emedialive.com/articles/r...rticleid=11761

Quoted Pioneer statement made December 4, 2008. As stated before, read:

http://www.emedialive.com/articles/r...leid=11420#ivc

[WriteSimply]

Originally Posted by McBain

Started in 2006 and updated regularly ever since.

That's a silly way to write an FAQ without highlighting your addendums.


fuad

[kefrank]

Originally Posted by AlexKx

THIS is what I understood was what Blu-Ray was suppose to be able to do and was one of the MAJOR points of this format!!!!! THIS is what and why I have been waiting and paying attention to this new format since the year 2000 THREE years after d.v.d.s came out. Back when it was called "Multi-Versatile Disc" and being developed by independant people from half a dozen different places on Earth.

I was told my numerous people...if not everyone here for that last couple of years of how stupid I was and out of touch and such a fool for thinking that one of if not THE reason Blu-Ray discs were to be the next format was because of the incredible storage space in terms of how many hours could be put on one disc. I had always understood that one of the MAIN reasons of switching to this format was that they would be able to increase the storage size over time...and in the NEAR future AND keeping this same format so that it would not even have to get a new player! I pray to God that this happens as well as the music industry adapting this new format the sooner the better.

I'm afraid your understanding was still flawed. These discs will never be pressed with studio content. Here's what Pioneer has stated, per McBain's links:

"This is a technology exhibit only, and is not being proposed as a candidate for addition to the Blu-ray Disc format at this time. Current BD players and drives would not be able to play/read these discs. Current Blu-ray optical pickup designs could be utilized in new players/drives designed to read these discs. At present, this is a read-only technology. Recordable versions could eventually be possible."

[HDTV1080P]

Originally Posted by xtop

http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/02/p...rms-compatibi/

When Pioneer first introduced its unicorn-like 16-layer 400GB Blu-ray Disc, we weren't sure if the thing would make it beyond the drawing board, let alone be compatible with existing BD decks. Over at the IT Month Fair in Taipei, Pioneer showed up to showcase the capacious disc, and better still, a DigiTimes report asserts that these are indeed compatible with Blu-ray readers already on the market. Currently, the 400GB disc is slated to hit mass production sometime between now and 2010, while rewritable versions won't hit until 2010 to 2012. Not like it really matters though -- a 1TB disc is on track for 2013, and you know you'll be waiting for the latest and greatest.

When I click on this link to engadget listed above Norton Internet Security 2009 is informing me that "A recent attempt to attack your computer was blocked." It was flagged as a high risk link do to a Suspicious PDF File download. It still brings up the website with the story and just blocks the suspicious file.

[thursty]

This Is Damn Good, Who Knew That It Could Hold That Much

[kefrank]

Perhaps a mod should change the last part of the thread title to "suggests possible compatibility with current players" to be more accurate and keep others from getting carried away.

[big-bleu]

Originally Posted by saljr

For 2160P movies?

like to see some 2160p
my next tv i hope will be http://www.tvsnob.com/archives/022539.php
or http://www.tvsnob.com/archives/021997.php quad hdtv

is it also possible to just place a lenticular sheet over the hdtv? for 3d effect?

[Midnightsailor]

Originally Posted by big-bleu

like to see some 2160p
my next tv i hope will be http://www.tvsnob.com/archives/022539.php
or http://www.tvsnob.com/archives/021997.php quad hdtv

is it also possible to just place a lenticular sheet over the hdtv? for 3d effect?

The LaserVue sounds pretty good.

[Dark Hueso]

what happened to these discs, were they ever put into market

[Wingman1977]

Originally Posted by Dark Hueso

what happened to these discs, were they ever put into market

Companies are the only people using them and for data storage.

[Tok]

We will see higher capacity discs if 4K is truly successful. Otherwise a 50GB disc is enough to deliver 1080p24 content.

I am sure it sounds cool fitting the entire Star Wars saga or LOTR EE on one disc, but a single scratch or disc defect could ruin the whole collection. Plus let's see how well the current capacity discs hold up long term before we rush to the next step. Sound like many of the dual layer HD DVD from WB are failing. Some are fresh out of the shrink wrap.

[Tok]

Originally Posted by Petra_Kalbrain

That's the major point of this breakthrough. More great quality content on fewer discs. The format is maxed out at its current bitrate capactiy of 56Mbps (or is it 54Mbps? I can't remember exactly). Like people have said before. If they release larger quantity content on one disc, I'd be willing to pay a bit more for the convenience. I am so very quickly running out of room for my growing collection (800+ and going north!!!).

I understand the space saving issue, but we collectors have to realize we are the exception and not the norm.

I tend to go through my collection every 2 to 3 years and sell titles that I realize I can do without. Luckily I sold off a vast majority of my DVD collection before the prices collapsed on SD media.

[Brightstar]

Originally Posted by CraigW

I understand the space saving issue, but we collectors have to realize we are the exception and not the norm.

I tend to go through my collection every 2 to 3 years and sell titles that I realize I can do without. Luckily I sold off a vast majority of my DVD collection before the prices collapsed on SD media.

but 4k movies need more disk space and that's where this 400GB comes into play. LOTR will still be split onto two disks becouse the movie will be in 4k not 1080p

[vargo]

128GB BDXL is plenty for 4k if you allow for the increased compression of HEVC and the other main unnanounced next-gen codec.