Sony plans to commercialize by fall of this year a new
optical disc archive storage system. Offering capacities
of up to 1.5TB, the system could attarct content
creators to adopt it as a replacement of the tape-based
media.
The system comprises of cartridges which Sony dubs
ODC1500R, each containing twelve blue laser-based
optical discs which will be seen as one volume sized
between 300GB and 1.5TB. Cartridge options will include
both re-writable and WORM (Write Once Read Many)
options.
Sony claims that the new system will deliver superior
long-term storage capabilities, which are enabled
through the use of media built to withstand changes in
temperature and humidity, and is dust and water
resistance. Furthermore, the new system provides
guaranteed intergenerational compatibility and
eliminates the need to re-archive copies of past archive
data.
Next Fall, Sony plans to release various optical disc
media for archive storage solutions into the market that
is compatible with the "ODS-D55U" drive unit equipped
with a USB 3.0.
Additionally, Sony has organized Optical Disc Archive
Advisory Group open to participation by media and
entertainment companies from across the globe to further
build the market for video image archive solutions.
With this group, Sony will collaborate with partners to
establish and maintain a solution and application
software environment that advances optimum
specifications and system architectures among other
areas, while anticipating future trends and demand in
the archive solutions segment. The broadcasters and
motion picture companies listed below have already
announced their participation in the Optical Disc
Archive Advisory Group:
BSkyB, CBS News, China Central Television, CJ
Powercast, Fuji Television Network, inc., IMAGICA Corp.,
J.LEAGUE Media Promotion, Inc., OMNIBUS JAPAN Inc., RAI,
RedBull Mediahouse GmbH, Shanghai Media Group, SRG SSR,
Time Warner Cable Sports, TOHOKUSHINSHA FILM
CORPORATION, TV Globo, TV TOKYO Corporation, TV 2/Lorry,
TVP Poland, VGTRK, WOWOW Inc.
This collaboration will study the potential for
utilization of optical disc media in their archive
workflow and develop appropriate application software
for future media asset management and distribution
strategies.
Furthermore, in addition to the production of media and
drive units, Sony will collaborate with a variety of
other manufacturers in related business areas such as
storage media, robotics (automated media exchange
systems), middleware (hierarchical storage management
and control) and application software for media asset
management (including media management and search) for
the purpose of developing system solutions for media
archive applications.
Sony said that the following manufacturers who have
already expressed their support for the Optical Disc
Archive:
ASG-Atempo, Dalet, Front Porch Digital, Harris, SGL,
Square Box Systems Ltd, TDK Corporation, Vizrt
TDK has also announced both its full support of the
Optical Disc Archive and that it will begin
manufacturing disc media under license from Sony.
In addition to the commercialization of various
products, Sony will continue to promote its efforts
through Optical Disc Archive Advisory Group activities.