Veritas
11-22-04, 12:14 PM
FYI.
A couple of articles on the New "Versatile Multilayer Disc" technology that could provide 100GB (20 layers at 5GB each) for Red lasers & also doubles 50GB Blue laser media to 100GB.
Red Laser HD Disc?
By Barry Willis
November 22, 2004 — At present, high-definition video is available two ways: via broadcasters or on HD digital VHS tape cassettes. There are no high-def DVDs, despite the hype from the promoters of Blu-ray and HD-DVD, both of which will require disc transports using short-wavelength blue lasers.
New York City–based New Medium Enterprises, Inc. (NME) is promoting another approach, one using multi-layer discs read by traditional red lasers, as are found in standard DVD drives. NME claims that its Reflective Multi-layer Disc (MVD) technology enables discs to store data in excess of 100 gigabytes (GB), more than ten times the capacity of a dual-layer DVD 9, with 8.5GB data capacity.
MVD discs have the same dimensions as standard DVDs, but in theory could have up to 20 reflective layers, according to the company. Each layer could contain up to 5GB of data, making MVD discs an ideal medium for the high-density data needed to deliver true HD video. "100GB on an MVD disc is certainly feasible," the company boasts on its website, but "initial MVD products will be more modest; in the range of 20GB and 30GB." MVD discs could be made in 5GB increments, from 20GB to 100GB according to application and market demand.
MVD is a cost-effective solution to the portable HD video problem, NME claims, because the use of red lasers makes player design easy, including the essential feature of making such products backward compatible with standard DVDs.
Low production cost and resulting low prices for consumers would help the market penetration of MVD "as a natural extension of DVD for HD content." The use of red lasers also solves many engineering problems associated with blue lasers, such as "unfeasible stringent tolerances on disc flatness, numerical apertures, tilt margins, etc," NME asserts, and projects that HD disc players built on the MVD model could retail for $200–250 each, with commercial discs delivering two hours of HD video.
Formed in August 1999, the NME owns intellectual property assets about multi-layer disc technology from MultiDisc in London and TriGm in Belgium, and is pursuing long-term development of MVD prototypes and products.
NME site:
New Medium Enterprises Inc. (NME) brings to the world a truly evolutionary technology that will enable consumers in the near term, to view High Definition quality entertainment at a price equivalent to today's DVD. NME developed a new optical storage disc known as -VMD- which has the capability of storing 100 GB of data and more, as compared to the maximum capacity allowed by the current highest capacity disc -a DVD 9- which bears only 8.5 GB of data, stored on two information layers.
VMD is the acronym for "Versatile Multilayer Disc". It is a next generation optical disc designed for High Definition content: motion pictures, video on demand, sports entertainment, and all video content and data. VMD is precisely the same size and thickness as DVD, however, while DVD technology is limited to a maximum of two data layers on a disc, VMD provides the ability to place up to 20 layers on a single disc with no quality loss in the content stored. Through multi layering, we are able to (dramatically!) increase the disc storage capacity. Each layer adds approximately 5GB's of memory over a standard DVD disc. While storing 100GB on an VMD disc is certainly feasible, the initial VMD products will be more modest; in the range of 20 GB and 30 GB discs & players. We believe that such disc capacities will more than satisfy the HD market for the next several years. VMD technology is not only a high quality solution with unparalleled copyright protection for next generation HD-DVD, but unlike the rival blue-laser format it is also the most cost effective solution in the market place for the reasons described below:
VMD player is based on conventional red lasers and almost in all respects similar to DVD players. In particular VMD player will be naturally backward compatible with DVD, which will enable viewing of HD discs as well as current DVD's.;
VMD manufacturing will be processed at existing DVD facilities with existing DVD equipment. Notwithstanding that the scientific & technological concepts behind VMD are different from DVD, the huge manufacturing infrastructure that was built for DVD will be used for VMD production with only very minor additional accommodations, at an inconsequential cost.
It is thus understandable why the production cost of VMD & player will be comparable with DVD. Low production cost, and in consequence, low prices for consumers will be instrumental in easing the market penetration of VMD as a natural extension of DVD for HD content.
Inherently low prices and utilization of existing DVD manufacturing infrastructure sharply distinguishes VMD from the optical disc technologies based on blue lasers. Currently there are several proposals for high capacity optical discs for the HD market. They promise similar capacities of discs varying from 15 GB, 25, GB, 30 GB and up to 50 GB on one side. As a result of all this hype, it is becoming difficult to understand what the reality of blue laser technologies is and what in practicality is the actual time span for their delivery at commercially feasible prices. However, no one doubts that mass production by technology based on blue laser will positively require a new production infrastructure worldwide in place of DVD production infrastructure. Unfortunately the resulting disc capacities will be about the same as can be achieved with the existing DVD production facilities.
Looking ahead to 2007, if and when the blue laser becomes more reliable, for greater capacities such as VIDEO ON DEMAND (100-200Gbyte), Blue laser Multi layer Discs using VMD technology can be developed along traditional lines. The objective is not to over burden the process for higher and higher density of pits on a disc that impose unfeasible stringent tolerances on disc flatness, numerical apertures, tilt margins etc., but achieving the capacity levels through multi layering. This will enable maintaining the density on each level in reasonable limits, thus providing "soft" tolerances for all the parameters and keeping cheap and simple manufacturing technology. VMD has the capability to enhance Blue Laser through its Multi Layering technology, increasing capacity of its currently proposed 50GB maximal possible capacity to 100GB and higher.
High Definition (HD) content is best viewed on modern high resolution displays: plasma TV's and big size liquid crystal computer displays. The ultimate HD quality is achieved with high resolution projectors, such as is used in Digital Cinema theaters, and more and more frequently at home with a big white screen hanging on a wall, or a white wall itself serving as a screen. VMD is very similar to familiar DVD. But the maximal DVD capacity is limited to 8.5 GB. It only contains sufficient storage capacity to store a movie in Standard Definition format, but not High Definition format.
In order to comprehend the difference between Standard Definition and High Definition Video formats one must consider the following: By Standard Definition format one usually refers to a video quality which is equivalent to standard TV screens. This is about the quality of digital DVD signal, plus or minus. The HD content provides at least several times higher information bit rate arriving at TV displays, and accordingly much higher quality. One must really view the HD images on the screen to understand that HDTV is a new universe in home entertainment.
All optical discs in the market, such CD's and DVD's are reflective. In a certain sense so is VMD. There is nothing extraordinary about being reflective. However, achieving multi layering capabilities is quite substantial in both depth and scope. There is general awareness by the giant players in the market place that the future of optical storage is ultimately in multi layer carriers. Indeed, how much can be placed on one layer? Even now it is a marvel of human creation to have as much capacity as blue laser discs are promising. But it is of prime importance to understand that those levels are achieved through tremendous complexities that impose unfeasible stringent tolerances on disc flatness, numerical apertures, tilt margins etc., which will ultimately lead to high consumer prices.
Is it not wiser to achieve the capacity levels through multi layering and gain substantial capacity per disc while keeping the production technology simple? And looking ahead in the future when blue laser technologies become available and transparent, likewise to apply the same principles to build giant capacity blue laser discs?
Multi Layering is the core technology of NME, it is a technology in which we are in the forefront of the industry and will aim to be a market leader in this exciting industry.
A couple of articles on the New "Versatile Multilayer Disc" technology that could provide 100GB (20 layers at 5GB each) for Red lasers & also doubles 50GB Blue laser media to 100GB.
Red Laser HD Disc?
By Barry Willis
November 22, 2004 — At present, high-definition video is available two ways: via broadcasters or on HD digital VHS tape cassettes. There are no high-def DVDs, despite the hype from the promoters of Blu-ray and HD-DVD, both of which will require disc transports using short-wavelength blue lasers.
New York City–based New Medium Enterprises, Inc. (NME) is promoting another approach, one using multi-layer discs read by traditional red lasers, as are found in standard DVD drives. NME claims that its Reflective Multi-layer Disc (MVD) technology enables discs to store data in excess of 100 gigabytes (GB), more than ten times the capacity of a dual-layer DVD 9, with 8.5GB data capacity.
MVD discs have the same dimensions as standard DVDs, but in theory could have up to 20 reflective layers, according to the company. Each layer could contain up to 5GB of data, making MVD discs an ideal medium for the high-density data needed to deliver true HD video. "100GB on an MVD disc is certainly feasible," the company boasts on its website, but "initial MVD products will be more modest; in the range of 20GB and 30GB." MVD discs could be made in 5GB increments, from 20GB to 100GB according to application and market demand.
MVD is a cost-effective solution to the portable HD video problem, NME claims, because the use of red lasers makes player design easy, including the essential feature of making such products backward compatible with standard DVDs.
Low production cost and resulting low prices for consumers would help the market penetration of MVD "as a natural extension of DVD for HD content." The use of red lasers also solves many engineering problems associated with blue lasers, such as "unfeasible stringent tolerances on disc flatness, numerical apertures, tilt margins, etc," NME asserts, and projects that HD disc players built on the MVD model could retail for $200–250 each, with commercial discs delivering two hours of HD video.
Formed in August 1999, the NME owns intellectual property assets about multi-layer disc technology from MultiDisc in London and TriGm in Belgium, and is pursuing long-term development of MVD prototypes and products.
NME site:
New Medium Enterprises Inc. (NME) brings to the world a truly evolutionary technology that will enable consumers in the near term, to view High Definition quality entertainment at a price equivalent to today's DVD. NME developed a new optical storage disc known as -VMD- which has the capability of storing 100 GB of data and more, as compared to the maximum capacity allowed by the current highest capacity disc -a DVD 9- which bears only 8.5 GB of data, stored on two information layers.
VMD is the acronym for "Versatile Multilayer Disc". It is a next generation optical disc designed for High Definition content: motion pictures, video on demand, sports entertainment, and all video content and data. VMD is precisely the same size and thickness as DVD, however, while DVD technology is limited to a maximum of two data layers on a disc, VMD provides the ability to place up to 20 layers on a single disc with no quality loss in the content stored. Through multi layering, we are able to (dramatically!) increase the disc storage capacity. Each layer adds approximately 5GB's of memory over a standard DVD disc. While storing 100GB on an VMD disc is certainly feasible, the initial VMD products will be more modest; in the range of 20 GB and 30 GB discs & players. We believe that such disc capacities will more than satisfy the HD market for the next several years. VMD technology is not only a high quality solution with unparalleled copyright protection for next generation HD-DVD, but unlike the rival blue-laser format it is also the most cost effective solution in the market place for the reasons described below:
VMD player is based on conventional red lasers and almost in all respects similar to DVD players. In particular VMD player will be naturally backward compatible with DVD, which will enable viewing of HD discs as well as current DVD's.;
VMD manufacturing will be processed at existing DVD facilities with existing DVD equipment. Notwithstanding that the scientific & technological concepts behind VMD are different from DVD, the huge manufacturing infrastructure that was built for DVD will be used for VMD production with only very minor additional accommodations, at an inconsequential cost.
It is thus understandable why the production cost of VMD & player will be comparable with DVD. Low production cost, and in consequence, low prices for consumers will be instrumental in easing the market penetration of VMD as a natural extension of DVD for HD content.
Inherently low prices and utilization of existing DVD manufacturing infrastructure sharply distinguishes VMD from the optical disc technologies based on blue lasers. Currently there are several proposals for high capacity optical discs for the HD market. They promise similar capacities of discs varying from 15 GB, 25, GB, 30 GB and up to 50 GB on one side. As a result of all this hype, it is becoming difficult to understand what the reality of blue laser technologies is and what in practicality is the actual time span for their delivery at commercially feasible prices. However, no one doubts that mass production by technology based on blue laser will positively require a new production infrastructure worldwide in place of DVD production infrastructure. Unfortunately the resulting disc capacities will be about the same as can be achieved with the existing DVD production facilities.
Looking ahead to 2007, if and when the blue laser becomes more reliable, for greater capacities such as VIDEO ON DEMAND (100-200Gbyte), Blue laser Multi layer Discs using VMD technology can be developed along traditional lines. The objective is not to over burden the process for higher and higher density of pits on a disc that impose unfeasible stringent tolerances on disc flatness, numerical apertures, tilt margins etc., but achieving the capacity levels through multi layering. This will enable maintaining the density on each level in reasonable limits, thus providing "soft" tolerances for all the parameters and keeping cheap and simple manufacturing technology. VMD has the capability to enhance Blue Laser through its Multi Layering technology, increasing capacity of its currently proposed 50GB maximal possible capacity to 100GB and higher.
High Definition (HD) content is best viewed on modern high resolution displays: plasma TV's and big size liquid crystal computer displays. The ultimate HD quality is achieved with high resolution projectors, such as is used in Digital Cinema theaters, and more and more frequently at home with a big white screen hanging on a wall, or a white wall itself serving as a screen. VMD is very similar to familiar DVD. But the maximal DVD capacity is limited to 8.5 GB. It only contains sufficient storage capacity to store a movie in Standard Definition format, but not High Definition format.
In order to comprehend the difference between Standard Definition and High Definition Video formats one must consider the following: By Standard Definition format one usually refers to a video quality which is equivalent to standard TV screens. This is about the quality of digital DVD signal, plus or minus. The HD content provides at least several times higher information bit rate arriving at TV displays, and accordingly much higher quality. One must really view the HD images on the screen to understand that HDTV is a new universe in home entertainment.
All optical discs in the market, such CD's and DVD's are reflective. In a certain sense so is VMD. There is nothing extraordinary about being reflective. However, achieving multi layering capabilities is quite substantial in both depth and scope. There is general awareness by the giant players in the market place that the future of optical storage is ultimately in multi layer carriers. Indeed, how much can be placed on one layer? Even now it is a marvel of human creation to have as much capacity as blue laser discs are promising. But it is of prime importance to understand that those levels are achieved through tremendous complexities that impose unfeasible stringent tolerances on disc flatness, numerical apertures, tilt margins etc., which will ultimately lead to high consumer prices.
Is it not wiser to achieve the capacity levels through multi layering and gain substantial capacity per disc while keeping the production technology simple? And looking ahead in the future when blue laser technologies become available and transparent, likewise to apply the same principles to build giant capacity blue laser discs?
Multi Layering is the core technology of NME, it is a technology in which we are in the forefront of the industry and will aim to be a market leader in this exciting industry.