News on DVD writers

Posted by: Jez Quigley on 14 January 2004

Pioneer has demonstrated dual-layer DVD-R burning at CES in Las Vegas, using an existing single-layer DVD writer. Apparently Pioneer used only modified firmware to achieve this with no modification to the hardware itself. Time will tell whether the industry decides that it is such a great idea to allow consumers to upgrade their drives to dual-layer by simply switching the firmware and not buying a new drive. Answers on a postcard...

footnote: Existing DVD writers only write discs of 3.7GB (called DVD 5 standard), whereas commercial DVDs hold about twice that much (DVD 9). So given one of these new drives, suitable blanks and software, an uncompressed Hollywood blockbuster could be backed up on to a single disc.
Posted on: 14 January 2004 by Chris L
quote:
Originally posted by Jez Quigley:
footnote: Existing DVD writers only write discs of 3.7GB (called DVD 5 standard), whereas commercial DVDs hold about twice that much (DVD 9). So given one of these new drives, suitable blanks and software, an uncompressed Hollywood blockbuster could be backed up on to a single disc.


DVD-5 format discs hold 4.7Gb, with a formatted capacity of about 4.3Gb - other than that, interesting stuff.

Unfortunately, whether a DVD recorder (either domestic or PC) will be upgradeable by firmware is probably wholly dependent on the hardware. I suspect that Pioneer may have built the capability into the hardware design in anticipation of a ratified dual layer DVD-/+R(W) format.

Time will tell, of course.

Chris
Posted on: 14 January 2004 by jpk73
uncompressed Hollywood blockbuster could be backed up on to a single disc

This is exactly what they DON'T want, I am afraid... Frown

- Jun
Posted on: 14 January 2004 by Manu
Agree with you Jun.

I can`t see technical problems to burn dual layer disks with curent units. They just have to adjust the laser beam focus and curent to go deeper.

Emmanuel

All opinions are my own, and reflect those of the organisation i work for, even if not stipulated.
Posted on: 14 January 2004 by Jez Quigley
quote:
DVD-5 format discs hold 4.7Gb, with a formatted capacity of about 4.3Gb - other than that, interesting stuff.

You are correct of course.
quote:
This is exactly what they DON'T want, I am afraid...

I know - that's why I put that bit in Cool
quote:
I suspect that Pioneer may have built the capability into the hardware design

I just don't know, perhaps Andrew Weeks can enlighten us.