Storage Toolkit

Hitachi multi-layer DVD holds 200 films

Staff, CNETAsia CNet Asia

Published: 20 May 2003 08:35 BST

Japan-based electronics giant Hitachi has developed a technology which allows 200 movies to be packed into a single DVD disc.

This is achieved by stacking multiple data-storing layers on a disc to allow reading and writing of a vast amount of data that can run up to 400 hours, reported the Agence French-Presse news agency.

The report said conventional DVD storage technology allows up to two layers to be used on one disc, but Hitachi's breakthrough can boost storage significantly by allowing for multiple layers.

"We expect demand for a DVD with a bigger capacity and hope to market the product globally in the near future," Hitachi spokesman Takeshi Kawakami was quoted as saying.

The company said it hopes to commercialise the technology, which was jointly developed with its audio and video storage subsidiary Hitachi Maxwell, by 2007.

Besides DVDs, optical storage vendors have also been looking to pack more into normal compact discs (CD).

Last month, Sanyo said its new technique can double the amount of data stored on CD-recordable discs. The firm said its technology fits 1.4GB of data into a standard 700MB (80-minute) blank CD write-once or rewritable disc.

Everybody needs storage. And almost every week some company manages to squeeze more storage into less space for a lower price. For the latest news, reviews and price checks on everything from USB flash cards and PCCard hard disks to storage area networks, see ZDNet UK's Storage News Section.

Let the editors know what you think in the Mailroom.