Blu-ray Dimensions

Panasonic View on LTH Recordable Blu-ray

Samuel — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 02:22:46 +0000

There is an interesting article in CDINFO.COM about Panasonic’s development of 8x BD-R media. I’m particularly interested in Mr. Hiroyuki Hasegawa, General manager of Technology Group, Media Business Unit, Device Business Group, at Panasonic Corps’s AVC Networks Company views on LTH Blu-ray recordable. LTH is short for ‘Low to High’ and it uses an organic dye like the dye used in recordable DVDs. The Panasonic team points out that LTH Blu-ray is only capable of 2x recording. Panasonic has decided to stick with inorganic because of high capacity, high reliability low cost, light resistance and longevity. According to the article Mr. Hasegawa said “From our environmental acceleration test, Panasonic BD-R shows archival reliability of more than fifty (50) years.” and goes on to point out that organic dye has less light resistance then non-organic. The CDRINFO article goes on to quote Mr. Hasegawa stating “Consequently Panasonic doesn’t think LTH media will become a mainstream product for Blu-ray.”

This comes as somewhat of a relief because LTH Blu-ray is not supported on current North American or European systems. The confusion to the market is extreme and should be avoided at all costs. There are several companies that have released LTH recordable Blu-ray media in Japan including Taiyo Yuden. As I understand it there is some hope that the current DVD coating systems could be used for Blu-ray recordable production (LTH technology) but it has some issues including dye stability, low throughput, low capacity and longevity. That is not a good mix for archive optical media.

Why are Recordable Blu-ray discs so expensive

Samuel — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 15:36:30 +0000

This is a follow up on my first post back in October 2008 in which I tried to answer the burning question, “why are Blu-ray discs so expensive?”. Although I’m discussing recordable blu-ray blank discs some of the same forces are at work with BD-ROM discs, primarily licensing fees. Some recent changes to licensing fees of BD-ROM which will simplify the licensing and payment of royalties is expected to help lower the cost of production. One of the major expenses is new production equipment. Both BD-ROM and BD-R discs use a specialized system that is not like the CD and DVD production lines (which can be modified to produce CD or DVD) so there are capital expenses that work into the disc cost structure.

A big change in Blu-ray recordable media may be just around the bend. Taiyo Yuden just announced the release of a new LTH type recordable BD-R disc which is supposed to cost far less to manufacture as the new product can utilize the old production systems. The change is in the recording dye which is currently inorganic based with the new LTH product using organic dye. The big issue with LTH media is it is not compatible with current Blu-ray players or Blu-ray recorders. There is a possibility with firmware upgrades that the LTH Blu-ray media can be adapted to function in current Blu-ray technology. It is a big if and certainly does not add to the consumer confidence in Blu-ray.

Just what we need another format change.

Free Recordable Blu-ray Buyer’s Guide

Samuel — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 01:30:04 +0000

CD Dimensions is offering a free buyer’s guide for recordable Blu-ray duplicators and Blu-ray recordable discs. It’s a pretty good deal with it being free and all. According to the press release “..Recordable Blu-ray format puts Blu-ray technology into the hands of the consumer and gives them increased storage capacity for data storage (like photos, home movies) and allows for the ability to record high definition video onto disc..” and goes on to say “There has been a lot of excitement around Blu-ray disc for the consumer market however recordable Blu-ray offers significant advantages to the business market too. Blu-ray is not affected by strong magnetic fields and does not have contact with the reading/writing head like tape. Archive life expectancy is in the 20-30 year range. This makes recordable Blu-ray discs ideal for storing photo images, video and data archiving.”

For the full Press Release, visit PRWeb PRWeb Press Release

DISC Blu-safe

Samuel — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 20:01:48 +0000

DISC Blu-safe

The DISC Blu-safe is a 15 slot auto-loading Blu-ray disc Archive Appliance. It features a built in Blu-ray multi-format recorder that allows reading and writing from CD format and DVD format. The Plug & Play USB 2.0 interface and the included Blu-safe Manager software allow for simple installation and operation. The DISC Blu-safe holds up to 60 hours of HD video, 190,000 songs, or 150,000 high-resolution digital photos, years of bookkeeping and tax data, and up to 1,000,000 DICOM images with unrestricted access. The included software allows users to designate which files or folders they wish to archive and schedule re-occurring backups. The Blu-Safe can also be assigned as a mapped network drive allowing instant, direct access (with additional software DISC Blu-safe Manager). It’s means of connecting is via a USB 2.0 cable with a transfer speed of 18/MBs. Currently the DISC Blu-safe recordable Blu-ray data storage appliance supports XP and Vista. There are plans for a Mac OS X software package too.

DISC Blu-safe Archive Storage

Microboards Blu-ray Duplicators and Publishers

Samuel — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 18:43:00 +0000

Microboards Technology offers recordable Blu-ray duplicator towers and Blu-ray duplicator auto-loaders in addition to their line of DVD and CD duplicators.

Microboards builds the CopyWriter Blu-ray tower in 4x multi-format BD-R, BD-RE, DVD+/-R, DVD+/-RW, DVD+/-R-DL, CD-R in a four, seven and ten target model. The BD PRO4X 4, BD PRO4X 7 and the BD PRO4X 10. All the models feature a 500GB hard drive to store the disc images on. An intuitive menu-driven LCD display and a 5-button control interface provide easy one-touch operation. The CopyWriter Blu-ray tower automatically recognizes the recordable disc format providing fast set-up time for copying.

Microboards has recently added a special upgrade to the Microboards MX Disc Publisher, Microboards CX Disc Publisher and Microboards GX Disc Publisher equipping them with a multi-format Blu-ray disc recorder.

Microboards Blu-ray disc MX Disc Publisher

MXBD-1, 1(4X BDR, RE, DVD-/+R, DVD-DL, CD, RAM), 100 Disc, USB2, Zulu2 & Sure Thing, Inkjet Printer with 4 Separate Inks C,M,Y,K (PC and MAC)

MXBD-2, 2(4X BDR, RE, DVD-/+R, DVD-DL, CD, RAM), 100 Disc, USB2, Zulu2 & Sure Thing, Inkjet Printer with 4 Separate Inks C,M,Y,K (PC and MAC)

This series utilizes the latest in HP inkjet technology, with HP Vivera inks and outstanding 4800-dpi resolution, to deliver high-quality, professionally finished CDs, DVDs, and Blu-ray Discs that look truly amazing. Separate C, M, Y, K high-capacity ink cartridges mean less waste and a much lower cost per disc-at 11 to 18 cents for a typical full-coverage print and as low as 2 cents for light, text-only coverage

Microboards Blu-ray disc CX Disc Publisher

CXBD-1, 1(4X BDR, RE, DVD-/+R, DVD-DL, CD, RAM), 100 Disc, USB2, Zulu2 & Sure Thing, Inkjet Printer w/1-Color, 1-Black Cartridge

The printing process is fast and cost-effective with a device that delivers discs with both text and graphics in less than 20 seconds and for only 25 cents per disc (full color, full coverage). SureThing label design software enables you to create labels with a professional flair. And whether you’re printing full-color, full-coverage discs or light coverage with text only, you’ll enjoy results of the highest quality. Our 4th generation disc handling technology provides smooth, clean images; and HP inkjet technology, with vibrant HP Vivera inks, provides consistently brilliant color-in text and images-on each and every disc.

Microboards Blu-ray disc GX Disc Publisher

GXBD-2 Disc Publisher, 1(4X BDR, RE, DVD-/+R, DVD-DL, CD, RAM), 50 Disc, USB2, Zulu2 & Sure Thing, Inkjet Printer w/Cartridge, (PC and MAC)

Entry-level 50 Disc GX Disc Publisher, combines a high-speed CD/DVD combo recording drive or Blu-ray combo drive, and integrated HP inkjet printer into one device. Designed to handle short-run volumes, with a capacity of up to 50 discs, the GX Disc Publisher delivers a cost per disc of only 23 cents; and it accommodates virtually any disc format, including Dual Layer.