Hitachi have now successfully developed the first 100Gb quad layered Blu-Ray disc and what makes things even more interesting is that this disc works with current Blu-Ray drivers. Meaning we might see 100Gb Playstation 3 games in future all on one simple Blu-Ray disc. Hitachi will not be releasing this masterpiece just yet as it's still implementing it's final touches. Hitachi also said that they are working on an eight layered Blu-Ray disc that can boost storing capabilities to a whooping 200Gb per disc.

Say goodnight DVD9

Just as how adding additional platters inside a hard disk drive provides more storage, optical media makers are finding ways to stack layers of readable surface inside a polymer disc to increase capacity. Hitachi revealed this week at CEATEC JAPAN 2007 that it has successfully developed a quad-layer Blu-ray Disc that is capable of storing 100GB of data.
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Most recently commented on by on Oct 9, 2007
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  • 0
    Smoke Oct 6, 07
    Nothing can defeat the quad laser.

    Jumping is useless.
    • 0
      VeGiTAX2 Oct 6, 07
      It's pretty much true. You can't beat the quad laser.

      On the announcement, just like with all this about HD-DVD, the player / reader needs to support it, usually through tweaking the POT on the actual assembly. Something that if Sony and MS could have done via software in the Xbox and PS2 era, they would have instead of producing new drives or spinning the introduction in a new way. Such reason is why users of early systems often had issues or statements thrown their way about DVD9 support.

      Just because they develop a technology doesn't mean that it's going to come into play right away when it's actually released. They have to consider the current user situation before they try to go "PS3 Now with Quad Layer support!", they took ages to do it with the PS2 so I doubt it'll be any different at this point given they'll probably barely have a year done before it comes to commercial adoption.
      • 0
        DEZVOUS Oct 6, 07
        Apparently you missed this...

        FTA: "The concept multi-layer discs is practiced by many other media labs, but Hitachi claims that its quad-layer technology would be compatible with existing Blu-ray Disc drives after a firmware update. Prior developments of greater than dual layer discs have required special hardware to read the new media."
        • 0
          VeGiTAX2 Oct 7, 07
          Not really, I just don't see how they claim they're going to pull this out of their hat when no one else has managed it yet. Unless they've been planning this update all along and have setup some software cap on the output of the laser the whole time having a higher output capability, although honestly it seems unlikely to be the truth.

          If a company is going to use some software tweak to force the POT to a higher frequency to read the disc then it's going to come at a cost from the current spec and lifespan of the diode which for many users is something they can challenge, we're not talking a component lifespan beyond the console life, it hasn't been that way even in the days of the PSX, in the end though you shorten the lifespan of the laser because it's designed around one specification and in this case it is highly likely that the current spec is going to be exceeded or a simple example for you, overclocked but in a more extreme manner.

          All things come at a cost, tweaking the POT via hardware or software will prove interesting in the long run to see how this really does impact the PS3 if it does occur. For retail systems I'm sure they're already paying out the nose for parts so they may have that kind of overhead to work with.
  • 0
    ShadowKing2 Oct 6, 07
    I cannot imagine what a game tha is around 100GB will be lie...*drools*
    • 0
      DEZVOUS Oct 6, 07
      Pretty much like any game available now. More strange space doesn't mean better graphics because the processing power doesn't change and therefor it doesn't matter.

      These 100gb discs would be more useful for storage, it's already been said that even Blu-Ray movies would still probably stick with the dual layer 50gbs.
  • 0
    Bale Fire* Oct 6, 07
    Yeah but imagine all the extra stuff which could be in. Deleted content, interviews, a cinema where you can watch all the game cutscenes. Not to mention a much longer game in general
  • 0
    ITANI Oct 6, 07
    100Gb can also mean more main quests, sidequests, cutscenes, weapons, audio, detailed textures, longer lifespan, extra features, unlockables and characters. Also it's hassle free, no need to change discs during gameplay.
  • 1
    Existenz Oct 6, 07
    Though it shouldn't have to, developers are finding ways around this stuff, they are optimising... Such as borderlands it has an infinate amount of weapons not because of disc space, but using old randomising technology to create unlimited variations of weapons using the data on the disc, they are also doing that for missions... Audio and textures yes more space is welcome but you also have an issue with textures, you can't have them too detailed cause the GPU just won't render them to a point, and any game can have a longer lifespan regardless of disc space Oblivion is testament to this, barely fills a DVD9 and you can easily get 200 hours out of it...
  • 0
    Incidnia Oct 6, 07
    When will a game EVER be 100GB?


    I mean Halo 3 is is 6.14GB. LOL.


    It will be implemented when it's needed. Which in gaming will probably be never, or at least for when the 8th gen of consoles are out. Hell, we have Holographic Versatile Disc which could get up to 4TB of data onto one side. And Protien Coated Discs with a theoretical 50TB. Which I don't think will ever be used in gaming.
    • 1
      Shadow of Death Oct 6, 07
      Stupid question, of course we will eventually use 100GB for a game, if not this generation, next generation...

      But yeah, I can easily see it happening this generation...We already have games using dual layered 50GB disks (MGS4), though it doesn't necessarily mean it is using ALL of the available space, the fact remains, it is already being use...OK, so maybe they won't need ALL of the 100GB space, but they can use most of it...

      BTW: Wouldn't they have a tri-layer 75GB disk at some point, if not already?

      Look at the PS2, most of the games coming out now, are struggling to fit everything on one disk...towards the end of the PS3's life, they'll be using a LOT of disk space...

      If nothing else, they'll use it for uncompressed (minimally compressed) content, which means faster loading times (as it won't have to go through the process of uncompressing first)...

      Lets not forget extra/bonus content, like unlockable videos (the Tony Hawk games generally have videos, I imagine them with a bunch of HD videos)
  • 1
    Existenz Oct 7, 07
    Incidnia... Xbox 360 does not count, they are confined by DVD9 at 8.5Gb Halo 3 if on the Ps3 and uncompressed would probably look better and would take up a good 25Gb atleast...
  • -1
    Tenken Oct 7, 07
    People need to get past the whole space thing. First it was outer space, then it was living room space, now it's disc space. Seriously.

    It's all fine and dandy that the discs have more space. The 360 itself could solve some of the problems if dual-layered discs(or further layered came out).

    As is, space isn't much of an issue. Will it become one? Hell yeah. This generation? Hell yeah. For the Xbox 360? *bleep* yeah.
    • 0
      Shadow of Death Oct 7, 07
      Ummm, dood...The 360 medium is DVD9...a Dual Layered DVD >_> So yeah, it was dual layered right from the start...
  • 0
    Kazooieman Oct 7, 07
    100GB Playstation 3's... OMG I needs lots a Moneys now!

    If only they bring out 100GB Wii's, then i can happily die! =D
  • 1
    Bale Fire* Oct 7, 07
    But if you died you wouldn't be able to enjoy your 100GB Wii

    I think in around 2-3 years we'll be using quad layered disks, maybe only 80 or 90GB's of it though

    After all Microsft thought that we wouldn't be using more than 10GB this generation. And look were that got them
  • 0
    Incidnia Oct 7, 07
    I wouldn't be able to enjoy a 100GB Wii even if I was alive.
  • 0
    W00tbeer1 Oct 7, 07
    Imagine the graphics! I think its going to be pretty good. 200gp per disk is totally insane. I can't wait to see it.
  • 0
    Tom Oct 9, 07
    It just goes to show how much we've advanced through the times. I hope to be seeing this 100GB disc implimented soon, although 200GB would be CAR-A-ZAY!
  • 0
    FFXFREAK Oct 9, 07
    What the hell =s. How the hell would a game even be this big.. if Halo 3 is barely 10 GB, what the hell could you possibly put in a game to make it 100GB?! I'm so confused =[.


    ~FFXFREAK
  • 0
    FFXFREAK Oct 9, 07
    What the hell =s. How the hell would a game even be this big.. if Halo 3 is barely 10 GB, what the hell could you possibly put in a game to make it 100GB?! I'm so confused =[.


    ~FFXFREAK

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