AfterDawn: News

TDK debuts mini Blu-ray discs

TDK, partners of the optical disc maker Imation, have introduced the first recordable mini Blu-ray discs. The discs make their debut in conjunction with Hitachi's mini Blu-ray recordable camcorder.

The 3-inch discs can store 7.5GB of data on a single layer which is far more than the 4.36GB of data a single layer standard DVD-5 can hold. The single layer mini discs can hold up to one hour of widescreen 1080i video.



TDK also claims the discs are almost completely scratch-proof, due to its use of DURABIS protective coating.

The discs can be loading into any tray loading standalone or computer Blu-ray drive but will be expensive. A single disc will run you $25 USD or $35 for a rewritable version.

The discs will be available for sale in September, one month before the camcorders.

Source:
Electronista

Written by: Andre Yoskowitz @ 2 Aug 2007 16:13

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• 16 comments

• vinny13

  Sounds like the next PSP disc format.

  2.8.2007 16:18 #1

• lxfactor

  Originally posted by vinny13: Sounds like the next PSP disc format.i doubt it.

  2.8.2007 17:17 #2

• limelight

  Pointless.
  
  Using a dual layer dvd is more cost effective. I mean they only cost $2-$3 a disc, unlike this mini bluray which im sure will run at twice as much. Not to mention the $1000 pc drive/ $500 ps3 it needs to go in.

  2.8.2007 18:26 #3

• vinny13

  Originally posted by limelight: Pointless.
  
  Using a dual layer dvd is more cost effective. I mean they only cost $2-$3 a disc, unlike this mini bluray which im sure will run at twice as much. Not to mention the $1000 pc drive/ $500 ps3 it needs to go in.Who wants to use full size discs on Cams and PSPs? That would make both products massive. They're expensive but they'll only get cheaper in the months to come.

  2.8.2007 18:35 #4

• vinny13

  Quote:Originally posted by vinny13: Sounds like the next PSP disc format.i doubt it.Uhh.... Why?

  2.8.2007 18:35 #5

• DVDBack23

  Originally posted by limelight: Pointless.
  
  Using a dual layer dvd is more cost effective. I mean they only cost $2-$3 a disc, unlike this mini bluray which im sure will run at twice as much. Not to mention the $1000 pc drive/ $500 ps3 it needs to go in.the point is that they can record in full HD ;)

  2.8.2007 18:39 #6

• theridges

  Quote:Originally posted by limelight: Pointless.
  
  Using a dual layer dvd is more cost effective. I mean they only cost $2-$3 a disc, unlike this mini bluray which im sure will run at twice as much. Not to mention the $1000 pc drive/ $500 ps3 it needs to go in.the point is that they can record in full HD ;)yep thats the only thing that caught my eye aswell...

  3.8.2007 03:23 #7

• hughjars

  BD9 is all about recording in high def.
  
  Like HD DVD the use of a DVD9 to record HD is perfectly possible (BD9 - what the Blu-ray side call this under their spec - could do this very well).
  
  But of course the margins just aren't there using 'old' tech discs.
  
  Those prices are outrageous (and the small size is just pathetic when compared).
  
  Frankly I find the idea that regular DVD size makes for a 'massive' camcorder is, IMO, just laughable, talk about fashion victims getting exactly what they deserve (& bilked to the bone).
  Tragic.

  3.8.2007 10:21 #8

• error5

  Originally posted by hughjars: (and the small size is just pathetic when compared).
  The small size is becuase it's for use with Hitachi's Mini BluRay camcorder.
  
  Now what I don't understand is why HD DVD is lagging behind in the burning department. BluRay, while launching several months after, is now way ahead in the number of burners available. Now they have a mini BluRay camcorder and the 3-inch discs to go with it. Why can't HD DVD get its act together when it comes to getting burners and discs out to more people - not just in their specialty Toshiba laptops.

  3.8.2007 10:47 #9

• hughjars

  Originally posted by error5: The small size is becuase it's for use with Hitachi's Mini BluRay camcorder. - Well obviously, but the question is still valid, how come having put BD9 into the specs everybody on the BD side is avoiding it like the plague?
  I don't think it's too cynical to say it really is about suckering customers with the new tech.
  
  Originally posted by error5: Now what I don't understand is why HD DVD is lagging behind in the burning department. - Well it's well OT but severl reasons for this come to mind.
  
  Quite clearly they have been concentrating on the stand-alone players (and are a month or 2 away from launching the true 3rd generation).
  
  It'd also my understanding is that they had problems with the 'RW' element of the drives and spent time getting that right.
  
  Then there is the concentration on fitting an HD DVD drive into their laptops from now on (cue a new HD DVD market of over 9 million - which is interesting considering what PS3's 3.5 million has done for BD......I suspect a lot of Toshiba laptop owners are set to rapidly discover how easy it is to link their HD TV to their laptops in the very near future).
  
  Lastly I think there's a feeling that time is not pressing them, the competition is wildly expensive BD drives or HDDs (which undercut them all right now).
  The biggest 'demand' out there for the HD DVD drive is going to be people wanting to back-up, er, large files......let's be honest, in 99.9% of cases we're talking large HD movie files.
  I just can't see them prioritising burners for the pirates amongst us.
  
  But I do expect to see news on this in time for X-mas/start of 2008.....I think they're going to push this hard when they begin so I'm fully expecting extremely competitive pricing, TL 51gb, DL 34gb, SL 17gb compatability and speeds of at least x3.
  
  4 months to go.
  We shall see.

  3.8.2007 13:02 #10

• ZippyDSM

  meh sony will make a UDM2 off the BD spec,altho if they go with a PSP2 based around BD9s even in 3 years it will be a 300$ portable 0-o
  
  
  I think SOny needs to find a sweet spot in price and tech like nin dose,ramp up the media aspect of it so you have more control over it but not as much DRM as a Ipod, find a solid middle ground based on tech first price 2nd keep the unit under 250 at all costs and fianly get devs aboard to help build the brand.
  
  
  Mmmm flash and SD products at 8GB are 80+ for a full rewritable disc they could at best halve that but still I guess going back to a cart design is impossible?

  3.8.2007 13:23 #11

• trrkod

  sounds like a rip-off and BS to me other formats cheaper and just as good.

  4.8.2007 19:24 #12

• trrkod

  sounds like a rip-off and BS to me other formats cheaper and just as good.

  4.8.2007 19:24 #13

• trrkod

  [

  4.8.2007 19:25 #14

• ZippyDSM

  multi kill!!...er post LOL
  
  Its not that bad ,however when they do use it for consumer stuff the price needs to be a 5th or 10th of what it currently is in order for it to be worth while to the consumer.

  4.8.2007 23:40 #15

• borhan9

  Quote:TDK, partners of the optical disc maker Imation,For this reason alone i would stay away from the TDK's.

  5.8.2007 00:14 #16