Industry Leaders Unite on Single Compact Disc Format for Future Devices

Strategic Insights -

Representatives from major computer hardware and software companies including Apple, Compaq, Hewlett-Packard, IBM, and Microsoft, met to discuss the adoption of a single format for the next generation of high-capacity compact disc. The objective is to ensure backward read-compatibility with existing discs, forward compatibility with future read/write and write-once discs, and low cost. The five companies released nine objectives, focusing on a unified format that combines the best technical features from Sony's MultiMedia Compact Disc (MMCD) and Toshiba's Super Density (SD) formats.

Key Takeaways:

  • The industry leaders aim to develop a single format that meets the needs of both computer and entertainment industries, ensuring backward and forward compatibility, as well as low cost.
  • The proposed format should store about 10 to 15 times more data than current compact discs, making it a significant upgrade in data capacity.
  • The new format should be able to read existing compact discs and CD-ROMs, with a focus on minimizing costs for consumers, software providers, and hardware manufacturers.
  • The format must meet the requirements of both digital video and computer-based applications, including read-only, read/write, and write-once discs.
  • The participating companies have identified the need for a single file system that can handle both entertainment and computer-based content, as well as different types of media.
  • The format should be reliable, with error rates comparable to or lower than current compact disc technologies.
  • High on-line capacity, extendible to future enhancements, and high performance for sequential and non-sequential files are also key objectives.
  • Participation in future activities is open to computer-related companies, with contact information provided.

Statistics:

  • The next-generation compact disc is expected to store about 10 to 15 times more data than today's compact discs.
  • The current formats proposed by Sony and Philips (MMCD) and Toshiba (SD) lack backward read-compatibility with existing discs.
  • The five companies have identified 9 objectives for the new format, including a single interchange standard, backward read-compatibility, and low cost.
  • The average number of uncorrectable errors per disc should be equal to or lower than that of current compact disc technologies.
  • The format must be able to read existing compact discs and CD-ROMs, with a focus on minimizing costs for consumers, software providers, and hardware manufacturers.

Sources:

  • Business Wire. "Technical Representatives of Five Major Computer Companies Strongly Encourage Adoption of One Format for Next Generation of High-Capacity Compact Disc." May 3, 1995.