Sony preps small Blu-ray laser for notebooks
updated 09:25 am EST, Fri January 25, 2008
Sony 3mm Blu-ray Laser
Sony today revealed a new Blu-ray laser technology that it says should lead to thinner, smaller notebook drives. Through a new, extremely accurate and more reliable laser system, Sony and its development partner Nichia have produced a laser reader whose packaging is just 3mm (0.11in) thick without sacrificing features. A Blu-ray drive using the laser technology can both read and record as with earlier, thicker drives. It can also recognize discs printed using a newer organic dye that makes them cheaper to produce than most current discs, Sony notes.
The technology should allow the thinner, 9.5mm (0.37in) optical drives used in thin-and-light notebooks; unlike a recently developed Panasonic equivalent, however, the Sony implementation is expected to be used in devices that normally demand slot-load drives, such as in-car entertainment systems. Both companies anticipate mass production of drives using the extra-compact laser towards the end of the year. [via Tech]
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Feb 2002
Cheap organic dye
Just the words "cheaper" and "organic dye" don't leave me with a great deal of confidence for the longevity of data stored on those discs.