500GB holographic disc storage unveiled

Global finance giant GE claims it has demonstrated micro-holographic storage material, in laboratory conditions, that could potentially result in the ability to store 500 GB of data on a standard DVD-size disc.



"GE's breakthrough is a huge step toward bringing our next-generation holographic storage technology to the everyday consumer," Brian Lawrence, leader of GE’s Holographic Storage program said in a statement.

"Because GE's micro-holographic discs could essentially be read and played using similar optics to those found in standard Blu-ray players, our technology will pave the way for cost-effective, robust and reliable holographic drives that could be in every home. The day when you can store your entire high-definition movie collection on one disc and support for high-resolution formats like 3-D television is closer than you think."

Developed by GE Global research, this technology is different from current optical storage like DVD and Blu-Ray which only store data on the discs surface. The disc is the same size as a standard DVD or CD used today, but packs a much meaner storage punch.

According to GE, holographic storage stores data throughout the disk in multiple layers using holographic light patterns, thus increasing the disc's density. Due to the increased density, it is possible that a disc would be able to store 500GB of data, which would take 20 Blu-ray discs or 100 DVDs as they are today.



GE is not the first company to work with holographic storage. In 2002, Optware was to launch 1TB optical discs by year end. That never transpired. Currently holographic storage drives and discs have been produced by Tapestry, and InPhase Technologies brand which allows for up to 300 GB of data storage at a transfer rate of 20 MBps -- about the same speed as a USB memory key.

In 2006, InPhase touted the holographic storage technology, intending to launch in 2007. The company had planned to start selling its product to business customers as the drives were priced high, between $15,000 and $20,000, with each disc costing $150. The company also discussed the concept of placing its holographic storage technology in the Nintendo Wii.

The company plans to release an 800-GB disk with a transfer rate of 80 MBps and eventually a 1.6 TB version with a 120-MBps transfer rate. At present none of InPhase’s devices have been brought to market.

The hardware and the format of the new holographic storage technology are much like those used in current optical storage methods, and micro-holographic player will be backward read-compatible with CDs, DVDs and Blu-ray discs already in existence.

Given the track record of other companies attempting the same technology, GE is more than likely a reach from delivering this outside of the laboratory. If GE is able to deliver the technology to market it would be a great asset to numerous industries in need of extensive storage. GE plans to deliver its holographic storage technology to commercial consumers in the archival industry and then begin to create products designed for the consumer market.

Cost will be a major factor however, with the given economy, in determining whether or not GE can move this technology from the labs to the market. Though the company does hope to place the technology on store shelves within the next few years at a price of around 10 cents per gigabyte, this would be a mere 10% of the cost of Blu-Ray storage at launch, but it will still cost customers $50 per disc -- pricing which may be above the comfort level for purchasers of optical media.