White Paper Blu-ray Disc : The Digital Archive Media July 2011

Transcription

1 White Paper Blu-ray Disc : The Digital Archive Media July 2011

2 Blu-ray Disc: A high-capacity, highdefinition disc format that uses multi-layer disc technology and blue laser to store and display a variety of data. The Blu-ray name is derived from blue, for the color of the laser that is used, and ray, for optical ray. I. What is Blu-ray and why is it here? The Blu-ray Disc (BD) was developed by the Blu-ray Disc Association to provide greater capacity than the DVD format. With the popularity and widespread prevalence of high-definition video, data file sizes simply grew beyond the DVD s capacity. The Blu-ray Disc was created to pick up where the DVD format left off. A BD is the same physical size as a standard CD or DVD (12 cm). The differentiating factor between the three types of optical media is the blue-violet laser technology used to record and read the BD disc, which is also how Blu-ray gets its name. The blue-violet laser has a shorter wavelength than the red laser used with CDs and DVDs. Because this wavelength is shorter, less physical space is required to record each bit of data, meaning more information can be packed on the Blu-ray Disc s layers. A single-layer Blu-ray can contain up to 25 GB of content, more than 5 times the amount of data stored on a single-layer DVD, and some manufacturers are now shipping multi-layer BD discs with 100 GB of space. CD = 780nm NA = mm substrate DVD = 650nm NA = mm substrate Blu-ray = 405nm NA = 0.7/ mm cover layer II. Why moving to Blu-ray is a smart decision The following key features make Blu-ray Disc technology a valuable addition to your business: Broad industry support Large storage capacity and versatility Long life span and durability Secure data storage Smart archiving technology Affordable storage with a low carbon footprint Broad industry support Blu-ray media is created in industry standard formats: ISO 9660 and UDF, both of which are backward-compatible and are supported in all major operating systems, including Windows, Linux, UNIX and MAC OS. This means that a Blu-ray player can also read CDs and DVDs a benefit 2

3 Bitrate: Describes the rate at which bits are transferred from one location to another. In other words; it is a measure of how much data is transmitted in a given amount of time. Blu-ray storage capacity: 25 GB (single-layer) or 50 GB (dual-layer) on a single-sided disc, compared to 4.7 (single-layer) and 8.5 GB (dual-layer) on a single-sided DVD Blu-ray & highdefinition content: Supports high-bitrate, high-definition video at resolutions of up to 1,920 x 1,080, compared to DVD s 640 x 480. in both home and business settings. In the office, Blu-ray Discs are one of the only portable technologies that scale from laptops to enterprise solutions discs can easily travel from the smallest laptop to the largest server room. BD s well-defined technology is what led major electronic manufacturers around the world to universally support the format, ensuring that a broad selection of Blu-ray Disc products, including home video decks and blank media, will continue to be available now and into the future. BD s widespread support also ensures that Blu-ray Discs and the content stored on them can be read by a standard PC. This highly standardized compatibility guarantees that original files on the disc can be randomly accessed at any time, without further investment in software and technology upgrades. Large storage capacity and versatility With 25 GB of space on a single-layer disc and 50 GB of storage on a dual-layer, single-sided disc, the BD format offers the highest capacity of any consumer media format. 1 Blu-ray s huge capacity allows the highestquality, high-definition content to be recorded at large bitrates, the rate at which bits are transferred from one location to another. Blu-ray s data transfer rate and large storage capacity ensure that high-definition content can be readily stored and displayed. The BD format also enables extra applications and options that were not available with DVDs, like special features and bonus material, to be stored on a single disc. Also, Blu-ray has interactive capabilities, meaning additional user benefits and features can be unleashed with an Internet connection. The Blu-ray format doesn t just meet today s content needs; it is poised to accommodate future data requirements. BD technology has built-in support for multi-layer/extended format features; as storage capacity requirements grow, so can a single piece of Blu-ray media. In the nottoo-distant future, multi-layer Blu-ray storage capacities are expected to accommodate as much as 100 GB of data. Long lifespan and durability The typical lifespan of a Blu-ray disc is up to 100 years. Just as important, the BD format is designed to stay technologically relevant for at least 10 to 15 years. 2 Two factors contribute to the longevity and dependability of this optical media format. First, Blu-ray Discs have room to grow. BD s storage capacity will continue to expand in step with growing file sizes. Second, Blu-ray Discs contain a protective hard-coating on the outside surface, creating a barrier to scratches and fingerprints better than any other form of portable media or storage. Although Blu-ray has the same basic look and feel of a CD or DVD, it is a much stronger form of media, withstanding the threats of outside forces and promising to be a sturdy storage device for ever-growing archiving and distribution needs. 1. BD Key Characteristics. Retrieved April 20, 2011, from 2. BD Key Characteristics. Retrieved April 20, 2011, from 3

4 Blu-ray is designed in several different formats: BD-ROM (readonly) for prerecorded content BD-R (recordable) for PC data storage BD-RW (rewritable) for PC data storage BD-RE (rewritable) for HDTV recording Secure data storage Blu-ray s BD-ROM and BD-R features ensure that information cannot be erased or altered. The original file will be there when you need it. While the original data stored on the BD-ROM and BD-R discs cannot be altered after written, it can always be accessed. This satisfies compliance and legislation requirements that are prevalent in many industries today. Also, technology is available to password protect Blu-ray Discs, further securing and protecting sensitive records, data and media. Rimage embeds this technology into its systems to make password protection of disc content as easy as checking a box and typing in a password. Ideal for archiving BD technology can record a wide array of data to be stored near-line or offline, making it a superior choice for data archiving. While HDD storage is a good option for short-term information storage, and tape drives are an efficient means of backing up data, these technologies do not consistently meet the most critical needs and requirements of data archives: safe, long-term data retention and easy accessibility. Blu-ray is designed to be a durable, reliable and sustainable data archiving media. Data archives are no longer a luxury; they are now a necessity. While nearly all of a professional organization s data exists in electronic format, only about 25% of the data is freshly created; the other 75% is redundant data, or data that was created in the past and must be stored for future reuse. Growing compliance and legislation requirements put an even greater demand on existing data storage capacities. From FDA regulations to Sarbanes-Oxley standards, industries around the world find themselves under a mountain of highly specific, strict and standardized requirements. As the amount of digital data increases day by day, organizations must ensure reliable archiving technology is in place to save and protect their electronic data. 4

5 The Growth of Electronic Data and Available Storage Storage Gap: Unprotected data on local and/or personal HDDs, etc. Effective archives must meet three criteria: Secure, long-term record retention Unaltered record recall Regulationcompliant architecture Blu-ray optical media is ideal for archiving because: Blu-ray Discs are small and portable, yet durable. Identifying data and images can be printed directly to the disc s top surface. With a life span of up to 100 years, the BD format can outlast any conventional form of record keeping. Wide industry support ensures technology to read and write BD discs will be available far into the future. WORM (Write Once, Read Many) format and password protection capabilities ensure that the data stored on the Blu-ray Disc is secure and retrievable, but also protected, if desired. BD s low operating costs guarantee that data archives leave a small carbon footprint and more money in the bank. Affordable with a low-carbon footprint Blu-ray offers the most affordable media for content providers. Because BD has a long lifespan and a huge storage capacity, it offers greater potential for long-term profit. History has shown that other forms of media, such as tapes and hard drives, will eventually outgrow their playback technology. BD s year window of relevancy and wide industry support drastically reduce the need for significant investments in technology upgrades or replacements over time. BD also has a lower cost of ownership than comparable formats. Although a Blu-ray Disc offers up to 10 times more capacity than a DVD, BD production costs are within 10% of DVD production costs. 3 Blu-ray s cost benefits ultimately translate into environmental benefits. Blu-ray Discs not only help eliminate the use of paper when it comes to content management and data archiving, but BD technology has one of the lowest energy consumption rates in the storage industry, making it an environmentally sustainable choice. 3. BD Key Characteristics. Retrieved April 20, 2011, from 5

6 Over time, Blu-ray Discs are more economical than other media formats. Blu-ray Discs hold a significant amount of data and have evolving technology that allows additional layers and content to be added in the future. Blu-ray has the longest shelf life of all data archive media. Blu-ray s wide capabilities and platform support drastically reduce the need to migrate to new technology. Optical media is a passive storage device, requiring no energy over decades of storage. The energy required to operate and run Blu-ray media is lower than other forms of storage that use shared resources. Blu-ray media generates no heat, which in turn means that little to no energy is spent on cooling during storage. III. Conclusion: Blu-ray is a reliable and versatile format for digital archiving $350,000 $300,000 $250,000 $200,000 $150,000 $100,000 $50,000 Total Cost of Ownership - Blu-ray vs HDD The Blu-ray Disc format was initially designed to offer the best performance, highest storage capacity and most advanced feature set for high-definition and interactive content distribution. Yet Blu-ray s versatile design and state-of-the-art technology accommodate a wide variety of other user applications, such as secure data archiving. Blu-ray offers GB of data capacity, and no other media provides the superior video quality and interactive features that create the ultimate user experience. And although Blu-ray surpasses the capabilities of its CD and DVD predecessors, the Blu-ray Disc format is based on the same bare-disc physical form factor, giving it the same disc look and feel that users have come accustomed to and allowing for backwardcompatibility with CDs and DVDs. Most importantly, BD technology meets all requirements for next-generation removable storage 4, offering a secure and scalable data archiving solution with reduced ownership costs and a minimal carbon footprint. Because of wide industry support and consistency over time, BD has avoided the compatibility issues associated with other forms of removable storage. As a result, Blu-ray Disc technology will remain a viable archive choice well into the next decade. $- Blu-ray Disc HDD RAID 4 years 8 years 12 years 4. BD Key Characteristics. Retrieved April 20, 2011, from 6

7 White Paper Blu-ray Disc : The Digital Archive Media July Rimage Corporation. All rights reserved. This document is provided for information purposes only and the contents hereof are subject to change without notice. This document is not warranted to be error-free, nor subject to any other warranties or conditions, whether expressed orally or implied in law, including implied warranties and conditions of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. We specifically disclaim any liability with respect to this document and no contractual obligations are formed either directly or indirectly by this document. This document may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, for any purpose, without our prior written permission. Rimage is a registered trademark of the Rimage Corporation. All other brand or product names are trademarks of their respective owners and are used without intention of infringement. BluRay-WP