Ecma Standardizes Holographic Information Storage

Ecma has created Technical Committee 44 (TC44) to develop a standardization strategy for
Holographic Information Storage (HIS) systems, initially based upon the
Collinear Technologies of Optware Corporation, a leading developer of
Holographic Versatile Disc (HVD) storage products. TC44 was set up at the
request of Optware Corporation and several of its partners, including CMC
Magnetics Corporation, Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd., Pulstec Industrial Co.,
Ltd., Strategic Media Technology and Toagosei Co., Ltd.

Dramatically increased storage density - Holographic Information Storage
breaks the density limits of conventional optical storage by recording
through the full depth of the medium instead of recording on the surface
only. One HVD can store upwards of 200 gigabytes of data, the equivalent of
more than 40 of today's DVDs, and that is just for starters. Future
implementations will be able to store more than 1.3 terabytes. Additionally,
unlike optical discs, which record one data bit at a time, HVDs allow over 10
kilobits of data to be written and read in parallel with a single flash of
light - and the recording and reading processes do not require spinning
media. Data transfer rates of up to 20 megabytes per second (far faster than
DVDs) are easily achieved with rotating or translating media.

Ambitious goals - TC44 will begin standardizing three different storage
media: Holographic Versatile Disc cartridges (capacity: 200 Gbytes per
cartridge), read-only Holographic Versatile Discs (capacity: 100 Gbytes per
disc) and Holographic Versatile Cards (capacity: 30 Gbytes per card). The
fourth project is standardization of a case for 120 mm read-only HVDs. Ecma
has ambitious goals: In December 2006 the new standards will be submitted to
ISO for fast-track processing.

Dr. Yoshio Aoki, President and CEO of Optware Corporation, commented: "We
are very honored that Ecma International is undertaking standardization of
Holographic Information Storage systems. We are particularly gratified that
Ecma has chosen to start its standardization work with projects that make use
of our Collinear Technologies for Holographic Versatile Discs (HVDs) and
Holographic Versatile Cards (HVCs). HVDs and HVCs use a completely different
technology from the conventional two-axis method and fully exploit the
optical servo technologies associated with conventional CDs and DVDs. This
unique feature of the Optware Collinear Technology is very well suited for
high-performance recording formats, file structures and I/O interfaces for
both the enterprise storage market and the AV/IT professional electronic
media storage markets such as film and broadcast content for the disc and
card form factors."

"Intel is delighted that Optware and its HVD/HVC technology have made a
significant step toward making the technology an industry standard. The
standardization through Ecma process should accelerate the commercialization
of the technology, as many of the key players in this field will actively
participate in and collaborate with the committee's efforts. Intel looks
forward to seeing a commercial HVD/HVC product that will advance the optical
disk roadmap one generation ahead," said Claude Leglise, Vice President of
Intel Capital.

"The large capacity together with the high transfer speed of
holographically recorded media will create a quantum leap in media storage
technology. Ecma International, which has developed 90% of all modern
international standards for optical and magnetic storage media is very
pleased to undertake the standardization of HVDs, HVCs and related subjects.
We are looking forward to a new success story," said Jan van den Beld,
Secretary General of Ecma.

Werner Glinka, Chairman of TC44, noted: "Holographic Versatile Discs
(HVDs) will hit the market soon. Ecma has an excellent track record for
delivering standards in an efficient manner, and that is precisely what TC44
is prepared to do. I invite all interested parties to join in the development
of HVD standards ensuring compatibility to speed up the adoption of this
exciting technology."

Contact
Jan W. van den Beld
Ecma International
CH-1204 Geneva
T/F: +41-22-849-6000/01

http://www.ecma-international.org/

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