Panasonic has announced July as the date the latest 4.7GB DVD-RAM drives and media will be available in “volume”. These second generation drives will fully comply with the DVD Forums DVD-RAM format and will be able to read 4.7GB single-sided and 9.2GB double-sided rewritable DVD-RAM media as well as first generation 2.6GB and 5.2GB media. The compatibility list of media also includes CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, Video CDs, DVD-ROM, DVD Video, and DVD-R discs. Panasonics DVD-RAM drives are available as an internal drive with a SCSI-2 interface (model LF-D291N) and an ATAPI interface (model LF-D211N) and will be priced at first generation prices at somewhere around $550. DVD-RAM media, which can store 2 hours worth of theater-quality video (per side) and has a data life up to 30 years, will also be available from Panasonic with prices around $30 for 4.7GB media and $45 for 9.2GB media (both come in cartridges). Cartridgeless media (bare disc) will also be available for around $25 apiece for playback in DVD-ROM drives as well as Panasonics new consumer DVD video recorder and DVD-R Recorder (based off of Pioneer DVD-R technology).
Wondering how DVD-RAM works? DVD-RAM uses a unique wobbled land-and-groove recording technique with physically pitted recording zones that are divided into sectors. The media looks nothing at all like typical clear-surfaced CD/DVD media, in fact, the media is similar in appearance to MO (Magneto-Optical) media. As such, the media needs to be encased in special cartridges. And although media can be removed form Type-2 cartridges, it’s not recommended as it can be easily damaged. Compatibility with existing DVD-ROM drives has been minimal although new Panasonic-built DVD-ROM drives now offer DVD-RAM read support.
Below are a few specifications and features built into Panasonic’s 4.7GB DVD-RAM behemoth:
Transfer Rate: 22.16MB/sec
Optical Pick-Up
Actuator: Three-axis actuator technology
Wave length: 650nm(DVD), 780nm(CD)
NA: 0.6(DVD), 0.45(CD)
Transfer Rate
4.7GB DVD-RAM: 22.16 Mbps
2.6GB DVD-RAM: 11.08 Mbps
Format: 4.7GB DVD-RAM format
Recording Layer Material: Phase-change material
Recording Capacity: 4.7GB (single-sided), 9.4GB (double-sided)
Diameter: 120 mm
Thickness: 0.6 mm x 2 (Bonded)
Track pitch: 0.615 fum