Optical media
They hold content in digital form and that are written and read by a laser; these media include all the various CD and
Optical media typically does not have as fast of a seek time as hard drives (the time it takes to access information on different parts of the disk), but it has many other advantages. Because optical discs are not based on magnetic charges like hard drives are, the discs are less likely to lose their data and have a longer shelf life -- around seven times longer than magnetic media. The discs are also more durable than hard drives and are much cheaper to produce, making them great for backups and for transferring small amounts of data between different computers.
Currently the growing format is Blu-ray disc. The HD-DVD format is already dying in the year 2008 as it didn't have enough audience. Whereas the blu-ray technology is leading currently, boasting a maximum capacity of 50GB (dual-layer).
Advantages
- -Durability. With proper care, optical media can last a long time, depending on what kind of optical media you choose.
- -Great for archiving. Several forms of optical media are write-once read-many, which means that when data is written to them, they cannot be reused. This is excellent for archiving because data is preserved permanently with no possibility of being overwritten.
- -Transportability. Optical media are widely used on other platforms, including the PC. For example, data written on a DVD-RAM can be read on a PC or any other system with an optical device and the same file system.
- -Random access. Optical media provide the capability to pinpoint a particular piece of data stored on it, independent of the other data on the volume or the order in which that data was stored on the volume.
Disadvantages
- -Reusable. The write-once read-many (WORM) characteristic of some optical media makes it excellent for archiving, but it also prevents you from being able to use that media again.
- -Writing time. The server uses software compression to write compressed data to your optical media. This process takes considerable processing unit resources and may increase the time needed to write and restore that data.
After this, we will talk about memory cards! Be back soon enough! (:
Reference:
http://it.toolbox.com/wiki/index.php/Optical_disc
http://searchstorage.techtarget.com/sDefinition/0,,sid5_gci509556,00.html
http://www.pcworld.com/article/141869/gartner_hd_dvd_price_cuts_only_prolong_agony.html#
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Advantages_n_disadvantages_about_optical_storage#ixzz1FJo7SJda
March 2, 2011 at 4:11 PM
It would be interesting, if you can do a research on the lifespan of those CD,DVD or Blue Ray =D
March 2, 2011 at 11:00 PM
How much is the price of HD-DVD compare to Blue-ray?
March 3, 2011 at 12:14 AM
Useful Content.. Thx For Sharing! :)
March 3, 2011 at 12:58 AM
@Yap
Here's what I learned.
The life-span of a burnable CD or DVD is highly dependent upon the quality of the organic dye it uses. Not all organic dyes are the same. In fact, organic dyes will vary from one product line to another from the same manufacturer.
An optical medium that is "pre-burned" has a longer lifespan. CDs can last to about 300 years, where as DVDs at 100 years. Blu-ray discs are around 150 years.
March 3, 2011 at 1:03 AM
@Yan Yong
It's very hard to tell the price now as HD-DVD has almost stopped production completely as they are losing the battle to Blu-Ray discs.
Blu-Ray blank discs costs around RM20 for one piece.
March 3, 2011 at 1:03 AM
@Yaw Sheng
Not a problem!
March 3, 2011 at 11:52 AM
Is the Blue-ray disc can be reused? Because the price is quite expensive.