In recent years, streaming and digitalization have taken on a major role in the entertainment sector. However, Chinese researchers have developed an optical disc called “Big Boy” capable of storing a petabit of data. A capacity equivalent to 10,000 Blu-rays. This solution is aimed primarily at professionals, but could well reach the consumer market.
Data storage issues
With the development of 4K TVs, the question of storage quickly became an issue. For the time being, Blu-rays offer a maximum capacity of 100 GB, which makes it possible to burn 4K UHD films, while offering uncompressed multichannel sound. However, the first 8K TVs are starting to hit the market. The next generation of consoles could also offer higher definitions, requiring more space for games to be stored.
With the imminent arrival of 8K, the entertainment sector is beginning to reach the physical limits of Blu-ray. Added to this is the development of audio formats such as Dolby Atmos TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio, which require more storage space for films and video games. While the focus is on digitalization, we still haven’t heard the last from physical formats.
AIE-DDPR: a new material for nanoparticle-scale etching
The journal Nature reports that Chinese researchers have used a material called “dye-doped photoresist with aggregation-induced emission luminogens” (AIE-DDPR), which enables data to be etched on 54 layers, separated by 1 micrometer over 54 nanometers in thickness. To put this into perspective, a 4K UHD Blu-ray offers “only” three 33 GB layers. A technology not unlike that of Folio Photonics, which promises 1TB Blu-ray discs.
According to the researchers, they have managed to fit no less than 125,000 GB of data onto one disc. Enough to store the equivalent of 10,000 Blu-rays. No wonder they named it “Big Boy”! In practice, it would be possible to burn entire seasons of series in 8K, with uncompressed sound on a single medium!
Considerable progress has been made in this sector. These new materials will offer more economical storage solutions, helping to reduce the carbon footprint of data centers. It’s also quite conceivable that they could also provide consumer solutions for future 8K UHD Blu-rays. These technologies could also enable the miniaturization of optical discs, and why not the return of the “MiniDisc”, capable of storing astronomical quantities of data? One can dream…
Physical format versus digital
Of course, the physical market has to contend with streaming and downloading. Big Boy is a solution that could make it possible to end storage problems, but the addition of these new materials could change all that. Digitalization raises new questions, notably concerning ownership of purchases and the debits that may be required in the future.
A physical disc can be lent, resold, stored and does not depend on connection quality. Moreover, it’s not unusual for certain films, albums or games to disappear from platforms or simply not be available. The physical format allows us to preserve the works we hold dear.
It’s also important to note that the physical format is often the best way to support artists. Streaming revenues don’t always allow them to make a living, and they need to be able to continue creating, unless they are replaced by AIs?
