Daily Mailbox
Pioneer Creates First 16-Layer 400GB Blu-Ray-Compatible Optical Media
Radeon HD 4870 X2 Might Feature 2GB GDDR5 Instead of 1GB
Daily Mailbox
Pioneer Creates First 16-Layer 400GB Blu-Ray-Compatible Optical Media
Pioneer created the world's first 16-layer 400GB optical disc prototype. Each layer is capable of storing 25GB of data - the same as a single-layer Blu-ray. So far, the prototype can only be read, but the company claims its technology allows creating writable media as well.
In multi-layered media it's hard to obtain clear signal from each layer, because of other layers' influence and power losses at transmission. Pioneer managed to solve this issue by means of their DVD expertise.
Since the prototype requires a read head similar to those used in Blu-Ray drives, the company states that they can provide compatibility with Blu-Ray media.
Pioneer will provide more details on this technology at ISOM/ODS2008 starting on July 13 on Hawaii.
Source: Pioneer
Radeon HD 4870 X2 Might Feature 2GB GDDR5 Instead of 1GB
We have already heard assumptions that HD 4870 X2 (R700) might be released with 2GB of memory, but never actually believed in that. Still, a trustworthy source confirmed that samples with 2GB of memory will reach manufacturers in mid-July.
Referring to graphics card manufacturers, the source claims that the "senior brother" of ATI Radeon HD 4850/4870 will be officially introduced late in July, when AMD starts shipping reference cards with 2GB GDDR5.
In mid-August, partners of AMD that plan on releasing custom products will start receiving 4870 X2 (RV770XT) GPUs.
As you know, Radeon HD 4870 features 8 x 512 Mbit GDDR5 chips produced by Qimonda. We've seen 16 chips on images of R700 - 8 per side. Thus, 2GB capacity can be reached only by using 1Gbit chips. According to the source, Qimonda launches shipments of such chips this month. Besides, Hynix also has similar offerings.
Sources: DigiTimes, techPowerUp!
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