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Sony and Xbox are using DVDs as storage for games. A good idea, being as the disc holds an incredible amount and can use full screen video as standard to play FMVs and intros to it's heart's content (Grix faints and vows never to buy these machines at this point) But Nintendo have gone for the other option and used their own format of miniature disc, which fits less but is harder (allegedly impossible to copy)
Is this taking a bit of a chance though? With the increase of graphic resolution and detail there will be less storage space than their last console, and music will limit the space yet again. Perhaps Nintendo have a new compression technique that will mean they can use 3 or 4 times the space on the disc and still keep the same access rate? Who knows, but there are pros and cons for all storage media, and the cost is going to be a great advantage to the games producers, if not to the consumer.
So after CD, what comes next? Do we go full circle and find ourselves with a new type of cartridge, or stick to a new format of disc, giving even greater storage for the same size media? I believe that as the technology appears and smart card type media becomes cheaper to create and manufacture, every company will be wooed back towards the cartridge or card media over the discs.
Discs are breakable, they scratch easy and they aren't the ever-lasting media source that was promised when Philips first launched them on an unsuspecting world. Minidiscs tried to get around this problem, while making the media portable, but they still haven't taken off too well, despite Sony's best efforts to stick Minidisc players in all their new Hi-Fi equipment. Tape based media has been a no-go area since the days of the C64 and Spectrum and it's easy to see why. So small card cartridges seem like the ideal option.
Well, the problem is that any smart card media is going to be expensive until it is replaced by something new, and by that time the new media that replaces it will be the one console companies want to use. They won't, because it will be too expensive, until a new form of media arrives, ad infinitum... If non-disc formats are to be used again, then these companies (or one of them, it only takes one to start a trend) will have to swallow their pride and take the older technology first in the step to bring back the cartridge.
Why talk about bringing cartridges back when we so happily want to lose them? Well, if the technology exists for the storage space to rival the disc format then there is every reason for them, as long as it’s not at an extra cost to the consumer. Cartridges and cards are far more versatile than discs and the retrieval time is far superior. They can be a lot smaller and it would be easy to create a format that is valid in both home console and handheld machines, perhaps seeing true cross compatibility without the aid of extra hardware. Certainly I sense a feeling that Nintendo should have done more with their GBC to N64 link than a few extras and a Pokemon game, and other companies could follow suit.
How would you like to play your new console game on your TV, then continue where you left off on the handheld, or use one game to unlock parts in another? Some of this has already been done with Sega’s VMU, but battery life and small display meant that the action was limited. It was still successful though and more should be made of this ability.
So what are everyone else’s predictions for new storage media on the next generation of consoles? Will the companies dare to dip their toes in the water of new media or stay safe and dry on the beach, not knowing whether they would have enjoyed the experience?
Is this taking a bit of a chance though? With the increase of graphic resolution and detail there will be less storage space than their last console, and music will limit the space yet again. Perhaps Nintendo have a new compression technique that will mean they can use 3 or 4 times the space on the disc and still keep the same access rate? Who knows, but there are pros and cons for all storage media, and the cost is going to be a great advantage to the games producers, if not to the consumer.
So after CD, what comes next? Do we go full circle and find ourselves with a new type of cartridge, or stick to a new format of disc, giving even greater storage for the same size media? I believe that as the technology appears and smart card type media becomes cheaper to create and manufacture, every company will be wooed back towards the cartridge or card media over the discs.
Discs are breakable, they scratch easy and they aren't the ever-lasting media source that was promised when Philips first launched them on an unsuspecting world. Minidiscs tried to get around this problem, while making the media portable, but they still haven't taken off too well, despite Sony's best efforts to stick Minidisc players in all their new Hi-Fi equipment. Tape based media has been a no-go area since the days of the C64 and Spectrum and it's easy to see why. So small card cartridges seem like the ideal option.
Well, the problem is that any smart card media is going to be expensive until it is replaced by something new, and by that time the new media that replaces it will be the one console companies want to use. They won't, because it will be too expensive, until a new form of media arrives, ad infinitum... If non-disc formats are to be used again, then these companies (or one of them, it only takes one to start a trend) will have to swallow their pride and take the older technology first in the step to bring back the cartridge.
Why talk about bringing cartridges back when we so happily want to lose them? Well, if the technology exists for the storage space to rival the disc format then there is every reason for them, as long as it’s not at an extra cost to the consumer. Cartridges and cards are far more versatile than discs and the retrieval time is far superior. They can be a lot smaller and it would be easy to create a format that is valid in both home console and handheld machines, perhaps seeing true cross compatibility without the aid of extra hardware. Certainly I sense a feeling that Nintendo should have done more with their GBC to N64 link than a few extras and a Pokemon game, and other companies could follow suit.
How would you like to play your new console game on your TV, then continue where you left off on the handheld, or use one game to unlock parts in another? Some of this has already been done with Sega’s VMU, but battery life and small display meant that the action was limited. It was still successful though and more should be made of this ability.
So what are everyone else’s predictions for new storage media on the next generation of consoles? Will the companies dare to dip their toes in the water of new media or stay safe and dry on the beach, not knowing whether they would have enjoyed the experience?
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Cool post, pb.
One thing I've been looking at in my spare time is the 'ripping' of DVD's - converting them to Video-CD - and it is really very easy. There are several websites which give you the software and the guides to rip DVD's easily.
Also...
pb wrote:
> But Nintendo have gone for the other option and used their own
> format of miniature disc, which fits less but is harder (allegedly
> impossible to copy)
It is currently possible to rip DVD onto Mini-DVD, though obviously a normal movie will not fit onto one disc.
The thing is, the software exists to do this. It is only a matter of time - probably months after GameCube's launch at most - that Nintendo's Mini-DVD will be easily ripped with software freely available over the net.
While it is true that the hardware to actually write a Mini-DVD is currently expensive, that price will fall quickly - especially after Nintendo's use of the format will provide a lucrative extra reason to buy the hardware.
8-12 months ago, DVD writers were over £500. Now they're down to £200-£300. The price will continue to fall, and people will be copying GC games all over the place in no time - I can guarantee it!
One thing I've been looking at in my spare time is the 'ripping' of DVD's - converting them to Video-CD - and it is really very easy. There are several websites which give you the software and the guides to rip DVD's easily.
Also...
pb wrote:
> But Nintendo have gone for the other option and used their own
> format of miniature disc, which fits less but is harder (allegedly
> impossible to copy)
It is currently possible to rip DVD onto Mini-DVD, though obviously a normal movie will not fit onto one disc.
The thing is, the software exists to do this. It is only a matter of time - probably months after GameCube's launch at most - that Nintendo's Mini-DVD will be easily ripped with software freely available over the net.
While it is true that the hardware to actually write a Mini-DVD is currently expensive, that price will fall quickly - especially after Nintendo's use of the format will provide a lucrative extra reason to buy the hardware.
8-12 months ago, DVD writers were over £500. Now they're down to £200-£300. The price will continue to fall, and people will be copying GC games all over the place in no time - I can guarantee it!
NiGHTS! wrote:
> hmmmmmm...
but what if the Op[tical disc is too small? Well, put
> games on 2 or more ODs. IT won't cost anything more... they cost
> under £1 each to make!
NiGHTS!
A DVD's worth of optical discs cost more than a DVD because it is non-standard technology.
> hmmmmmm...
but what if the Op[tical disc is too small? Well, put
> games on 2 or more ODs. IT won't cost anything more... they cost
> under £1 each to make!
NiGHTS!
A DVD's worth of optical discs cost more than a DVD because it is non-standard technology.
In my opinion, the smaller discs are suicidal. They don't hold as much, do boogger all for loading times and you need more of them which actually costs more than a DVD. Why? Piracy, which will be overcome in about 2 months after lauch. Brilliant.
hmmmmmm...
but what if the Op[tical disc is too small? Well, put games on 2 or more ODs. IT won't cost anything more... they cost under £1 each to make!
NiGHTS!
but what if the Op[tical disc is too small? Well, put games on 2 or more ODs. IT won't cost anything more... they cost under £1 each to make!
NiGHTS!
I think it will probaly stay on disks for a while but maybe a small cartradge is the way ahead? Who knows?
Not me for sure :-)
Not me for sure :-)
Sony and Xbox are using DVDs as storage for games. A good idea, being as the disc holds an incredible amount and can use full screen video as standard to play FMVs and intros to it's heart's content (Grix faints and vows never to buy these machines at this point) But Nintendo have gone for the other option and used their own format of miniature disc, which fits less but is harder (allegedly impossible to copy)
Is this taking a bit of a chance though? With the increase of graphic resolution and detail there will be less storage space than their last console, and music will limit the space yet again. Perhaps Nintendo have a new compression technique that will mean they can use 3 or 4 times the space on the disc and still keep the same access rate? Who knows, but there are pros and cons for all storage media, and the cost is going to be a great advantage to the games producers, if not to the consumer.
So after CD, what comes next? Do we go full circle and find ourselves with a new type of cartridge, or stick to a new format of disc, giving even greater storage for the same size media? I believe that as the technology appears and smart card type media becomes cheaper to create and manufacture, every company will be wooed back towards the cartridge or card media over the discs.
Discs are breakable, they scratch easy and they aren't the ever-lasting media source that was promised when Philips first launched them on an unsuspecting world. Minidiscs tried to get around this problem, while making the media portable, but they still haven't taken off too well, despite Sony's best efforts to stick Minidisc players in all their new Hi-Fi equipment. Tape based media has been a no-go area since the days of the C64 and Spectrum and it's easy to see why. So small card cartridges seem like the ideal option.
Well, the problem is that any smart card media is going to be expensive until it is replaced by something new, and by that time the new media that replaces it will be the one console companies want to use. They won't, because it will be too expensive, until a new form of media arrives, ad infinitum... If non-disc formats are to be used again, then these companies (or one of them, it only takes one to start a trend) will have to swallow their pride and take the older technology first in the step to bring back the cartridge.
Why talk about bringing cartridges back when we so happily want to lose them? Well, if the technology exists for the storage space to rival the disc format then there is every reason for them, as long as it’s not at an extra cost to the consumer. Cartridges and cards are far more versatile than discs and the retrieval time is far superior. They can be a lot smaller and it would be easy to create a format that is valid in both home console and handheld machines, perhaps seeing true cross compatibility without the aid of extra hardware. Certainly I sense a feeling that Nintendo should have done more with their GBC to N64 link than a few extras and a Pokemon game, and other companies could follow suit.
How would you like to play your new console game on your TV, then continue where you left off on the handheld, or use one game to unlock parts in another? Some of this has already been done with Sega’s VMU, but battery life and small display meant that the action was limited. It was still successful though and more should be made of this ability.
So what are everyone else’s predictions for new storage media on the next generation of consoles? Will the companies dare to dip their toes in the water of new media or stay safe and dry on the beach, not knowing whether they would have enjoyed the experience?
Is this taking a bit of a chance though? With the increase of graphic resolution and detail there will be less storage space than their last console, and music will limit the space yet again. Perhaps Nintendo have a new compression technique that will mean they can use 3 or 4 times the space on the disc and still keep the same access rate? Who knows, but there are pros and cons for all storage media, and the cost is going to be a great advantage to the games producers, if not to the consumer.
So after CD, what comes next? Do we go full circle and find ourselves with a new type of cartridge, or stick to a new format of disc, giving even greater storage for the same size media? I believe that as the technology appears and smart card type media becomes cheaper to create and manufacture, every company will be wooed back towards the cartridge or card media over the discs.
Discs are breakable, they scratch easy and they aren't the ever-lasting media source that was promised when Philips first launched them on an unsuspecting world. Minidiscs tried to get around this problem, while making the media portable, but they still haven't taken off too well, despite Sony's best efforts to stick Minidisc players in all their new Hi-Fi equipment. Tape based media has been a no-go area since the days of the C64 and Spectrum and it's easy to see why. So small card cartridges seem like the ideal option.
Well, the problem is that any smart card media is going to be expensive until it is replaced by something new, and by that time the new media that replaces it will be the one console companies want to use. They won't, because it will be too expensive, until a new form of media arrives, ad infinitum... If non-disc formats are to be used again, then these companies (or one of them, it only takes one to start a trend) will have to swallow their pride and take the older technology first in the step to bring back the cartridge.
Why talk about bringing cartridges back when we so happily want to lose them? Well, if the technology exists for the storage space to rival the disc format then there is every reason for them, as long as it’s not at an extra cost to the consumer. Cartridges and cards are far more versatile than discs and the retrieval time is far superior. They can be a lot smaller and it would be easy to create a format that is valid in both home console and handheld machines, perhaps seeing true cross compatibility without the aid of extra hardware. Certainly I sense a feeling that Nintendo should have done more with their GBC to N64 link than a few extras and a Pokemon game, and other companies could follow suit.
How would you like to play your new console game on your TV, then continue where you left off on the handheld, or use one game to unlock parts in another? Some of this has already been done with Sega’s VMU, but battery life and small display meant that the action was limited. It was still successful though and more should be made of this ability.
So what are everyone else’s predictions for new storage media on the next generation of consoles? Will the companies dare to dip their toes in the water of new media or stay safe and dry on the beach, not knowing whether they would have enjoyed the experience?
Page: