Removable storage goes upscale
Article Abstract:
Multimedia development consumes large quantities of storage. There are many variations of removable storage. Tape drives are inexpensive and best for archival purposes, but far too slow for online multimedia usage. CD-recordable drives have become more popular and less expensive, although these are still slower than hard disks. Pinnacle Micro is planning to market a 5.25-inch magneto-optical drive that would compare to a high-capacity hard disk. Pinnacle's Apex drive will store 4.6GB on two sides of a cartridge. The technology eliminates one of three laser passes usually required to write to a disc. The spin rate can be varied to guarantee a constant transfer rate of 3.3Mbps. Another option that may be more suitable to online multimedia is the removable hard disk drive. Some modular drives separate the drive mechanism from the SCSI interface and power supply. Although this technology is more expensive, it is very portable and convenient to switch between workstations.
Publication Name: Newmedia
Subject: Computers and office automation industries
ISSN: 1060-7188
Year: 1995
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Networks serve up CD-ROMs
Article Abstract:
The decrease in CD-ROM prices enables a wealth of information to be placed on a network to make it available to corporate users. The information can include text files, graphics and multimedia materials. Many content providers offer network licenses that are substantially cheaper than purchasing multiple copies of CDs. The network approach also eliminates the need to purchase CD-ROM drives for every PC in a corporation. There are several approaches to making CDs available over a network. CD-ROM towers stack from two to over 40 drives. Changers have a single drive and use a magazine to place the selected CD into the drive. Jukeboxes include two or more CD-ROM drives. Some include CD recorders and utilize complex robotics. Networking software insulates users from the complexities of network CD-ROMs and simplify the management and license monitoring of the CDs.
Publication Name: Newmedia
Subject: Computers and office automation industries
ISSN: 1060-7188
Year: 1996
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RAIDing storage for multimedia
Article Abstract:
RAID technology is crucial to desktop video applications, but also has a niche market in speeding image editing applications. Applications that use huge files in the 500MB range find it difficult to render these images unless they employ the high transfer rates available with RAID systems. There are several layers of RAID specification, but Level 0 is clearly the fastest and offers the best solution to multimedia and digital video application. RAID Level 0 can be established with software only solutions that cost between $200 and $300. RAID systems can either use fixed hard disk drives or can employ removable modules. Desktop RAID systems have clear benefits, but they are not as widely accepted as network RAID systems.
Publication Name: Newmedia
Subject: Computers and office automation industries
ISSN: 1060-7188
Year: 1996
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