Tokyo, October 2, 2000 -- Fujitsu Limited announced today the introduction of a new 3.5-inch high-speed GIGAMO (*1) magneto-
optical (MO) disk drive (model MCK3130SS), which is the world's
first to be capable of real-time recording of high-resolution
images in MPEG2 (*2) format. Sales of the new drive commence
today, and it will be available through Fujitsu's various sales
companies worldwide.
In recent years, PCs have adopted increasingly sophisticated
video recording and editing capabilities, including easy-to-use
video-capture functions and software for editing digital video.
Fujitsu's newly developed high-speed GIGAMO drive responds to
this growing field with an MO-based storage system that is
ideal for enjoying high-quality digital moving images.
The MCK3130SS features a high-resolution real-time recording
function that allows 8Mbps high-quality MPEG2 images from a TV
tuner card or video capture card to be saved directly onto the
MO media. To realize this, Fujitsu developed a new version of
the Zone Constant Linear Velocity (*3) method and combined it
with a Cashe Millennium AV (*4) system using an 8MB data buffer
(*5) to automatically regulate the speed of the disk.
In addition to greatly improved file copy performance, the
MCK3130SS offers high speed and ease of use. Thanks to a
lighter, more efficient carriage (*6), the new device boasts a
19 milliseconds seek time (*7), the world's highest speed for
a 3.5-inch MO drives. Moreover, adoption of a servo head
enabling 5,455min-1(rpm) high-speed rotation results in a 20%
improvement in file copy performance for 128MB, 230MB, 540MB,
640MB media compared with previous models (10-25% improvement
for 1.3GB media).
The new GIGAMO drive is compatible with current MO media disks
(128MB, 230MB, 540MB, 540MB and 1.3GB), about 100 million of
which are believed to be in circulation (*Note). In addition,
the new drive is equipped with the Media ID function to protect
the copyrights of online digital content.
Sample shipment starts October 2, with volume production to
commence in November. Fujitsu aims to sell 1 million units within
the first two years. This announcement follows closely on
Fujitsu's recent release of the world's smallest and lightest 3.5-
inch MO disk drive, dubbed the "Mobile MO" (model MCG3064AP),
demonstrating the company's committment to continuing to expand
its MO product lineup.
Glossary
| *1 | GIGAMO: 1.3GB 3.5-inch magneto-optical (MO) disk system and MO format standard, jointly developed by Fujitsu and Sony. The GIGAMO system maintains compatibility with the current ISO-IEC standard MO media. |
| *2 | MPEG2: Coding method for compressing digital moving images.
Offers higher compression and higher image quality than MPEG1,
whose quality is roughly equivalent to that of VHS. |
| *3 | Fujitsu's ZCLV (Zone Constant Linear Velocity): Fujitsu's
proprietary system, which works together with Cash Millenium AV
technology. It adjusts read/write disk speed in accordance
with data buffer status. The technology increases internal
processing speed for recording by 50% compared with previous
drives. |
| *4 | Cache Millennium AV: Fujitsu's newly developed cache system
for real-time recording. The system prevents data transfer
interruptions due to rotation changes in the drive, corrective
processing or outside shocks. |
| *5 | Data buffer: Memory area to hold data temporarily during data
transfer. |
| *6 | Carriage: Optical head unit that maneuvers over the media
seek zone. |
| *7 | 19 milliseconds seek time: 20% faster than previous models. |
(*Note)
Source: International Data Corporation and Japan Recording-
Media Industries Association.
* All company / product names mentioned may be trademarks or
registered trademarks of their respective holders and are used
for identification purpose only.
About Fujitsu Limited
Fujitsu Limited (TSE: 6702) is a leading provider of Internet-
based information technology solutions for the global marketplace.
Comprising over 500 group companies and affiliates worldwide --
including ICL, Amdahl and DMR Consulting -- it had consolidated
revenues of 5.26 trillion yen (US$49.6 billion) in the fiscal year
ended March 31, 2000. Fujitsu's pace-setting technologies, world-
class computing and telecommunications platforms, and global corps
of over 60,000 systems and services experts make it uniquely
positioned to unleash the infinite possibilities of the Internet
to help its customers succeed. Altogether, the Fujitsu Group has
188,000 employees and operations in over 100 countries.
Internet: http://www.fujitsu.com/
Fujitsu: The Possibilities Are Infinite