Sony Strengthens Line-up of Next-Generation Optical Disc Archive Systems

Sony’s expanded line-up of Optical Disc Archive systems includes the new ODS-D77U and ODS-D77F drive units, which run at speeds up to a maximum over 1Gbps and expandable PetaSite™ library units ODS-L30M, ODS-L60E and ODS-L100E.

With these new Optical Disc Archive solutions, flexible storage configurations are available to customers with varying operational requirements, whether large-scale broadcasting stations or small-to-medium scale production systems. The new products will be showcased at the BIRTV show in Beijing, China, from 21-24 August 2013.

As the industry accelerates file-based workflows, many professionals have been looking for long-term, reliable storage for their huge volumes of media assets.  Sony developed its Optical Disc Archive solutions as a reliable, easy-to-operate and cost-effective system of archiving, so customers can ensure the long-term preservation of their valuable media assets.  Superior long-term storage capabilities, robustness and guaranteed inter-generational compatibility are some of the hallmarks of Sony’s archiving solutions and the new products are no exception.

ODS-D77U and ODS-D77F Units
The ODS-D77U and ODS-D77F bring high speed reading and writing capabilities, being able to achieve a maximum over 1Gbps (the speed may differ according to reading and writing modes and line-up of cartridge) – more than twice that of Sony’s ODS-D55U.  The ODS-D77U features a high speed standard USB 3.0 interface for fast and easy connections whilst the ODS-D77F features a high speed fibre channel connection to support the new Optical Disk scalable PetaSite™ libraries and storage management software providers.

In an effort to make the ODS-D77U more user-friendly, Sony will also include an updated version of its graphical user interface titled “Content Manager 2.0”.  This bundled application supports more formats and features improved metadata operation and more.

ODS-L30M, ODS-L60E and ODS-L100E PetaSite™ Library Units
The three new library units provide ultimate flexibility and expandability, as users can combine (each PetaSite™ system needs at least one ODS-L30M as a master control within a maximum of 6 library units loadable) a different number of cartridges and drive units to form an optimal library system which fits their own requirements on storage capacity and read/write speeds.  Optical Disc Archive cartridges boast an estimated 50 year lifespan and are built to withstand changes in temperature and humidity, and resist dust and water droplets. Furthermore, guaranteed inter-generational compatibility eliminates the need to re-archive copies of past archive data, offering a more user-friendly and dependable long-term storage solution. 

For archiving operations at broadcasting stations, Optical Disc Archive is the ideal shelf archiving system.  Media assets that are not used often can be stored in shelves without incurring large costs for electricity and heating, as compared to storage in a server room.  On the other hand, media assets that are frequently accessed can be stored in a library unit so that users can enjoy easy multi-access and sharing of files.

“We’re delighted that many alliance partners continue to support our Optical Disc Archive Systems.” said Colin Thompson, Sony Archive Solutions, Sony Europe.” These new solutions deliver advanced technology for the next-generation archiving systems, and bring us closer to our vision of creating a long term, secure archiving solution for the industry,” he continued. “At the forefront of storage innovation, these new systems help users to save precious time and reduce unnecessary costs, allowing them to allocate a greater proportion of professional hours and resources to new content creation instead.” Sony’s new Optical Disc Archive Systems (ODA-D77U, ODA-D77F, ODS-L30M, ODS-L60E and ODS-L100E) will be on display at the BIRTV Show in Beijing, China, booth 8B01 at China International Exhibition Centre, from 21-24 August 2013. You can also learn more at IBC, where Sony will be exhibiting in Hall 12, stand number 12.A10.