DVD Ram Storage.

Working daily with files that are over 300 MB for a single digital image requires familiarity with a wide variety of storage systems. Zip and and Super Disks won't even hold half a photograph. Only two files will fit on a CD-R. What works with files of this size? DVD-RAM offers plenty of storage, at a reasonable cost, and is based on proven technology.

While a Visiting Professor at Japan's National Museum of Ethnology I used the 'Toray' Phasewriter Dual PD/CD-ROM drive (disk sleeve at the left).

This hybrid system was popular during 1995 into early 1997, then disappeared from the scene for over a year.

Now (2000), the Phasewriter technology has returned as DVD-RAM. Instead of a mere 650 MB, the reincarnation as DVD-RAM can hold 5.2 GB (2.6 GB per side for a double-sided disk).

Panasonic is the DVD-RAM which I prefer because Panasonic was a partner with 'Toray' in the development of the original PD Phasewriter. Even the software for DVD-RAM has evolved from the earlier PD system. Both are by Software Architects.

The better DVD-RAM players (such as Panasonic) can read any CD (CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW), DVD-ROM, DVD-R, and naturally DVD-RAM.

Here at the left is a sample of the storage at one of the FLAAR work stations.

As you can see we are serious about storage.

8x speed for CD-R is okay but 12x is better. You can now get a single unit which burns CD-R at 12x, CD-RW with the same unit at perhaps 4x.

To keep the 36" wide format printer fed with images we keep our files on CD-R. The original files we are transferring from obsolete systems such as the Pinnacle Micro Apex (4.2 GB disks) to the newer and more universal Panasonic DVD-RAM (5.2 GB).

Most recently updated August 02, 2001.