DataPlay: The futuristic optical disc format that time forgot
Techmoan・20 minutes read
In the 1980s film "Cherry 2000," data storage was visualized on tiny optical disks like DataPlay Discs, which held 500 MB but faced bankruptcy by 2002 due to hardware partner issues and competition from flash memory. Despite initial hype, DataPlay's write-once discs, copy protection measures, and limited availability led to its demise, ultimately disappearing post-bankruptcy without a revival.
Insights
- DataPlay Discs, despite their innovative design and high capacity, faced significant challenges such as hardware partner issues, write-once limitations, copy protection constraints, and slow file transfers, ultimately leading to the format's bankruptcy in 2002.
- The story of DataPlay's rise and fall showcases the delicate balance between technological innovation, market demand, and ecosystem support, highlighting how even promising products can struggle to gain traction and compete effectively in a rapidly evolving industry like data storage and digital media.
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Recent questions
What was DataPlay Disc's storage capacity?
500 megabytes
What led to DataPlay's bankruptcy?
Costs and competition from flash memory
What was the fate of DataPlay post-bankruptcy?
Disappeared quickly
What format did pre-recorded titles play in?
AAC format at 192 kilobits a second
What were the challenges faced by DataPlay during filming?
Optical drive failure to read discs
Related videos
Summary
00:00
"DataPlay Disc: Rise and Fall"
- In the 1980s film "Cherry 2000," data storage was imagined to be on tiny optical disks, resembling the real-life product "DataPlay Disc."
- DataPlay Discs were compact and held 500 megabytes, with 250 MB on each side, surpassing the capacity of standard mini discs.
- DataPlay intended to compete with compact flash and SD cards, aiming for use in various devices like computers, cameras, and smartphones.
- Despite initial hype and awards, DataPlay faced delays due to hardware partner issues, including Samsung and Toshiba.
- DataPlay launched in 2000 with a recorder/player and pre-recorded music titles, but struggled due to reliance on partners for discs and devices.
- By 2002, DataPlay faced bankruptcy, unable to sustain the format's costs and competition from flash memory.
- DataPlay discs were write-once, preventing erasure and reusability, a significant drawback at $10 per disc.
- Copy protection measures slowed file transfers to DataPlay devices, limiting music playback to a proprietary format.
- DataPlay quickly disappeared post-bankruptcy, with a potential revival by DPHI in 2004, planning larger capacity discs but never materializing.
- Personal experiences with DataPlay, like obtaining a player and discs, highlighted the format's obscurity and limited availability, with few pre-recorded titles released.
14:20
"Data Play: Pre-Recorded Title Disc Troubles"
- The pre-recorded title disc comes in a plastic clamshell case with album artwork on a sticker and a maximum capacity of 250 megabytes, with a round sticker on the other side applied to the outer case.
- To make a video about data play, one needs to install Windows Future Players software available for download from the iRiver website, and a prerecorded title disc operates a switch to activate a motor that holds and ejects the disc.
- Pre-recorded titles play in AAC format at 192 kilobits a second, while user-created content is converted to data play zone CK mp3 format, allowing for equalization presets and track skipping.
- Despite initial success with other discs, the optical drive failed to read discs during filming, resembling a failed laser issue, preventing a planned demonstration of PC software that would have featured videos, website links, and additional content.
