History 2001: Maxoptix Abandons Optical Super Density Project

Plans for high-density digital disks, based on hybrid technologies combining optical and magnetic technology, have had the wind let out of their sails after gobbling mountains of dollars for very little results.

TeraStor has given up, while Seagate no longer makes any mention of its Quinta technology, although it continues to file the odd patent.

And now it’s Maxoptix’s turn to throw in the towel on its OSD (Optical Super Density) disk drive.

Hardly any projects are left, with the exception of UDO (Ultra Disc Optical), in which Plasmon and Sony have invested in the hopes of attaining 20GB per side on a 5.25-inch phase-change optical platter, with a launch set for 2003.

OSD was originally meant to integrate a 40GB removable disk with a 30MB/s transfer rate.

“We have completely stopped,” confirmed Brian Blanchard, Maxoptix’s European VP. “We couldn’t get the disk media from Mitsubishi Chemical up to 13GB.”

The cessation of this activity will result in cutbacks of some 40 employees, he further revealed.

Consequently, Maxoptix’s business will now be primarily focused on tape automation products, thanks to its acquisition of Breece Hill at the beginning of the year.

This article is an abstract of news published on issue 165 on October 2001 from the former paper version of Computer Data Storage Newsletter.