So far we have encountered mobile phones with pretty much every feature one can think of, ranging from the ability to play MP3s all the way to high end models that offer the functionality of a PDA. But, for the real CD Freak, one thing that all phones have lacked up until now is the optical drive. However, this issue has now been resolved with Vmedia unveiling the world's first internal slimline optical drive for phones.
To keep the mobile phone within a certain size, Vmedia has developed a 32mm optical disc using blue laser technology and features a capacity of 1GB. This gives sufficient space to hold a feature length movie at 576p resolution through the use of the efficient H.264 video and AAC audio codecs. Due to the unusually small size of the disc and its drive, this in turn makes it the world's smallest blue laser optical drive. The discs are made of moulded polycarbonate material to allow for high volume manufacturing using processes similar to DVD replication.
According to a company spokesperson, when the phone launches, there will be over 1,000 films available for it, which will include big Hollywood and Bollywood studios. The optical drive is currently shipping to manufacturers in India this year and will possibly launch in the UK & US in 2009. Vmedia is already working on a 9.5mm second generation slimline drive, which will start shipping in the second of 2008 and they expect to improve the capacity to 2GB per disc in 2009. Recordable Vmedia is also under development, although there is no mention of when it will become available.
The company aims to have Vmedia titles sell for the same price as DVD versions, along with the same release dates. Unlike online video-on-demand services, Vmedia will offer consumers the same advantage of DVDs by allowing one to play their movies on any Vmedia capable device and any screen, by simply inserting the disc and pressing "play".
Further information can be found on the VMedia Research website and in their official press release.
