TecKMagazine - Seagate Unveils 60GB 1.8-Inch Hard Drive

Seagate Unveils 60GB 1.8-Inch Hard Drive

Written by News Editor
Thursday, 08 June 2006
Seagate introduced the ST18 Series -- Seagate's first 1.8-inch hard drive designed for handheld audio and video devices. Also introduced its next generation LD25 Series hard drives, up to 80GB, on a single platter and newest DB35 Series hard drive for digital video recorders (DVR) features a massive 750GB of capacity. Consumers are driving a revolution in the way they access, store and enjoy digital content, creating an on-demand world. This on-demand world lets consumers choose to experience digital content when they want, where they want and on the device they want. The growth of services that allow audio and video to be stored on mobile devices, and the devices on which this content will be stored, make hard drives imperative in the on-demand world. Consequently, handheld video players are expected to continue to increase in their sales, Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) forecasts that the mobile video and navigation market will grow to over one billion dollars in sales in the US by the end of 2006. And, according to IMS Research, DVRs are expected to reach a worldwide install base of 135 million households by 2010. Breakthrough Capacity in a Credit Card-sized Package The Seagate ST18 Series hard drive from Seagate, based on perpendicular recording technology, delivers industry-leading capacity and value on a single platter, for 60GB of storage in a compact 1.8-inch hard disc drive. The ST18 Series hard drive combines best-in-class features for portable media players, portable GPS systems, digital video cameras, and palmtop PCs. These features include: -- G-Force Protection -- Optional drop sensing technology, when enabled, increases robustness to 1500 Gs making the ST18 Series the toughest 1.8-inch drive on the market; -- Sophisticated power management technologies to deliver longer battery life for handheld devices, and; -- Run-On Technology -- delivers uninterrupted streaming performance even when the drive is under high motion conditions such as jogging. The ST18 Series drives will offer compatibility with the new CE-ATA interface for handheld consumer devices. Seagate Design Service Centers can help with the transition to this highly efficient new standard. Additionally, the ST18 Series drives will support the IDE interface used in many current handheld devices. Driving Videogames, New TVs, and Other Technology Appliances The next generation LD25 Series hard drive is targeted at a new generation of "technology appliances." These product sets include videogame consoles, home entertainment devices, small footprint media PCs, low-profile set top boxes, embedded DVR TV systems, and other emerging applications used around the home. Seagate's industry leading DynaPlay technology optimizes the drive for media streaming, power consumption and content security. The LD25 Series hard drives will be available in 20GB, 40GB, 60GB and 80GB capacity points. The increase in capacity, made possible with Seagate perpendicular recording technology, is required for the wider variety of media being downloaded into new systems. For example, videogame consoles are now centers for downloaded games, music and media; embedded DVR TVs are recording video content without an external box attached; and lower-profile set top boxes are storing IPTV and other content being distributed in interesting new ways. The LD25 Series hard drives also feature Seagate's patented SoftSonic fluid dynamic bearing motors for super-quiet operation and high reliability. Customized Performance and Mammoth Capacity for Next Generation DVRs The newest member of the DB35 Series hard drives is available with up to 750GB, and is another example of Seagate's leadership in the industry's transition to perpendicular recording. The DB35 series provides DVR customers with the industry's leading combination of cutting edge technology and customized features with world-class manufacturing and assurance of supply. Coupled with a relentless focus on quality and reliability, Seagate provides DVR manufacturers unsurpassed time to market and total cost performance. Inveterate entertainment consumers can easily record entire seasons of high-definition television programming. Home media centers become a reality with massive capacity for movies, photos, music and home video. DVR manufacturers need to custom-fit storage to their individual systems. The DB35 Series redefines value for high video capacities and lets manufacturers optimize HDD performance for demanding DVR environments. DynaPlay technology from Seagate optimizes the drive's operating parameters -- performance optimization tunes the drive for sequential streaming needed for uninterrupted digital media; drive security tools enhance fair use of digital programming by helping manufacturers implement appropriate digital rights management technologies; power optimization allows the manufacturer more leeway in selecting cost-efficient power supplies. These features also help to keep DVR internal temperatures under control for enhanced system reliability. The next generation DB35 Series drives are scheduled to begin shipping in third calendar quarter of 2006, with the ST18 Series and next-generation LD25 Series drives scheduled to begin shipping in the first calendar quarter of 2007. To learn more about Seagate and the on-demand world, check out the latest podcast, now available online at http://www.podtech.net/seagate

< Prev		Next >

[ Back ]