A solid-state drive is a data storage device that uses solid-state memory to store persistent data. Unlike flash-based memory cards, an SSD emulates a hard disk drive, thus easily replacing it in most applications. There are two kinds of SSDs: flash-memory based ones and SRAM or DRAM based ones (often called RAM-drives). The RAM-drives data persistence can only be guaranteed thanks to a battery, but for a limited time.

It’s called solid-state drive because it uses semiconductor devices, and it doesn’t have any moving parts, unlike hard disk drives which consist of a motor, rotating platters with magnetic surfaces, and mobile read/write heads.

- left: hard disk drive. center & right: solid-state drive from above & under -

Comparison with hard disk drives:

+ Faster start-up (no mechanical delays);
+ Fast random access for reading (no read/write heads to move);
+ Low read/write latency times;
+ No noise (no mechanical movements), except for some high-capacity models which have cooling fans;
+ High mechanical reliability (no moving parts);
+ File fragmentation has almost no impact on performance, since the seek time is almost constant and is not dependent on the physical location of the data;
+ For low capacity SSDs, lower power consumption and heat production;
+ For low capacity SSDs, lower height and size.
- Price (as of mid-2008, around USD 3.50 per GB for flash memory, and around USD 0.40 per GB for mechanical drives);
- Capacity (currently far lower than that of usual hard drives, but predicted to swiftly increase, with experimental SSDs of up to 1 TB);
- High vulnerability to certain effects, such as abrupt power loss, magnetic fields, electric/static charges…..
- Limited write cycles (but the problem is improved all the time. Today’s SSDs can last up to 20 years with average usage). SSDs based on DRAM do not suffer from this problem;
- Slower write speeds (except for SSDs based on DRAM);
- Lower storage density (but is expected to rapidly increase in the near future);
- Higher power consumption (SSDs also take more power per GB).

The advantages of SSDs are interesting for mobile computing and are becoming increasingly popular in markets such as notebook PCs, Ultra-Mobile PCs, and electronics sectors. The capacity currently varies from 12GB to 256 GB. Decreasing prices in raw flash material costs, and in the mean time increasing capacities make SSDs tend to be the next hard disk drive generation.

More information on Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solid-state_drive

The BBC has begun DVB-T2 test transmissions today, from the Guildford transmitter southwest of London, in preparation for HD on Freeview.
The transmission facilities are provided by National Grid Wireless and Arqiva as part of their support for the DVB standardisation process and the UK project for the launch of DVB-T2 services.
This follows the approval by the DVB Project of the DVB-T2 specification and this will be the first time signals compliant with the DVB-T2 specification will be broadcast.

DVB-T2 is the next generation digital terrestrial transmission standard for new HDTV services on Freeview.
Currently, Freeview services use the DVB-T standard which was defined more than 10 years ago.
DVB-T2 can provide significantly more capacity and this will be essential for HDTV services to be launched on Freeview, currently planned for the end of 2009.
BBC Research & Innovation has been leading the work of the DVB group.

In parallel, it has been developing a modulator/demodulator (”modem”) compliant with the new specification.
Justin Mitchell, leader of the DVB-T2 modem development team at the BBC, said: “We are delighted that our team, in collaboration with our partners, has been able to deliver such a key piece of technology in such a short timescale.
“This is a big step forward in enabling the introduction of full HD terrestrial on Freeview by the end of 2009.”
DVB will be showcasing the DVB-T2 technology at the International Broadcasting Convention in Amsterdam in September 2008 with papers, hourly talks and live demonstrations.

Notes to Editors
The DVB-T2 specification will shortly be available as a ‘Blue Book’ on the DVB website. It will now enter the European Telecommunications Standards Institute standardisation process under the reference EN 302 755.

About DVB Project: The Digital Video Broadcasting Project (DVB) is an industry-led consortium of over 270 broadcasters, manufacturers, network operators, software developers and regulatory bodies in over 35 countries committed to designing open technical standards for the global delivery of digital television and data services. Services using DVB standards are available on every continent with more than 170 million DVB receivers deployed.

Read more

We have made live a new blog for stordigital data systems customers. This will allow us to keep our customers up to date with new products, and product developments, in addition to software and firmware downloads.

You can find the StorDigital duplicator blog here.

Tiger Feed is a unique new way to build traffic for your blog or website. By submitting your RSS feed your site will benefit from extra traffic via our network of news and information sites. Submit your RSS to TigerFeed today and start generating instant traffic.

Submit your site to Tiger Feed RSS management Today.