MDI Delivers a New Storage Standard for the Millennium.WINTER PARK, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 9, 1998-- Universa(tm) DVD DVD: see digital versatile disc. DVD in full digital video disc or digital versatile disc Type of optical disc. The DVD represents the second generation of compact-disc (CD) technology. Arrays with SCSI SCSI in full Small Computer System Interface Once common standard for connecting peripheral devices (disks, modems, printers, etc.) to small and medium-sized computers. SCSI has given way to faster standards, such as Firewire and USB. Express(R) for Windows NT (Windows New Technology) A 32-bit operating system from Microsoft for Intel x86 CPUs. NT is the core technology in Windows 2000 and Windows XP (see Windows). Available in separate client and server versions, it includes built-in networking and preemptive multitasking. - Literacy and Flexibility in One Data Storage Solution Micro Design International (MDI (1) (Multiple Document Interface) A Windows function that allows an application to display and lets the user work with more than one document at the same time. ) becomes the mass-storage industry's first to market a DVD tower with comprehensive UDF (1) (Universal Disk Format) A file system for optical media developed by the Optical Storage Technology Association (OSTA), www.osta.org, based on the ECMA 167/ISO 13346 standard. support in its new version of SCSI Express(R) for Windows NT. MDI positions itself as the DVD solutions innovator with the introduction of this flexible tower/rack chassis (designed for DVD-ROM DVD-ROM: see digital versatile disc. A read-only DVD disc used to permanently store data files. DVD-ROM discs are widely used to distribute large software applications that exceed the capacity of a CD-ROM disc. , DVD-RAM A rewritable DVD disc endorsed by the DVD Forum. Using phase change technology, DVD-RAMs are like removable hard disks, and the media can be rewritten 100,000 times compared to 1,000 times for DVD-RW and DVD+RW. The first DVD-RAM drives with a capacity of 2.6GB (single sided) or 5. or both) bundled with the industry's first enterprise software supporting OSTA's Universal Disk Format (storage, standard) Universal Disk Format - (UDF) A CD-ROM file system standard that is required for DVD ROMs. UDF is the OSTA's replacement for the ISO 9660 file system used on CD-ROMs, but will be mostly used on DVD. - SCSI Express version 4.6 for Windows NT. MDI's introduction of the Universa(tm) series of CD/DVD modular arrays, which are bundled with the latest release of SCSI Express for Windows NT, provide an unprecedented solution for the end user. The modularity component of Universa simplifies hardware upgrades and affords total flexibility for customization. MDI is introducing a new feature in SCSI Express called Unison(tm). The Unison technology changes the face of the industry with its read/write/repair capability. This total solution provides the ultimate in investment protection for the end user. Customers demand the ability to keep their data indefinitely without worry that their storage solution will soon become obsolete. According to Steve Hammond, Vice President of Marketing for MDI, "MDI's Universa(tm) Arrays and SCSI Express(R) with the Unison(tm) feature insure transparent access for reading and writing to the new writable DVD technologies. The Universa series of modular enclosures combined with OSTA's MultiRead and UDF specifications (supported in MDI's award-winning SCSI Express for Windows NT) provide one solution. With this combination, MDI guarantees flexibility, compatibility and inter operabililty." "MDI is exploiting the power of OSTA's UDF and MultiRead(tm) specifications with its new Universa(tm) products. A wide variety of optical technologies can be read and, more important, leading-edge DVD-RAM can now be written," states Ray Freeman of Freeman Associates. "The Unison repair and report utility will boost user confidence in DVD-RAM by spotting and fixing any recording irregularities." Mix and Match--Swap and Go Universa(tm) Hardware The new Universa(tm) arrays are the first towers to combine DVD-ROM and DVD-RAM technologies, creating a mix-and-match system. The Universa hardware solution insures the client faster access to data, backward compatibility of media/drives through MultiRead(tm) and a multi-purpose tower/rack adding additional investment protection. The swap-and-go technology simplifies customization and hardware upgrades. Through this system, MDI provides flexibility for Value Added Resellers (VARs) to design storage solutions specifically tailored to their customers' needs. The Universa hardware also offers both tower and rack configurations, allowing for integration of DVD-ROM, DVD-RAM or CD-ROM CD-ROM: see compact disc. CD-ROM in full compact disc read-only memory Type of computer storage medium that is read optically (e.g., by a laser). , all adhering to the OSTA (Optical Storage Technology Association, Cupertino, CA, www.osta.org) A membership organization composed of major optical drive manufacturers. Established in 1992, its purpose is to endorse standards and promote the use of optical media in computing. MultiRead specification (for more information, please refer to http://www.multiread.com). According to Joe Pollock, Product Manager for MDI, "the combination of DVD technologies contained in the Universa(tm) series offers the first glimpse of how far-reaching the DVD impact will be on business computing. Not only will the same technology offer reading capabilities for all 120mm formats, it will provide the ability to write data easily as if to a hard drive." Universa(tm) in three models All MDI CD, DVD-ROM and DVD-RAM drives included in the Universa series are MultiRead(tm) compatible, protecting the customer's investment with backward compatibility. Universa hardware will initially offer three models: the UV-DVD6X2 featuring 6 MultiRead DVD ROM/2 DVD RAM, the UV-DVD8X0 - all DVD ROM with eight drives and the UV-1000, created for VAR's and OEMs featuring an empty enclosure with SCSI Express for Windows NT. Read/Write/Repair - MDI's Unison(tm) Technology In 1993, MDI became the first mass storage company to release a product based on the ECMA (European Computer Manufacturers Association, Geneva, Switzerland, www.ecma-international.org) An international association founded in 1961 that is dedicated to establishing standards in the information and communications fields. 167 standard. This standard became the ISO (1) See ISO speed. (2) (International Organization for Standardization, Geneva, Switzerland, www.iso.ch) An organization that sets international standards, founded in 1946. The U.S. member body is ANSI. 13346 standard, which is the basis for the OSTA UDF specification. Throughout the development of the UDF specification, MDI has continued to modify its product to support each of the releases. "The primary goals of UDF are to maximize robustness of data interchange, assure uniformity of data, support platform-unique file information and minimize the cost and complexity of implementing ISO 13346. Because UDF defines how to process operating system-specific information, it is therefore ideal for any application where file interchange among different platforms is required," states Pollock. SCSI Express 4.6 for Windows NT includes the UDF file system so that UDF formatted DVD and packet-written CD-R (CD-Recordable) A writable CD technology using a type of compact disc that can be recorded, but not erased (CD-Rs are "write once" discs). CD-R discs are used to master CD-ROMs, to back up data and to make copies of data for distribution. and CD-RW (CD-ReWritable) The only rewritable CD technology. CD-RW disks look like other CD media, but with close inspection, they have a more polished surface with a very dark blue-gray cast. media can be read along with the standard ISO 9660 CDs. SCSI Express offers MultiRead capability through its software. When combined with MultiRead drive technology, MDI guarantees investment protection in optical technologies. SCSI Express for Windows NT includes the industry's first complete UDF compliant file system for writing to both DVD-RAM and magneto-optical today. With the introduction of SCSI Express Version 4.6, MDI now sets the standard for writing to multiple rewritable media types. File system repair is a necessary part of a complete writable UDF solution. MDI's Unison technology is the first UDF file system with a complete on-line repair capability, made possible by SCSI Express for Windows NT. -0-
Unison's capabilities include:
-- reading UDF data on CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-ROM and DVD-RAM. It
also reads UDF-formatted media created by other vendors'
UDF-compliant software, including Adaptec's(tm) Direct CD.
-- writing UDF data on DVD-RAM, as well as magneto-optical and
future Near Field Recording (NFR).
-- repairing non-OSTA UDF specification compliant situations and
behavior, as well as bad/missing file system structures.
Unison is built to support all future releases of DVD, Magneto-Optical, NFR (Near Field Recording) See near field optics and Terastor. and any other rewritable optical technologies in the foreseeable future. "MDI is taking a pro-active position in insuring the integration of future technologies through its Unison implementation. Our vast experience in this area has yielded a robust implementation of file repair and offers a tremendous value to the user through greater reliability and investment protection," says Hammond. Price and Shipping MDI's Universa(tm) Array bundled with SCSI Express for Windows NT will begin shipping January 1999. List prices for Universa range from $1,699 to $9,999. Pricing for regions outside the United States may vary. The Universa Series DVD Arrays will be available worldwide through MDI's distributors and resellers (www.mdi.com/order/index.htm). Customized VAR opportunities are also available through MDI. Background MDI (Micro Design International), headquartered in Winter Park, Florida Winter Park is a city in Orange County, Florida, United States. The population was 24,090 at the 2000 census. According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2006 estimates, the city had a population of 28,083. , is dedicated to providing leading CD-ROM and optical storage solutions. Since 1978, MDI has brought several technology breakthroughs to the storage industry. MDI strives to provide premium storage solutions by focusing on a high level of performance, investment protection, ease-of-use and reliability. Please visit our web site at www.mdi.com. Plan to visit the MDI Hospitality Suite at the Las Vegas Hilton The Las Vegas Hilton is a hotel, casino, and convention center in Las Vegas, Nevada. It is a joint venture between Colony Capital, which owns 60 percent, and New York City-based REIT Whitehall Street Real Estate Funds, which owns the remaining 40 percent. during COMDEX The former, premier computer trade show in the U.S. Although it grew into an end user event, it was originally created for dealers and distributors (it was the COMputer Dealers EXposition). . Representatives will be available to meet with members of the press November 16 - 18. |
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