Is the world ready for a 1TB iPod?
How to deal with storage overload
Radio Reg We're barreling toward a world where 1TB files fly make their way across the internet, while devices like the iPod prepare to handle your favorite 267,000 songs and movies. And, according to industry experts, the storage vendors are not quite ready to deal with all of these massive files or to construct the types of systems that could power a local/network/mobile version of, say, Google Docs well.
Episode 10 of Semi-Coherent Computing confronts these issues head on with a panel that includes hardware guru Chris Hipp, analyst Tom Coughlin and LeftHand networks CTO Raju Bopardikar.
Your e-mails inspired this show, as a number of listeners called for a look at the current state of SAN, NAS and iSCSI gear. We hit those subjects as well as depulication software, the rise of cheap ATA arrays and the squabble between Sun Microsystems and Network Appliance.
As mentioned, however, we spent most of the time talking about future storage architectures capable of dealing with 1TB and larger disks and massive media files. More than a few ideas for fresh start-ups popped up during the program. So, if you want to be rich, tune in.
Now on we go to the show.
Semi-Coherent Computing - Episode 10
There's a low-bit version of the show available here as well for the bandwidth challenged.
You can also grab the show off iTunes here or subscribe to the show via this feed.
Those of you who like what Tom has to say might want to check out his Storage Visions conference taking place in January. Meanwhile, LeftHand is pimping a virtual storage appliance that works with VMware's ESX Server.
Thanks for your ears. ®
Register editor Ashlee Vance has just pumped out a new book that's a guide to Silicon Valley. The book starts with the electronics pioneers present in the Bay Area in the early 20th century and marches up to today's heavies. Want to know where Gordon Moore eats Chinese food, how unions affected the rise of microprocessors or how Fairchild Semiconductor got its start? This is the book for you - available at Amazon US here or in the UK here.
COMMENTS
to Benedict
> And probably double the price because it's "such high quality"
Obviously you are an iDrone and don't understand whats going on ! (oh please let me buy single tracks online, because shops are so last century)
You rip from the original media (SACD for example). Dumping the masters to a nice lossless format would be even better for some of us.
Even better would be to include all the channels from the original recorded tracks ;)
Piracy or viral marketing opportunity ?
"Is ever increasing capacity not urging people to use pirated or copyrighted material ?"
Do outdated distribution and business models which are being made obsolete by this activity still matter ? Greater spare capacity encourages artists struggling to get known to bypass the old-fashioned restrictive-copyright distribution companies and use viral marketing instead, so that fans who distribute their marketing for them will grow in number and buy physical merchandise and concert tickets. Giving away sprats you wouldn't have a chance of selling anyway to catch mackarel makes sense. The extra capacity will be filled by those who see an opportunity previously denied them by the fact that the old distributors wouldn't talk to them anyway unless they sell exclusive rights to their creative output for the next 10 years for peanuts.
Perhaps...
Sweeping generalisations are valid when describing "pop" music. Especially the stuff one hears on Radio One.
I play, compose, record and master my own music using CueBase. I master to various formats depending on the target audience. Therefore your statement "Hooray for lack of understanding on music file types" must be directed to someone else. I rip to mp3 for the car at 320kbps.
I do see the point for lossless in home use when using the likes of Arcam, Audiolab and Bowers & Wilkins components. Of course if one listens to a media player trough a dock, a PC or a public address system you are right, lossless would not be appreciated. Or even noticed by the average listener like yourself, so it seems.
I would recommend a visit to a dedicated HiFi shop, ask to listen to your favourite lossless recordings on some proper kit. Now play the same music as 320 kbps mp3 through the same kit. Then repeat the phrase "I don't see the point in lossless audio for consumer use", and try to say it with conviction.
I can only presume you do not know what lossless music through a quality audio systems sounds like. Perhaps your ears do not have the sensitivity to note the difference. Forgive me if I am wrong but just like you, I jumped to conclusions after reading what you wrote. Only difference being I am aware of the conclusions to which I jumped and made a concious decision to do so, and apologise if these conclusions are wrong. In contrast to the involuntary knee jerk reaction you made.
btw, did you miss the joke icon?
@ adnim
Hooray for sweeping generalisations!
Hooray for lack of understanding on music file types, and how different types soak up different amounts of space!
While I don't see the point in lossless audio for consumer use, I DO see the point in high-kbps mp3s. The difference in quality over a mid-range stereo between a 192kbps mp3 and a 320kbps mp3 is amazing. My CDs are all ripped to 320kbps, and sound pretty spot-on through the PA setup at a theatre.
I will agree with you on one thing though - most of the music coming out these days IS crap. RnB, Pop, etc etc - there's no skill required, only the ability to look like a gang member, or a princess.
How much?
Pre-recorded english language music is there in the world today? and how much storage space would it consume when ripped at 192Kbps AAC?
Right, back to my navel gazing.......
