Blu-ray is dying so I believe it’s now time for ‘obsolete’ tape to shine again in the strangest of ironies

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Emma Walker
Mon, 27 Jan
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In the world of data storage, the era of shiny discs and optical drives is coming to an end. Sony has announced the discontinuation of Blu-ray media production, MiniDiscs, and miniDV tapes, signaling a shift away from physical media towards alternative storage solutions such as external hard drives and SSDs. While Blu-ray discs have served as a familiar option, their demand is declining, and concerns about longevity raise questions about their reliability long-term.

Despite advancements in solid-state storage, the high cost limits its feasibility for large-scale backups beyond double-digit terabytes. Amidst discussions about exotic storage solutions like glass, silica, and DNA, one traditional medium stands out as a reliable choice: tape storage, specifically LTO (Linear Tape Open) technology. LTO offers significant capacity and durability advantages, with the latest generation (LTO-9) providing 18TB per tape and future iterations promising even greater storage capabilities.

Although tape storage faces challenges related to costs and linear data access, its affordability (less than $5 per TB) and longevity (up to 30 years) make it an attractive option for long-term data archiving. The future of data hoarding seems to align with the evolution of tape technology, supported by major tech companies and ongoing advancements in tape capacity. While affordable LTO drives remain a key factor in expanding tape’s accessibility, the current market is dominated by expensive options that cater to enterprises and data centers, signaling a need for more budget-friendly solutions to drive wider adoption.

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