CD-ROM Near Speed Limit?

Mark Carroll

There are limits to how fast CD-ROM drives can get using the standard constant linear velocity (CLV) disk-reading technique. "Above 12x speed, there are problems with vibration and excessive heat," said Eric Tseng of Acer. But "the new CAV [constant angular velocity] system will allow manufacturers to move to 16x and 20x speeds."

William Wang of Acer Peripheral concurs and adds that an additional concern is the cost of such high-speed motors. Wang and Tseng agree, though, that in the first quarter of this year such drives will be the norm at the high end. As far as a final speed limit for later in 1997, the answer is uncl ear. "Our experts view that 20x is the limit to speed for CD-ROM drives due to motor mechanical constraints," said Eve Kwek of Wearnes Peripherals.

A DVD speed war is also a possibility. Richard Green, marketing manager of Adaptec, said, "DVD should not have x [speed] ratings. X rating is sort of seen as a cheap marketing trick without much end-user benefit or technology behind it." Felix Nemirovsky, engineering manager at Plextor, agrees. But when asked if DVD manufacturers will use speed as a marketing tool, he said, "There's no way in hell they will not."