A team of researchers at General Electric Global Research has been developing a Holographic Data Storage System which could be available on the market consumer market in 2012.

The prototype system is currently running at GE's labs and GE expects an initial version of the holographic disc to offer a capacity of 300GB, with future versions of the disc to hold up to 1TB of data.

The system, which is expected to also be compatible with DVDs and CDs, could be used by consumers as well as by professionals. A standard CD-size holographic disc could be used to store up to 200 DVDs or high-definition content. Its high capacity could also correspond to the requirements for content distribution, storing of medical records or in any other segments where storing information in bandwidth-hungry native digital format is required.

GE believes that the first Holographic system will reach the mass market in 3-4 years.

Inphase technologies has already announced its high-end "Tapestry" system are aimed at pro archives. The $18,000 machine uses 300GB disks that cost $180 apiece. Inphase has recently said that it is on track to start commercialisation in late 2009. (Source: CDA newsletter).

Story filed 24.11.08