12-28-2020, 07:34 PM
Hello,
I want to suggest a new PINE64 project: a CD-RW/DVD-ROM combo drive.
The patents for all types of CD drives (Read and Write) already expired and the patents for DVD-ROM (Read) drives will expire on 2023-06-08 (http://www.dvd6cla.com/list/list_03_03.html).
So a combo drive that can read and write CDs, as well as read DVD-ROMs can be sold starting 2023-06-08. A CD only drive can be sold today already.
The patents for reading other types of DVDs will expire on 2025-01-31:
The patents for writing DVDs will expire on 2027-12-13:
I think a slim type form factor for the drive with an accompanying SATA to USB drive enclosure would be best because it is the most compatible. It can be used in half height bays with an adapter as well as slim type bays often found in old laptops. Slim type drives also use less power so they can be powered over USB when used with an enclosure.
Hardware wise I think adding a laser that is strong enough to write DVDs with the optics required for writing dual layer discs would be good, it would make the drive future proof for 2028 when the patents for writing DVDs will have run out.
I've never worked close to hardware so I don't really know how to do any of this. My idea to get started is to buy a DVD drive and hook it up to a SOC but I don't even know how to do that. I'm motivated to do this because I have a bunch of old games on CDs and DVDs. Also I've spent most of my time writing high level languages but have recently had a lot of fun messing around in C and want to try out hardware development.
Question for PINE64 staff: What do you think? Is this possible? What would it take to make this happen?
Question for everybody: Wanna help make this happen? Any input?
I want to suggest a new PINE64 project: a CD-RW/DVD-ROM combo drive.
The patents for all types of CD drives (Read and Write) already expired and the patents for DVD-ROM (Read) drives will expire on 2023-06-08 (http://www.dvd6cla.com/list/list_03_03.html).
So a combo drive that can read and write CDs, as well as read DVD-ROMs can be sold starting 2023-06-08. A CD only drive can be sold today already.
The patents for reading other types of DVDs will expire on 2025-01-31:
- 2025-01-31 for DVD-R (Read)
- 2025-01-31 for DVD-RW (Read)
- 2023-04-24 for DVD-RAM (Read)
The patents for writing DVDs will expire on 2027-12-13:
- 2027-12-13 for DVD-R (Write)
- 2027-12-13 for DVD-RW (Write)
- 2025-08-03 for DVD-RAM (Write)
I think a slim type form factor for the drive with an accompanying SATA to USB drive enclosure would be best because it is the most compatible. It can be used in half height bays with an adapter as well as slim type bays often found in old laptops. Slim type drives also use less power so they can be powered over USB when used with an enclosure.
Hardware wise I think adding a laser that is strong enough to write DVDs with the optics required for writing dual layer discs would be good, it would make the drive future proof for 2028 when the patents for writing DVDs will have run out.
I've never worked close to hardware so I don't really know how to do any of this. My idea to get started is to buy a DVD drive and hook it up to a SOC but I don't even know how to do that. I'm motivated to do this because I have a bunch of old games on CDs and DVDs. Also I've spent most of my time writing high level languages but have recently had a lot of fun messing around in C and want to try out hardware development.
Question for PINE64 staff: What do you think? Is this possible? What would it take to make this happen?
Question for everybody: Wanna help make this happen? Any input?