"Japan's IO Data will this month ship the first removable hard drive based on the Information Versatile Disk for Removable (IVDR) specification. IVDR is a cartridge-based format that encapsulates a standard hard drive and interconnect electronics, designed as a way of making it easier to transfer very large files not only between computers but between in-car entertianment systems, hi-fis and TVs. The cartridge slots into an adaptor that hooks up to the host via a USB 2.0 port, from which it draws its power. The device will work across a USB 1.1 bus, but you'll need to use the bundled AC power adaptor, IO Data said."
The hard drive, costing $229, will be a 70.9g 20GB drive with dimensions of 8 x 6.7cm. The 120g adaptor and hard drive bundled together will cost around $323. Very interesting. If we had this adapter built into cars as well as home computers/entertainment systems, then swapping the 20GB cartridge drive around would be quite cool. Watch half a movie at home, catch the rest in your car (hopefully while someone else is driving ;-)).
Universal Hard Drive System
Linear Mode
