HLDS Unveils Optical Disc-Solid State Combo HyDrive

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Hitachi-LG Data Storage Inc. (HLDS) announced HyDrive, the world’s first combination solid state drive (SSD) and optical disc drive (ODD).

According to the statement, the first generation of HyDrive will feature CD, DVD and Blu-ray media playback, SDD capacities of 32GB and 64GB as well as a SATA 3.0Gbps interface. The second generation will offer up to 256GB of SDD storage as well as a SATA 6.0Gbps interface and will be ready for mass production in March 2011.

HyDrive offers a total PC storage solution using the advantages of three storage device types (hard drives, solid state drives and optical drives) without added space on the motherboard and modification of system architecture limited to replacing the existing ODD. HyDrive enables this through an identical framework to that used in conventional ODDs.

HyDrive offers hard disk drive (HDD) performance boosting in two ways. One is through using the entire SSD as a cache by the HLDS filter driver. The other is by having Windows and Microsoft Office applications installed and the remaining capacity serve as a cache. HyDrive can offer users 30-60% faster booting, shutdown and application loading.

HyDrive also enables a smaller PC foot print (tablet PCs, etc.) by removing the HDD or SSD from the motherboard and just having HyDrive with its SSD as primary storage. Other benefits include smooth and seamless playback of discs in poor condition due to scratches and fingerprints as well as reliable disc burning.

HLDS has been working with its partners AMD, ASUS and Moneual to achieve a successful market launch. HyDrive will be available in August 2010, installed on the Family PC 102 series from Moneual. ASUS also plans to launch the first generation HyDrive on its EeeTop range, and the second generation HyDrive on the N61DA notebook.

“AMD’s latest 8-series chipsets have both the required hardware and driver support for HyDrive, including SATA port multiplier support, which enables combined optical and solid state functionality in the HLDS HyDrive”, said AMD’s Niles Burbank, Senior Product Manager for AMD’s Platform Solutions.

For more information visit: www.hlds.co.jp