DEC-RRD40-CompactDiskDrive

This document describes Digital's RRD40 Compact Disk Drive, an innovative CDROM (Compact Disk Read Only Memory) subsystem designed to enhance software distribution and online documentation for desktop systems.

Key features and benefits of the RRD40 include:

• High Capacity: Each 12-centimeter (4.7-inch) CDROM disk can store up to 600 Mbytes of read-only data, equivalent to 1,600 floppy disks or 200,000 typewritten pages.
• Cost-Effective Distribution: Disks are inexpensive to produce in quantity (similar to phonograph records), making them ideal for widespread distribution of stable information.
• Durability and Portability: The disks are highly durable, easily transportable, and do not wear out, as the optical read head never contacts the disk surface.
• Fast Performance: It offers an average access time of 0.5 seconds and a data transfer rate of 150 Kbytes/second.
• Data Integrity: Robust error correction features (Reed-Solomon ECC and CRC) ensure extremely high data accuracy.
• Versatile Integration: The RRD40 is available in various configurations (tabletop, embedded) and is compatible with Q-bus and SCSI systems, with network accessibility via Ethernet.
• Productivity Gains: It aims to improve productivity by eliminating the need for dial-up lines, paper manuals, and microfiche, facilitating quicker software installation, and providing instant access to large databases at local workstations.

Digital positions the RRD40 as a reliable, integrated, and powerful new information delivery system for distributing VMS software and other large, stable datasets.