Colour barcode system to hit DVDs later this year
Posted on 24/04/07 22:18 by Seán Byrne                             
Colour barcode system to hit DVDs later this year

Microsoft has developed a new colour barcode system, which unlike traditional black and white striped barcodes, is made of small four and eight-colour geometric patterns.  This new barcode can encode up to 3,500 alphabetical characters of data into a single square inch of barcode; double that of traditional barcodes.

Unlike the retail UPC barcodes, Microsoft's barcode will not replace the UPC system, but instead is aimed at storing a lot of information in a small place that can be read with something as simple as a webcam or a mobile phone with suitable software.  For example, consumers could obtain the stored info such as to obtain a website address, contact e-mail address to even a link to a promotional page for bonus content. 

This new colour barcode system will showing up on DVDs and Xbox360 discs by the end of the year.  To help target counterfeiting, a US company DatatraceDNS will embed a nanoparticle into the structure of the code and packaging, where it is checked using a hand-held device involving a special light source and emission spectrum detector.  

Thanks to GristyMcFisty for letting us know about this news.  Further info can be read here on the BBC.

Reactions
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By CDan, Wed 25 Apr 2007 00:20
CDanWhat's next? When you place a non-encoded disc into your drive, it self-destructs?
By Dark Tower (guest), Wed 25 Apr 2007 05:59
I was confused as to what this had to do with DVDs and related materials, but I guess the "general" theme of this website IS digital storage of information... so this article 'might' be pertinent. But a quick recap, stressing an important point -- This crayon box color blob that might be appearing on Microsoft products is simply a new way for companies (again, currently Microsoft) to encourage you to use your webcam to enter in some long URL or similar data field. It's a gimmicky way to make a person go view an advertisement or product registration page. It's nothing that can be read by the DVD player and has nothing to do with security. Two thumb prints, a bit of bad lighting, and Poof! here's a new way to get one of MS's BSOD. Heck, here's an even better idea if it occurs -- someone run these color bars under a variety of cheap cams and find out what the most frequent 'error' data occurs (say, "Hey, if you scan these with a brand XXYZ cams, 10% of the time it comes up with www.Sn5ggzx_22%%.com as a link.... I should register that site, and make it a Porn link!")
By Dolphinius_Rex, Wed 25 Apr 2007 06:17
Dolphinius_Rexoh good... now MS can make money on EVERY product sold in retail....
By dentman42, Wed 25 Apr 2007 22:41
So this is the new equivalent of the Cue Cat? supergrin
By menthol1979, Thu 3 May 2007 08:59
Another stupid technological "advance" puke

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