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--- hardware:dataplay [2026/10/13 00:51] – added update for the current status hbm
+++ hardware:dataplay [2026/10/18 17:27] (current) – added images hbm
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 ====== DataPlay ======
+{{ :hardware:dataplay:dataplay-disk_red_obverse-open.jpg?400|}}
 The smallest commercial example of [[extras:glossary#disc-based_enclosed_media_dbem|Disc-Based Enclosed Media (DBEM)]] is the DataPlay disk. Introduced in 2002 by DataPlay, Inc., DataPlay disks were intended to compete with the budding flash-based memory card market by offering a large capacity (250 MB per side, 500 MB per disk) on a 32 mm disc.
 Their built-in DRM support and ability to ship with pre-recorded data helped them gain initial interest in the portable music industry, but the prevalence of CDs and the recent release of portable MP3 players made this a difficult market to enter.
 ===== History =====
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 ===== Current Status =====
-Rating: **[[reference:format-death-scale#level_4_🟠_endangered|Endangered]]**
+Rating: **[[reference:format-death-scale#level_4_🟠_endangered|Level 4 🟠 — Endangered]]**
 As of now, there are no official channels in which to purchase DataPlay disks, readers, or players and all have been out of production for over two decades. The only eBay listings I could find for NOS disks(({{wiki:docs:ebay_307164516550_dataplay-disks.pdf|eBay — DataPlay Disk [Archive Listing]}})) and optical engines(({{wiki:docs:ebay_307164541213_dataplay-optical-engine.pdf|eBay — DataPlay Optical Engine [Archive Listing]}})) ship from Italy. I have no doubts that the disks are functional if one has a working reader, but the optical engines are bare units with only an undocumented ZIF connector, so testing them would require some electronics engineering. I have yet to see a DataPlay player or pre-recorded disk eBay, so its safe to assume they're exceedingly rare, thus making this format difficult to interface with.
 //Update:// The 21x disk packs (63x disks total) I received from this seller had moldy paper inserts. If you attempt to purchase these, be sure to have the seller send a photo before shipping.
+===== Gallery =====
+{{gallery>:hardware:dataplay}}