UMD Meaning and
Definition
-
UMD stands for "Universal Media Disc." It is a proprietary, optical disc storage medium developed by Sony for use in its PlayStation Portable (PSP) handheld gaming and multimedia device. UMDs were introduced in 2004 as a replacement for the traditional game cartridges and as a means to distribute various forms of media.
UMDs are small, portable discs roughly the size of a standard DVD but come in a unique form factor designed specifically for the PSP. They have a single-layer design with a capacity of up to 1.8 gigabytes, allowing them to store not only games but also movies, music, and other multimedia content. This format is read-only, meaning that users can access the data contained on a UMD but cannot write or modify it.
The UMD format utilizes a specialized optical disc technology similar to DVDs, including a laser diode for data retrieval and a spin motor for disc rotation. The disc is enclosed in a protective casing, making it more durable and resistant to scratches compared to traditional CDs and DVDs.
While UMD as a format has primarily been associated with the PSP, it was also briefly used for the PlayStation 3's backward compatibility feature. However, UMDs were not widely accepted for movies and other forms of media and eventually became less prominent as digital distribution platforms gained traction.
Common Misspellings for UMD
Infographic
Add the infographic to your website:
