What’s Bigger Than a Terabyte?
What To Call 1,000 Terabytes?
I recently listened to an episode of Science Friday on National Public Radio. The topic was “The Data Deluge” and featured discussion of how much data exists in the world today.
Ira Flatow and his guest Martin Hilbert noted that the amount of stored data in the world today is about 600,000,000 Terabytes. I remember hearing “gigabyte” for the first time in the 1980s. Then 10 years later, in 1997 EAR sold the first terabyte storage system for animation, audio and video storage in Arizona. At $225,000 was this a bargain? It was for it’s day!
Fast forward to 2011. The thought of multi-terabyte storage systems has become routine. But when will we move beyond terabytes to 1,000s of Terabytes? And what about the next generation of mass storage benchmarks? Below is a chart courtesy of Wikipedia.
The answer to our question “What unit of measurement is beyond terabytes?” Answer: Petabytes. And 1,000 petabytes is an exabytes. There are approximately 600 exabytes of data in the world today.
If Moore’s Law holds, we should have personal storage devices by 2026 that store exabytes the way we store terabytes today!
Find out about Affordable Asset Management And Archiving for Mutli Media Content.

Terabyte System circa 1997, $225,000
Passing Of A Pioneer, Ray Dolby
Remembering Ray Dolby, Audio and Video Pioneer
For most people, “Dolby” is just a light on their home entertainment system. For working audio and video professionals, the Dolby Company founded by Ray Dolby has been the backbone of technically superior products and technologies for over 4 decades. Ray died September 12th 2013 at the age of 80.
I first experienced Ray Dolby’s genius in the early 1970’s. At the time, tape based audio players and recorders had limited dynamic rage and audible “hiss”. Dolby offered the early processing features needed to expand the fidelity and reduce noise in the studio and home. This early awareness of merging technology and solving practical problems would be Dolby’s focus for many decades to come.
As a chairman of one of the Audio Engineering Society chapters I experienced personally for many years, Ray being very active in promoting the highest quality engineering practices and bringing new people into the world of professional audio and video. It would be impossible to touch on all of Ray’s life accomplishments in a single blog or even a book. We simply wish to thank one of our industries most influential pioneers for his great work and service. (View an interview with Ray from the AES website).
Thanks Dr. Ray, your work will live on for generations!
-Ed Vogt
Today Dolby is primarily a licensing company and still very centric to the broadcast and entertainment world’s advancing technologies. EAR has been a Dolby reseller since 1978.
EAR Voted Best Pro Audio Store – MiSpy
Music And Sound Retailer Votes EAR Best Store In Phoenix Again!
Recently a secret shopper for MiSpy, a regular column in Music and Sound Retailer magazine visited the major music stores in the Phoenix area looking for the best store to purchase recording equipment.
Before you say “What? EAR Isn’t a music store!”, we should note that we share many of the same products and some clients. EAR’s relaxed professional environment, selling everything from audio and video products for post and music may not be a fair match. Still, how does a professional store like EAR match up against music stores for customer shopping experience? Quality of staff and showcase of products?
We’re like no other facility in the country
While other stores had their high points, EAR was awarded the best overall customer experience and professional quality. Stop by and check out our large, freshly remodeled show rooms and unique compliment of video and audio products on display. Best of all, as pointed out in the MiSpy review – our people are our biggest resource. With over 150 combined years of audio and video expertise – we are like no other facility in the southwest.
We very much appreciate the recognition provided by Music & Sound Retailer magazine and invite you to see for yourself why EAR is your best choice for all your professional audio and video products and support.
Call ahead for a personal tour at 800-473-6914 or contact us on line anytime!
Globe Trottering With Shure And EAR
Globetrotting the World With EAR And Shure
The world famous Harlem Globtrotters have been entertaining fans all over the world for over 85 years. Their technical wizardry on the basketball court along with their humor has been a winning combination for their fans. Being able to hear the players and their hardwork splitting comedy is the key to that success.
The Globetrotters have been using wireless microphones at games for years but it was a typical road weary collection of systems and wires that you often see in system traveled the world over. The wear and tear of their constant travel schedule and equipment demands became a head ache with constant repairs and a challenge to keep operating. The Globetrotters turned to EAR for a custom but simple set of solutions. Jerry Delgado at EAR propose a roadworthy solution for their wireless mic systems.
Jerry suggested Shure’s flagship UHF-R system (SHU-UR14DG1) coupled with Countryman B6 lavaliere microphones which offer great protection from sweat and secure rugged connections. Everything was installed in a specialty design SKB shockmount rolling rackmount case for a quick easy setup once they arrive at one of the 100’s venues they perform at yearly.
The systems have worked well but with the amounts of dates both nationally and internationally the Harlem Globetrotters do understand that inevitably something is bound to fail. Airlines and trucking companies can challenge even the toughest gear. EAR has been integral in making sure the systems stay in top form. Whether it’s replacing parts or repairs, the systems come in for seasonal “tune-ups” and have been performing with minimal downtime.
EAR offers volume based discounts and special educational and government pricing. We can help you find the right product to meet your system needs and price point. EAR has been a Shure reseller since 1978 and is one of their most experienced professional resellers featuring individual products at great prices or design and installation of complete systems.
Whether you have demanding international travel requirements, or cost effective local requirements, EAR can help. We provide free system advice and can suggest the best way to get the most from your system purchase.
Mix Magazine features Dallas Baptist Univ
Mix Magazine features Dallas Baptist University Premier Audio Facility
DBU Chooses EAR Professional Audio/Video for AVID Audio System Design, Integration and Equipment Supply
In a recent Educational focused issue of Mix Magazine, Dallas Baptist University was chosen as a premier national audio education facility. EAR Professional Audio/Video was selected for system design, Integration and equipment fulfillment for their newly constructed Horner Music Hall Recording Studio. The new complex was designed by Russ Berger Design Group.
This new all new facility features a first floor complex with a main surround control room, Production A and B control rooms, each fully integrated with studios and a central machine room. Each of the three independent control room environments feature AVID Audio Pro Tools HD systems with AVID ICON control surfaces including D-Control ES and C|24 models.
The Pro Tools file based workflow is designed for collaboration between each of the control rooms, depending on various project and curriculum objectives including film scoring, Foley, music recording, and music composition.
Dallas Baptist University features an Avid Audio D-Command console. EAR offers special educational and professional pricing programs. To learn more, simply ask for a quick quote today.
For additional information on this project please contact John Gibson – john (at) ear.net 800-473-6914