A new analog medium

I see your point but I didn't want to turn this into another digital vs. analog discussion.
I do happen to think that a properly implemented optical analog format would be superior to any optical digital format, however.

I agree; the economics wouldn't work.
No large company would take this on with the intention of making money.

When I see the time, effort, and money spent by audiophile DIYers on technologies that could best be discribed as niche (horn speakers with field coil magnetics, for instance) simply because they have a passion for it; I would have assumed that a new analog format would have emerged from the 'grassroots.'
In other words, someone would do it just because it can be done.

Onhwy61,
Relax.