Verbatim has foot in both camps in Blu-ray and HD-DVD tussle
Verbatim has foot in both camps in Blu-ray and HD-DVD tussle
Optical media developer Verbatim has announced plans to support the development of both Blu-ray and High-Definition DVD (HD-DVD) recordable and rewritable media. Both formats are expected to begin shipping in early 2006, when high-definition drives and recorders are expected to be released.
The pending release of both formats has for some time now been shaping up to be something akin to the battle for supremacy between VHS and Betamax when video recorders were introduced to the mass market.
The difference here is that both formats have a number of vendor supporters, as opposed to the early days of the VCR, where Betamax lost out because the technology was proprietary to Sony, which refused to licence it, while VHS was open to all manufacturers to produce devices. This ought to mean that the best technology will win the day, unlike the video wars, where Betamax was widely considered to be the superior technology.
Verbatim Blu-ray media will be available with 25GB (single-layer) and 50GB (double-layer) capacities. The HD-DVD media will be available with a single-layer capacity of 15GB. Double-layer HD-DVD media is also being developed for release following format finalisation. With recordable media that meets the specifications of these new high-capacity, high definition formats; users will be able to record and enjoy the amazingly sharp images that high-definition video provides. The high-capacity discs will also find extensive application in computer data storage.
Verbatim is already working with the standards groups and burner/recorder manufacturers to develop and refine the materials and manufacturing processes, has joined both the BDA (Blue-ray Disc Association) as a contributor and the HD-DVD Promotion Group as a general member. Verbatim officials noted that the company will leverage its experience in producing professional blue laser media for the consumers as well.
“Verbatim's proven R&D strength will play a prominent role in the development of next-generation blue laser media technology,” said Merv Tabe, Verbatim Australia’s managing director. “Our growing expertise in double layer technology will enable us to rapidly migrate to the production of blue-laser media.”
Verbatim's Singapore facility is the focal point for the development of HD DVD recordable media, while its Mizushima plant, in Japan, will focus on the Blu-ray media.
The two high-definition formats are currently rallying support from major distributors and manufacturers worldwide in order to become the next standard for movie and data storage. Whilst there has been talk of a compromise format being developed, there has been no final decision released on this subject and it has become increasingly apparent that both formats will be released to market.
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