September 11, 2006
Memory-Tech and Toshiba announced this morning a jointly developed, single-sided, three-layer ROM disc supporting high capacity storage and playback of both DVD and HD DVD formats. Memory-Tech and Toshiba will propose the new format to the DVD Forum, develop a reliable disc manufacturing process, introduce the new format to content providers and develop new business opportunities together with studio partners.
The newly announced disc is the latest addition to the DVD TWIN format, which are discs that support both DVD and HD DVD content and that are fully compatible with both formats. The new disc boosts capacity and expands versatility with a three-layer structure offering support for two HD DVD layers and one DVD layer or two DVD layers and one HD DVD layer.
In a two-layer HD DVD configuration, the new TWIN disc has a 30GB HD DVD capacity, plus 4.7GB of standard DVD capacity. Configured to maximize standard DVD content, the disc can support 8.5GB on two layers, plus 15GB of HD DVD content on the third layer. DVD content can be played back on a standard DVD player, while HD DVD players can play back both formats. One advantage is its ability to support both standard definition and high definition versions of a movie, allowing users to play it back now on present DVD players, and to enjoy the high definition version once they upgrade to an HD DVD player. The new 3-layer disc meets demand from movie studios and software companies in North America and Japan for a capacity boost, and offers double the maximum capacity for each format.
“We offer our congratulations on the announcement of the new 3-layer TWIN Format,” said Mr Kazuo Sakai, program vice president, Digital Entertainment Partner Program, Microsoft Corporation. “We’re hoping the new format finds wide acceptance and supports content development, and promotes consumer adoption of HD DVD.”