DVD+RW alliance releases 2.4x DVD+RW Double Layer specs

[Laddydaddy]

http://www.cdfreaks.com/news/13305

DVD+RW alliance releases 2.4x DVD+RW Double Layer specs.
Posted by Seán Byrne on 14 April 2006 - 03:25 - Source: TMC.net


Just when one thought that double/dual layer write-once media was the last addition to the list of DVD recordable formats, the DVD+RW Alliance has just announced the release of version 1.0 specifications for 2.4x speed writing to Double Layer DVD+RW by various media manufacturers. This comes just about a month after Philips Licensing released the version 1.0 specifications for DVD+RW DL media.

Like write-once Double Layer DVD+RW media, DVD+RW DL media features a native capacity of 8.5GB and will use phase-change materials as with current DVD+RW media. Unfortunately, due to its very low reflectivity of 5% to 10%, this media can only be written to and read from using new DVD writers and ROM drives designed to handle this media and cannot be read in existing DVD-ROM or rewriter drives. This new DVD+RW DL specification covers both 8cm and 12cm media.

The DVD+RW Alliance, a voluntary association of industry-leading personal computer, optical storage and consumer electronics manufacturers that support the Plus format for DVD recording, has announced the release of version 1.0 specifications for 2.4X rewriting on Double Layer DVD+RW media by HP, Mitsubishi Kagaku Media/Verbatim, Royal Philips Electronics, Ricoh, Sony Corporation, Thomson Inc. and Yamaha.

DVD+RW media and writers are designed to rewrite up to a full 8.5 GB DVD+RW. The new 2.4X DVD+RW Double Layer discs will be based on new phase-change materials, which enable writing on both the semi-transparent layer 0 and the more reflective layer 1.


With PC Blu-ray and HD DVD writers coming out shortly, it will be interesting to see how this media pricing compares with rewritable Blu-ray and HD DVD media, considering how expensive Double Layer DVD+R media cost when it first hit the market. On the other hand, unlike DVD+/-R DL media, as DVD+RW DL media will not be compatible with existing drives, chances are that sales will be very slim, considering how poor DVD+/-R DL media is selling at present due to its poor compatibility and high pricing.

[RabidDog]

It sounds like too little too late. If you presume that this media is going to be even less compatible than write once it dont really stand a chance.. New devices only..
Still, I might hold off on buying a DVD -recorder

[waheed]

I agree. A little late releasing dual layer RW format with Blu Ray/HD DVD on its way.

Not to mention you will need a new dvd writer to take advantage of the format.

Compatibility and playability will be an issue.

I think it may appeal only a small number of people.

[lordsmurf]

People won't adopt Blur Ray that fast, nor HD-DVD. There is no reason to compare them.

Anyway, with a low reflectivity, this is going to be relegated to data work on a computer, not video. DVD-RW and DVD+RW have already done a lot of that. What little video work they see is usually from a DVD recorder, but even then, most consumers appear to use write-once media for it, treating it like a VCR.

RW formats are a bust for the most part, less reliable that R discs, and only good for a few narrow uses. I mean, sure, I use them myself, but they're not really a re-useable version of a R disc. That's sort of misleading.