Philips, Mitsubishi Chemical Corp. (MCC) and TDK have obtained certification for producing 16x DVD+R discs, according to a recent DVD+RW Alliance announcement.

This also included a remark that Philips will have discs produced by its OEM partner CMC Magnetics. CMC, the largest producer of optical discs in Taiwan, confirmed that it has also obtained certification for OEM production of 16x DVD+R discs and will begin shipments in large volumes next quarter. Currently, CMC's OEM production for Philips focuses on 8x DVD+R discs. CMC has also successfully developed 16x DVD-R discs and is currently having them certified by optical disc drive (ODD) vendors. Ritek and Prodisc Technology, the second- and the third-largest producers in Taiwan, expect to receive certification for 16x DVD+R discs later this quarter or next quarter. The two companies think 16x DVD+R will become the mainstream format at the earliest in the first quarter of 2005. The DVD Forum, which promotes the 16x DVD-R standard, is following a similar roadmap to that of the DVD+RW Alliance. According to Taiwan optical-disc makers, they may begin volume shipments of 16x DVD-R discs as early as the end of this year.