Verbatim has now completed the testing of its new 4x DVD-R Dual Layer (DL) media to DVD burner manufacturers and their software suppliers for read/write and compatibility.

Verbatim DVD-R 4x Dual Layer will be available to consumers from Q2. The finalized specification enables the new DL-compatible burners to write a complete 8.5GB Verbatim Dual Layer DVD-R disc in about 25 minutes.

Verbatim and its parent company, Mitsubishi? Kagaku Media (MKM), were among the first to confirm the technical feasibility of 4x speed recording of Dual Layer DVD-R media. To ensure high performance without sacrificing reliability or compatibility, Verbatim and MKM developed unique dye materials and coating techniques, as well as manufacturing techniques for stamping the grooves into the media that guide the write and read processes.

By offering two recording layers, Verbatim?s new 4x DVD-R DL discs provide almost double the capacity on a single side compared to the 4.7GB DVD-R media. With the higher capacity, consumers can store up to nearly 4 hours of DVD-quality video (nearly 8 hours of VHS-quality video) or 8.5GB of data on a single side while maintaining read compatibility with the majority of today?s DVD players and DVD-ROM drives.

Availability

Backed by a limited lifetime warranty, Verbatim 4x DVD-R DL media is expected to be available through leading retailers, Internet resellers and distributors across the country in Q2 2005.