TDK announces that it has begun distributing its TDK Professional Disc (PD-RE23CN) media, rewritable optical discs that provide compatibility with Sony?s Professional Disc System (XDCAM).

Michael A. Hand, Director of OEM & Commercial Media, noted, "Broadcast technology has continued to evolve since the first television programs appeared and that expansion continues today. Broadcasters, as well as producers, continue to push the envelope into new and exciting entertainment avenues. Extreme location shooting, used for reality-type shows, has taken production teams into all areas of the world, and in less than ideal conditions, for the video cameras as well as the media capturing the footage."

Hand concluded, "TDK's Professional Disc provides the ultimate reliability in high definition field video production. Not only does the XDCAM format architecture provide a protective cartridge around the media, TDK also incorporates its DURABIS PRO protective coating to the surface of the media itself, creating a media system resistant to scratches, dust and other threats that are ever-present in the field."

In the development of its Professional Disc, TDK has incorporated technologies specifically developed for use with the advanced blue-violet laser. These technologies include the recording layer that forms the basis for its high-sensitivity phase change materials designed exclusively for high-speed recording. Through spin coating technology, discs are manufactured with a smooth 0.1mm-thick transparent cover layer. High-precision mastering and injection technologies achieve the exceptional media stability demanded by the Professional Disc System's narrow, high-density track pitch.

Due to the high-density recording required by the Professional Disc System, adherence of any dust on, or scratches to the disc surface can have a serious impact on recording and playback accuracy. To augment the protection offered by the Professional Disc media's precision manufactured cartridge, TDK has incorporated DURABIS PRO, a hard coating technology developed for professional-use discs.

The TDK Professional Disc, which uses a blue-violet laser with a short wavelength for recording and playback, boasts a capacity of 23.3GB - approximately five times that of DVD media - as well as a rapid transfer rate of 72Mbps per optical head.