Datarius will actively participate in the Blaze project, a European initiative (MEDEA+ Blu-ray HD storage project) which aims at defining an overall architecture and development of components for the Blu-ray HD recorder.

The Blu-ray HD recorder is expected to be at the center of the home multimedia. It can be connected to any existing device for play-back of pre-recorded and recordable Blu-ray Discs. It also acquires HDTV content from broadcast and video on demand (VOD) of course with digital rights management handling (DRM). This HD content can be then stored on Blu-ray discs.

Since the introduction of the Blu-Ray technology, Europe was lagging behind its global competitors in development of the technologies related to the Blu-Ray format. Led by Philips, the BLAZE project was established to support the EU service industry and prepare the European market and consumers for imminent arrival of the High Definition TV, formats and technologies. The goal of the BLAZE project is to develop flexible integrated circuits, disks and content provision applications that will enable participants to build a competitive position in what promises to be a high-growth sector.

Coordinated by MEDEA+, a group of European companies (INPG, CEA LETI, MPO, Philips, SECUENZIA, STMicroelectronics, Telefsnica I+D, Thomson) along with DaTARIUS are working on the different aspects of the BD recorder development: overall architecture, firmware, interface, DRM, e.t.c.

DaTARIUS supports the projects with its testing expertise to supply the BLAZE project with test equipment. The DaTABANK system is being used with its Blu-Ray Disc Analyzer to test the quality of BD discs.

More information about the BLAZE project can be found at the DaTARIUS booth during the Media-Tech Expo Frankfurt, June 2006.