Sony announced a technology alliance that is expected to accelerate the production technology of Blu-ray dual layer Discs with a storage capacity of 50 GB at Media-tech Showcase and Conference in Barcelona, Spain.

Sony DADC will work with Oerlikon and Singulus in order to offer independent disc manufacturers the technology and equipment for 50-GB Blu-ray Discs.

Sony DADC will provide its wet embossing technique for replication, which has been already applied in the company's plants in Europe, the U.S. and Japan. Sony will particularly disclose process technology and testing inspection technology for the BD-50 format, in an effort to accelerate the availability of BD-50 amongst commercial replicators.

Oerlikon Balzers Coating will implement Sony's process in its Indigo line and will deliver it to Blu-ray manufacturers later this year. Oerlikon representatives said that Sony's technology would enable cost-efficient production of Blu-ray 50 GB. Oerlikon has the widest installed base for Blu-ray, with machines already in production in 10 different locations.

Singulus will be able to offer independent disc manufacturers inline production machines for dual layer Blu-ray Discs in the near term. Accordingly, disc producers will be able to build up sufficient capacity for the production of the new disc generation. Sony DADC will provide SINGULUS the necessary production expertise. The start of the machines for Blu-ray dual layer Discs is scheduled for the second half of 2007.

The agreement comes into effect this month. The first machines that make use of Sony DADC?s wet embossing technology are expected this summer.

Sony DADC also demonstrated high-definition Blu-Ray videos and comparisons between standard DVD and HD Blu-Ray videos at the same show.