Mitsubishi Chemical Media Co., Ltd., today announced the launch of the world's first 4x DVD+R disc for data use. The new product will be available at selected retail outlets in Japan from early December.

"Our new DVD+R disc is compatible with a majority of DVD systems," said Shigeru Tamura, chief information officer at Mitsubishi Chemical Media. "The disc is DVD+ standard, which may well become the standard for the industry, given the fact that a number of large PC makers in Europe and the United States have already committed to the DVD+ format."

The new DVD+R disc is based on Mitsubishi Chemical Media's proprietary DYN-AZO technology, which produces recording layer with an improved power margin and greater sensitivity that assures stable yet faster recording. This recording layer improvement enabled the company to develop the 4x discs.

With DYN-AZO, Mitsubishi Chemical Media achieved 4x speed recording of the same quality as 2.4x speeds. When recording at such high speeds, the disc must be a shape flat to minimize errors. The company uses the precision molding technology it proved with production of high-speed CD-R and CD-RW discs to make sure the new DVD+R 4x discs are shape flat.

"These new products will broaden our lineup," said Tamura, "and help us meet a wider range of consumer needs. Besides regular discs and packs, we'll offer inkjet printable discs as well."

The new products will be available as single discs, in five-disc packs, and in five-packs containing black, white, orange, blue, and green discs.

Mitsubishi Chemical Media Co., Ltd., is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation.