The RW Products Promotion Initiative and the Recordable DVD Council have been jointly carrying out compatibility tests for recordable DVD products including 4X speed DVD-R, 2X speed DVD-RW and 3X speed DVD-RAM. The tests have been carried out since September 2003, and results are scheduled to be announced March 2004.

These compatibility tests, in which almost all the major manufacturers in the world involved in recordable DVD products (hardware, DVD disc making, PC application software and others) are participating, is expected to positively contribute to the future development of the entire DVD market by enhancing recording and playback compatibility among the products they make.

The compatibility tests have been conducted with the participation of member companies from both the RWPPI Round Robin Test and the RDVDC Compatibility Working Group. The factors to be tested and the schedule for the testing are discussed and implemented through general meetings and individual meetings.

Recording and playback compatibility tests, including the examination of evaluation methods, evaluation of physical characteristics and logical characteristics, and confirmation of playback compatibility, have been carried out for all combinations of products of every participating manufacturer.

The RWPPI and RDVDC plan to continue with these joint compatibility tests and improve compatibility of even higher speed media of the DVD-R, DVD-RW, and DVD-RAM recordable DVD formats that are anticipated in the future.