With the shipment of the latest DVD+R DL media, Philips has further underlined its leadership position in the field of optical storage technology. Philips has already started shipments of Double Layer DVD+R discs, and will expand the availability in all major regions in the world.

The DVD+R Double Layer technology almost doubles the storage capacity of the DVD+R/+RW system. Up to 8.5 GB of data - which is about four hours of standard DVD video quality, or 16 hours in standard VHS video quality - can now be stored on a single disc. The disc is single?sided, which means that all content is directly accessible with no need to turn the disc over.

Compatibility Recordings on the new DVD+R Double Layer discs are compatible with almost all DVD Video players and DVD-ROM drives. Shipments of DVD+R Double Layer-enabled DVD ReWriter drives for PCs are rapidly increasing, with Philips as one of the main suppliers. The DVD+R Double Layer-enabled PCs provide consumers the ability to record discs for playback on consumer DVD Video players. In addition, it is also ideally suited for high-capacity data backup and archiving purposes.

Joint development with MKM The new Double Layer DVD+R discs are developed by Philips in co-operation with Mitsubishi Kagaku Media (MKM), based on initial investigations carried out about three years ago by Philips Research.

?Double Layer DVD+R technology is the answer to consumers? constant demands for increased storage capacity?, said Philipp Stropnigg, Business Line Manager for Recordable Media at Philips. ?It almost doubles recording times while still being compatible with the vast majority of DVD Video and DVD ROM players. This joint development with MKM further demonstrates our constant commitment to bringing consumers the latest advances in optical storage technology.?

Fully endorsed by the DVD+RW Alliance The Double Layer discs are fully endorsed by the DVD+RW Alliance, the voluntary group of industry-leading manufacturers of PCs, optical storage products and recording media under the universally compatible DVD+R/+RW format for which more than 70 companies have formally pledged their support.