Toshiba announced development of a triple-layer HD DVD-ROM (read-only) disc with a data capacity of 45 gigabytes, 50% more than the 30-gigabyte dual-layer HD DVD-ROM disc already announced...
The new disc adds a high-end option to the previous HD DVD-ROM disc lineup that
includes the 15GB (single-layer, single-sided) and 30GB (dual-layer, single-sided).
These two discs are already approved and standardized at the DVD Forum.
Toshiba also announced a double-sided, dual-layer hybrid ROM disc comprised of
dual-layer HD DVD-ROM side and dual-layer DVD-ROM side. The hybrid disc can
store 30GB of high-definition content on the HD DVD-ROM side and 8.5GB of
standard-definition content on the DVD-ROM dual layer side. More than 84 million
DVD players and recorders were produced worldwide in 2004 alone. The standard
definition content of the new hybrid discs can be replayed on these platforms, while
their owners will also be able to enjoy high-definition content from the same source
when they purchase HD DVD players in the future. The new disc further prepares the
way for a smooth transition from DVD to HD DVD.
Details of these new discs will be presented at the May 11 HD DVD workshop at
Media-Tech Expo 2005 in Las Vegas, U.S., the leading annual trade show for the optical
disc manufacturing industry.
All these new versions of HD DVD-ROM discs share the same disc structure as
previously announced HD DVD formats, and today's DVD format: two 0.6-mm thick
discs bonded back-to-back, a time-tested physical structure with proven volume
manufacturing capability at little cost increment.
Memory-Tech Corporation, Japan's largest independent disc replicator, has confirmed
the new 45GB and hybrid discs can be produced on their existing manufacturing lines
and equipment, which are tailored to produce HD DVD discs, with only minor
additional investment and minimum additional production cost per disc.
Mr. Shiroharu Kawasaki, President and CEO, Memory-Tech, said: "These new HD
DVD discs will surely be welcomed by content holders, including Hollywood studios
and game developers, as further broadening the scope of future applications. We have
already started verification for volume production of triple-layered discs, and we are
confident of early verification as they are based on the 0.6mm disc structure and
established production technologies. We at Memory-Tech are fully committed to
flexibly meeting variety of user requirements."
NEC Corporation and SANYO Electric Co., Ltd., both strong supporters of the HD
DVD format also welcomed this announcement. "We are excited by the new discs and
the way they further extend the possibilities of the HD DVD format," said Mr. Hiroshi
Gokan, Executive General Manager of Computers Storage Products Operations Unit at
NEC. SANYO's Dr. Keiichi Yodoshi, Deputy General Manager of R&D Headquarters
said, "The new discs demonstrate that 0.6mm discs can support diverse applications and
achieve technical excellence, while fully securing firm backward compatibility."
Technical features
1) Triple-layer 45GB disc
The newly developed ROM disc has a single-sided, triple-layer structure. Each layer stores 15 gigabytes of information. Triple-layer discs can be
easily produced by back-to-back bonding of a 0.6mm-thick dual-layer disc and a
single-layer 0.6mm disc.
In the process, a single-layer disc is first produced, using the same process as for HD
DVD-ROM. Next, the second layer is formed on first layer using a one-time
polycarbonate stamper, the same process used for the DVD-18 disc, the double-sided
DVD disc that has dual-layers on both sides. Finally, the single-layer 0.6mm disc is
bonded to the dual-layer disc, using standard technology.
2) Double-sided, Dual-layer Hybrid Disc
In December 2004, Toshiba and Memory-Tech announced development of a
single-sided, dual-layer HD DVD-ROM/DVD-ROM hybrid disc. The DVD layer had a
4.7GB capacity, meeting the specification for current DVD discs, while the HD DVD
layer had a 15GB capacity.
Now Toshiba has developed a double-sided, dual-layer HD DVD-ROM/DVD-ROM
hybrid disc. Simply explained, the new hybrid disc bonds together a 0.6mm thick
dual-layer HD DVD-ROM disc with 30GB capacity, and a 0.6-mm thick dual-layer
DVD-ROM disc with an 8.5GB capacity (see attachment).
The dual-layer DVD-ROM disc structure is well established. The new disc has a
structure as simple as that of current dual-layer DVD-ROM discs. Today, more than
fifty percent of DVD-ROM discs on the market are dual-layer versions.
The new disc brings the clear benefit of satisfying consumers, retailers, disc producers
and Hollywood studios. It allows consumers to view DVD content on standard DVD
players and, after purchasing an HD DVD player, to enjoy high definition content on the
HD DVD layer from the same disc. The new disc structure also increases options for
content providers: they can provide the same content in two formats, or use the HD
DVD layer for a feature movie and the DVD layer to store promotional videos or audio
content, including the movie sound track. Retailers can also promote HD DVD
hardware as well as maintaining standard DVD sales.