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Several executive members of the DVD+RW Alliance, a voluntary association of industry-leading personal computer manufacturers, optical storage and consumer electronics manufacturers, announced new DVD+RW products with DVD+R (write once) functionality. Hewlett-Packard Company, Mitsubishi Chemical/Verbatim, Philips Electronics, Ricoh and Sony have announced new DVD+RW/+R products.

"With U.S household penetration of DVD players, including PC units, at nearly 36 percent1, DVD has quickly become the consumer's choice for home entertainment. DVD+R represents the next evolutionary step in the DVD+RW format as the best choice for video and data storage," said John Spofford, vice president and general manager, HP Consumer Entertainment Solutions and chairman of the DVD+RW Alliance. "Based on collective years of CD-R/RW experience, the Alliance companies know that consumers want a simple, creative and flexible choice in creating custom DVDs."

"DVD+R offers the performance that customers demand by allowing permanent storage and archiving of critical data, home videos, and photos," continued Spofford. "DVD+R discs provide excellent compatibility with existing and future DVD-ROM drives and DVD video players, making it ideal for sharing recorded DVD discs between a number of components."

Many industry analysts agree that the DVD+R write once feature adds strength and flexibility to the DVD+RW format.

"As seen with CD technology and dynamic digital convergence adoption, in addition to rewritable technology, consumers want the ability to record to a write once or recordable only disc," said Mary Craig, principal analyst, Optical Storage Worldwide, Gartner Dataquest. "Write once capability holds the promise of achieving the highest level of compatibility available, making recordable DVD products even more attractive to consumers."

Mount Rainier Specification Finalized for DVD+RW

The DVD+RW Alliance also announced the availability of the final Mount Rainier specification for rewritable DVD. This specification is already approved by the Mount Rainier Group, led by industry leaders Compaq, Microsoft, Philips Electronics, and Sony. Building on the successful implementation in CD-RW systems, the specification is ready for incorporation into DVD+R/+RW drives and the PC's operating system. The specification is designed to increase compatibility and interchangeability by providing consumers the familiar 'drag-and-drop' functionality, making operation as simple and fast as in the CD-R environment.

New DVD+RW Alliance Members

Recently, FUJI PHOTO FILM, Hitachi Maxell, and TDK Corporation announced plans to release DVD+RW media products and have joined the DVD+RW Alliance. Additionally, Ritek Corporation and CMC Magnetics Corporation announced commitments to DVD+RW technology. Also hardware manufacturer SANYO Electric Co., Ltd. Semiconductor Company recently joined the DVD+RW Alliance.