SINGULUS TECHNOLOGIES, the world?s leading system integrator of optical disc replication equipment, announced today that it will manufacture production equipment for pre-recorded Blu-ray Discs (BD-ROM).

It has agreed with Sony Corporation to jointly conduct research and development activities for the development of Blu-ray Disc mass production technology. SINGULUS will design and manufacture the BD-ROM replication lines for mass production, which will be distributed in the future by the well-established marketing, sales and service organizations of SINGULUS.

Prototype machines will be available in Spring 2005 for single-layer BD-ROM and in Fall 2005 for dual-layer BD-ROM. Mass production machines will be compatible for both single-layer and dual-layer BD-ROM. The machine is compact in size, similar to the current DVD9 line.

"We are very excited to be working on the Blu-ray Disc, especially at the birth of the new format, and with Sony who is one of the founders of the format" said Roland Lacher, CEO and President of SINGULUS TECHNOLOGIES. "We believe that there is a great future in Blu-ray Disc as the next generation optical discs. We look forward to supplying our customers with competitive equipment that will enable them to make a smooth transition to the new high definition world. We expect that the long-term manufacturing costs for mass production of the BD-ROM will be similar to DVD, as will the price for BD-ROM production equipment."

Although the BD-ROM is a newly-created format for the next generation, the replication machine itself incorporates a great majority of standard technologies, such as moulding and sputtering processes, used for current DVD9. SINGULUS is using its expertise in addressing BD-ROM specific requirements to realize the most efficient production methods.

"We believe that Blu-ray Disc is the best option for next generation high density optical discs," said Mr. Masanobu Yamamoto, Senior General Manager of Sony Corporation, a board member of the Blu-ray Disc Association, "We are pleased that SINGULUS TECHNOLOGIES, who is one of the most reputable system integrator of disc replication equipment in the world, will be providing pre-recorded Blu-ray Disc replication machines, enabling replicators worldwide to have the ability to manufacture BD-ROM. This announcement from SINGULUS is a clear indication that the industry has started preparations for the business phase of BD-ROM. We are looking forward to working with SINGULUS in bringing the industry to speed".

Blu-ray Disc has storage capacity of 25 GB for single-layer and 50 GB for dual-layer discs, which represents a quantum leap from DVD, which has storage capacity of 4.7 GB for single-layer and 8.5 GB for dual-layer discs.