Maxell Corporation of America steps up to meet the needs of business users with its new premium line of DVD-RPRO media. Designed to withstand both abuse and contaminants, DVD-RPRO incorporates breakthrough technologies, resulting in the utmost in DVD durability for long-term data protection.

Maxell's new 4.7 GB DVD-RPRO media features the company's innovative MAXPRO Hardcoat technology(TM), producing a media surface that is 40 times more scratch resistant and 20 times more dust resistant than standard DVD media.

Maxell has combined a number of technology improvements to ensure long-term data integrity in developing an ultra-durable DVD solution that delivers twice the archival and storage life compared to standard DVDs. The MAXPRO hard-coat surface makes the DVD-RPRO media virtually impervious to scratches that can render data unreadable. DVD-RPRO's anti-static quality is ideal for harsh or dusty environments, and for applications that require frequent media handling and interchange such as jukeboxes. Maxell's new protective coating is also resistant to smudges, water and fingerprints, all of which can be easily wiped off the disc. Additionally, Maxell's high-quality, propriety dye further ensures data integrity and longevity.

With the debut of the extremely durable MAXPRO protective coating, Maxell engineers have produced an innovative media solution to meet the needs of business users:

- Reliable DVD media to support long-term archiving applications and records compliance regulations, such as HIPAA and Sarbanes-Oxley.

- The ability to withstand everyday as well as rough handling and damage when taking data off-site. Affordable pricing when compared to other backup media.

Consumers and business people alike have embraced the DVD format with unprecedented speed because they recognize the quality, versatility and affordability of the technology. According to John Freeman, President of Strategic Market Decisions, the installed base of PC DVD recorders reached approximately 74 million in 2004, with that number expected to double in 2005. "With an estimated one third of those recorders being used for business applications, Maxell's DVD-RPRO is a significant media enhancement."

Maxell's 8X DVD-R Pro is currently available, with 16X DVD-R Pro media planned for availability in March 2005.