According to DigiTimes, Ritek and CMC Magnetics are preparing to begin production of HD-DVD (High-Density Digital Versatile Disc) The first discs should be expected in the third or fourth quarter of this year, according to the two companies.

Since blue-laser HD-DVD is compatible with the current DVD technological specifications, existing DVD production lines with addition of some advanced equipment can be used to manufacture HD-DVD discs, Ritek pointed out. Trial production of HD-DVD discs has been finished at its test lab and volume production will be started next quarter at the earliest, Ritek indicated.

CMC plans to start volume production of blue-laser HD-DVD discs by the end of this year, the company noted.

As production of Blu-ray Discs, currently the other next-generation blue-laser DVD format, entails different manufacturing equipment, Ritek plans to begin volume production in the first or second quarter of 2006, the company said.