Verbatim will begin shipping in May version 1.2 of its LightScribe enabled discs, which will record at 16x speed, a 30% faster than the original discs. The LightScribe technology produces a professional looking label onto optical discs - the same laser that burns the data onto the disc will also burn the text and graphics onto the label side of the same disc. The print time has now been reduced from 35 minutes to 21 minutes, according to Verbatim.

Verbatim's parent company, Mitsubishi Kagaku Media, worked with Hewlett Packard (HP) to create the LightScribe discs to complement the development of HP's LightScribe-enabled drives and software, the first of which was launched in January 2005. Verbatim advises that the LightScribe drives may need a driver update, which can be downloaded free of charge. To take full advantage of the new media, check online at www.lightscribe.com

LightScribe CD-R and DVD+R media version 1.2 are available in the European market as 10 pack jewel case CD-R which will retail at 14.6 euros and a 5 pack jewel case DVD+R which is priced at 11.67 euros. The products are also available in spindle packs. The new media will be shown for the first time on at the Computer Trade Show, 10 and 11 May, at the National Exhibition Centre.