Double layer discs with 8x recording speed introduced

October 25, 2004

We recently reported about the new roadmap from the DVD+RW alliance. Now the German website heise.de tells us in their newsticker that MKM (Mitsubishi Kagaku Media), Philips and Ricoh have developed double layer discs that support 8x recording speed.

Although double layer DVD recordables are still rare and expensive, Mitsubishi Kagaku Media (MKM), Philips and Ricoh presented the second generation of these discs at the PC World Expo in Japan that ended on Saturday. With a recording speed of 8x they can be burned significantly faster than earlier discs. Recording devices that support these speeds are expected in Q1/2005 during the CeBIT.

At the moment it is not clear if currently available double layer writers will be capable of writing these new discs but according to Philips, only a firmware update is needed in order to write discs which are manufactured with the inverted stack method.

I think it's great to hear that the recording speeds for double layer discs are finally getting higher, but unless prices for these discs will drop to not much more than twice a single layer disc, they should not expect a sales boost too soon.

Feel free to discuss this topic in our Media Forum on Club CD Freaks.

Source: Heise.de