Yesterday Calimetrics announced that they succesfully demonstrated the commercial viability of its ML (MultiLevel) recording technology to double the capacity of dual-layer DVD read-only discs (DVD-9). However the company could also release its technology to DVD recording devices. According to a spokesman of the company the technology can also be used in home recording devices. Calimetrics released Multi Level CD technology before, which doubled the capacity of CD discs.
The ML-CD did never become a real hit. "the technology was complete and ready to go to market early last year, however our chief sponsor TDK decided not to market the product since the price of the basic CD drive had declined very severely, introducing greater business risk for an improved CD product", explains Calimetrics Chairman Thomas R. Burke.
The ML-DVD could become a success, but as the ML-CD proved, support of big companies is needed. "We are in active discussions and cooperations now with several major players in our industry regarding adoption and commercialization of the technology, but at this time, we can't disclose any specific agreements, said Burke, "The technology could be on the market in as early as 18-24 months".
Also competition is big on the optical storage market, not only the DVD recordable format war between DVD+RW and DVD-RW but also on development of the follow up there is no agreement. Currently Blu-ray and advanced optical disc (AOD) are trying to become a standard.
"We don't see ML-DVD as a competitor to Blu-ray. In fact we have worked with Philips to show that ML can be added to blue laser/high NA systems such as Blu-ray to achieve significant capacity improvement", said Burke. "In fact, we published a joint technical paper with Philips last summer on this topic. For the time being, Blu-ray seems mostly to improve capacity of recordable/rewritable disc media, which is an important application, in addition, ML DVD-ROM can provide the industry with a low cost distribution medium for high capacity applications such as HD content, video games, etc., quickly and with low disruption to the industry infrastructure of disc making plants and DVD component suppliers", he continues.
Yesterdays announcement was about DVD-9 discs, but the technology could also be used on DVD-5 discs, however the company forsees that the largest maket will probably be doubling the capacity of DVD-9 discs. "We emphasized implementing the technology for DVD-9 as we see a potential application for high definition (HD) quality feature films and other entertainment content on a single DVD-type disc, said Burke. "An application that requires the increased capacity of both DVD-9 and ML technology."
And if ML-DVD-9, ML-DVD-5 discs don't succeed the company has other options to explore. "We have many fully-functioning prototypes here in our lab", Burke said. "And we continue to explore with potential customers several niche applications for the product."
And that leaves the option open to DVD recordable discs on which you are able to store twice as much as at the current moment, but if and when it will be available? Who knows...
Source: CD Freaks.com
