NPD says DVD plus is capturing more market share each year

The Plus format already is becoming the de facto standard for DVD
recording in personal computers," said Maureen Weber, general manager of
Optical Storage Solutions unit at HP and chief spokesperson for the DVD+RW
Alliance. "These new Plus-format recorders will further solidify DVD+RW's
presence in the consumer electronics space at a time when DVD recording is
moving into the mainstream."

According to Santa Clara Consulting, five
out of every six DVD recording devices sold have been for use in personal
computers. Because of this, many industry analysts suggest that the PC
market will dictate which format will become the industry standard for
both DVD drives in computers and DVD recorders that attach to TVs.

In media sales, NPD Group data shows that
Plus format media has gone from two percent of the market in July 2001 to
41 percent in July 2002 to 55 percent in July 2003. Meanwhile Dash media
has gone from 71 percent of the market in July 2001 to 53 percent in July
2002 and 44 percent in July 2003. RAM has gone from 27 percent in July
2001 to about one percent.

"Over the past two years, the Plus format has
steadily established its place as the format of choice in the PC space,"
said Gerry Smith, vice president of Peripherals for Dell. "Now that
consumer electronics companies are embracing DVD+RW technology, more
customers will see the inherent benefit that Plus can provide. Because of
the benefits to end users, we are doing our part to help DVD+RW become the
industry standard."