Philips releases new specifications for 8x DVD+R and 32x CD-RW media

July 21, 2003

Philips has released new specifications for DVD+R and 32x CD-RW media, which was previously delayed, on its licensing website. According to the Philips website these new specifications have the following changes:

Orange Book Part III: CD-RW, Volume 3: Ultra Speed, Version 1.1, dated July 2003 covers speeds up to 32x.

Compared to version 1.0 of this document, the main changes are:

addition of the US32 disc type (specifying the speed 8x up to 32x) with a different subtype
addition of optimum erase and write power indications in the ATIP frames for both US24 and US32 disc types.
the 1T write strategy is no longer supported for US32 disc type.

This document has been released for duplication and distribution on July 21.

DVD+R Physical Specifications Version 1.2 dated july 2003 covers speeds up to 8x.

Compared to version 1.11 of this document, the main changes are:

addition of 8x recording speed,
restrictions to ensure a useable outer OPC area
addition of a Write power window requirement

This document has been released for duplication and distribution on July 18.

More information on these new specifications can be found via the Philips website. Let's hope that we as consumers will quickly
see these new discs in our local shops now that there are already drives out
there that support either 8x DVD+R recording (like the Plextor PX-708A) or 32x
CD-RW recording.

Source: Philips