Fuji Photo Film U.S.A., Inc., today announced the development of a patented, organic dye that will eventually allow DVD-R recording capabilities at speeds spanning 1X to 16X. The unique dye coating will ultimately make it possible to record the equivalent of a full-length, two-hour movie in less than five minutes.
Recent reports from media analyst firm Giga Stream suggest that by 2005, the DVD-R market will expand globally to 1.3 billion pieces shipped. The new Fujifilm dye coating technology will not only provide the basis for media in future recording devices, but will also maintain backward compatibility with existing legacy DVD-R technology.
Additionally, Fujifilm displayed how this new dye coating can be used in the manufacture of a Blue-Violet LASER write-once optical disc, with recording capacity of 23.3 GB. The environmentally friendly organic substrate is well suited for mass production and is designed to utilize already existing spin-coating manufacturing technology.
"Fujifilm has embraced the evolution of digital technology - and heralded several advances in coating innovation that have led to new recording products as well as storage categories," noted Steven Solomon, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Recording Media Division, Fuji Photo Film U.S.A., Inc. "The convergence of consumer demand and technological capabilities is the root of great new products."
Fuji Photo Film U.S.A is also showcasing at their booth a broad portfolio of optical, flash and magnetic tape products for storing and archiving video, digital image and computer data.
Flash Products: Fujifilm Roadmap for 1GB xD-Picture Card; USB drive technology
In addition to its broad range of consumer flash media, Fujifilm is also discussing the upcoming 1 GB xD-Picture Card Flash Memory card, which will be available in fall of 2004. At 1 GB, the card can potentially hold over 1300, 600 and 400 images at 3, 6 and 12 megapixels, respectively. Or, the card could capture up to 30 minutes of QVGA (or 15 min VGA) video (estimates based on a Fujifilm FinePix S7000). The technology highlights Fujifilm's focus on innovation to maximize photographic storage with minimal space/cost for today's most advanced compact digital cameras.
Currently one of the smallest, lightest flash memory cards available, the xD-Picture Card is comparable in size to a penny, measuring just 0.79" x 0.98" x 0.07" and weighing less than one-tenth of an ounce. Though small in size, the xD-Picture Card offers the fastest read/write speed and high capacity that today's newest products require. Currently Fujifilm xD-Picture Cards are available in storage capacities from 16 MB to 512 MB, with capacity expected to reach 8 GB on a single card in the near future.
The Fujifilm USB Drive supports complete and instantaneous plug and play interoperability on the latest Windows®, Mac®, and Linux® operating systems. Fujifilm 1.1 USB Drives are available in 32MB and 64MB capacities while the Fujifilm 2.0 USB Drives are available in 128MB, 256MB, 512MB and 1GB capacities. The 2.0 USB Drive, also known as a High Speed USB Drive, contains a "next-generation" peripheral connection that enables increased data transfer rates, up to 4MB/s, as well as backward compatibility with existing USB 1.1 ports.
Fujifilm's NANOCUBIC Technology on Display in Iomega's Disk Storage Option
Consumers will benefit from Fujifilm's expertise in enterprise storage media with a new removable 1.5 GB digital capture technology (DCT) platform utilizing Iomega's new magneto-resistive (MR) head design and Fujifilm's NANOCUBIC™ high-density magnetic media coating technology. At a small form factor of only 1.8 inches, the new platform is designed for a new generation of digital entertainment products, including camcorders and portable video players, as well as portable PCs and smart handheld devices.
Fujifilm's NANOCUBIC technology will deliver data cartridges and digital videotapes that can store one-terabyte native (uncompressed) and floppy disk capacities to three gigabytes. A terabyte cartridge would hold the equivalent of 16 days of continuously running DVD movies, or 8,000 times more data than a human brain retains in a lifetime. IBM® is already utilizing this exclusive Fujifilm media technology for the company's newest enterprise storage system.
New Video Packaging Reinforces Fujifilm Brand; Simplifies Consumer Choice
In response to customer requests for easier differentiation among videocassettes, Fujifilm is enhancing the retail packaging design for all consumer video recording products. The new packaging includes all Fujifilm camcorder and VHS products, and will be reaching retail shelves early in 2004. The program mirrors a successful change last year to the company's consumer film packaging and takes greater advantage of the high profile Fujifilm brand identity and well-known corporate color.
About Fujifilm
Fuji Photo Film U.S.A., Inc. is a subsidiary of Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. and delivers technology solutions to meet the imaging and information needs of retailers, consumers, professionals and business customers. As a global leader in digital imaging, Fujifilm pioneered the development of digital X-ray systems, and today is the leader in digital minilab systems. The company was ranked in the top ten for U.S. patents granted during the last decade, employs 72,500 people worldwide and in the year ending March 31, 2003, had global revenues of more than billion.
In the U.S., Fujifilm employs over 10,000 people. The company is a leader in delivering high quality, easy-to-use imaging and information solutions in the following categories: Digital Imaging Systems, Recording/Storage Media, Film and Imaging Systems, Motion Picture Film, Graphic Arts and Printing Systems and Medical Imaging and Diagnostics Systems. Fujifilm is committed to being an environmentally friendly, humane enterprise and an exemplary corporate citizen.
For more information on Fujifilm products, consumers can call 800-800-FUJI or access the Fujifilm USA Web site at www.fujifilm.com.
Source: Fuji
