The new optical disc
drives support single- and dual-layer Blu-ray Discs, all recordable DVDs and
CDs
Osaka, Japan -
Panasonic, the leading brand for which Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
is best known, today announced that the company will introduce Blu-ray Disc (BD)
drives for notebook and desktop computers that can write and read single- and
dual-layer BDs as well as all types of recordable DVDs and CDs. The drives, the
first of their kind in the world, will become available for personal computer
manufacturers by spring 2006 along with the new non-cartridge BDs (bare disc)
with storage capacities of 25 GB and 50 GB. As one of the developers of the BD
standard, Panasonic is leading the way to bring the next-generation optical disc
format into widespread practical use.
The world's first BD drive for
notebook PCs is only 12.7-mm high and can record and playback the three
generations of optical discs. It supports single-layer 25 GB and single-sided,
dual-layer 50 GB BDs. Panasonic plans to ship samples by the end of this year
and commence commercial production by March 2006.
The multimedia drive uses
Panasonic's own laminated glass plate prism technology that enables the
reduction in size of the optical pickup to one-twelfth of the size of
conventional pickups.
Prior to the introduction of the
notebook-use disc drive, Panasonic will ship samples of the half-height
(41.3-mm) desktop version in October and start volume production by January
2006. The desktop-use disc drive also serves as a BD, Super-Multi DVD and CD
drive. The device can write BDs at 2é— speed.
For use in these thin-profile
drives, Panasonic has developed a durable and reliable BD that does not use a
cartridge. The newly-developed surface-treatment technology enables a
significant boost in disc resistance to scratch, abrasion and dust. Starting in
spring 2006, Panasonic plans to mass-produce four types of bare disc BDs:
single-layer 25 GB and single-sided, dual-layer 50 GB BD-REs (rewritable) and
BD-Rs (recordable), all at 2é— speed.
Commenting on the development, Mr.
Kazuhiro Tsuga, Executive Officer in charge of Digital Network and Software
Technologies of Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., said, "Collaboration
between HP and Panasonic has brought a super-multi media era to the recordable
DVDs. As we announced at CES in Las Vegas last January, we agreed to
incorporate in our respective products recordable DVD formats promoted by the
other to eliminate customers' confusion about the right media to use. In
addition to all the recordable DVD formats, the new BD drives support recording
and playback of both single- and dual-layer BDs. Our customers can enjoy the
best experience in the next-generation optical discs."
"HP shares a vision with Panasonic
to provide the best user experience in using DVD formats and eliminate
compatibility issues for our customers," said Mr. John Romano, Senior Vice
President, Worldwide Consumer PC Business, HP. "Our goal is to make Blu-ray
technology the de facto standard in both PCs and consumer electronic products in
2006, and we are pleased to demonstrate the interoperability and ease of use of
an HP consumer desktop PC with a Panasonic Blu-ray drive in the Blu-ray Disc
Association (BDA) booth of at CEATEC 2005."
"Dell is pleased that Panasonic
has continued to show strong support for BD technology and has taken the lead in
developing BD slim line drives. Panasonic's efforts have also shortened the
traditional interval between desktop and notebook technology releases," said Mr.
Kevin Kettler, Chief Technology Officer, Dell Inc., "Dell intends to promote BD
products throughout our desktop and notebook product lines capitalizing on BD's
large 50 GB capacity designed to enable customers to play high-definition
content or backup and archive large amounts of data."
With pioneering technologies and a
variety of innovative ideas, Panasonic continues to make everyday life easier
and more enjoyable.
Product samples of the new drives
and BDs are being demonstrated at the Panasonic and the BDA booths at CEATEC
JAPAN 2005 from October 4 to 8 at the Makuhari Messe in Chiba Prefecture, east of Tokyo.
About
Panasonic
Best
known by its Panasonic brand name, Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. is a
worldwide leader in the development and manufacture of electronic products for a
wide range of consumer, business, and industrial needs. Based in Osaka, Japan, the company recorded
consolidated net sales of US$81.44 billion for the year ended March 31, 2005.
The company's shares are listed on the Tokyo,
Osaka, Nagoya,
New York (NYSE:MC), Euronext Amsterdam and
Frankfurt stock exchanges. For more information
on the company and the Panasonic brand, visit the company's website at http://panasonic.co.jp/global/index.html.
Source: Panasonic Japan
