Earlier we reported that a Philips spokesman
reported on another site that current 8x DVD+R recorders could possibly be
upgraded to support dual layer discs with a firmware update. Altough
it seemed to good to be true, it seems indeed possible with the right equipment
and specially developed media but will not likely be used in consumer drives.
Philips responded to the story and explained what the real story is. Mr Driessen
of Philips' optical storage unit could tell us the following:
| My discussion of the double layer 8.5 GB DVD+R has resulted insome confusion and I would like to take a moment to clarify the status of the technology and the products expected in the coming year.At this point in time we are demonstrating the feasibility of the double layer 8.5 GB DVD+R technology. We are able today to make a recording on prototype double layer DVD+R media using a prototype writer based on the current Philips 8x recorder and a single brand of prototype media optimized for the current recorder based on our joint research efforts with MKM (Mitsubishi Chemical Media red.).The specifications will not be finalized until the end of December 2003 and we will not know how the hardware interacts with new media until such time as it has been manufactured according to the final specification by multiple vendors.A firmware upgrade to an 8x drive enabled the prototype drive to record on a specific 8.5 GB DVD+R prototype disc produced by MKM . However, it is likely that new hardware (such as ICs) will |
It's good to see that companies like Philips do
read our site and take time to give us the right information. As for now it
seems that the message is clear, we will have to wait till the technology has
been tested more extensively.
Source: CD Freaks
