Verbatim Adds World's First 2X-Speed HD DVD Recordable Media to Industry's Broadest HD DVD Media Product Line

Provides One-stop Shopping for Highest Speeds, Highest Capacities, Highest Quality

LAS VEGAS, NV (January 6, 2008) - Verbatim Americas, LLC announced today that it will begin shipping the world's first 2x-speed HD DVD-R (recordable) and HD DVD-RW (rewriteable) discs this quarter. By adding the new HD DVD recordable media to its current offerings, Verbatim now offers the industry's broadest range of premium-quality HD DVD media products. The complete HD DVD media product line, including Verbatim's 2x HD DVD R/RW media and its 1x HD DVD-R DL media will be showcased at Verbatim's CES Booth #S4-36249 in the South Hall this week.


Verbatim 2x-speed HD DVD-R/RW Media -- At 2x-speed Verbatim's new recordable and rewriteable HD DVDs slash the time required to fill a 15GB HD DVD disc to about 30 minutes, compared to about 1 hour at 1x speed. HD DVD media supports
the Advanced Access Content System copy-protection technology.

To achieve the higher performance required for 2x write speeds, Mitsubishi Kagaku Media (MKM), Verbatim's parent company, leveraged its proven dye technology to develop a new highly sensitive recording layer. The recording characteristics of Verbatim HD DVD-R discs are further enhanced by the disc's physical attributes.

Features such as a uniform groove shape, consistent substrate thickness and flatness of the disc have been proven to optimize the performance and longevity of Verbatim media. These characteristics are achieved using a new mastering process, ultra-precise molding technology and advanced bonding techniques developed by MKM. To achieve the narrow track pitch of the HD DVD format, MKM also developed a stamper with a precise groove shape.

Verbatim's single-sided, dual layer HD DVD-R Media has been available in Japan since July of 2006 and began shipping to its North American customers when compatible hardware became available in Q1 2007. Verbatim's HD DVD DL media supports the Advanced Access Content System copy-protection technology.

To achieve the best balance of reflectivity, transmission and absorption for both recording layers, MKM developed a new highly sensitive recording dye. The high recording sensitivity plus the wider power margin of the new recording layer ensure a low error rate, regardless of drive power fluctuations or smudges on the disc surface. Highly resistant to sunlight and heat, the media provides ultra-stable recording characteristics for a lifetime of high performance--even after long
periods of storage--for both recorded and unrecorded media.

Verbatim/MKM is a general member of the HD DVD Promotion Group and a charter member of the DVD Forum.

There really is no reason to NOT raise prices now, despite what you think about competition still being there. There was already the competition with the other BD mfg, but now they lost the extra competition from HD DVD. As a business man and bean counter, I know when there is LESS competition, prices go up, and with more competition prices go down. We now have LESS competition so expect prices to go up pretty quick, and Sony already brought the $3009.00 price of the S300 back up to $400.00 and that is for a 1.0 player.

A lot of BD fans that denied this will happen will soon see how it really is. Most already have a player, but now they will pay twice as much for the BD movies going forward too.

I don't think the "war" is over either, at least not yet.

The problem with HD DVD recorders is that they are almost impossible to find (both the burners and the discs). With the advent of DVR's...are people really burning that many things anymore?

• David Vaughn Said:

A little bit right now, but moving forward, NO, not at all. If someone needs portable storage, it'll be flash drives. Recordable disc based media is in a transition. DVD has a firm user base, but I can't see either Blu-ray or HD DVD recordable media doing much at all. As Paul said, it comes down to cost, and flash storage is cheap and reliable, and its easily re-usable. About all you'd need to do is transfer something to a hard drive, so disc based solutions just don't seem that practical. Man, does tech move fast these days!

If bought and downloaded online, I will burn it to DVD for a permanent copy.

The problem with HD DVD recorders is that they are almost impossible to find (both the burners and the discs). With the advent of DVR's...are people really burning that many things anymore?

Verbatim Showcases Expanding Line of Blu-Ray Media at CES

New Technologies Enable Faster Write Speeds, Higher Capacities, Lower Production Costs

LAS VEGAS, NV (January 7, 2008) - Verbatim Americas, LLC announced today that it has extended its support for Blu-ray Disc (BD) technology and will feature its expanded line of Blu-ray media at Booth #S4-36249 in the South Hall during CES this week. In addition to the 2x BD recordable (BD-R) and BD rewritable
(BD-RE) media which are available now, Verbatim will showcase six new BD products scheduled to begin shipping in the first half of 2008. The new products include 4x BD-R discs, Single-sided Double-layer (DL) 2x BD-R and BD-RE discs, Mini BD-R and BD-RE discs and 1-2x BD-R LTH TYPE discs.

The market for BD blank media is being driven by the growing demand for BD hardware.
In-Stat analysts predict that worldwide, shipments of blue-laser players and recorders will increase from an estimated 200,000 units in 2006 to 10 million by 2010. In Japan, Blu-ray has taken an early lead. According to the Blu-ray Disc Association (BDA), the sales figures from the week ending November 12, 2007 for next-generation recorders in Japan show that 97.2 percent were Blu-ray devices.

With the increased availability of recorders, players and camcorders that support BD technology, Verbatim sees 2008 as the "Year of Awakening" for blank Blu-ray discs. To meet the demand, Verbatim followed a proven strategy for success-combine the latest technologies and the highest quality with capacity and performance choices that will improve the user's digital experience.

Decreased Recording Times -- With Verbatim's 25GB 4x BD-R media, users can record an entire disc in approximately 23 min. The higher performance makes the 4x BD-R media suitable not only for recording personal high-definition video, but also for backing up PC data or archiving photo collections.

To achieve 4x recording, Mitsubishi Kagaku Media (MKM), Verbatim's parent company, fine-tuned the proprietary Metal Ablative Recording Layer (MABL) technology it developed for Verbatim's first-generation BD-R media. Designed to ensure a wide power margin for stable recording, MKM improved the sensitivity of the MABL to attain the higher-speed recording while ensuring excellent recording compatibility and prolonged archival life. Verbatim will release its 25GB 4x BD-R media in Q1 2008.

Increased Capacity - To meet the capacity requirements of true, high-definition video recording, Verbatim will launch its 2x BD-R DL media in Q2 2008. Verbatim 4x BD-R DL media will be launched later in 2008. With two recording layers on a single side, users can enjoy seamless recording of up to 50GB or about 4 hours of HD-quality video on a single disc without having to flip or change the disc.
This makes Verbatim BD-R DL media a compelling storage solution for professional video production, business storage, backup, archiving, radio and television broadcast storage, education, banking, healthcare and government applications. Verbatim is also planning to release 2x BD-RE DL in 2008 as compatible hardware becomes more available.

More Convenience -- Measuring three inches (8cm) in diameter, Verbatim's new 7.5GB Mini BD-R/RW discs combine with a BD-compatible camcorder to provide approximately one hour of continuous video capture time on a single side when high-definition
(1920×1080i) is used, With the ability to record priceless memories directly to a Mini BD disc, users can eliminate the time-consuming process of downloading captured video to their computer hard drive. They can also enjoy unlimited capacity by simply removing the disc from the camcorder and adding a new one. The Mini BD-R/RW discs will be available in Q1 2008.

The highly innovative recording layers used for Verbatim BD-R and BD-R DL media have exceptionally wide power margins. This makes them the best choice for critical applications because it ensures quality recording on the entire disc surface, regardless of drive power fluctuations or smudges on the disc surface.

To provide added protection from scratches, fingerprints and dust particles which can cause recording and playback errors, all Verbatim BD media will feature a proprietary, super-hardcoat finish. Similar to the surface coating technology found in touch panel displays and scratch-resistant eyeglass lenses, the coating technology developed by MKM protects the recording layer without warping the disc. This protective coating is vital in BD disc production because the BD data layer is close to the surface of the disc and is not protected by a plastic substrate like DVD media.

Expanding the Market for Blank Blu-ray Discs -- With the availability of LTH Type hardware and firmware from industry leaders such as Sony and Panasonic, the momentum is already building for media that will enable consumers to move up to the more affordable BD media. Verbatim 25GB BD-R LTH Type discs feature a new technically advanced organic dye in the recording layer that can be burned at speeds of 1x and 2x. By switching from the more expensive inorganic layer used with current BD-R to the new organic layer, manufacturing costs can be reduced.
Verbatim will release 2x BD-R LTH Type media in the Spring of 2008.

Leveraging its many years of success in developing organic AZO recording layers for CD-R and DVD-R media, MKM developed a new organic AZO recording layer for
the BD-R LTH Type media and produced sample discs for testing.

The patented AZO dye used in the recording layer of Verbatim BD-R LTH Type media provides a unique combination of features that range from increased sensitivity to laser light- the key requirement for optimized recording performance, to control the heat interference between consecutive recorded marks for substantially less jitter and reduced degradation of recording marks. The innovative dye also features a wide power margin to ensure quality recording on the entire disc surface.

Unlike current BD-R discs, in which the inorganic recording layer is made by the sputtering process, the organic recording layer for BD-R LTH TYPE media can be applied using the same dye spin coating process as CD-R or DVD-R media. As a result, Verbatim will be able to begin mass production of its BD-R LTH TYPE by only slightly modifying existing CD-R or DVD-R production lines and by adding the cover layer coating process with super hard coat feature. With the investment in BD-R LTH TYPE production less than current BD-R production, Verbatim expects many CD/DVD manufacturers will be joining the BD world.

Verbatim/MKM is a contributing member of the Blu-ray Disc Association (BDA).

I am hearing information that Paramount will be adopting Blu-ray again shortly and Universal is speaking with the BDA about an "incentive" package.

See, I told you so. There is going to be a real strong reason for "HARD" saving of the data. We have two professional video people saying virtual storage is not acceptable. I could go on and on with examples of not only professionals but home use and prosumer as well as semi professionals that will need it.

So, i'm figuring I did well when I got the Xbox 360 add on.

I didn't lose any inputs on my TV. I can still use it to watch the HD DVDs I have, and any others that I pick up in the future (as I'm guessing their prices will go down).

Once that sub $300 Blu player comes out, I'll get it and replace my standard DVD player with it.

I do not think we have heard the last from Toshiba. They may elect to flood the market with inexpensive players ($99 for basic player???) and let the consumer say the last word.

Besides, nobody will like to be on the loosing end after expending so many years and capital developing this technology.

A large base of players will surely capture the attention of the movie studios.

I am not sure if the comsumer will benefit by the death of HD- DVD, since so far they have been the major drivers in bringing player prices down. Blue Ray still commands a premium price, although it has come dowm, although not as much as HD-DVD.

Paul,

I agree that writers will play a part in all of this, but I think it is too late for HD DVD. I am hearing information that Paramount will be adopting Blu-ray again shortly and Universal is speaking with the BDA about an "incentive" package. If one or the both of those happen, HD DVD is dead as a doornail.

The numbers are mind blowing. In fact, if they are true, the incentives that Warner and Fox were given outweigh the total sales of HDM in 2007 combined!

So far I have been wrong on a lot of this since the incentves seem to be outweighing the losses Blu-Ray has over offering HD-DVD. They must be some big bribes (oops "incentives") that are being offered.

It appears that reports are starting to leak online today that Warner was offered as much as $500 million for their move to Blu-ray exclusivity. Now, I believe we told you all last week that money was being waved around. What the HD-DVD camp wants to sweep under the carpet today is how much THEY offered. The HD-DVD camp's strategy in the wake of their failure is to discredit Warner by leaking details of the deal to the HD-DVD friendly online media. The idea is to make Warner feel as much heat as Paramount and DreamWorks felt after THEY took money to flip HD-DVD exclusive last year. I checked out a couple of these sites this morning, and saw a bunch of this sort of thing: "If this is true, we are shocked and outraged to learn that Warner took as much as $500 million from the BDA!" This is no small amount of hypocrisy. You see the HD-DVD camp offered Warner (and Fox as well) a very similar sum of up-front money these past few weeks to flip to THEIR side. In other words, the HD-DVD camp got beat at their own game. Now they're embarrassed and angry, so they're leaking information to try to dust up outrage among the faithful online. It should surprise no one that format wars are a dirty, messy business. But we'd like to remind people today that this format war was FORCED on the industry, on enthusiasts and on consumers, by the very same high-level power mongers who are now pointing fingers, and using online enthusiasts to play their spin games. The fact that their reaction today is to circle the wagons and wage a P.R. war online tells you everything you need to know about the egos involved, and how little they actually care about doing what's right for consumers.

We were trying to win on the merits, which we were doing that for a while, until Paramount changed sides,