Mitsubishi Chemical has announced that they will be releasing their new 30GB HD DVD-R DL on the Japanese market in late July. Here's part of their press release, translated from Japanese:

Mitsubishi chemical media Ltd. (The headquarters: the Tokyo Minato Ward and president: Otsuka heavy morality) will put two one side layer 30GB HD DVD-R (write-once type) disk for recording on the market in the end of July this year. It answers demand of wanting to want to record and to preserve the length time image like the high-resolution in the background of a real spread of the digital Hi-Vision broadcasting. In this disk, the digital Hi-Vision broadcasting can be recorded for 150 minutes like the high-definition television image quality (transfer rate about 24Mbps time). I will propose the record media in correspondence and a digital Hi-Vision new age enough to high-definition images that exceed two hours.
Mitsubishi has not announced a price. However, the media is expected to run about 4500 Yen (~$39US). If you'd like to read more, the entire press release can be found here. Add a comment
Memorex sent out a press release this morning, announcing that their 25 GB recordable and rewritable Blu-ray Discs have started to ship to retail stores.

Memorex, the leading brand of optical media at U.S. retail and a division of Imation Corp. (NYSE: IMN - News), today announced the retail availability of its highly anticipated Blu-ray media. The recordable (BD-R) and rewritable (BD-RE) discs support high-definition (HD) video recording, making them ideal for consumers who want to capture, save and share up to 25 GB of HD content in crystal-clear quality. Blu-ray also meets today's high-capacity data storage needs with five times greater capacity than recordable DVD media and faster transfer speeds.

"These next-generation discs signal the advent of high-capacity, HD video recording and data storage," said Ron Zinke, vice president, Consumer Division, for Imation Corp. "The ability for consumers to author and record their own HD content completes the circle of benefits that have long been the promise of HD broadcasting and HD home entertainment centers."
Memorex's Blu-ray recordable (BD-R) and re-writable (BD-RE) media is available now for a suggested retail price of $19.99 and $29.99, respectively. More information can be found here. Add a comment
Taiyo Yuden recently announced their new 8x DVD-R DL media. Developed for video archiving, these new discs are available with or without support for CPRM.

Taiyo Yuden acted to improve on this performance by utilizing its high-level core technologies in thermal design and substrate design to achieve a DVD-R DL capable of 8x recording speed, the fastest in the industry. This product can record on DVD-R DL up to 215 minutes of video data of standard definition in about 15 minutes.

The new DVD-R DL product is available in two types, one for regular analog broadcast video, and the other with CPRM compatibility for digital broadcast "copy once programs," so-called because they limit digital recording to one copy only. Moreover, a wide printable label extends the printable range by 10mm further inside than regular printable label type, allowing more flexibility for inkjet printers. Sales are to start July 1 with a 5-disc pack in a slim plastic case. Prices will be set as open prices.
If you'd like to read more, Taiyo Yuden's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment
Forget about Gucci bags and Rolex watches. According to DigiTimes, the Chinese are now selling counterfeit BenQ and Plextor DVD burners.
Counterfeit entry-level DVD burners under various brand names, including BenQ and Plextor, are being sold in the China market. Recent price cuts for entry-level models to 380-400 yuan (US$48-50) have boosted sales but reduced margins for distributors and retailers of branded products, according to Taiwanese makers of DVD burners.
Just keep this in mind if that BenQ or Plextor DVD burner on eBay seems to be too good of a deal. If you'd like to read more, the entire article can be found here. Add a comment
Advanced Media has announced that they will be one of the first optical disc manufacturers to introduce HD DVD-R media in the United States. Available in both organic and inorganic dye compositions, these discs are scheduled to hit store shelves in late July.

Advanced Media, Inc., manufacturer and marketer of the popular RIDATA brand of recordable CD and DVD media, electronic storage products, and digital media accessories, is set to be one of the first optical disc manufacturers to introduce the new HD DVD-R medium in the United States. The disc supports up to 15GB of capacity on a single-layer. Availability is scheduled for late July, concurrent with the introduction of many hardware products designed to support the new format.

"High-definition displays continue to gain consumer acceptance," stated Harvey Liu, Advanced Media president. "That, along with high-speed broadband Internet interactivity becoming more and more a part of our daily lives, led us to develop the RIDATA HD DVD-R optical disc. This new high-capacity disc allows users to record and enjoy the phenomenal picture resolution of high-definition TV programs as well as satisfy computer users' demands for huge gigabyte storage. Advanced Media is proud to be one of the first companies to offer it in the US."
Advanced Media also plans to introduce 30GB dual-layer HD DVD-R and 15GB single-layer HD DVD-RW by the 4th quarter of 2006. If you'd like to read more, their entire press release can be found here. Add a comment