Reinforcing their commitment to accelerating the development of LTH (low to high in-groove recording) technology, Verbatim® Americas, LLC and its parent company, Mitsubishi Kagaku Media (Verbatim/MKM) announced today the industry’s first 6X BD-R LTH Type media. Test center certified, the new 6X media, which is equivalent to approximately 10x with DVD-R media, enables users to record an entire 25GB disc much faster than the current 2X BD-R LTH Type media. The higher speed makes Verbatim/MKM BD-R LTH Type media ideal for recording personal high-definition video, for backing up computer data, archiving photo collections and business applications. The new media is scheduled for mass production this summer to ensure availability when drives and recorders that support 6X BD-R LTH Type are released in the Fall.
The high-speed LTH media builds on the research and development of MKM, which is credited for the development of the LTH organic dye recording material. The use of organic dye in the recording layer causes the reflectance of the disc to change after recording from low to high (LTH). To achieve 6X recording, MKM leveraged its many years of success in developing organic AZO recording layers for CD-R and DVD-R media. The patented AZO dye, which has been optimized for Verbatim/MKM’s LTH media, features the same proven reliability, stability and longevity that have made the Verbatim/MKM brand a trusted name in CD-R and DVD-/+R media around the globe.
In addition, the highly reliable AZO dye used in the recording layer of Verbatim BD-R LTH Type media provides a unique combination of features including increased sensitivity to laser light— the key requirement for optimized recording performance and control of 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.
The difference between standard BD-R media and BD-R LTH Type media is the recording layer. Standard BD-R media is produced with an inorganic recording layer that is applied by the sputtering process. BD-R LTH Type media features an organic recording layer which is applied using the same dye spin coating process as Verbatim/MKM premium-quality CD-R or DVD-R media. The spin coating process not only ensures a uniform thickness and a flat, smooth surface, it enables Verbatim/MKM to use current CD-R and DVD-R facilities for BD production lines with only minor adjustments. This will enable the company to quickly and cost-effectively respond to rapid increases in demand.
Increased awareness is broadening the marketing opportunities for BD-R LTH Type media. According to NPD’s "Blu-ray Report" March 2009 update, the overall consumer awareness of the BD format in the United States has reached 90 percent in the past six months.
To provide added protection from scratches, fingerprints and dust particles which can cause recording and playback errors, all Verbatim BD media features a proprietary, super-hardcoat finish developed by MKM. Similar to the surface coating technology found in touch panel displays and scratch-resistant eyeglass lenses, the coating technology protects the recording layer without warping the disc.
Availability
Verbatim/MKM will begin mass production of its 25GB 6X BD-R LTH Type media this summer. The company also offers a full range of BD media including 2X and 4X BD recordable (BD-R) and 2X BD rewritable (BD-RE) media, 2X Single-sided Dual-layer (DL) BD-R and 2X BD-R DL Inkjet-printable, 2X White Thermal Hub Printable BD-R and 4X Inkjet-printable BD-R.
