Dual Layer DVD+R

[gokuguy]

"Philips will demonstrate its new dual-layer DVD recordable technology at the DVD+RW Alliance booth at the CEATEC* JAPAN 2003 exhibition in Makuhari (Chiba, Japan) from October 7 to 11. Developed by Philips Research in cooperation with MKM (Mitsubishi Kagaku Media)/Verbatim, the technology virtually doubles data storage capacity on DVD recordable discs from 4.7 Gbyte to 8.5 Gbyte while remaining compatible with existing DVD Video players and DVD-ROM drives."

http://www.dvdrw.com/press/duallayer.htm

[prisoner1138]

nice, altho it'll probably cost an arm and a leg at first, it should eventually mean a price drop in dvd burners and single layer dvd media.

[emad]

won't it also require a burner capable of burning it?

[prisoner1138]

duh. theres nothing about being compatible with existing burners in the quote, and just what did you think i was referring to when i said it would cost an arm and a leg? the media certainly wont be costing hundreds of dollars.

[LeToPimP]

Yes, I'm pretty sure "technology" means the media as well as the burning device. I'm not sure how many people will jump on the dual-layer band-wagon though, since Blu-Ray technology is coming. But I guess if the next-gen game systems still rely on DVD I'll have to get one. Hopefully price will be reasonable soon enough, I'd REALLY LOVE to be able to back-up my movies with out having to lose quality or menus/extras.

[prisoner1138]

it depends on which comes out first and at what price point. blue ray would require everyone to get new dvd-rom drives, new dvd players, and the console companies would have to jump on it for their next gen systems which would probably put the price through the roof compared to the cost of just using a present day dvd drive. as opposed to dual layer, which is already compatible with everything and will probably end up on the consumer market a lot sooner at a cheaper cost.

[LeToPimP]

True, Blu-Ray doesn't seem to be even a possibility for economic devices until at least 2005. I was just under the impression that dual-layer wasn't going to happpen for the consumer market. I should know though, if there's a market, someone will make it. I wonder how much money they actually spent developing it though, because that will be the determining factor of the end-user price.

[RAISTLIN]

I don't trust the compatability line. In the beginning, Phillips/Sony started out saying that about DVD +RW, and it wasn't very accurate. Dual Layer already reads poorly on a pressed DVD, just imagine what it will be like on a recordable format. The typical 8X/4X drop on the switch with pressed DVD would proportionally drop it to about 3.2/1.5 on a recordable in my same reader. Just imagine in a PS2 that reads pressed dual layers on about a 3.5/1.6. Not too good! Might need to get a set-top DVD Player if you're using your PS2 for movie playback.

Raist

[prisoner1138]

true, but a set top dvd player will still cost a lot less than a brand new cutting edge blue ray set top dvd player. and it isnt as if blue ray is gonna be compatible in a ps2 anyway.

[RAISTLIN]

Yes, but there has been some speculation about Blue being in the next Playstation Media Center (or whatever they're calling it now). I completed an interesting survey last month on the Sony GAP that seems to be pointing toward it offering some sort of Tivo-like capabilities. It will be interesting to see what finally gets put together in the next year.

The thing I'm worried about is that people are going to jump on these Dual-Layer capable burners, only to find they actually don't playback in thier older Set-tops/PS2's--or maybe play like crap. There was a big stink when +R first hit the scene because of this (some firmware's were written intentionally to reject formats on certain branded drives, or otherwise the drive just couldn't read it period.) It is something to watch out for--you know how history has a way of repeating itself....

Raist