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This news is a bit old, but seemingly over looked by many other sites, so I thought I would share this with everyone since the race of HD-DVD vs. Blu-Ray is going to be a huge one just ahead on the horizon.

I thought this was also very intriguing considering they actually give some estimated prices for the media. While it looks high now, remember how expenisve CD-R and DVD-R discs were when they first came out!

LAS VEGAS, NV (January 4, 2006) — Panasonic, the leading brand of Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., today announced plans for the 2006 introduction of blank Blu-ray (BD) discs in the United States.  The new discs will be available in both 50GB and 25GB storage capacities which can be used on BD drives with 2X writing speed. The following four models will be introduced in the U.S. market this spring….

Among the main features of Panasonic’s Blu-ray discs:
Dual layer technology Achieves 50GB Capacity:
A new layer stack technology allowed Panasonic to stack two recording layers, an intermediate layer, and a transparent cover layer into a thickness of only 0.1mm.  A recording film technology with high sensitivity and high transmittance made it possible to achieve the dual-layer structure, and a high-precision forming technology ensured that the intermediate layer has a uniform thickness throughout. These technologies combine to produce a Panasonic BD disc that features two recording layers with a capacity of 50GB.

Spin-coated cover layer:
Panasonic BD discs also use an advanced spin coating process technology to form the cover layer with extremely uniform thickness.  This is the key element for stable data recording.

A uniquely fabricated film for rewritable disc:
An originally developed, highly sensitive and durable recording film used for rewritable discs further enhances the stable recording and playback characteristics, of particular importance for PC use where data is frequently rewritten.

An inorganic material film for write once disc:
An inorganic material which is unaffected by light is utilized for a recording film of the write-once disc, which ensures safe and long-time storage of the data.

Hard-coated cover layer:

Newly-developed surface-treatment technology enables a significant boost in disc resistance to scratches and abrasions, ensuring high reliability and durability even without a cartridge.          

About Panasonic

Panasonic brand Blu-ray discs will be marketed in the United States by Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company, a Division of Panasonic Corporation of North America, the principal North American subsidiary of Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. (NYSE:MC) and the hub of Panasonic’s U.S. marketing, sales, service and R&D operations.

Chris Leckness (3561 Posts) - Website | Twitter | Facebook

Chris Leckness is the Owner/Administrator of Mobilitysite. He is a Microsoft MVP, Mobile Devices and a member of the exclusive focus group, Mobius. Chris runs a Mobilitysite, GotZune, and a few other smaller sites and blogs. His personal blog is chris.leckness.com.