Hybrid Blu-Ray / DVD Disc Announced

[admin_exported]

http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/hybrid_blu-ray_dvd_disc_announ.php

Great news for those who have both Blu-ray and DVDs in the house; Infinity Storage Media has released the first
hybrid Blu-ray and DVD disc in Japan.

The new media has a total storage capacity of 33.5GB and is compatible with existing DVD and Blu-ray players.
The biggest advantage of the new media is backward compatibility - you can play it on your DVD or Blu-ray player.
How does it work?

Based on JVC's 2004 Blu-ray/DVD combo disc technology, Infinity has layered one format on top of the other
on the same side of the disc, making it possible for the lasers to penetrate to the desired depth and read the required information.

The Blu-ray makes up the top layer (25GB) with two more layers beneath that make up the DVD layers (8.5GB).
Separated by a semi reflective film, the blue laser accesses the top layer and bounces off the DVD layers,
while the red laser penetrate the various layers to get to the DVD information underneath.

The company claims that it has achieved compatibility with 99 percent of tests made on 64 Blu-ray and DVD
players and conforms to the Blu-ray Disc specifications released by the Blu-ray Disc Association.

As we mentioned earlier, technically, this is not new. In 2004, JVC released a prototype [PDF], but ISM is
the first company to take the disc to production, and hopefully to the masses. The only disadvantage?
Currently it's only available in Japan, and no release date has been set for the United States.

 

[Alsone]

Interesting story although I have to wonder where the market will lie given that Blu Ray Discs are significantly more expensive than DVD.

Are DVD buyers really going to pay at Blu Ray levels for what are to them essentially DVD discs? Are Blu Ray buyers (who already feel ripped off by pricing) really going to pay more for dual technology?

Interesting, but I can't see where the future for the technology lies unless they do away with all existing discs and then price the hybrids at DVD level. However, as hybrids are no doubt more expensive to make, can they really afford to do this?