High Definition Versatile Multilayer Disc
Press Release ...... Sydney ...... 29/09/2006
PRODISC Systems (Australia) Pty Ltd is pleased to confirm its appointment as exclusive agent for New Medium Enterprises Incorporated (UK) and their breathtaking high definition multilayer disc format known as HD VMD – High Definition Versatile Multilayer Disc.
PRODISC Systems has been at the forefront of optical disc technology since 1991 when first proposing recordable CD (CD-R) for radio broadcast and archiving use and then pioneering CD-R for video applications with NIMBUS (UK) leading to the co-production of the worlds first feature length DVD in 1996 featuring entirely Australian feature film content.
New Medium Enterprises Inc. is a London based technology company whose scientists have been developing a unique cost effective multilayer disc solution over the past few years leading to the finalising of their proprietary High Definition Versatile Multilayer Disc (HD VMD) format earlier this year.
Very strong global industry response for NME’s multi layer disc technology recently has included an innovative third party application to store 3 (competing) DVD format versions of any film title on one disc – HD Blu-ray Disc + HD DVD + SD DVD on a single multilayered disc thus avoiding confusion and frustration for consumer and distributor alike.
HD VMD employs standard HD MPEG 2 (1920 x 1080) video encoding techniques formatted over up to 10 separate optical layers with playback utilizing the same red laser frequency employed in standard Standard Definition (SD) DVD and CD players.
This amazing patented optical stacking technology is able to provide up to 55 GB of capacity (compared to Sony’s Blu-ray Disc initially providing 25 GB and Toshiba’s HD DVD initially providing 15 GB).
The combination of this extraordinary capacity and HD MPEG 2 video compression realizes full HD resolution (1920 x 1080) playback of up to 10 hours in a HD VMD player costing as little as AU $295.00 (Blu-ray Disc players and HD DVD players can cost in the range of AU$1200.00 – AU$2750.00). Of course, due to the use of proven red laser playback in HD VMD players, full compatibility is assured with existing DVD Video and CD collections.
Disc capacity comparison:
SD DVD
|
HD VMD (NME)
|
Blue-ray Disc (Sony)
|
HD DVD (Toshiba)
|
AU$25.00
|
AU$30.00
|
AU$55.00
|
AU$50.00
|
Table 1: DVD format approximate price comparison
Also of great importance for consumers is the comfort of knowing that the same red laser disc manufacturing equipment is also suitable for VMD disc manufacturing and, as such, should allow for HD VMD titles to be available at just a small premium over the standard SD DVD title equivalent. (Blu-ray Disc and HD DVD titles can cost up to AU $55.00 each)
Disc capacity comparison:
SD DVD
|
HD VMD (NME)
|
Blue-ray Disc (Sony)
|
HD DVD (Toshiba)
|
9 GB (3.5 hours - SD quality)
|
55 GB (10 hours - HD quality)
|
25 GB (4.5 hours - HD quality)
|
15 GB (3.5 hours - HD quality)
|
Table 2: DVD format approximate capacity comparison
With noted enthusiastic interest from many frustrated, HD deprived consumers, producers and distributors worldwide, some major Japanese electronics companies are already considering early support for HD VMD.
PRODISC Systems is actively engaged in negotiating with content owners and producers for HD VMD disc manufacturing contracts for delivery in early 2007, and a PRODISC vLink PDV 206HD HD VMD player is planned for launch around the same time.
New Medium Enterprises also confirms longer term plans for a recordable version of HD VMD and the possibility of developing a blue laser version of their multilayer technology taking the disc capacity to over 150 GB.
PRODISC Systems is planning for first Sydney press and industry demonstrations as early as November 2006.
Contacts:
New Medium Enterprises Incorporated
www.nmeinc.com
PRODISC Systems
www.prodisc.com.au
info@prodisc.com.au
PH: +61 2 9904 0344
FAX: +61 2 9904 0368
PRODISC HD VMD Team
David Wickert
Managing Director
PRODISC Systems, Australia
Michael Gissing
Director of HD Post Production
Malcolm Pollard
HD Free to Air TV Technical Consultant
Colin Tyrrell
HD Broadcast Content Consultant
Ryan Hughes
Operations Manager and DVD Title Consultant
David Hole
Systems, Interactive and Automation Engineer
Renzo Barriga-Larriviere
Design and Visualisation Technician
Tara Hughes
Administration and Financial Control Manager
Emma Hole
Accounts Manager