TDK Quad-Layer 100GB BD Discs

At CES 2006, TDK showcased its line of Blu-ray Disc products including its prototype recordable Blu-ray Disc with revolutionary (and might we add, theoretical at best) 100GB capacity. Blu-ray provides an economical data backup solution boasting the power of random data access and ultra-fast transfer rates combined with high resolution HD capabilities. As a founding member of the Blu-ray Disc Association, TDK has played a key role in the development of Blu-ray.

Possibly one of the most advanced optical media ever developed, the prototype 100GB bare Blu-ray Disc doubles both the capacity and recording speed of the current Blu-ray Disc specification. Blu-ray's industry-leading capacity means a single disc can store a vast assortment of content without making quality compromises. A single, prototype 100GB Blu-ray Disc can store approximately 9 hours of high definition video on a single side.

TDK's prototype Blu-ray Disc records data at 72 megabits per second, double the 36Mbps rate of the current Blu-ray Disc specification. The initial Blu-ray Disc standard allows for 25GB single layer Blu-ray Discs and 50GB dual layer Blu-ray Discs. To achieve 100GB capacity, the prototype Blu-ray Disc incorporates four 25GB layers.

"Blu-ray is changing the future of high definition digital recording and content distribution as well as proving to be the ideal, cost-effective, removable storage medium for large amounts of data. As the only media company that's a founding member of the Blu-ray Disc Association, TDK is pleased to take the lead in realizing many of the format's most significant advancements," noted Bruce Youmans, TDK Vice President of Marketing. "Nearly a decade of experience in developing blue laser recording media technologies and the devotion of TDK's massive R & D resources have enabled us to be the first company to successfully create a prototype 100GB Blu-ray Disc with double the recording speed of the current specification. TDK advancements validate the company's position as a leader in extending the capabilities of optical media."

Unlocking Blu-ray Disc's Potential
The company's advanced sputtering technology played a key role in enabling the creation of the prototype 100GB Blu-ray Disc. Additionally, TDK specially designed recording materials with new characteristics to accommodate the Blu-ray Disc format's short 405nm blue-violet laser wavelength and small laser spot size, narrow track pitches and high recording densities. The materials interact with the laser with such stability that TDK has already been able to achieve 6x (216Mbps) recording speed with prototype discs.

TDK Technologies Make Bare Blu-ray Disc a Reality
Because Blu-ray Disc media's data tracks are quite narrow even in comparison with DVD media, precise, stable interaction between the laser and the recording material is especially critical to ensuring error-free recording and playback. To enable high density data storage, the Blu-ray Disc's recording layer is close to the disc surface, separated only by a 0.1mm cover layer. As a result, the disc surface itself must function as a protective shield for the recording layer. That's why TDK developed DURABIS, an innovative hard coating technology that makes bare Blu-ray Disc media a reality by protecting the disc surface against common contaminants such as scratches and fingerprints. DURABIS makes TDK Blu-ray Discs 100 times more scratch resistant than they would be without a protective coating, as demonstrated in standardized laboratory testing. TDK is the company that pioneered hard coating technology, an essential component of the Blu-ray Disc specification. Hard coating technology pioneered by TDK has eliminated the need for cumbersome cartridges to protect the media's recording layer and is allowing the production of bare Blu-ray Disc media. Eliminating the need for a cartridge not only minimizes manufacturing costs, but also allows for the same user experience as with today's CDs and DVDs.

For more information, please visit www.tdk.com .