Verbatim 16x DVDR's

Spot|DSE wrote on 7/19/2004, 8:05 PM
Verbatim 1-16x DVD+R Media Sets the Standard

Verbatim Corporation, a core member of the DVD+RW Alliance, today announced plans to release 1-16X speed DVD+R media. With the ability to record at about 21 MB/sec, the discs will store 4.7GB of video, photos, music or data files in about five minutes. Verbatim is working closely with the verification authorities and expects to begin manufacturing certified 1-16X DVD+R media shortly after specifications are released later this month. Sample 16X media has already been provided to five of the leading burner manufacturers that are tuning their drives to Verbatim’s high-performance media.

The key component in achieving 16X speed DVD+R media that delivers optimum performance, superior quality and the broadest compatibility is the proprietary Advanced AZO recording layer technology developed by Verbatim's parent company, Mitsubishi® Kagaku Media (MKM). By using the proven dye technology incorporated in its 8X DVD+R media as the platform for the new, more sensitive Advanced AZO technology, MKM engineers not only achieved 16X +R write speed, they ensured that the new media will maintain backward compatibility with existing DVD recorders and 1-8X DVD+R burners.

The patented AZO dye features excellent thermal and optical properties for a wider power margin and increased sensitivity to laser light for high-speed recording. Reliability is enhanced by controlling the heat interference between recording marks, which reduces degradation of the recording marks. This minimizes the jitter and enables superior recording characteristics across the entire range of available recording speeds, from 1X through 16X.

Comments

farss wrote on 7/19/2004, 10:29 PM
One worry not addressed is long term archival properties of AZO dye.
All the optical media that I use uses phthalocyanine as the dye media which tests have shown lasts the longest, good for at least 50 years. That's not some rough guess, it's from accelerated aging tests.
Grazie wrote on 7/19/2004, 10:46 PM
I am in total Awe of you two! - Grazie
Spot|DSE wrote on 7/20/2004, 5:24 AM
Then you're at least half a fool. (I'm in awe of Farss, you should skip the middleman and go straight to the top) :-)
OdieInAz wrote on 7/20/2004, 7:29 AM
How can I find which DVD-R use phthalocyanine dye? I use Ritek G04, and all I can find are words like "high quality organic dye "

farss wrote on 7/20/2004, 8:01 AM
I think Ritek are using it. Can't be certain but I've a strong suspicion that the stuff that I'm buying comes out of the same plant that does at least some of the Ritek work.

For what it's worth I buy from www.prodisc.com.au, these aren't the same as "Prodisc Technology" as sold in the USA under "Prodisc".
Grazie wrote on 7/20/2004, 8:14 AM
"Then you're at least half a fool. " . .and the other 'alf ? . . Don't answer . . I just love it when you guys get down and talk .. . er ... techie! . .What was the name of that chemical ? Poetry! Sheer poetry . ..

Grazie
farss wrote on 7/20/2004, 9:35 PM
Just had a long talk with the engineer at Prodisc.
Turns out no one uses phthalocyanine for DVDs, it's only currently used in archival grade CDs. The choices for DVD currently are cynanine (hope thats how it's spelt) or AZO. Different other dopants maybe added in the hope of improving performance.
The issues relate to write speed. A DVD that used phthalocyanine would have a maximum write speed of 1x. Combining that dye with a gold reflective layer would produce media that should last 50-100 years, however the lower reflectivity of gold would make reading that data back more difficult.
To achieve higher write speeds requires reducing the thickness of the dye layer and hence its longevity, the 16x media has such a thin dye layer no one seems to know how long they will last.
Best advice if you want to archive video that will still be accessible in 50 years, split it up into short segments and copy them onto archive grade CDs. This will require a bit of effort and higher cost than using DVDs but in 50 years I think that'll seem kind of irrelevant.

Why am I obsessed about this, well firstly I get paid to convert peoples ancient film into DVDs, it worries me that the DVDs I make will not last anything like as long as some of the film has.
Secondly and perhaps more importantly, most national archives are now archiving to DVD without any consideration to how long it will last. This should be a worry for all of us.
Bob.