The 22nd RWPPI general meeting was held on Dec. 10th in Japan. Introduction of new DVD-R, DVD-RW high-speed specifications; new products from Pioneer and CyberLink, and a technical report on potentials of 1x-16x DVD-R recording with a new dye by Fuji Photo Film were the main subjects for discussion. Mr. Koki Aizawa (current Representative), opened the meeting with genearl words about business for DVD-R, DVD-RW related products: "As a topic for the 2003 year end sales in the Japanese market, DVD Recorder sales can be characterized as having 80% with HDD, 15% with VCR, and roughly 5% as simple DVD Recorders themselves. Of the latest 31 DVD Recorders out in the market from the various manufacturers, 27 models have DVD-R, DVD-RW compatibility, validating further expectations for increases of DVD Recorders with DVD-R, DVD-RW more and more."

Afterward, reports from the Media and Hardware Working Groups were made, continued with updates on the progress of exhibition plans for WCES 2004 in Jan. of next year (to be held in Las Vegas, U.S.A.)

Next, Mr. Taniguchi, the WG6 Chairman of the DVD Forum, introduced new specifications for DVD-R and DVD-RW. Afterwards, the Pioneer"PRV-LX1 DVD Recorder for Industrial use" and the "All round DVD Authoring & Dubbing Tool: PowerProducer2 Gold" from CyberLink Inc. were introduced.

During the meeting, a special lecture by Mr. Michihiro Shibata of the Recording Media Products Division of Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. introduced newest developments on the "Possibilities of 1x-16x speed DVD-R using a New Dye," to conclude our RWPPI General Meeting for 2003.