"..Hewlett-Packard Company today announced that it will refocus it strategy to enter the DVD+RW market and accelerate its efforts toward bringing a 4.7GB DVD+RW product to market. HP continues to support the DVD+RW format, but -- contrary to its expectations announced in June -- will not introduce a 3.0GB DVD+RW product this fall.

Matson said that the market would be more receptive to a DVD+RW product when the installed base of DVD-ROM readers and DVD video players reaches a critical mass. This, together with increased use of rich, multimedia information, requiring expanded storage capacity, will drive the demand for a high-capacity 4.7GB DVD+RW product that can be shared universally. The 4.7GB DVD+RW format will offer the look, feel and ease of use provided by non-cartridged discs, which consumers have become familiar with in a music CD format.

HP continues to build on its market leadership position and expertise in the rapidly growing CD-RW market. The company offers a complete line of high-quality, reliable and easy-to-use CD-RW products. With up to 650MB of capacity and the ability to be read in virtually any CD-ROM and CD-audio products, CD-RW meets the needs of most mainstream applications for storing and sharing information.." NULL