The newly developed 12x-speed DVD-RAM Disc and Drive Test Specifications are available. The DVD Forum announced the availability of the test specifications for the 12x DVD-RAM recording, and are currently available to hardware and software makers. The group will supply the Test Discs stably using secured mass-production technology.

These Test Specifications and the Test Discs will enable the manufacturers to supply high speed discs and drives to the market in a timely manner. The DVD Forum plans to develop 16x-speed DVD-RAM Disc and Drive Test Specifications, later this year.

Hitachi-Maxell has announced the succesfull development of a new phase-change material appropriate for 16x DVD-RAM recording, while NEc and Panasonic have shoecased Optical Pick-up Unit (OPU) prototypes used for 16x DVD-RAM writing.

The writing time for 4.7GB DVD-RAM is currently about 30 minutes (inclusive the writing verification process, 5x), and is expected to be limited to 10 minutes for 16X writing.