Maxell Corporation of America is now shipping double-layer DVD+R media. This latest recordable media increases per-disc capacity on a single side to 8.5 gigabytes, supporting high-capacity backup applications. One double-layer DVD+R will hold up to four hours of DVD-quality video.

Consistent with Maxell's technology roadmap of extremely high-density optical media that will reach 100 gigabytes or more per disc in the next three years, double-layer DVD+R media is currently the largest capacity compatible DVD format available for data backup and archival storage. Double-layer recording technology - designated DVD+R 9 - is based on double-layer technology that has been used for many years in DVD video applications.

The new double-layer DVD+R media is already supported by a new generation of double-layer drives from several leading hardware vendors. Many of the new drives are multi-format models that can record not only on double-layer media, but also with single-layer DVD write-once and rewritable media. After a disc has been recorded, it can be played back on any DVD double-layer drive, DVD-ROM or DVD video player.

Maxell's double-layer DVD+R media will be followed by a double-layer DVD-R product scheduled for availability in the third quarter of 2005. Rewritable double-layer media products - both DVD+RW and DVD-RW - are planned for availability during the second half of 2005.