Sony DADC has announced that they now have six 50 GB Blu-ray Disc production lines up and running. The company, which announced its 50 GB Blu-ray production plans in May of this year, is currently ramping up production to 60K discs per day.

"We are encouraged by the performance of both our 25 GB single layer and 50 GB dual layer production technologies, both of which are meeting our expectations," stated Michael Mitchell, Executive Vice President, Manufacturing and Engineering for Sony DADC. "My hat is off to our development and process engineering teams worldwide, all of whom have contributed tirelessly to bring these capabilities to life."

In addition to the six dual layer lines currently running, the company has nine 25 GB Blu-ray Disc production machines in operation and has shipped over three million Blu-ray Discs for a client base of over 35 customers since beginning production in May of this year.

Sony DADC's Terre Haute facility also has two Phase Transition Mastering (PTM) systems and has been mastering 50 GB discs since mid-September 2006. Over 130 BD titles have been mastered, which include both 25 and 50 GB titles. Both PTM machines are capable of mastering PS3 titles as well. Sony DADC has three fully integrated Blu-ray packaging lines, all of which are fully operational and capable of supporting video and PS3 titles in both 25 GB and 50 GB formats.

Japanese TDK has also announced the availability of 50GB BD-R media.