Verbatim Corporation announced today that it will begin shipping 1-16x speed DVD-R media later this month.

With the ability to record video, photos, music or data files at about 21 MB/sec, users will be able to fill an entire 4.7GB disc to capacity in about six minutes. To ensure broad compatibility, Verbatim 1-16x speed DVD-R discs are compliant with the DVD Forum?s 16x DVD-R Specifications. Leading drive manufacturers such as BenQ, Hitachi-LG Data Storage, Lite-On, NEC, Plextor, Sony and others have announced 16x DVD-R compatible drives. The new write-once media, which can be used at all recording speeds between 1x and 16x, is also backward compatible with existing DVD recorders and 1-8x DVD-R burners when appropriate firmware upgrades are installed.

The reliability, high-speed recording and broad compatibility that Verbatim?s new 16x DVD-R discs provide make them ideal for sharing computer data, home videos, photos, and music. With write-once security and 4.7 GB of capacity, the media is also an excellent storage solution for fast backups, archiving and library applications.

Like Verbatim?s certified 1-16x speed DVD+R media which is now in daily use around the globe, the new DVD-R discs are produced with the proprietary Advanced AZO? recording layer technology developed by Verbatim's parent company, Mitsubishi? Kagaku Media (MKM). The patented AZO dye provides a unique combination of features including increased sensitivity to laser light?the key requirement for high-speed recording, control of the heat interference

between consecutive recorded marks for substantially less jitter and reduced degradation of recording marks, as well as a wide power margin for very stable recording.

To minimize errors during high-speed recording, the premium quality 1-16x DVD-R discs are produced using precision molding technology to ensure that the surface of each disc is consistently flat.

Availability
Backed by a limited lifetime warranty, Verbatim 1-16x DVD-R discs will have an estimated street price of $2.00 and will be available in January through leading retailers, Internet resellers and distributors across the country. The new media will be packaged in jewel cases, multi-packs and spindles. Blank inkjet printable and thermal printable discs will also be available.