TDK Recording Media Europe has released an 8cm CD-R disc, adding to its extensive recording media line-up. The CD-R 8cm disc has been developed by TDK in response to the increasing success of the portable MP3 hardware market in Europe and will support playback in both CD and MP3 formats. Aimed at early adopters, the youth market and music enthusiasts, this TDK 8cm CD-R has a capacity of 210MB. In consumer-friendly terms this is the equivalent of 24 minutes of music in audio format, approximately 50 MP3 files, or three hours of compressed music (depending on the compression format). Recording onto the TDK 8cm disc is just as simple as recording a typical 12cm CD-R

Branded in the same way as its market leading XS-iV range, TDK expects the new disc to be immediately popular with users, an increasing number of whom own MP3 equipment. The disc is compatible with most makes of CD and MP3 hardware and will offer the ultimate in digital sound recording quality.

Discs will be available in packs of five from the usual TDK retail outlets and is expected to retail at around £4.99 for a pack of 5.). The 8cm disc will be available from November 2002 throughout Europe.