OSTA Targets Compatibility Consensus for Writable DVD Formats
SANTA BARBARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 11, 1999--
New Subcommittee Formed -- Primary Charter is to Develop a
Specification Enabling Read Compatibility among Multiple
Writable DVD Formats
In response to the ongoing debate over disparate writable DVD
standards, the Optical Storage Technology Association (OSTA) today
announced the formation of a new writable DVD subcommittee.
The initial goal of this subcommittee is to develop and deploy a
new specification that will enable conforming CD and DVD optical
drives to read specified writable DVD media, including media from
competing industry formats.
Consistent with OSTA's mission to assure broad interchangeability
of recorded media for the user, the new writable DVD compatibility
specification will allow optical drive manufacturers to produce drives
capable of reading all types of CD media (CD-Audio, CD-ROM, CD-R,
CD-RW), DVD-ROM and DVD-R media, and media from the first two
announced rewritable DVD formats (DVD-RAM and DVD+RW).
This initiative builds upon OSTA's pioneering efforts in
developing the popular MultiRead specification, which was created to
ensure compatibility among all classes of CD discs and CD/DVD devices.
The first meeting of the OSTA Writable DVD Subcommittee, open to
representatives from OSTA member companies and associate member
companies, will be held Jan. 13 and 14, in South San Francisco, Calif.
Non-member companies interested in participating in the new
subcommittee may contact OSTA at 805/963-3853.
To date, 35 individuals from 29 participating optical technology
companies have signed up to participate in the new subcommittee, which
includes essentially all of the major proponents of DVD-RAM and DVD+RW
technologies, major media manufacturers and system integrators. Felix
Nemirovsky, vice president of Plextor Corp., has been named chairman
of the new subcommittee. Nemirovsky is uniquely qualified for this
position, combining extensive industry experience and technical
leadership, with unquestioned neutrality in the DVD standards issue.
"There is little doubt that writable DVD has the potential to
become a premier storage technology due to its flexibility,
high-capacity, media longevity, and expected compatibility with a
large installed base of CD and DVD discs," said Nemirovsky.
"However, the battle for supremacy in the writable DVD standards
game has inhibited market growth for drives that read DVD discs,
because some consumers are afraid of backing the wrong horse. The
availability of a specification ensuring that consumers are protected
from compatibility issues could be critical for DVD to reach its
ultimate potential, and we are flattered to be asked to lead this
effort."
In addition to the creation of a writable DVD compatibility
specification for readers, other objectives set for the DVD
subcommittee include:
- Creation of compliance tests -- The subcommittee members will
develop a test plan enabling device manufacturers to demonstrate
compliance with OSTA's writable DVD compatibility specification.
-- Development of test disks/tools -- As required by the
compatibility specification and test plan, the new subcommittee
will develop a suite of test disks and tools to assist device
manufacturers with compliance testing.
-- Creation of an open forum -- The subcommittee will also serve as
a forum for all proposed writable DVD variations. In particular,
it will encourage presentations and proposals from 4.7 GB drive
proponents, and will evaluate expanding the DVD compatibility
specification to enable DVD-Video and DVD-Audio players to read
writable DVD media as well.
"OSTA's objective in forming this subcommittee is to protect the
consumer's investment in hardware and recorded discs without limiting
the technological innovation the optical storage industry is known
for," said Ray Freeman, OSTA facilitator. "This endeavor underscores
OSTA's commitment to give priority to consumers' needs. Having
assembled all of the key players under the respected leadership of
Felix Nemirovsky, and given OSTA's proven successes with MultiRead and
other initiatives, we anticipate achieving industry consensus."
About MultiRead
MultiRead is an optical drive specification ratified by OSTA in
July 1997 that enables all classes of CD discs (CD-Audio, CD-ROM,
CD-R, CD-RW) to be read on current and future CD and DVD devices. To
encourage manufacturer compliance, OSTA set up a MultiRead logo
program. Vendors that wish to display the logo on their devices and
sales material must successfully complete the MultiRead test plan and
submit a nominal licensing fee.
To date, 15 of the industry's largest companies are approved or
nearing approval to use the MultiRead logo, including Actima,
Behavioral Technology Computer, Hewlett-Packard, Hitachi, LG
Electronics, Lite-On, Matsushita Kotobuki Electronics, Mitsumi,
Philips Electronics, Pioneer, Ricoh, Samsung, Sony, TEAC and Toshiba.
Approval of additional applicants is expected soon.
OSTA Background
The Optical Storage Technology Association (OSTA) was
incorporated as an international trade association in 1992 to promote
the use of writable optical technologies and products for storage of
computer data. The organization's membership includes optical product
manufacturers and resellers from three continents, representing more
than 85 percent of worldwide writable optical product shipments. They
work to shape the future of the industry through regular meetings of
CD/DVD, file interchange, market development, magneto-optical and
planning committees.
Interested companies worldwide are invited to join the
organization and participate in its programs by contacting an OSTA
representative at 805/963-3853 or by addressing its Web site at
www.osta.org.
CONTACT:
Optical Storage Technology Association
Ray Freeman, 805/963-3853
ray@osta.org
or
Walt & Company Communications
Sean Florio, 408/496-0900
sflorio@walt.com
KEYWORD: CALIFORNIA
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