Hitachi Maxell Launches the World’s First*18 cm Blu-ray Write-Once BD-R/Rewritable BD-RE Discs for Video Cameras

TOKYO, JAPAN.- Hitachi Maxell, Ltd. (TSE/OJE : 6810) today announced that the company will launch the world’s first*1 8 cm Blu-ray write-once BD-R/rewritable BD-RE discs (7.5GB) for video cameras on August 10. When used with Blu-ray-Disc-compatible video cameras, these products enable long-duration filming of approximately 60 minutes*2 with full high-definition picture quality which has 1920 x 1080 pixels.

In the video camera market, video cameras that use optical discs (DVDs) as data storage media are becoming increasingly popular due to the outstanding portability and functionality of optical discs. With the recent increase in the popularity of high-definition-quality video, demand for products compatible with high- definition-quality recording has been growing. As a result, there is demand for recording media with even larger storage capacities for hi-vision-picture-quality filming, which requires the storage of huge volumes of information.

Launched by Hitachi Maxell, these 8 cm Blu-ray Discs enable full high-definition -quality recording for approximately 60 minutes*2 and are compatible with the world’s first*1 Blu-ray Disc-compatible video cameras, which is launched by Hitachi, Ltd.

These products combine original core technologies compatible with blue-violet lasers and technologies for video-camera optical discs that the Company has continued to develop since commercializing the world’s first 8 cm DVD-RAM disc for video cameras. Further, the Company designed these products with consideration for the heightened reliability required for outdoor usage. For these products, the Company has achieved uniform shape, weight, and thickness through MHSS (Maxell High Stabilized Spin) technology, which controls substrate molding and the high-precision 0.1 mm cover layer and hard coat layer. These innovations enable stable filming movement by curbing vibration of the camera body due to disc rotation. Further, Hitachi Maxell has incorporated a recording-surface HG hard coat (hard coat layer) that has stronger protective characteristics than the hard coats of the Company’s existing DVDs, thereby improving reliability with respect to scratches, dust, and fingerprints when the products are used outdoors. In addition, these products achieve stable recording and reproduction characteristics thanks to the incorporation of newly developed inorganic recording film (BD-R) and phase-change recording film (BD-RE) that ensure a wide margin with regard to the recording laser power.

Since launching the world’s first DVDs for video cameras (cartridge-type 8 cm DVD-RAM) in August 2000, Hitachi Maxell has led the development and commercialization of optical discs for video cameras. Going forward, Hitachi Maxell will continue to advance the development of large-storage-capacity optical discs while marketing products that cater to demand for high-definition-generation recordable optical discs.

*1 As of August 2, 2007. Survey by Hitachi Maxell.
*2 Filming durations vary according to cameras and recording modes.