JVC Announces Availability Of World’s First Single-Sided, Dual Layer DVD-RW Discs

High capacity 2X speed discs will be available in standard DVD and Mini DVD versions.

LAS VEGAS, January 5, 2006 – JVC today announced second quarter availability of the world’s first single-sided, dual layer DVD-RW discs, in both standard and Mini DVD 2x speed versions. JVC is the first to develop rewritable capability for these high-capacity discs, a breakthrough made possible by JVC innovations in materials, recording methods and production techniques.

The first two products to incorporate this technology are a 2x speed DVD-RW standard disc with a capacity of 8.5GB, for a recording time of up to 215 minutes, and a 2x speed 8cm Mini DVD for use in DVD camcorders. It has a capacity of 2.6GB, for up to 60 minutes of recording time.

Adding the rewritable feature to a single-sided, dual layer disc was made possible by JVC’s development of a high-sensitive recording film, a new recording method that enhances erasability, and a proprietary precision thin film forming technology. JVC also developed a facing film bonding method that enables mass production of the new discs using conventional manufacturing equipment.

Features of JVC’s Single-Sided, Dual Layer DVD-RW Disc Technology
JVC’s dual layer DVD-RW disc technology utilizes a semi-transparent first recording layer (L0 layer) with excellent transmission performance from the signal read side. With conventional DVD-RW disc technology, the use of a thinner recording layer in order to achieve improved transmission performance results in less laser beam absorption. The drop in laser absorption is insufficient to form and erase marks (recording signal patterns). JVC’s new single-sided, dual layer DVD-RW disc technology makes use of a new high sensitive recording film that allow excellent transmission performance and signal rewritability, and a new recording method, “N-Strategy”, which enhances erasability. The high sensitive recording film and “N-Strategy” are based on JVC’s proprietary phase-change design technology developed for high speed DVD-RW discs. Furthermore, JVC employs precision thin film forming technology based on nanotechnology.

In addition, JVC developed a facing film bonding method in which the L1 and L0 recording layers are each formed on a separate substrate, but use a different forming order. The recording sides formed on each recording layer are then bonded in an opposed fashion, separated by a space layer. The two recording layers are manufactured as separate processes prior to bonding, resulting in improved production efficiency and mass production capability using conventional manufacturing equipment.

About JVC Company of America
JVC Company of America, headquartered in Wayne, New Jersey, is a division of JVC Americas Corp., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Victor Company of Japan Ltd., and a holding company for JVC companies located in North and South America. JVC distributes a complete line of video and audio equipment, including high definition displays, camcorders, VCRs, D-VHS recorders, DVD players and recorders, satellite systems, home and portable audio equipment, mobile entertainment products and recording media. For further product information, visit JVC’s Web site at http://www.jvc.com or call 800-526-5308.

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Terry Shea

Media Inquiries

JVC Company of America

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