JVC last week showed a prototype disc that combines standard DVD and new Blu-ray technology providing a combined 33.5GB of capacity.
Blu-ray is one of two read-only optical disc technologies that provide high DVD storage capacity with the aim of allowing content producers to distribute HD movies. But, in a CNET report, analysts warn that the competing technologies, Blu-ray and HD DVD, could do more short-term harm than good by prolonging confusion in the market.
A combined Blu-ray and standard DVD disc could help the situation. If content producers start distributing the combo discs, consumers might be more inclined to buy Blu-ray players.
The disc could allow future software releases to take advantage of the large 33.5GB storage capacity by combining video content with commercials, music or games on a single disc, the company said in a release. JVC also said it hopes that the new media format will contribute to “resource and energy conservation” by eliminating the need to create separate Blu-ray and DVD format discs.
JVC said it created the combo disc using a three-layer structure, two for DVD and one for Blu-ray. A reflective film lets a blue laser read the outer Blu-ray layer, and a red laser passes through the film to read the dual DVD layer within.
JVC didn’t say when its prototype would be ready for release, but said it would propose the technology to the Blu-ray Disc Association, a trade group, for consideration as a standard. JVC also said a similar disc with even greater capacity — 58.5GB — was in the works.
