Just two days ago, the Recordable DVD Council (RDVDC), the organization responsible for the DVD-RAM format, announced that the new 16x writing specification is near ready.  While the RDVDC works on the new DVD-RAM writing strategy, the DVD+RW alliance is also getting ready to finalise and launch the 16x DVD+RW format. This should allow a strict competition between them, with the appearing of new drives for PCs capable of writing at these speeds.

These news couldn't have been better for consumers, which will benefit of lower prices on the media and more quality on the products. However, companies are aware that the DVD writing speeds have reached the final barrier - according to Anthony Jasionowski, group manager of strategic planning at Panasonic and spokesman for the Ram Promotion Group, "the maximum speed looks to be 16x".

"The maximum speed looks to be 16x," said Anthony Jasionowski, group manager of strategic planning at Panasonic and spokesman for the Ram Promotion Group. "Any faster and even the best media might break apart. It's revolving at 11,000 rpm. We think our competitors may top out at 12x." Jasionowski told vnunet.com that the recording method has also led to longer lasting data storage. Evidence from a university study suggests that DVDs could last up to 100 years, but he preferred to say a 30-year life span.

The article also adds that DVDs can last - theorically - up to 100 years, although 30 years is considered to be the normal life-span. It's clear that we will have a good writer market in 2006, with the appearence of new rewritable speeds. Companies will have to stretch a bit to obtain the maximum revenue from the new rewriting specifications. The moving to HD-DVD and Blu-Ray seems inevitable with the ending of DVD exploration. Until then, what can we expect from recordable driver's makers? New features to attract buyers, like LightScribe or LabelFlash?  

Source: Vnunet