If Hitachi's forthcoming product line is an indication of the future, it's a sure bet that the second generation of DVD-RAM technology will finally see the support and interest its first generation sibling was deprived of.
The GF-2000 series (ATAPIinterface shipping on June 30th) and GF-2050 series (SCSI interface shipping in late August) DVD-RAM drives are based on the new 4.7GB (per side) technology by doubling the previous 2.6GB technology offered in the GF-1000 series.
Hitachi has built read/write compatibility for the 2.6GB DVD-RAM technology into the GF-2000 and will be offering read support for the latest 4.7GB DVD-RAM technology in two forthcoming DVD-ROM drives due to ship in July (the ATAPI-based GD-7500) and August (the ATAPI-based GD-S200 slim tray). Read speeds for the two drives were not specified. Hitachi hopes all this DVD-RAM compatibility will help the sales of its forthcoming DVD-RAM video camcorder (DZ-MV100) and DVD video recorder (DV-RX2000) shipping in August in Japan and later this year in the states.