LAS VEGAS (CES, Booth #N109), Jan. 7, 2004 - Sony announces the introduction of its first 8x DVD-R and DVD+R media for the consumer market, providing end-users with high-quality audio and video combined with a 30 percent increase in the recording and accessing speed of its previous high-speed offerings.

Utilizing a recently introduced manufacturing process based on new integrated molecular dye, Sony addresses the growing demand for DVD burning among consumers with the development of a faster, more reliable recordable media that is compatible with a wide variety of drives and devices.

"With a growing number of consumers using digital camcorders, desktop video editing solutions, DVD recorders and DVD recordable drives, it is important for our recordable media offerings to keep pace," said Michael Lucas, director of consumer and convergent media of Sony Electronics' Media and Applications Solutions Division

The manufacturing process used in Sony's new 8x DVD-R and +R media incorporates advanced patterning technology to achieve a new level of recording stability. The new integrated molecular dye technology assures constant signal amplitude at all speeds (1x - 8x) for greater reliability and compatibility.

Like all Sony single-side recordable DVD discs, the 8x DVD-R and DVD+R discs offer 4.7 GB of data storage capacity, but the 8x media can record the entire 4.7 GB in approximately 10 minutes. (Recording time will vary depending on drive specification). When recording MPEG2 data, the disc provides about 120 minutes of recording time with premium picture quality.

Sony's new 8x DVD-R and DVD+R discs will be available in March/April 2004 at the suggested list price of $ 2.99 per disc, or $ 29.99 for a package of ten.

Specifications for SONY 8x DVD-R and DVD+R Media

DVD-R:

Disc Diameter: 120 mm

Disc Thickness: 1.2 mm

Recording Capacity: 4.7 GB

Track Pitch: 0.74 mm

Wobble Frequency: 140 kHz

Reflectivity: 45% to 85%

Write Once

Appearance: Without cartridge

DVD+R:

Disc Diameter: 120 mm

Disc Thickness: 1.2 mm

Recording Capacity: 4.7 GB

Track Pitch: 0.74 mm

Wobble Frequency: 817.8 kHz

Reflectivity: 45% to 85%

Write once

Appearance: Without cartridge

Source: Sony